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“You should try harder to remember, monCousin. Otherwise, it is your poorMamanwho will pay the price. Ask her. Perhaps she is more knowledgeable in this matter. You would do well to make haste.”
Rage boiled through John. The thought of running the cad through here and now, did pass through his thoughts or he could just beat the man with his fists. Either would be satisfying for his threats alone.If he killed him now, what was one more brigand, dead in an alley? Toussaint chose his own fate by his vile actions.But if he killed the man now, what did that make him?
If Toussaint truly was his cousin, and moreso, if his mother did know something about the diamond, she would be in great danger, and not just from Toussaint. In fact, even if his mother knew nothing, if the villain spread rumors that she did, she would still be a target for brigands and fortune-hunters. There was no clear way through this quagmire. Reluctantly, he released the man. Toussaint dusted himself off as if he were wearing the finest silk instead of near rags.
“I will speak with my mother,” John said, finally. “But if she knows nothing of this, you will leave us alone. And you will tell your keepers, whoever they are, that we shall have no involvement in this.”
“A gentleman’s agreement, then,” Toussaint said. John looked at his cousin’s outstretched hand for several minutes. He had no desire to touch the man. He did not wish to enter into any sort of agreement with him, but if a simple handshake would satisfy, so be it. Sir John fervently prayed that Toussaint had enough honor to uphold his end of the bargain. In any case, he could not in good conscience kill him, or turn him over to the authorities until he got the truth of the matter from his mother.
Sir John took the man’s hand, holding it firmly and then squeezing threateningly. “If I find you are lying, or if one hair on my mother’s head is harmed; if Lady Charlotte is harmed, I shall hold you personally responsible. I shall hunt you to the ends of the earth. Do you understand me, sir?”
“Perfectly.”
John shoved the man away.
Toussaint straightened his lapels and rocked back on his heels, imminently satisfied with himself. “Until we meet again,mon Cousin. I sincerely wish it is to be under more agreeable circumstances,” Toussaint said with a mocking bow. Quick as a rat, he disappeared down the alley.
Sir John immediately wondered if it was a mistake to let the man go. He did not attempt to pursue his cousin, but he looked after him for a long moment. John sighed heavily. He needed a drink and perhaps a good wash, but there was time for neither. If the man truly was his cousin, or only some ne’er-do-well made little difference. Sir John had no wish to create a scene in the street, which a chase would undoubtedly accomplish.
He toyed with the idea of reporting the conversation to a magistrate, but felt almost certain that it would only serve to cast suspicion upon himself. No, the best thing to do, he decided, would be to make all haste to ensure the safety of his mother and Lady Charlotte. Henri had to be lying. It was unlikely that the man even knew of his mother’s location, but John was not willing to take any chances with her safety. He desperately wanted to go to Lady Charlotte first, but Charlotte had Lord Keegain and the protection of her family. His mother had no one but him.
He returned to his rooms in a rush, calling for Carlton to prepare for the journey in all haste. Carlton, who was some years John’s senior had been a military man himself serving under his father. He was efficient and John did not need to give him a lengthy explanation of his cousin’s threats.
Carlton nodded once. “I will be ready, sir,” he said as John dashed off a note to send to Keegain. John hesitated only a moment in his writing, thinking that Keegain would certainly think less of him if he told the tale of his cousin’s treachery. Any chance that remained of marriage to Lady Charlotte would be lost. Yet, how could he not warn the man? Charlotte’s safety was paramount. His own desires were irrelevant. He had to inform the Earl of Keegain of the danger if there was any chance that Charlotte could be targeted by his cousin’s villainy. John dashed off the missive as quickly as he was able.
* * *
27
Sir John and Carlton were off within the hour. John reassured himself that Toussaint could not possibly reach his mother before he did, if indeed, the man even knew where to look for her. Nonetheless, he was in an agony of impatience and worry until he reached the cottage gate. His mind was torn between concern for his mother, fury at his cousin, and an anguish over Lady Charlotte that he could scarcely bear to contemplate. His thoughts could not settle upon which was more upsetting. Still, he felt more clear-headed than he had in days. The lethargy that had overcome him had dissipated. The idea of Lady Charlotte in danger was so unbearable that he found he almost preferred thinking of her as lost to him, than to contemplate the treason and threats that Henri had introduced. He would have the man’s head.
Madeline, his mother’s companion was gazing out of the window as John approached. “Why Collette, look.” Madeleine exclaimed upon seeing him reach the cottage gate. “Your handsome son has returned to visit us.”
“Mon Cheri.” Lady Collette cried delightedly, rushing up to the gate to greet her son. “What haste you must have made! Madeleine and I could hear the thunderous galloping and we were filled with curiosity to see who would ride past our quiet lane so wildly.”
“Are you well,Maman?” Sir John demanded, vaulting lightly from his exhausted horse. “Has anyone been here to trouble you?”
“Why, what a question? I am quite well. What has happened?”
“Let the boy come inside and catch his breath, Collette,” her friend scolded gently. “I am sure we will get better answers that way, and besides you ought not be out in this wind any longer. You will take a chill.”
Sir John agreed, taking a moment to appreciate the fact that his mother’s old friend was looking out for her health at all times. He suppressed the urge to look about, as if villains were about to burst out of the distant trees. “Go inside,Maman, I will join you as soon as Carlton and I see to the horses.”
“There is no need for that. Look here is Gerry, now. He can see to the poor tired beasts,” Madeleine said.
“I wish to speak with the stable lads myself,” Sir John said, hoping to apprise them of the situation. Carlton took the reins of one of the horses, while the stable hand took the other.
“I will see to it, sir,” Carlton said and John nodded.
He knew Carlton would find out if there were any new additions in the stable and have the others keep a sharp eye out for any abnormalities. Carlton would see to his mother’s protection.
John followed the ladies indoors, and accepted the offer of tea, more to give himself a little more time before upsetting his mother than out of any real desire for the beverage.
“Now, Jean,” Lady Collette ordered after patiently observing her son for a few minutes. “Why did you tear all the way here so recklessly? What has happened?”
“I have just received a most distressing visit,Maman,” John admitted reluctantly, setting down his teacup. “From a man claiming to be my cousin. I have no way of verifying his relation to me, although perhaps you can confirm if I have any living cousins in France?”
“I believe you do,mon Cheri,” Lady Collette nodded, “Although I was never quite sure, letters being what they are. Oh, what was his name? Henri, I believe that is it. Henri Toussaint. Your uncle, Louis, was not particularly good at corresponding, but I received a few letters at least before he passed, and he mentioned the boy in several of them. He would be a good bit younger than you. If he survived.”
