“That is all well and good, but he came up with this ridiculous idea. He cannot escape some of the blame.” Apsley shook his head. “I cannot believe he would pay someone to marry her.”
“For what it is worth, he believed the two of us already harbored feelings for one another. I cannot speak for your sister, but my regard…it was there, even if I did not acknowledge it. He saw what I could not and acted upon it out of his own fears. He was worried for her. Feared she would remain determined to never marry. He did not want to pass on knowing she would end up alone.”
Apsley scoffed. “He may have unintentionally sealed her into that fate now. She will never trust a man’s intentions again. Heartbreak is not easily overcome.”
Something in the way his brow furrowed hinted that he spoke from experience, but I would not pry. Even before the recent catastrophe, Apsley and I had not been on good enough terms for shared confidence of that sort.
“I expect you to explain,” he said, pulling me from my thoughts. “If I am to even consider allowing you to stay here—allowing you the opportunity to fix this mess—then I want the entire truth.”
I nodded. It was a fair demand, and so, I explained everything, starting with how I had served under Hollinsby and later discovered his corruption. Apsley listened with rapt attention, his lips never wavering from their downturned position.
“You mean to use the money to get justice,” he said after I had finished.
“In part. Bringing Hollinsby to court is only a small part of what I hope to achieve. England needs change—the world needs it. While my family is accepted in high society, I am nothing more than the second son of a wealthy gentleman. A naval officer with but a small estate to his name. It is not nearly the influence I require to prod at those in Commons and Lords.”
“Perhaps not.” Apsley rubbed a hand over his chin. “Have you considered the alternative?”
“Alternative?” I repeated.
“You could become an MP yourself. Have a seat in the Commons. It would be far easier than prodding, as you say, to have direct power to encourage change.”
“Yes,” I said slowly, “but again, I am a second son, and not even one of a titled man. To become an MP—”
“You would require support from, say, a viscount?”
I stared at him. “If your father thought such a course was viable, he would have suggested it in Town. His health is too poor to assist me in gaining enough clout to be voted in, assuming an opportunity even arose.”
“True,” said Rus, his lips twitching. “But the title does not end with my father, now does it?”
My lips parted, but no words came out. Lord Paxton had insisted his sons had no interest in politics, but here Russell Apsley stood, suggesting he might lend his name for my benefit, even after his father could no longer do so.
“I’ve shocked you, it seems.” He chuckled, then rounded the corner of the desk and took a seat. He appeared more relaxed now than I had seen him in days. “Let me be clear, I’ve no interest in politics. I’m sure my father has told you as much; however, abolition is important to him. If I can continue his legacy of fighting for change, even in a roundabout way, then I would like to.” He met my gaze. “And given you have my sister convinced into supporting you—”
“I have no intention of accepting any portion of her money,” I interjected.
Apsley raised a hand as if to ward off my defenses. “That is between you and her. All I am saying is that this cause of yours is a worthwhile pursuit. My father can see that. Annette can see that. And so can I. In this, I trust you.”
In this.His words stung, for surely that meant there were areas in which he didnottrust me.
Apsley’s lips tipped into a lopsided smile. “Good. You’ve read into my statement precisely how I intended. Regarding my sister, I’m uncertain whether I trust you. You’ve hurt her, and that is not an easy thing to forgive, nor do I believe she will forgive you. There is time, though, for you to prove me wrong. But lest you think the matter will be let go, I should warn you that I have every intention of burning this contract. Marrying my sister will not earn you those funds.”
My wry smile surprised him. “I do not require those funds to marry Annette. I already told your father to get rid of the contract.”
Apsley opened his mouth to respond, but tapping on the door drew both of our attention. The butler stood in the entry, his flat expression offering no hint of his reason for the interruption. He bowed respectfully. “Forgive my intrusion, but Langley says he needs to speak with Lieutenant Paget, urgently.”
My stomach knotted. Langley was the footman Lord Paxton had assigned to watch Willowbrook Manor. If he had sought me out, that could only mean he had information to share…possibly unwelcome news. I looked at Apsley. Curiosity glinted in his eyes, but he accepted that urgency would not permit an explanation at present and nodded his approval for my departure.
“He’s in the drawing room, sir,” the butler said as I rushed past him.
“Thank you.”
I found Langley standing near the hearth, the flicking flames within casting a glow against his clothing. He turned to face me as I entered and offered a hasty bow. “Sorry to pull you away, sir, but this could not wait.”
“What is it?”
“They’re gone, sir. All of them. The carriage that arrived yesterday left early this morning, and there was a buzz of activity for hours. Had I realized they all intended to leave, I would have come to retrieve you sooner.”
My chest constricted. “All. What do you mean by all?”
