Page 29 of Read To Me, Lyon

“You’ve determined all this in a matter of weeks?” Winthrop questioned.

“Why did she seek out Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s assistance?” Carrington asked.

Oliver wasn’t sure. She’d mentioned something about her uncle, but hadn’t gone into detail. Before he could respond, Carrington added, “Normally, matches by Mrs. Dove-Lyon are preceded by some type of scandal. I’m glad that isn’t the case.”

It wasn’t, Oliver thought, but a bit of apprehension settled in the pit of his stomach because he’d been so focused on making sure his family’s fortunes were restored, he was unsure if Kitty had ever given him a real reason why she’d sought the club owner’s services. Was there a scandal of some kind? It wouldn’t be unusual…

No, Oliver wouldn’t jump to conclusions. He would ask Kitty when he returned tomorrow. He stood. “I’m happy with how my arrangement with the Lyon’s Den owner worked out. Shall we take a walk?”

Winthrop started to shake his head, but Carrington pulled him up. “You don’t have a choice. His question was for me.”

A gruff bark of laughter escaped Winthrop—the first one since they’d arrived. It made him and Carrington smile.

Chapter Twelve

Kitty locked the front door of the bookshop and made her way to the printing press warehouse. She would give her Uncle Dominic the money there. Kitty suspected he’d wanted to meet in her office so he could see the contents of the safe containing the bookshop and printing press’s revenue. She refused to allow that.

She pulled the door open and found Shannon and Jack standing inside with the sourest expressions on their faces she’d ever seen. Kitty smiled apologetically at them. “I know you hate this.”

Jack, a gruff, older man, harrumphed. “Shannon informed me what you planned to give him. It is a fortune. But we know him. It won’t be enough. He will want more.”

“I’m only doing this one time. I plan to tell Oliver the truth about the bookshop and printing press when he returns, and then my uncle will have nothing to hold over me.”

They both stayed silent, and Kitty added, “I mean it.”

Jack shook his head, and Shannon asked, “Where do your sisters and his family think you are?”

“Anna is sleeping, and everyone else is at a ball. I told them I was unwell.”

Kitty’s own words made her cringe. She wasn’t just deceiving Oliver but everyone.

No one commented further because the door to the warehouse opened. Her Uncle Dominic walked in, completely at ease with the situation. He looked like the epitome of a wealthy businessman, even if he wasn’t one. No, her uncle had lived off her father for as long as she could remember, and now, he was scheming to live off of her efforts.

He beamed at her. “I’m so glad you made it this time.”

She did not return his smile. “This will be the only money I give you.”

Uncle Dominic smirked as if she’d said the most absurd thing. Yes, she needed to tell Oliver because it was apparent her uncle thought he was in control of this arrangement, since it was obvious to him that her husband was unaware of all her business activities.

“If my ventures turn out fine, I won’t be back.”

“Come back, but you will find no one here willing to pay you.”

The smirk grew wider. Uncle Dominic thought he had her. It was only for this one time, she reminded herself. Kitty pulled a pouch from the folds of her skirts. It contained banknotes totaling 5,000 pounds. Jack was right. It was an outrageous sum.

Her uncle snatched it from her grasp, startling her. Jack stepped forward, ready to do damage. Kitty held up a hand. Her Uncle Dominic glanced at Jack and chuckled. “If you sic your hired help on me, I will take you to the Court of Common Pleas.”

“Do not threaten my employees. If you spent half the time you wasted on schemes actually working at profitable pursuits, you wouldn’t need to blackmail me.”

Uncle Dominic sighed. “That was always the problem with your father as well. He cared too much about everyone. Well, except me. Can you imagine not giving Hazel or Anna, your siblings, a portion of the bookshop and printing press? That is what he did to me.”

“My sisters assist me in our business. They work hard. But you never worked a day in your life. In spite of that, my father always tried to help you, and yet you just took and took, and never gave,” Kitty exclaimed.

Her uncle’s face went red and splotchy. “When I send you a missive for money, you’d better meet me. I know all about your market. I’m arranging a meeting with Beth Martin.”

“She has no interest in speaking with you.”

He took a deep breath and then smirked again. “Can you imagine what your husband will think when he finds out you are peddling scandalous trash to women? His mother is the patron of various charities. He is well respected in the House of Lords. Do you think once Everly discovers what you’ve been up to, he will allow you to continue?”