Rubbish.
Both the text and the man himself.
She would make the Duke of Kendall see reason.
He would rue the day he crossed swords with her.
7
The Chancellor has moved quickly to try Mr. Stephen Jarvis for his crimes. As the result of his trial dramatically impacts the rumors of impeachment surrounding Lord Hadley, Parliament is eager to learn the truth of Mr. Jarvis’s failed railroad venture. The trial date will be announced within weeks. We predict that Peers will face gaol or transportation before this affair is resolved . . .
—article inThe London Times
Two days later, Kendall nearly barreled into Lord Hadley while stepping out from under the portico of St. George’s after Sunday services.
That he and Hadley shared the same parish church in Mayfair irritated Kendall to no end.
That Hadley should pretend to piety and godliness was even more upsetting.
Kendallsuccessfully ignored the rogue voice whispering that he himself only attended church to underscore his suitability to serve as Prime Minister.
Would that thoughts of the earl’s daughter were so easily banished.
“Hadley.” He nodded stiffly at the man.
“Kendall.”
Kendall moved to sidestep around his enemy.
Hadley stepped to the right and blocked him.
Though nearly twice Kendall’s age, the earl still matched him in height and breadth.
In summation, the man had presence.
“May I help you?” Kendall asked in his chilliestducaltones.
“Aye, in fact, ye can.” Hadley folded his arms across his chest. “I’d like a word.”
Kendall said nothing, merely waited for Hadley to say what he wished. The less Kendall spoke—the more aloof and stern his appearance—the more power he retained. It was a lesson learned from Old Kendall. His sire might have been a monster, but he was an effective one.
If Hadley felt the impact of the tactic, he didn’t show it. “I don’t like yourself. And I ken well that ye don’t like me.”
Kendall barely stifled a snort atthatunderstatement of matters.
“But we don’t need to wage war, yourself and I,” Hadley continued. “We could choose tae end this nonsense before innocents are wounded.”
“Innocents?” Kendall scoffed. “There are no innocents here, unless you are referring to those of our Peers who foolishly invested in your fraudulent venture.”
“There are absolutely those who will be irreparably hurt by our actions. Though I sayourgenerously. We both knowyebe the one forcing this farce of an investigation tae continue.”
Though he wished to remain impassive, Kendall couldn’t stem a rather affronted furrowing of his brow.
“I must disagree with your assessment of my actions, Hadley. I am merely following facts gleaned from my investigation. And the facts at the moment point to your own criminal activities.” Kendall brushed an infinitesimal speck of lint from his shirt sleeve, hoping his unconcerned tone wouldrankle.
Given that Hadley’s jaw tensed, he rather suspected that it did. The Scot’s legendary reserve appeared to be splintering.
“Ye know that for the lie it is.”
