Harris walked to the largest bookshelf and pulled out a large ledger. “I believe all funds should be restored once White and Stanford stand trial.” He walked back to his desk and sat, groaning with the effort. “It may take some time.”
Henry didn’t care how long it took, his fortunes would be restored. He could provide for Julia and their children without depending on her dowry. The shipping business had taken off well. He was euphoric about their future.
Mr. White had robbed Henry’s family of every shilling under the pretense that he was their friend. He had even gone so far as to allow his mother and uncle to stay in his home.
“I want them both to pay.” Henry’s voice was venomous. His uncle might be an utter fool, but he didn’t deserve this sort of treatment, especially by someone pretending to be his friend.
Vibrations of anger pulsed through Henry as his unfocused eyes glared down at the map. He was livid at the situation his uncle and mother had thrust the family in.
He took several deep breaths and thought of Julia, and her carefree smiles and kisses from the previous night calmed him.
“This is the account ledger from a small bank in the seaside town of Dawlish in Devon. Mr. White has several of these accounts across England.” Harris held out the ledger and Elijah took it.
Henry leaned over to peer at the document of deposits and withdrawals. Faded ink filled the pages with transactions that dated back years. All the deposits were made by one Mr. Ernest White.
He stared at the dried black ink, anger filling him as dark and wild as the elaborate signature on the thin page. Detailed deposits and withdrawals from several prominent family accounts were noted. Henry turned the page, searching for his family name. A finger shaking with fury trailed down each line until—there it was.
The detailed transactions from his family account began a year after he departed London.
Henry’s body shook. He was going to kill Mr. White and Mr. Stanford. Then he was going to pummel his uncle until there was nothing left of him. Jeffrey Livingstone was a lot of things, but above all, he was a damn fool. Henry should’ve known better than to leave him in charge of their family’s well-being.
Abruptly, he stood, determined to wring every pound that White stole out of him. Henry flung the heavy book on Harris’ desk, the force shaking the aged wood furiously. The resounding thump reverberated off the walls.
“Where are you going, Henry?” Elijah placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
Henry hadn’t realized that he was heading toward the door. His mind was set on revenge, and he had the intense desire to hit something or someone. So many things were suddenly right for Henry, but Pomais still lingered.
“I’m going to Mr. White to demand answers. He’s going to rue the day he decided to steal from me!”
“That won’t be necessary. Bow Street Runners are currently on their way to Mr. White’s home to detain him.” Mr. Harris interrupted Henry’s tirade. “He and Mr. Stanford will go on trial at the Old Bailey for fraud. As you know, your family was not their only victim. People died. Someone must pay.”
The words rang in Henry’s ears, although he was happy that they would pay for their treachery. His temper was still fueled from the information. His only comfort was that their treachery was discovered before his mother and uncle left for Pomais.
“I want answers!” Henry walked out of the small office, his mind on speaking with White or beating him.
“Henry, don’t do anything unreasonable.” Elijah’s words didn’t stop him.
Reaching the street, he quickly located the carriage Karrington loaned him for his own personal use. “To South Audley.” He climbed in and sat abruptly on the leather seats across from Elijah.
Henry pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to ward off the massive headache that was forming. This was a fine way for his marriage to begin, under the cloud of the Pomais scandal. But he knew with Julia by his side he could face anything.
“Don’t do anything rash. You have to think of Lady Julia now,” Elijah said as the carriage jolted.
“She’s all I think about. I don’t want this hanging over us. We’re finally together after years of being apart.” A slow smile of contentment spread across Henry’s face, his love for Julia momentarily cooling his anger.
They were together. That was all that mattered.
“I’m happy for you, my friend. I can see the peace she brings you.” Elijah gave him a wide grin before his face grew serious once more. “What will happen with your mother and uncle?”
Good Lord, Henry hadn’t really thought about them. They were still his responsibility. He would have to look after them. “They’re going to be thrown out on the street because they trusted that viper.” He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling suddenly anxious to reach them. “It’s no less than what they deserve…” He trailed off, knowing that he could not allow his mother and uncle to be treated in such a way.
The three of them had always been a family, though none of them were presently acting like it.
He sighed and added finding a home for his mother and uncle to his list. They couldn’t stay with him and Julia in the townhome that Karrington had gifted them for the remainder of their stay in London.
“We will figure something out, and you know Karrington will assist you in any way possible—”
“He’s already done so much for me, even after I betrayed him.” Henry threw his head back.
