“Accused my dealer of cheating,” Malum said, leaning back in his chair. “But that’s not the interesting part.” He paused, swirling the brandy in his glass. “Northwoods was planning to invest alongside Foxbourne.”
Helton’s brows shot up. “Which means he’s in with Crossings.”
“He denies it,” Malum said.
Helton grew thoughtful. “Put himself between a rock and a hard place, hasn’t he?”
“Right.” Malum had a certain fondness for Helton, not that he’d ever say it aloud. His connections, of course, made him a valuable ally, but Malum’s respect went beyond that. Helton understood the complexities of power and the dirt that came with it.
“Could make him useful in the future,” Helton said.
They sipped their drinks leisurely then, discussing possible strategies, considering the variables, until Malum set down his glass.
He clasped his hands together. “There is something else…” Malum deliberately kept his voice casual. “Concerning your wife’s family.”
Helton winced, shaking his head. “We’re aware,” the earl said. “Caroline wrote to Standish about her worries a few weeks ago. He’s going to have to return to London sooner rather than later. Winterhope is more than capable of finishing the mission at Breaker’s Cottage.”
Steepling his fingers before him, Malum tapped the tips together. He was a little surprised to hear that Lady Melanie’s risky behavior had been going on for so long, because as far as he was aware, she spent most of her time looking out the window.
But if that was the case, Helton was right to be concerned. “Standish can’t have his family drawing unwanted attention.”
The earl frowned, his jaw tightening. “My thoughts exactly. Unfortunately, in the eyes of theton, Lady Roland is far too giddy over her improved social status. And her attempts to marry poor Josephine off to the highest bidder? Clumsy, at best. Standish needs to take her in hand before—” He exhaled sharply, tipping his head back to stare at the ceiling. “Those damned rumors.”
What the devil was Helton talking about? Not, apparently, Lady Melanie, but her mother.
Interesting…
“And your wife can’t convince her to show more restraint?” Malum asked.
“Unfortunately, no,” Helton replied with a faint grimace. “Lady Roland refuses to believe there’s a problem.”
Malum rubbed his chin, considering. “And what of the other daughter?”
Helton’s gaze flicked back to him, curious. “Lady Melanie still refuses to go out. Hardly says a word since the fire.”
But… “Not true,” Malum said.
Helton’s eyes narrowed, sharp as ever. “Oh?”
And here, Malum chose his words carefully.
“Lady Melanie goes out.” No matter how he phrased it, it wouldn’t sound good—and yet, if Helton was responsible for his wife’s family, the earl needed to know. “She paid a visit to theDomusEmporiumearlier today.”
The words left his mouth, and with them, the sense that he was repaying her kindness with a betrayal. But what choice did he have? Helton needed the full picture—however damning it might seem.
“You’re joking.” One corner of Helton’s mouth lifted and he shook his head.
“Unfortunately, no,” Malum said.
“What would possibly induce Melanie to go to theDomus? Why would she?—”
“Her reasons were altruistic, let me assure you,” Malum interrupted. And then, remembering who he was speaking to, felt it necessary to clarify… “We are not on record.”
Helton nodded, although he looked a little suspicious. “Go on.”
“A formerDomusemployee abandoned an infant at Preston Hall. Your sister-in-law had reason to believe the child wasn’t being cared for properly.” Malum hesitated, feeling a strange urge to defend himself, though he quickly discarded it. After all, the details pertaining to his personal circumstances were irrelevant here. “Regardless, you and I both know the implications—if anyone were to see her enter theDomus.” The damage to her reputation, and her family’s by association, could be catastrophic.
A mix of emotions flickered across Helton’s face. Surprise gave way to concern, and then vexation.
