“I will purchase your passage to America and give five hundred pounds to the ship’s captain, to keep safe during the voyage.He’ll be instructed not to give you a penny until you’ve landed in Boston.”
“Damn it all, I’m not a child—”
“No, you’re a gambler, a liar and a cheat.And a total disgrace.”
Chapter Six
Blaxland fumed silentlyfor a few minutes, then he leaned forward.“What’s to stop your precious captain from keeping the money?He could have me tossed overboard and keep it all himself.And for all I know there’s no money at all.You might even pay to have me drowned at sea.”He sat back, raking his fingers through his hair.“Why the devil should should I risk it?”
Marcus’s voice was icy.“I hadn’t considered those possibilities, it’s true, but I don’t actually care what happens to you.The captain could throw you overboard with my good wishes, but that’s not our agreement.So, you have a choice: stay and face the Greelings or take the ship to America.Consider it a gamble.You like to gamble, don’t you?”
There was a short silence, but Marcus knew the man would accept his offer.He had no choice.It was a better offer than he’d get anywhere else.It went against the grain to enrich Blaxland by as much as a farthing, but he could see no other way to permanently rid Tessa of her brother without harming him.And without involving her in some kind of public scandal, which it would, if the matter ever came to court.She’d suffered enough slander at the hands of her family.
“Of course, you would have to remain in America, or at least never come back to England.”
Blaxland’s jaw jutted aggressively.“Why the devil should I?”
“As I understand it, the Greelings charge quite high interest rates,” Marcus pointed out.“The sum you owe them will be increasing daily, and they have long memories and vindictive habits, I’m told.Should you set foot in England again, they will be sure to find out.”He gave a cold smile.“And then your life won’t be worth living.”
“They might not find out.”
Marcus said gently, “Oh, but should you do anything so foolish, I will be at such pains to inform them.”
“You swine!”
Marcus placed a slip of paper on the small bedside table.“This has all the details you need.Your ship sails tomorrow afternoon on the turning of the tide.My man Sims is downstairs and will escort you.If you leave within the hour, you should make it in time.”
“Within the”—
“The captain already has your booking and your five hundred guineas, so if you fail to turn up, or arrive too late and the ship has sailed, the money and the opportunity will be lost to you.”He smiled coldly.“In that event, the Greelings may have you with my good will.”
Blaxland picked up the note and examined it, then shoved it in his pocket.“How do I know you’ve sent the money?”
Marcus shrugged.“You don’t.You’ll just have to gamble on whether or not I’m a man of my word.Goodbye Blaxland.”
Blaxland swore long and horribly.Ignoring him, Marcus left.He gave a note and a small roll of notes to Sims who’d been waiting downstairs.“Stay with him.Make sure he gets on board this ship—I don’t care if you have to deliver him in a sack, as long as you do it.Use whatever force is necessary, but I want him alive and on board that ship when it sails.Jackson will meet you there, and the captain will give you a receipt for Blaxland’s arrival.The details are here, and the money for costs.I will pay you and Jackson the full amount I owe you when you bring me the receipt from the captain.”
