“Your wife didn’t lie. It was very chaotic when the ladies came. But you and Mr. Croome understand what it takes to clean house. Again, if I had known the ladies were coming—”
“You wouldn’t have called them bed wenches.” The politician sounded as if he were in Parliament, chin lifted, velvet voice echoing.
Wycliff clapped. “Good performance. You’re missed on the stage. Yes, if I’d known they were coming, I would have cleaned house earlier, then broken out the good china, if the thieves hadn’t already stolen it.”
The politician looked perplexed, but Old Croome belly laughed. “Bexeley, leave us. I want to talk to Wycliff alone.” The man’s words were slurred, his face and hands bore signs of flames, but he was still as Wycliff remembered from the docks, an all-powerful ebony Zeus.
“You’re sure, sir?”
“Yes, son,” Croome said. “Go on. Find that young daughter of mine and let her enjoy an early evening without you running off for law-making.”
Bexeley’s smile broadened. The man headed out of the study.
Mr. Croome sat back. “What do you want, Wycliff?”
“Mrs. Wilky has been dealt an injustice. I intend to make all of that up to her.”
“That’s mighty nice sounding. I watched you with her at the garden party. My wife told me of how close you two have become. I might be slow, but not slow in the head, boy. Tell me, now.”
The simplest truth was best. Wycliff put his hands flat on the desk and leaned. “I want her. I intend to woo her and beat the barrister at gaining Ruth’s acceptance of an offer of marriage.”
The man started to laugh again, harder and heavier than before. “You don’t mince words, do you?”
“No. I have Blaren House that needs to be made a home. I want to integrate Ruth into my world, so I will require her time, lots of her time. I’ll use everything in my power to sway her.”
Croome pointed his finger at him, the index finger that could shoot lightning to strike down mortals. “Now, you’re a little too direct. I don’t know if I want her swayed. She’s had a hard time. And if she wasn’t lying about Adam, then there’s a lot of other things she was telling the truth about. I found her, after Wilky died, at a brothel, Madame Talease’s. You know what that means.”
Yes. Yes, he did. Ruth sold herself to men who had a taste for Blackamoor women. The bawdy house was outside of London. It might not even be that far from where they were attacked.
He nodded to Croome. “Everyone has a past, and whatever she felt she had to do to live, was because of Adam. He left her unprotected. I’ll make everything up to her.”
“Sounds as if you love her. You just met her, right?”
“Adam shared everything about Ruth, her strong opinions, her caring heart. I’ve seen her every day this week. I make up my mind very fast. I want her. I need her. I must have her…in my life.”
Mr. Croome banged his cane on the floor. “Well that sounds convincing. Mrs. Croome says you are mulatto. If I squint, maybe. Are you?”
“My mother was once enslaved, but she was freed by her owners when they discovered her love of language. My father met her, this wonderful negress poet, in his travels in the Americas. He convinced her to return with him to England. They married here on these shores. It’s why I inherited my title, from their legitimate union. Does it matter?”
“No. I just want to know what I’m dealing with and what type of troubles my girl should expect. White or light, many folks are going to be upset. What type of dowry do you want?”
“Nothing. I’ll take her with the clothes on her back or without.”
“Boy, you talk smart, but you sound crazy, just like Mrs. Croome. Is that what happens when the races mix? Lord, help my grandchildren.”
“Do I have your approval, sir?”
“To marry, Ruth? Sure, I’ll even root for you. Save me twenty thousand pounds. Yes. I’ll bet on you, blackjack. But if you hurt her, boy, I’ll come for you, Bexeley will come for you. Hell, Mrs. Croome and Ester will, too. They all are a touch crazy.”
“I’ll never hurt Ruth, and I’ll take great pleasure in convincing her of my plans.”
Mr. Croome powered to his feet, and Wycliff extended his arm to steady him.
“Sir, I intend to have her as my wife as soon as possible. I intend to tempt her any way I can. I’m determined. I’ll not fail. She may be returning late or not at all.”
“Wycliff if you just implied what I think, I need to punch you.”
The door flung open and Ruth stormed in. “I heard what he said, Papa. I’ll do it, then send him on his way.”
