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Chapter 28
“Ican’tbelievewenearly married you off to that raving mad earl!” Viscount Landen exclaimed the next morning.
Olivia, who had attended the musical in the company of Annalise and her husband, had explained her sudden disappearance to them in a note. Her parents, however, were none the wiser of her early defection from the festivities. Instead, they read about the incident in the early morning papers.
Olivia had learned a few things from the paper herself. Despite his promise to explain everything, Jarvis had dropped her off last night and fled to deal with his issues, leaving her confused.
The morning paper stated that Alan Boyle, the Earl of Bradshaw, was part of a criminal group called the Shadows. Apparently, he was the one who’d killed the woman during the Kensington masquerade. He took part in the illegal slave trade, selling English men and women and even children to slave ships as dock boys and girls, who were treated abominably and many had died. He operated a few bawdy houses, forcing children into prostitution. To the list of his sins were added a few other smaller offenses.
He was to be tried in several weeks in front of his peers.
“How do they know he did all those things?” Olivia asked.
“Apparently, there was enough written evidence in his ledger. Some written communication between him and his partners and the Shadow attire that he had in his desk drawer.”
Olivia frowned. The Shadows attire? That did not seem right. “How did they catch him?”
“Someone shot him. They do not know who. But when the servants finally opened the door, he was alone on the floor, holding his injured shoulder, and the ledger accounting most of his financial dealings with the criminals.”
“A ledger was in his hand?”
“That’s what it says in the paper. Either way, I am glad you did not agree to marry the cad.”
“Oh, dear! I cannot imagine the horror we would have gone through if you did marry him!” the viscountess exclaimed.
Landen took her hand in his. “Do not fret, my dear. Our Olivia is healthy and well. Aren’t you, little one?”
Olivia smiled. “I am.”
“That is it!” the viscountess burst out. “You are not to marry anyone. I would be a lot more content if you just stay by our side as you did for all these years.”
“Mama!”
“No, there was enough excitement these past few weeks to last us a lifetime! To think, your suitor murdered a woman during a masquerade which you attended. The horror! No, you are not to look at or converse with another gentleman.”
The butler knocked on the doorframe. “Lord Jarvis St. John for Miss Olivia Landen,” he proclaimed.
Olivia raised her brow at her mother.
The viscountess let out a weary sigh. “I suppose speaking with Jarvis should be all right. I shall join you in a moment.”
Olivia beamed at her mother and hurried toward the parlor. A smile adorned her lips, and her heart beat furiously as she ran into the room and flew straight into Jarvis’s arms.
Jarvis lowered his head and captured her mouth with his. His hands lowered to her buttocks, and she giggled and disengaged from him.
“My mother is about to enter,” she said.
Jarvis smiled and kissed her lightly on her nose. “Oh, they do not trust me with you anymore, do they? A pity.”
Olivia grinned. “Any particular reason they should?”
Jarvis tsked. “You are getting more and more impudent by the minute. I should just marry you now, here. Before you grow more audacious and refuse me.”
“And what makes you think I shall not refuse you now?”
Jarvis theatrically placed his hand on his chest, feigning heartache.
Olivia took him by the hand and looked him in the eyes. “Jarvis, my monthly courses have passed this month… My mother said it meant that I am not with child.”
