Page 77 of Unbound Duchess

“Afraid not,” Godric said. “He just found a way to benefit from it.

“And this will not be enough to take to the constable,” Laurence added, his irritation making the nerve in his jaw begin to tingle.

“You could try,” Godric sighed. “But as I said, you would have to be careful with who you choose to talk to. Some of those men like what is going on, and they are paid well to look the other way. And even if you would find the right man who is disgusted by such things, you would still have to prove that the women being sold were not willing to participate.”

Godric’s mouth formed a thin, grim line.

“It is a tricky matter from all angles,” he said wearily.

Laurence drew in a breath, but as his rage roiled, he could not seem to release it.

“We thank you for your help, Godric,” Solomon said after another moment of silence. “Even if it was not what we had hoped, you have shed new light on the situation.”

“Yes,” Laurence agreed, exhaling as he came back to the present. “We are grateful.”

“I am sorry it could not be more,” Godric offered as he rose to stand. “I was asked to deliver a message to your wife, by the way. I entrust you to give it to her in my stead; however, I must take my leave.”

Laurence raised a curious brow as he too rose to his feet.

“Tell her Deborah is thinking of her, and that she hopes for nothing but happiness for her. And if, in the future, this matter is ever settled, she would very much like to see her again,” Godric said.

Though he did not know quite why, Godric’s words hit Laurence hard in the stomach.

“I will be sure to tell her,” he answered quietly.

Godric gave a curt nod, his dark eyes cold and steely as he did so. A hard man, Laurence surmised, not quite comfortable with the affection he was tasked to relay.

“The garden party is in three days,” Solomon said after they’d walked Godric out. “I have a man in the Royal Guard. I know him well; he does not approve of business such as the auction. He will find me someone from the constable’s brigade who we can trust, and be on standby for us there to arrest Benedict.”

Laurence nodded, even as doubt settled into his mind. They did not have much in the way of proof, other than Benedict was profiteering from an unsavory venture. A venture that they could not directly point a finger at, if what Godric said about the owner’s vengeance toward Sylvester was true.

“We need to handle this carefully,” Laurence said after a moment, pausing in the hall. “I am not sure if we should involve Ellen any further.”

Solomon’s brows furrowed with frustration.

“She agreed to help us,” he retorted. “Why are you so against letting her do so?”

Because her cousin is obsessed, and I do not trust the delusion he has driven himself into.

“Benedict has been careful not to get caught,” Laurence said instead, “But he is…paranoid. I fear what he would do if he discovered our trap too early.”

Solomon’s expression softened a little, and he nodded.

“We will attend the garden party as a group then,” Solomon replied. “You stay by Ellen’s side. I shall stay by Madalene’s. We will keep them protected. We will have Benedict arrested. And this will all be over.”

“It is not enough,” Laurence snarled with quiet rage.

“Maybe not,” Solomon agreed. “But at least the man responsible for Annabel’s demise will finally be dealt with. Perhaps that is the best we can hope for.”

Solomon’s gaze flicked from Laurence’s eyes to something behind him. Laurence turned and saw Ellen standing there, her beautiful face set in an unreadable expression.

“I need to get going,” Solomon said quietly. “I will let you know if anything goes awry, but other than that, I will see you three at the garden party.”

Laurence did not respond, did not turn away from Ellen’s gaze as the door behind opened and closed, leaving the two of them alone in the foyer.

“So it is going to be over soon,” Ellen said quietly, breaking the silence.

Laurence blinked. Swallowed.