Rupert jolted as a shoulder struck him, an angry voice speaking sharp words in his direction. “I can only apologize,” he mumbled, dropping his head and squeezing his eyes closed as he took in a deep breath. He could not fault the anger of the gentleman, for hehadbeen walking without clear thought as to where he was going. Rather than clearing his mind, this walk had served only to cloud it further, filling it with thoughts of Lady Eleanor and wondering what her reaction would be when they next were in company.
Shaking his head to himself, Rupert lifted himself tall and, looking straight ahead instead of letting his gaze wander, began to walk with purpose, returning now to the house. He would have to tell Preston that, whilst he appreciated his brother’s advice, he had not been able to find the relief he had hoped for.
“Is you Lord Finchley?”
Rupert blinked, frowning as a child, a young boy with a dirty face and a cap on his head, looked up at him. “Yes, I am,” he said slowly, as the carriages continued to roll by him. “How did you know – ”
“I have to give you this.”
Something was shoved into Rupert’s hand, and without warning, the child sped away, running into a dark alleyway that hid him in an instant. Confused, Rupert stared after him for a few seconds and then looked down at what had been put into his hand.
He unfolded the small piece of paper, his frown darkening as he read the few lines written there.
‘Wed, yes, but with a child already? What a scandal, should that news come out! I will keep my silence but at a cost to you. Wait for my next note but do not think you can ignore the demand.’
His heart stopped beating as a cold hand took his heart in an icy grip. The next moment, a furious heat tore through him, and before he could think about what to do, he was running. Following after the child, he hurried his steps into the very same alleyway, but the child was already gone. Breathing hard – though not from the exertion – Rupert looked to his right and to his left, but he could see nothing. It was as if the entire street had cleared itself of people so that he might be left confused and uncertain.
Who would write such a thing?
His eyes closed as he crumpled the note in his hand. This was precisely what he had been afraid of, what he had been worried about for so long. In coming to London, he had believed that all had been taken care of and that no threat remained, but now Rupert saw, he had been mistaken in that.
I must speak to Preston.
Turning on his heel, Rupert ran back the way he had come, heedless of the fact that he was behaving in a manner that most of thetonwould think most improper for a gentleman. Running as fast as he could, his hat in his hand and the note in the other, he made his way back to the house, fear right on his heels and chasing him even as he climbed the steps inside.
“You say a child gave you this?”
Rupert nodded, watching as his brother began to walk up and down the drawing room, mimicking Rupert’s behavior earlier that afternoon. “Yes. I do not know who wrote it.”
Lord Preston closed his eyes and let out a hiss of breath between clenched teeth.
“This was not something I expected,” Rupert told him as Preston rubbed one hand over his eyes. “I thought, with our sister wed and settled, there was nothing more of concern. It has been months now since that took place, and since no one came out of the ether to whisper about her or to gossip about her child, I believed that the threat was quite gone.”
“Except now, it is not.” Preston shook his head. “This is very bad indeed, Finchley.”
“Yes, it is.” Getting to his feet, Rupert made his way across the room and poured them both a good measure of fine brandy. Handing one to his brother, he took a large mouthful and swallowed it quickly, letting the fire chase its way down his throat and to his stomach.
It did not bring any clarity.
“What are we to do?” Preston asked, as Rupert shrugged. “You think we will have to do whatever is demanded?”
“I fear we must,” Rupert answered, with a heavy sigh. “What else can we do?”
Lord Preston chewed his lip and continued to pace. “Mayhap it will be one demand only, and then they will keep their silence.”
“Mayhap,” Rupert agreed, although that did not seem in the least bit likely to him. “We must do our utmost to think of another solution, a way out of this.”
“And we must find out who it is that threatens us,” Preston said grimly. “Although I fear that such a thing will be very difficult indeed.”
Rupert nodded and drained the rest of his whisky. It was just as well he had stayed back from Lady Eleanor, he thought tohimself, his thoughts heavy. His greatest concern in all of this had just come to pass, and now, it was going to be best for him to stay as far away from her as possible.
7
“Ihear that things are going rather well.”
Eleanor looked at her father as they walked into the ballroom. “Father?”
“Your aunt says that you are making many new acquaintances and, thus far, have danced many dances. I must hope that this evening will prove just as successful.”
