“Then I’ll make it my personal mission to destroy you.” Aaron held his gaze without blinking. “I know about the warehouse in Limehouse where you store goods that never passed throughcustoms. I know about the three magistrates whose gambling debts you hold. I know about the girl from the milliner’s shop who disappeared last autumn after she refused your advances.”
The color drained from Bragg’s face.
“You built your empire on secrets and leverage.” Aaron leaned forward, planting his hands on the desk. “Did you think you were the only one who could gain such things?”
Silence stretched between them. The fire crackled. One guard shifted his weight, leather creaking.
“You’re bluffing,” Bragg said, but his voice had lost its confidence.
“Try me.” Aaron straightened. “Sign the document. Write the statement. And understand this clearly, if you or any of your men go near Lady Louise, Lady Emily, or anyone in their household ever again, I will not come here to negotiate. I will come to collect.”
Bragg’s jaw worked. His gaze flicked to his guards, but whatever he saw there offered no reassurance. Aaron waited, letting the silence do its work.
Finally, Bragg pulled the document toward him. He read it with exaggerated care, though Aaron suspected he was merely buying time to compose himself. Then he took up a pen, signed hisname with sharp, angry strokes, and added a brief statement beneath.
“There.” He shoved the paper across the desk. “Satisfied?”
Aaron picked up the document, verified the signature and statement, and folded it back into his coat.
“One more thing.” He reached into his pocket and withdrew a small purse. He tossed it onto the desk, where it landed with a heavy clink. “That’s for your silence. The ton need not know about Lady Louise’s visit to White’s. If I hear even a whisper of gossip connecting her name to last night’s events, our next conversation will be considerably less civil.”
Bragg’s hand closed over the purse with reflexive greed. “You have my discretion.”
“I have your fear. That will suffice.” Aaron turned toward the door, then paused. “The gaming hell I shut down three years ago. You blamed me for your losses, I understand.”
Bragg said nothing, but hatred flickered in his eyes.
“You were cheating your patrons with loaded dice and marked cards. I simply ensured the authorities became aware.” Aaron’s lips curved into something that was not quite a smile. “If you want someone to blame for your misfortunes, I suggest a mirror.”
He walked out without waiting for a response.
After the unpleasant air in Bragg’s lair, the cold, clean morning air was a welcome sensation on his face. The driver visibly relaxed when he saw him coming.
“Home,” Aaron said as he climbed into the carriage. “I have other matters to attend to.”
He settled against the seat as the carriage lurched into motion, allowing himself a moment of grim satisfaction. Bragg was handled. The immediate threat neutralized.
Now came the harder task of finding George Burrows before his stupidity destroyed what remained of his family.
CHAPTER 5
“Would you care for more kippers, Lady Louise?” The footman—James, she’d learned—stood at her elbow with a silver serving dish that could have paid their coal bill for three winters.
Louise’s stomach twisted with more than hunger. Every bite in her mouth felt like another chain binding her to the duke’s charity.
“No, thank you.” She managed a polite smile while her fingers tightened on the delicate china cup.
Real cream swirled in her tea. When had she last tasted cream?
Across the morning room’s elegant table, Emily attacked her third serving of eggs with enthusiasm that made Louise’s chest ache. Her sister’s plate overflowed with abundance. There was kedgeree, toast with actual butter, and fresh fruit that must havecost a fortune in January. Emily’s cheeks already showed more color than they’d had in months.
“Nonsense! You’ve barely touched your plate.” Lady Merrow waved at James. “Give her more. The girl’s as thin as a reed.”
Heat crawled up Louise’s neck. She forced her spine straighter, a lifetime of training keeping her voice level. “You’re very kind, Lady Merrow, but I’ve had plenty.”
“Plenty?” Cecilia’s eyebrows rose. “My dear child, you’ve had perhaps three bites.”
Under the table, something warm and wet nudged Louise’s knee. Buttercup’s soulful eyes gazed up at her, a string of drool hanging from his massive jowl. Despite everything, she felt her lips twitch.
