That made Ronan let go. “Where are they?”
He was walking out of the house five minutes later, his hands wrapped around a folder, and he was practically whistling. It couldn’t have gone any better.
The relief coursing through his body was practically pleasurable. Riding back toward town, he made quick work in finding Julian.
“You came back with the papers?” His friend asked in amazement. “How did you make that happen? I knew you could be fearsome, but I didn’t think you’d be so successful at it.”
Ronan explained all that had happened, the two of them enjoying a short laugh of relief. Because whilst he had been with Dunn, Julian had uncovered three more blackmail schemes that included forged contracts and more corruption.
They just needed the proof.
The morning was spent for the two of them traveling around to the houses and families of those caught up in the schemes. It was difficult to convince the lords to be honest, but when they learned they might finally be free, the benefit became worth the risk.
“Here we are,” Julian announced over a desk they’d taken up at their club in the early afternoon while they wrote out everything they knew. “I want to send these to Lord Aberforth and Williams. The Prince Regent as well, of course.”
“Bold,” Ronan murmured as he looked over the penned letters. “Yes, I think that’s perfect.”
His friend pointed to the bottom of the papers. “Just sign there. It should come from you since the threat was personal,” he added. “If this comes to court, you may be needed.”
“I’ll drag you into the mess,” Ronan muttered but signed them all the same.
“I’m already in it,” came the cheerful reply. “But I can assure you I am enjoying myself. I… Hold up. Did I just see…?”
Ronan looked up. “What?”
Julian dragged him to his feet and they went to the hall, finding Lord Dunn striding down the hall. He was headed toward the main room where other gentleman were frequently gathered for drinks, billiards, and general conversation. There were alwaysa few influential people there. And it was the perfect place for gossip.
All it took was a second for them to realize what Dunn’s plan had to be: exonerate himself in the eyes of society before anything could be said.
“This can’t be good.”
“Get the papers,” Ronan snapped and then hurried after Dunn. The rage returned in a heartbeat just seeing the gentleman. Why hadn’t he done more with Dunn, telling him to leave the country immediately? Or do something? He thought quickly. What was Dunn’s plan? And how was he supposed to prove the truth?
He paused at the doorway to gather his breath before entering. It took a minute to find Dunn, who was standing in a large group of ten or so gentleman. The lord had a bottle in his hands he waved about like he was telling a humorous story.
“And so I just laughed,” he was telling them. “How could I do anything different? It’s not every day someone goes mad, calling you a fraud.”
Everyone is laughing like it’s a joke, like it doesn’t mean anything. Like he didn’t threaten the rest of my future. They can’t imagine it’s real, can they?
Julian’s hands balled into fists. He stood on the cusp of the group, considering their expressions. Though he wanted to put aspeech together, there wasn’t time. He couldn’t let this go on any further.
“A fraud! What a simple insult,” he called just loud enough to be heard over the group. He stared Dunn down. “But then again, sometimes the simplest things are the truth.”
Dunn’s smile wavered.
“Is that some sort of riddle?” Someone asked.
“Perhaps it is,” Ronan said. He stared the old man down. “Here is a question I set up before you all: Who has ever gone into business with Lord Dunn and found him on the receiving end of any actual wealth?”
A buzz of whispers abounded. He vaguely recognized one of them. It was the young Winthrop, the lord who had first congratulated him on the marriage.
The gentleman met his gaze and offered a courteous nod.
“I’ll be making some money soon,” someone boasted.
“Me too! The investments just need more time.”
“Time,” Ronan said aloud as he turned back toward Dunn. “That’s the excuse. But you’ll find Dunn’s promises are empty.Empty until he can find something to blackmail you with, anyways.”
