Leading the way, they walked past a clerk, bent over ledgers at the desk Andrew and the blonde had worked at, into the manager’s office. In the daylight, it was clear this would have been Uncle Nathan’s room, and for some reason, the mere existence of Mr. Howden sitting behind the large mahogany desk was an affront.
Will took out the keys he’d taken from Mrs. Villaret as Howden jumped to his feet. “Mr. Grayson, what is the meaning of this unexpected visit? I would gladly have made an appointment.”
Andrew stepped aside and motioned to Will. “Lord Wivenly would like a few words with you, Mr. Howden.”
The manager’s lips moved, but no sound emerged.
When the clerk came to the door, Will closed it in his face, then strolled back to the desk and sat on it, allowing his leg to swing. He picked up the open journal.
Apparently recovered from his shock, Howden made a grab for it. “You can’t take that. It’s private.”
“I know exactly what it is.” Will pitched his voice in a low snarl.
“What I don’t know and intend to discover is how you thought you’d get away with your little scheme.Sit. It’s time we had a bit of a talk.”
Chapter 7
Will waited until Howden sank back into the chair before he continued. “My father, the Earl of Watford, was confused when he received conflicting reports concerning Wivenly Imports. One from you that the business was doing well, the other from my aunt telling him she had no money.” Will pierced the manager with a glare.
No one harmed his family and got away with it.
“Therefore, Mr. Grayson and I visited this office the other evening. Would you care to hazard a guess at what we found?”
Howden’s gaunt face paled as beads of sweat broke out on his forehead. “N-no, my lord.”
“Then I shall tell you. We discovered two sets of books andthis.” Will held up the diary.
Howden flashed a glance at the door and started to rise. Andrew gripped the manager’s shoulders from behind, forcing him back down.
How the hell did Howden think he’d be able to escape? Keeping his voice cold as ice, Will lifted his lip in a snarl. “I really cannot allow you to leave yet. You haven’t told me why you did it.”
For several moments the manager was silent. Finally, his voice full of venom, he spoke. “Without a recommendation from Mr. Wivenly, I was stuck here in this hell-hole. Shipley offered me a position in one of his companies if I helped him buy Wivenly Imports and marry Miss Villaret.”
“Did you not consider”—Will pitched his voice so the manager could hear the menace in it—“that for honest work, for protecting the interests of our family, my father would have given you a recommendation?”
“No. Other than receiving reports, I didn’t know he was involved.” Howden stared at a space over Will’s left shoulder. “I can make it up to you. After all, the company is doing well, and no real harm’s been done.”
Will’s hands fisted, and he moved away from the desk to stop himself from reaching across and planting the man a facer. “Your services are no longer required here.” He stepped to the door, calling to the clerk, “I need a length of rope and a constable.”
The blackguard would go to jail for a long time if Will had anything to say about it. Too bad he couldn’t put him on a prison transport.
“Will?” Andrew motioned him to his side. “If you have Howden arrested and tried, you will ruin the company’s reputation.”
Howden sat still for a moment, and Will prayed the manager would give him an excuse to do considerable damage to his person. “You’re telling me I have to let the scoundrel go?”
“In a word, yes. There is nothing you can do without causing more harm to your aunt.”
Howden glanced up at Will and sneered. “Do you know anything about running a company,my lord?”
His fists clenched, but Andrew moved to block any attempt Will might make to harm the manager.
“No, but Mr. Grayson here does.” Will might not be able to put Howden in prison, but an even better idea came to him. “He’ll also ensure you never work inanybusiness again.”
“How do you think he’d manage that?” Howden said, sure of his position, then suddenly the manager’s face paled.
“B and G Shipping?” Howden’s words came out as a squeak. “That Grayson?”
Andrew grinned wickedly. “The same. You are lucky Lord Wivenly has decided not to beat you senseless. I suggest you leave before he changes his mind.”
