A lightning bolt from the heavens should blow through Blaren House’s roof and strike Wycliff for even considering the notion. They were trying to use his beliefs against him. “I’m not the one who grants forgiveness for trespasses. Leave. Go pay alms to Steward’s widow.”
Nickie tried to grab his arm, but he bucked away and readied the sjambok to strike. This time he’d hit for blood.
“If my father lets you know how sorry he is, will that change things?”
“Nickie, don’t bring that man here or you all will be dead by morning. Go see to these children who’ve made you humane. But don’t fret. I take care of widows.”
Johnson stood but rubbed at his knee. “My wife says you are partial to a widow now. What if we make similar threats?”
“Then you die now.” He struck Johnson in the face with his fist and knocked him into Nicholas. “Lawden, let’s kill them and dump them in the woods.”
His man came from the top of the stairs with his blunderbuss loaded.
Nicholas’s eyes bulged. “This is too public. You won’t do it.”
“You don’t know what a dead man is capable of. You’re all being watched, and as much as I have enjoyed your squirming. This must end quicker.”
Nicholas tried to reach for Wycliff’s arm again, but a snap of the sjambok kept him away. “What do you mean?”
“Johnson, for mentioning my interests, your note shall be called in the morning. If you cannot pay, your bankers, who are my bankers, will send for the magistrate. You will be at Marshalsea before tomorrow nightfall.”
“Debtors’ prison. Wilkinson, you said you could reason with him.”
“Johnson, leave and go be with your wife. Your last night as a free man should be hers.”
The man shook his fists at Nickie and limped out the front door.
“Nicholas, you have something else for me? Shall I call for your father’s debts tomorrow?”
“No. No, Wycliff, but Father does want to see you. Let him plead with you. I’m doing for my father like you did for yours.”
“You? You’re protecting him from being convicted of a crime he didn’t commit?”
Nickie’s eyes went wide like Wycliff had lied. Maybe he was surprised that Wycliff had discovered the depths of his nasty deeds. “Out of my house, vulture.”
“Please give him this one chance. Just one.”
These fools would keep showing up and growing more desperate. “Fine. I feel like going to the theater. Come to Drury Lane Theater. We can meet ten minutes before intermission. But let Uncle Soulden know that this war is over. I’ve won. Ruin is coming.”
“Spare me, Wycliff. Let us start anew.”
“No.”
“I’m not the man I was.”
“But you’re still doing Uncle’s bidding. What good is it to cry for forgiveness if you haven’t changed your ways?”
“Sometimes mercy is given to those who don’t deserve it. You’re a fair man. I’ve heard how you’re taking care of Steward’s widow. I think Johnson had Steward done in for a lesson. Protect everyone around you.”
No, that was Uncle’s hand. Nicholas was covering for him.
“Please, Adam.”
Wycliff didn’t move, didn’t allow his eyes to drift. Nothing to indicate he cared for anything.
“Cousin, I know if you think about it, you’ll understand my choices.”
He’d had sympathy for Nickie…once. Uncle Soulden was a terrible man. He had to have been a terrible father, but there was a point when a son, a man, had to choose which path to follow. “When Uncle is in Marshalsea, I’ll see.”
