Bored, half not paying attention, Adrian listened to the man prattle on.
“We didn’ know it were Cap’n Reeves, mi’lord,” the man said at once. “Some ol’ codger give us coin, said ‘e ‘ad a job for us. I didn’ want nowt to do wi’ it. I don’ evenlikeJohnny, ‘onest! I should ‘ave gone to the const’ble, I don’ know why I didn’.”
This much he had learned from the others. A man who hid his face in shadows and his body behind a cloak approached the men earlier in the afternoon, paid them handsomely, and on instruction they followedReeves behind the bakery where he had taken Miss Cooper and waited until they emerged.
“We weren’ s’posed to hurt the lady, only bring ‘er to the edge o’ town.”
Adrian’s full attention shifted at the words.
“The lady?”
Whatever blood remained in the man’s face drained at the question. “Mi’lord, you ‘ave to believe me, Ine’erwould ‘ave hurt Cap’n Reeves’ wife.” Shaking, he explained, “But Johnny… ‘e wanted toearnhis coin. Once he seen ‘em go into that room, ‘e got other ideas. The ale was strong. Ev’ryone was drunk. I ain’t that kind o’ man, I swear! I tried t’ stop ‘im, but ‘e wouldn’—”
Adrian’s gaze landed hard on the man.
“How much coin?”
“Twenny pounds each.”
Adrian frowned. That type of coin wouldn’t cross their hands in a year.
His father instructed him not to tell Reeves of his findings. Not from this morning’s investigation, nor from the hunt. He couldn’t disobey directly, not that he had the opportunity. With Reeves and Lord Lincolnshire in crisis at the manor, getting a word in would be as subtle as a lion stepping into a nursery.
Reeves’ romantic life was none of his concern, but the safety of all guests fell under Adrian’s command. Miss Cooper’s safety was now his top priority. He would send the seed of knowledge on the wind in Reeves’ direction, increase security in the manor, and have his scouts canvass the town for more information.
Adrian stepped from the cell and turned to his youngest scout. A promising lad, quick learner, teeming with potential.
Altogether too enthusiastic about footwear.
“What a strange rumor you heard in the kitchens this morning.”
“Yes mi’lord,” Trevor said, stepping from the shadows. “Strange, indeed.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
The last board member closed the door behind him with aclickas swift as a guillotine, leaving Seth and Cooper alone with a towering stack of parchment on the desk between them. To avert scandal, and with respect to Cooper’s station, the board wasgraciousenough to allow them to forfeit the contest on ‘unstated ethical grounds.’ They could keep their designs, the rifle, and the telescope—of which Duke Kendall had no serious interest in—as long as they reimbursed all expenses incurred on their behalf over the course of the stay.
All painstakingly detailed.
Each page landed harder on the desk than the one before it as Cooper flipped through them. “Administration fees. Solicitor fees. Stable fees.”Flip.“Cassandra’s physician’s fees. Your physician’s fees.”Flip. “Soap?!”Flip.“Oil from the lamps!”FLIP.“It’s impossible that the three of us drank that much tea!”FLIP.“They’re charging us for the quills used to sign our forfeiture statement!”
Cooper slammed his hands on the table. Loose pages fell to the floor like snow.
“How could this happen?” Shoulders shaking, he turned to Seth. “One week! You couldn’t control yourself for one week! Forten thousand pounds!”
Shadows darkened Cooper’s swollen eyes. Stubble marked his chin, and his voice grew hoarse after a night of struggling to convince non-budging gentlemen to reconsider. Dead on his feet from pacing floorswhile Seth pored over rules, while the constable gave his statement, while a confession corroborated their claim.
None of it mattered.
There wasn’t a self-defense clause under the words:Violence of any kind will be grounds for immediate disqualification.
“What should I have done?” Seth countered through gritted teeth. “Let those men have their way? Allfourof them?”
“You should have waited for me in the square! Like I told you to!” Cooper snapped. “What were you doing in that alley?”
“Making our way to the carriage. We lost you in the crowd!”
“No.” Cooper seethed, each word a slow hiss.“What were you doing in the alley behind thebakerywith mysister, Reeves?”
