He sat back and gave a mocking smile. “Your father, on the other hand, was apparently as bull-headed as the old earl. Stubborn, proud and unwilling to bend an inch—how extraordinarily stupid.”
“What do you mean?” she asked, though he needed no prodding to continue his terrible account.
“Your father’s side of the family, the next in the line of succession, was as badly dipped has mine. As I have said, Uncle gave nothing without expecting an even greater payment in return. Your father was much older than I was when the earl sought him out. From what I gather, he wouldn’t knuckle under to the old tyrant’s demands that he live under his thumb. Both were volatile by nature. Ugly words flared and your father stormed from the house, consigning both title and fortune to the devil. He vowed never to have contact with the earl again and never to touch a farthing of his wealth.”
Alex drew in a sharp breath.How very like her father,she thought with a mixture of exasperation and grudging respect. But most of all, she felt sorrow for him, at the bitter battle that must have raged inside him between his own cursed pride and his guilt at depriving his son of his rightful place in the world.
“But I digress,” continued Hammerton. “My uncle called me to his sickbed to inform me that he meant to make amends for his past sins by reconciling with his true heir—your father. I believe he had come to know of your brother’s existence and felt a sudden, compelling duty to see that the title passed on to the rightful branch of the family, rather than me, who was next line after your father and brother.” He tapped the barrel of his pistol against his gloved palm. “And perhaps rumors had reached him regarding certain aspects of my behavior in Town.”
Again his lips curled upward, sending a chill down Alex’s spine. “He assured me that he would see to it that I was well taken care of, as there was enough blunt for both your father and me. I would receive a settlement that would allow me to continue living in the style to which I had become accustomed. Hah! He hadnoidea as to the sorts of things to which I had become accustomed! And reverting to a mere ‘mister’ was most definitely not one of them.”
A silence stretched out for what felt like ages to Alex as her nemesis fell into a reverie, his features twisted with malevolent satisfaction as he savored the recollection of his triumph over anyone who sought to thwart his will. She almost believed he had forgotten her presence when he looked up, his eyes glittering with that smug expression she had come to hate.
“So just like that,” he said,” I was told that I was no longer to think of becoming the fifth Earl, that I must step aside for your father. Give upmytitle,myestates,myfortune to someone who hadn’t paid for them like I had—to a recluse who spent his time picking weeds? Not bloody likely!”
His voice had risen to an agitated pitch. “It was simple, really. A pillow placed over Uncle’s face for a matter of a few minutes. The old bird scarcely had the strength to flap his arms. It was with great sorrow that I announced to the servants that he had expired in my arms.”
Alex shot him a look of pure disgust, but he seemed not to notice.
“Unfortunately, he had already written to your father, who had agreed to meet with him after all these years. Naturally, I had to take care of that as well. Knowing your father had a son who was drawing close to adulthood, I feared that was reason enough for him to change his mind.”
Alex sucked in her breath, somehow knowing exactly what was coming. Even so, the sheer effrontery of his manner left her reeling.
“I believe your father had become a bit suspicious over dear Uncle’s untimely death. He left his inn late that night to return home, but he was not a very experienced driver, and his horses weren’t fit for a farmer’s cart. It was remarkably easy to nudge his carriage off the road just as it curved out over the cliffs—my matched bays hardly broke stride.”
Hammerton gave a pained sigh. “I was reasonably sure you and your dottering aunt knew nothing. But when I learned that your brother was not content to remain a country oaf, but had entered Oxford, and had plans to come to Town for this Season, I knew that he would have to be dealt with as well. I couldn’t risk him ever stumbling across the truth.”
If she had possessed the strength, Alex would gladly have throttled the life out of him.
An arrogant sneer revealed a flash of teeth. “I have never lost a match of wits, Miss Chilton. It is a pity you tried to put your feeble female mind up against mine. Admit it, I am a superior intellect. I have bent all of you to my own design, including that cur, Branford.”
“I find you akin toSpirogyra.”
Hammerton narrowed his eyes. Alex let him ponder it for a moment before she added. “It is Latin. For pond scum. Though it pains me to insult the plant phylum with a comparison to you. Perhaps a reptile would be more apt.”
His hand flashed out, catching her across the cheek with a blow that knocked her back against the squabs.
“Shut up, you meddlesome bitch,” he spat. “You’ll soon regret your actions.”
Alex was already cursing herself for a fool. If only she had …
But there was little sense in flaying herself over things that could not be undone. Alex set her teeth and put her mind to coming up with some way out of this nightmare.
She could only hope that Justin would display more intelligence than she had.
Eighteen
The punch connected squarely on Justin chin, sending him sprawling onto his backside.
“Sorry!” Hartley extended a hand and helped his friend to his feet. “Your wits must wandering for you to let me plant such a facer.”
One of the attendants of the famed boxing establishment glowered at them. “That’s enough fer you lads,” he called “If Gentleman Jackson had to witnessed that ‘orrible display of skill, I reckon you’d both be thrown out on yer ears.”
Red-faced at the set-down, Justin and Hartley slunk off to dress, enduring a gamut of friendly jibes from others waiting to go a few rounds.
“Forgive me, Freddy,” said Justin as he toweled off and reached for his shirt. “I know that I’ve not been the best of company for the past few days.”
Hartley shrugged. “No need to apologize.” He glanced around and then lowered his voice to a nervous whisper.” Have you heard any further word? I take it we will not be having to flee the country?”
