“It’s entirely possible. He’s obviously comfortable in employing such a repulsive method of persuasion.”
Charlie had gone back to looking utterly murderous. “That man needs to be put out of his misery before he harms anyone else.”
A warning bell sounded in the back of Kade’s mind. He studied his sweet lass for a few moments, taking in her ramrod-straight posture and fierce expression. In her dashing kilted attire, she seemed rather like a Highland princess—one ready to go to war.
“Never fear,” he calmly replied. “We’ll bring him to heel. Johnny, do you have any idea how he was able to dose your wine?”
“When I was leaving the drawing room to go to bed, I asked our butler to have a glass sent up to my room. I suppose he could have somehow done it then.”
Kade flicked through his memories of the previous evening. “I recall him loitering about the drinks trolley at that point.”
“I am such an idiot,” Johnny said in a bitter tone. “I always knew Sir Leslie was too fast for me, but I let him suck me in anyway.”
“People like Morgan excel at what they do. They’re predators.”
“He certainly preyed on me,” Johnny glumly replied.
“What puzzles me, though, is why Morgan hasn’t carried through on his threat to inform your father. Why all these deranged plots?”
Johnny grimaced. “I told him that my father would never repay my gambling debts. Papa would be far more likely to throw me out on my ear.”
“Papa detests gambling,” Charlie explained. “Our uncle—Mamma’s younger brother—was fleeced several times in gaming hells. Mamma kept lending him money until our father put a stop to it. I still remember the huge row they had over it.”
Kade thought for a few moments before replying. “Then in order to bring an end to this, we either need to get Morgan to admit what he’s been doing to Johnny or catch him in the act of whatever he’s planning next.”
Charlie shot out of her chair. “We arenotputting Johnny in any more danger. I won’t have it.”
Kade stood and took her hand. “Johnny will be well protected at all times.”
“I’ll be fine, Sis,” Johnny earnestly said. “We need to do this.”
“The man’s a poltroon and a blackmailer. A dangerous one,” she gritted out.
Kade smiled at her. “I think between the two of us, we’re rather more dangerous than he is. Wouldn’t you agree?”
She glowered for a few seconds longer before her mouth twitched, as if she was trying to hold back an answering smile. “Yes, I believe we are.”
“Maybe we should tell Papa, even if he does blow his top,” Johnny hesitantly suggested. “I’m sure he can do something. After all, he is a magistrate.”
Kade shook his head. “Morgan comes from a respected and well-connected family. He’ll simply deny everything, and it would come down to your word against his. Your sister and I would back you, of course, but that would mean little in a court of law. We need proof.”
Charlie grimaced. “Unfortunately, I seem to be drawing a blank on ideas at the moment. Which is tremendously frustrating.”
“I take it Morgan has your vowels?” Kade asked Johnny.
“Yes. He’s been quite obnoxious about flaunting them in my face.”
“Then let’s start there. We need to retrieve them so that’s one less point of pressure on you. Without the vowels, there’s no proof that you actually owe him money.”
“How is that going to extract a confession from him?” Johnny asked, sounding dubious.
“It won’t, but I take it that he needs the money quite badly.”
“He is in Dun territory, from what I’ve heard,” Johnny admitted. “I think he’s quite desperate, to tell you the truth.”
Kade nodded. “Exactly, and if there’s one thing desperate men tend to do, it’s make mistakes. I also twisted the knife a bit by letting it slip that I was back in the hunt for the brooch. Morgan wasn’t best pleased to hear that.”
Charlie frowned, clearly thinking it through. “I suppose that might work. Of course, I could also try my hand at extracting a confession from him. Pointing my pistol at his head should do the job nicely.”
