Page 74 of Earl, Enemy, Husband?

Green bowed and left.

Graydon glanced at the clock. He didn’t have much time. He dashed of a brief note to Florence begging off breakfast, but asking if she would accept dinner in its place.

Now he would conclude this ugly business.

A meeting with Eloise in such a public place as Hyde Park would not draw particular attention. He certainly did not want to chance being seen coming out of the house where she lived. No one would believe there was no smoke without a fire. It was the ton’s way.

A tickle of something unpleasant trailed down his spine. Nothing felt right. Not putting off his wife, and certainly not settling such a vast sum for Eloise. He should have said no. Her tears had unmanned him, though, he could not deny it. Angry with her foolishness as he was, seeing any woman in tears made him far too uncomfortable, having watched his mother cry over and over because of his father. He just could not stand it. Nor could he stand the thought of harm coming to her child.

One thing was certain: Eloise would have to understand that this was the only time he would help her. She must curb her gambling, for he would not help her again.

He thought about going to find George, a handy man in a fight, but decided he did not have time, so he collected one of the younger footmen, a strapping young fellow known to be handy with his fists. Not that he was unhandy himself.

The transaction at the bank went smoothly, as did the meeting with the owner of the hell—a ghastly fellow, with rotting teeth and an oily manner who had been happy to offer Graydon a lifetime membership of his so-called club. Graydon had nearly planted the man a facer. But he’d gritted his teeth and gone through every vowel to make sure all were accounted for.

‘You are sure that is the all of them?’ he said to the fellow, stuffing them into his pocket.

‘Indeed, my lord. What advantage would there be to holding any back?’

‘None,’ said Graydon. ‘As long as you realise it. Because if you so much as look at Lady Standish again, let alone ask for money, I will have you arrested.’ He waved the paper he’d extracted from the man before handing over the cash, an acknowledgement that as of that date all debts were paid.

The fellow grinned. ‘Don’t worry about me, your lordship. With this amount of blunt, I’ll be retiring to a house in the country with servants and a life of ease.’

‘Let me give you a bit of advice. That amount of money will slip through your fingers in a trice unless you look after every penny.’

The man gave him a look of disbelief and Graydon left him to it.

Now to tell Eloise the good news and the bad news: the debts were paid but he never wanted her to speak to him again.

Relief poured through him. The past was over and done, all of it.

As he set off to see Eloise, he felt like a new man.

Chapter Sixteen

Disappointed at Graydon crying off their intention to breakfast together and gone who knew where instead, Florence flipped through the latest edition of the Ladies’ Monthly Museum. Somehow she could not work up any enthusiasm for the latest fashion in hats.

‘Lady Blackdown, my lady,’ Powell announced. ‘And Mr Redfern.’

Lady Blackdown sailed in and kissed her cheek. ‘I wondered if you wanted to go shopping with me. I met George on the doorstep looking for Graydon, but it appears he is absent from home.’

‘Lady Blackdown,’ Redfern said, bowing. ‘Sorry to barge in on you, but Lady Blackdown insisted.’

Florence looked at the hovering Powell. ‘Yes, Powell, please bring tea…’

He bowed and left. Redfern helped Lady Blackdown take her usual seat and ensconced himself on the sofa opposite Florence. ‘Do you have any idea where I might find Gray, my lady?’

Florence shook her head. Hopefully, they wouldn’t notice her disappointment that he had cried off breakfast. She did not want to be the clinging wife. Graydon would not like it. ‘I am sorry. Apparently his man of business called in and off they went.’

‘Do you have need of him urgently?’ Lady Blackdown asked Redfern, looking puzzled.

‘Not really,’ Redfern said. ‘I was hoping he might have some news for me, but it can wait, I suppose.’

‘Good news?’ Florence asked.

‘It would be good news. Excuse me for not saying more. It involves someone else.’

Lady Blackdown stiffened. Florence felt her heart sink. Surely he could not be speaking of something related to Lady Standish?