"Under the circumstances, it is understandable. But the truth is the ceremony is binding," the priest acknowledged. "If you will allow me to explain," he continued, "the ceremony is binding. But if one of the parties should petition for annulment, the marriage could be set aside. But there is the matter of intent... " His voice was heavy with regret.
"Intent? What the devil do you mean by that?" Jerrold's voice was filled with cold rage.
"If the man who abducted Miss Winslow is determined to carry out this marriage, then it may prove harmful to her to pursue annulment."
"You can't mean..." Jerrold was furious. "I'll take care of this myself."
"I think you should read this," Andrew Maitland handed Jerrold the note he'd been given him by the man who had abducted Elyse.
"What the devil are you talking about?" Jerrold snapped. "What is it?"
He unfolded the note and scanned the contents:
There is a special place in hell for thieves and murderers—the Raven
His face went ashen then flushed red. "What the devil is this supposed to mean?"
"It was left by the man who took Elyse," Andrew told him.
Before he reached the chapel doors, a hesitant voice called out. Jerrold whirled around.
"Mr. Hodge! What the devil are you doing here?"
"Sorry, sir, but I thought you would want to know. It seemed important to you before, and I did try to follow your instructions."
"Good God, man! Speak up and be quick about it."
"It's the gold, sir," he whispered.
"It will have to wait."
"Beggin' yer pardon, sir. That fellow came for payment."
"What fellow?" Jerrold crossed the room and pulled his man aside.
"The man you told me might come by," Hodge explained, twisting his cap in his hands.
"And, of course, you handled it just as I instructed," Jerrold replied.
The man nodded. "I tried, sir."
"Tried?" Jerrold seized Hodge by the front of his coat and pulled him out into the hallway beyond the anteroom. "What are you talking about?"
"He came for payment, just like you said he would... "
"And?"
"He forced me to sign the draft, then go to the bank with him to transfer the money."
Jerrold's response exploded. His grip on the man's coat tightened. He longed to feel bones snap, but he felt a restraining hand on his arm and looked into Lord Charles’ face.
"Get a hold on yourself," his father told him.
"Tell me! All of it," Jerrold demanded.
"I had to do it," Hodge replied. "He brought along the foreman from the Argosy Company. Right there in the office, he proved Argosy had received the shipment, then he threatened to bring in the authorities.
"What else could I do? I knew you didn't want anyone knowing about the gold," Hodge added.
