“Is it Ashworth again?” Lord Grayson asked.
Lily did not answer. She could not answer. Good Lord, nobody had claimed her for supper. She might pretend somebody had, but she could not positively name the gentleman. What if she said it was Lord Ashworth and he discovered it before the ball? Or worse, did not ask her?
“You ought to throw him over, Miss Farnsworth. I am certain his mother has set her sights on Miss Blaise. She’s worth ten thousand, or so I’m told.”
Lily had climbed into the carriage as quickly as she could and Mrs. Hemming followed. Her aunt gave the footman leave to close the door, thereby ending anything further that Lord Grayson might say. They set off and left him standing on the sidewalk.
Lily was beginning to positively dislike Lord Grayson. And as for Miss Blaise, she could fling herself off a roof for all Lily cared about it.
*
Hayes stared athis mask. He supposed he should not be irritated by it, or even surprised by it. Cards of seven, eight, nine, and ten fanned out—piquet’s carte blanche. One would take the points for such a hand, but it was not the sort that would lead to a likely victory. He should have known his matches against Miss Farnsworth would be pointed to, though that all seemed as ancient history. He did not care for himself, he only hoped Miss Farnsworth would not be embarrassed by it.
Cobb came into the library with a letter on a tray. He held it out and said, “A very dirty boy has just delivered this, my lord. As evidenced by the black thumbprints upon it.”
Hayes picked up the card, examining the handwriting. He did not recognize it. “Who would send me a carefully folded letter in such a manner? Very strange,” he said.
“As I did think, too,” Cobb said. “I questioned the boy to determine from whence he’d come, but he was as saucy as you might expect. If I may quote that charming lad, he said: ‘I ain’t never tellin’ ya, you old blighter.’”
“Very well, Cobb,” Hayes said, suppressing a smile. If there were one thing Cobb could not abide, it was a lack of respect for his person and position. Hayes imagined that his butler placed himself rather high in the order of things. Finding himself named an old blighter by a person so far beneath his notice would poke at him for days.
After his butler had closed the door behind him, Hayes tore open the letter. He scanned to the signature and his fingers tightened on the paper. It was from Mr. Shine.
Ashworth,
As you know, I was left in desolation when last we met. However, my natural sunny disposition never eludes me for long. I am particularly sunny at this moment, having considered what means I have about me to add to my future prosperity.
I am certain you have somehow hushed up why Miss Farnsworth did not return home in her own carriage on the fateful night. Of course, I cannot know what was said, but I CAN recall what I said to her servants. I claimed she’d gone off to the country with Lady Marchelan. That lady, naturally, does not exist.
Having such knowledge that could cause you embarrassment and ruin Miss Farnsworth has made me sunny, indeed.
If you would prefer that the news not get about that the illusive Lady Marchelan does not exist, and that you were quite alone for a shameful amount of time with Miss Farnsworth, and that nobody else was in the house as the servants had been dismissed and Mr. Shine and his cousin Lady Carradine had departed, you will do the following:
Hayes read through to the end of Mr. Shine’s missive, hardly believing what he was reading. The man was reckless and dangerous.
Chapter Thirteen
Hayes had beenafraid that Shine was not rational. The letter he’d just crumpled in his hand was further proof of it. If Shine had any care for his skin, he would have taken what he could from Lady Carradine’s house and made for the nearest port. He’d not done that, though. He’d decided to stay and fight.
Hayes could not allow the information to get out. How could he explain it? Those hearing of it would look to what could be proved. What else could be proved than Lady Marchelan did not exist and Mr. Shine and Lady Carradine were gone? Even if the real circumstances were known, what did they prove but that he and Miss Farnsworth had in fact been quite alone for a period of time. If Lady Carradine could somehow have helped, she was long gone. My God, he’d even paid off the servants and taken two of them into his employ. He knew what the truth ofthatwas, but it would look as if he’d bought their silence.
Mr. Shine must be stopped at all costs. He must pay him. His feelings upon considering enriching Shine were violent, but there was no choice. The only way to rid London of the man and protect Miss Farnsworth was to enable the reprobate to set up elsewhere. He might murder the fellow; he might even get away with it. But it would be inevitable that there would be some kind of investigation and the story would then come out somehow. Further, if he did not give him the money that would inspire him to decamp, Shine might only go on to more desperate plans.
Shine must be paid, despite Hayes’ feelings about it. When he had paid the man, he would threaten his life if he dared turn up again in future. He would mean the threat, too. He would ensure that Shine knew he meant it. It must be strong enough to convince Shine to make no more reappearances. In any case, as a practical matter, he would not find himself the victim of blackmail twice. If Shine returned in future, hewouldkill him and take his chances. He might be blackmailed now, but he would not make a career out of it.
It was fortunate he had enough winnings on hand to cover it, though it would set him back. He supposed that was what Mr. Shine had counted on. The others of the Dukes’ Pact might be in straightened circumstances just now, but he had other means.
He examined the address given by the villain—the place they were to meet to hand over the money. It was in a lonely area of Hyde Park and the meeting was to be at half past midnight. Hayes determined he’d better bring pistols, if not to defend himself against Mr. Shine, then to fight off the footpads that would have an eye out for an opportunity.
Apparently, Mr. Shine had all confidence that he would come to this desolate spot at the appointed hour, as he’d not even had his messenger wait for a reply.
Hayes grabbed a sheet of paper from his desk and composed a note.
*
“This is ratherextraordinary,” Mrs. Hemming said, bustling into the drawing room, waving a paper. “I cannot say that I am disappointed myself, there never was anything less comfortable than attempting whist behind a mask, but for you dear. Terrible. And then, what can he mean by it? Does he know something? I do wish he had been more clear.”
“Aunt,” Lily said, feeling a sense of alarm, though Mrs. Hemming was not being particularly clear herself, “what has happened?”
