“Never the first reason, lass. I swear it on my life.”
“Then I forgive you. But…”
Alexander put a finger to her lips. She did not see how he could save her from this. It did not matter if she forgave him, all that mattered was that her sister, Lillian, must be protected from the dishonor which Ambrose could bring down upon her. Any sacrifice was a small price to spare her that. Alexander turned to face Ambrose who smiled, evilly.
“I think I have stomached quite enough rudeness towards me in my own house. But I am curious. What could you possibly have to say to me that you think will change my mind?”
“I ken why you are so opposed to the Bill I’m leading, Ambrose.”
“The correct term of address would be Lord Godstone. Or simply Godstone. Did my daughter not reach that part of your education?”
“Aye, she did. And mair besides. You don’t deserve a title, ye sassenach,” Alexander said in a broad Glaswegian accent. “I’dskelp your backside for ye if I thought it would dae any guid. As it is, you’d learn nothing from it so I’ll stay ma haund.”
Ambrose rolled his eyes. “Really. In the house of an English peer. Such frightful language. Say what you have to say and go back to whatever rock you crawled from under. But don’t forget to sign this first.”
He reached into his coat and produced a folded piece of paper. “It denounces the Child Slavery Bill and your seat in the Lords. Go to Hampshire. Or go to Scotland for all I care. Just go.”
He tossed it onto the table between the two chaise lounges. Alexander smiled bleakly. He reached into his pocket and produced a piece of paper of his own.
“I received this from my solicitor Mr. Octavius Gellert. After he gave me this, I asked him to look into the matter of Lady Violet’s true father. He told me. Apparently, the instruction given to him by his other client, Lord Ravendel, was superseded by a request from me on behalf of my betrothed. That put the matter within my interests, and as Duke of Lorchester, I outranked the Earl of Ravendel. But that’s by the by. That paper will be of interest to you, Ambrose.”
Ambrose looked at him, smiling mockingly. “Hardly. What could you have that I would possibly be interested in?”
“It’s a company charter. A company operating out of the city of Richmond in the state of Virginia. That’s in the United States, you know.”
“I am aware of geography, old chap.”
“Are ye? I would think so. Because your name is on that charter. And your signature. Your John Hancock as the Americans would say.”
Ambrose looked at the paper and licked his lips but still made no move to touch it.
“May I?” Violet asked.
A spark of hope had ignited within her. Alexander’s assured confidence combined with the unmistakable signs of nervousness from Ambrose. Alexander unfolded the paper, and Ambrose reached for it as her fingers touched it. Then he stopped himself and resumed his arrogant smile. But his eyes kept darting back to the paper in Violet’s hands. She looked it up and down, seeing nothing more than a list of names and the name of a company. There were seals and signatures and a lot of tightly packed writing which seemed to be formal legal language.
“I must admit that I don’t know what I’m looking at,” Violet said.
“The American names on that charter are all slave owners,” Alexander said. “Since the Abolition of the slave trade, it is illegal for any British subject to participate in any enterprise involving slavery. This company operates out of Virginia, taking slaves from West Africa and selling them in the Caribbean or directly to slave owners in the southern states of America. Ambrose is a signatory. So are a number of prominent Tories.”
Ambrose had gone quite pale. He threw back the last of his wine and placed the glass on the table. His hands were shaking as he did and he missed the tabletop. The glass toppled and fell to the rug beneath the table with a thump. He ignored it, staring hawkishly at Alexander.
“That paper proves nothing. Only that I am in business in America. Hardly a crime…”
“Mr. Gellert is making inquiries in the United States and will shortly have the evidence that proves what line of business you are in over there,” Alexander said. “He really is an excellent fellow, as you would say here in England. He began investigating potential threats to the Lorchester name as soon as I expressed an interest in the seat in the House of Lords that came with the title. Had he not, I doubt I would have any leverage over you at all.”
“So, what is it you want from me? You want me to drop my threat to Lady Violet? It is done. I will keep secret my relationship to her. And in return, you will…”
“You will do thattoo,” Alexander said.
“Too?” Ambrose queried.
“As well as supporting the next motion to pass the Bill back to the Commons with no amendments. You will ensure the other Tories who are named on that document vote with you and me.”
“But I can’t!” Ambrose hissed, looking panicked. “The party will not stand for it. I will be thrown out.”
“All the better. You will do less damage that way,” Alexander said harshly. “Do it. Or I will reveal this in my next speech.”
Ambrose shot to his feet. “Do that and…and I’ll sue for libel!” he shrieked. “Who do you bally well think you are! You’re nothing but a jumped-up chimney sweep! A kilt-wearing Highlander! A Jacobite!”
