“Mr. Ramsay. I would agree with you if I thought this was anything other than a coincidence.”
“Are you suggesting something sinister?”
“I am not suggesting anything.” He fixed the little man with a warning scowl. “What are you doing here? Are you following me?”
“Following you?” Mr. Ramsay looked around them as if they were on a busy street, and this right here was nothing short of a most peculiar happenstance. “Perhaps I was just taking anevening constitutional and happened upon you. Stranger things have happened.”
“They have not.”
“I mean…” He flashed his eyes, and a delighted smile crept onto his lips. “The fact that you are here also is strange. Surely, there is just as little reason for a duke to be walking the eastern streets of London as there is for a man of my profession. What are you doing here, I wonder?”
Sebastian’s eyes widened in recognition, and he felt a stone drop into his stomach.
This was not an accidental run-in. Of that, he had no doubt. Which meant that Mr. Ramsay had either followed him here or knew that he would be here at this time.
Neither brought Sebastian comfort, because the result of both was the same. Mr. Ramsay knew about the orphanage.
“What do you want?” Sebastian growled, taking a step forward to intimidate because he did not appreciate the subterfuge.
“Just a quick chat, if it pleases you,” Mr. Ramsay replied amicably. “I can assure you that it is well within your interests.” His beady eyes flicked to the orphanage. “I know you are a man of discretion.”
Sebastian had half a mind to grab the man by the scruff of the neck and toss him into the gutter. The only thing that stopped him was the knowledge of how little that would help. It would only make matters worse, and Mr. Ramsay, clearly knowing why Sebastian was here, would not hesitate to make sure he paid.
“Five minutes,” Sebastian snarled. “Which is more than you deserve.”
“Wonderful.” Mr. Ramsay clapped his hands together. “Shall we…” He turned and gestured to Sebastian’s carriage. “Best that we do this out of sight. Who knows who else might wander by?”
Sebastian made sure to fix the man with a warning sneer as he stalked to his carriage and threw the door open. He climbed in without a word, letting the worm of a publisher scamper in behind him and close the door.
He sat with his arms folded, glaring at Mr. Ramsay, who took some time getting comfortable. He appeared to be enjoying himself, the little amount of power he held over Sebastian relished fully.
“This is a rather lovely ride,” he crooned. “Worthy of a duke, that is for sure?—”
“What do you want?” Sebastian barked. “Speak, before I throw you out and instruct my driver to run you down in the street.”
Mr. Ramsay smiled with delight, not in the least bit concerned about the threat. “Tell me, Your Grace. How goes your marriage? I have heard nothing but good things.”
“I would be careful what you say next.” It took all the control Sebastian had not to launch himself at the man right then and there.
“No need for concern,” Mr. Ramsay tittered. “Merely asking. After all, I had a role to play, did I not? I am just pleased it has all worked out for the best.”
“It has,” Sebastian growled. “And if you think to threaten us, I am pleased to inform you that this is a waste of time. Nothing you say will affect mine and Helena’s marriage, and if it is rumors you intend to spread, remember well that I have my own that I am more than happy to spread about you.”
Mr. Ramsay touched his chest as if offended. “Do you really think so little of me?”
“Less than that. I know you, Mr. Ramsay. You will do well to remember.”
Finally, Mr. Ramsay’s false cheer dropped, and he curled his upper lip as a darkness settled upon his shoulders and in his beady eyes. “Oh yes, I remember well, Your Grace. A little too well, for that matter. Which might be enough to tell you that this chat…” He laughed darkly. “Oh, how I have looked forward to this moment.”
“You might not, by the time it is done.”
“On that, we will have to disagree.”
Sebastian had lied to Helena when he had first met her.
Although I prefer to think of it as a slight mistruth.
When he found her and Mr. Ramsay in the library and scared the publisher away, he implied that he knew Mr. Ramsay somewhat, but refrained from explainingwhyhe knew the man as he did.
