Page 79 of The Duke of Pain

“Archie,” Althea prompted.

“Right. Pleasant to make your acquaintance, Your Grace. Miss,” he said, bowing slightly.

“Good. Now that formal introduction is out of the way, let’s get right to it,” Althea stated. “We can lay out the photographs here on the table.” Althea retrieved them from a folder. They were large enough to make out minute details. Gideon and Olivia drew closer.

“This is quite an improvement over glass plates, I must say. You developed these yourself, Archie?”

“I did, Your Grace.”

“Sometime soon, you must show me the process. I am completely fascinated,” Gideon replied. He pointed to one of the photographs. “That is Whinstone, my stepfather.”

“Yes,” Archie nodded. “He was in charge, ordering everyone about. Wagons arrived last night. I told my relief to let me know what they do with those wagons.”

Olivia gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. She could feel the color draining from her face.

“It’s him. Yellow Teeth, one of my attackers.” She pointed to the photo, her hand shaking in alarm.

“Jonas Bisby, he’s been with Whinstone for years, doing his dirty work.” Gideon smashed his fist on the table, startling them all. He then strode toward the wall to push the buzzer.

“What are you doing?” Olivia called out.

“I am going to have Hobson call for a carriage, head to the station, take a train to Foxmont, and thrash Whinstone to within an inch of his life!” he roared.

“No, wait. Don’t,” Olivia said firmly.

Gideon stopped in his tracks. “Why?”

Olivia started to pace. “We have to be smart about this. Beating him—while giving some satisfaction—would only be a temporary solution. We have to come up with a solid plan to see him ruined and out of our lives permanently.”

“Olivia is correct,” Althea added. “Why don’t we all take a seat and discuss it in depth? Archie, tell His Grace what you observed.”

They all took their seats, and Olivia poured the tea and passed around a plate of biscuits. But Gideon had her concerned. He was fairly seething, ready to blow.

After Archie ate several sugar biscuits and washed them down with tea, he retrieved some of the photos and passed them around.

“See in that one, Your Grace? This Bisby bloke carried out what looks like several paintings. I couldn’t follow him. But when he returned, he didn’t have them. I think he sold them. I have my suspicions about the wagons. I think they mean to take some of the furnishings and valuables.”

“Oh, the nerve of the man,” Olivia fumed.

“I can still catch the train,” Gideon interjected.

“I think it best Archie catch the train and return to his post,” Althea said. “And have Billy stay with you. The local constable is supposed to see Whinstone off the premises tomorrow afternoon.”

“And if he shows up, and the duke still leaves with wagonloads full of goods, then what?” Archie asked.

“Don’t interfere,” Gideon said. “Follow him. It’s probably best we catch him with the goods. Is that right, Althea?”

“Yes. Absolutely. I wouldn’t count on this village constable, what’s the nearest town or city? There is probably a police constabulary that covers the region.”

Before Gideon could answer, Hobson entered the room. “Your Grace, His Grace, the Duke of Allenby wishes an audience.”

Christian breezed past Hobson. “You can leave us alone, Hobson, thank you.” After the butler closed the door, Christian said, “I’ve got the information on the Whinstone dukedom.”

Chapter 23

“There was a trial in the House of Lords in forty-eight. It was kept completely secret,” Christian began as he paced back and forth in front of them. “Concerning Whinstone’s father, the then duke. Apparently, the old duke misappropriated funds in the tens of thousands of pounds. It concerned a charity school venture.”

“Why am I not surprised?” Gideon scoffed. “Like father, like son.”