My goodness, the ladies of London work fast. “For Lady Hampton, yes. And her full name is Katherine Wilcox Charles Palmers. Don’t tell me you’re interested. I mean, what does Mrs. Palmers think?”
“Hey. You can’t be married to two women at the same …” Livingston drinks his wine.
“Nor can Katherine be married to two men, even if one has died.” Palmers forces his way into an empty chair.
I sit back. “What is it that you need to honor the son who finally picked up your bad habits?”
“The twenty thousand pounds would be a good start.”
“Twenty thousand?” Livingston looks at me and then quiets.
I finish the weak tea, but my blood already boils. “Why would I even consider paying you anything?”
“Look, you have no vices to exploit. Can’t find anything on you, Torrance. And whoever your mistress is … well, no one knows.”
“Do not blame me for not being disorderly like you or your son. And Madame Rosebud tells me you’re an avid client when your money is right. Poor Tavis had to help you out there, too. Got himself all smelly.”
The sneer on his face spreads. His countenance burns red with rage. “My son was weak.”
“I’ve a new respect for Tavis. He’d lie to gain the woman he loves, but he’d never directly hurt her by being unfaithful. To do so is weakness, don’t you think?”
“He’s gone. The title has passed to a cousin, and its meager income went, too.”
An income? Then why did he burn up Wilcox Coal’s coffers? “Tavis’s money was your concern? What of his debts?”
The indifference radiating from this fellow makes me realize Tavis was a better son than this man deserved. “You need to run along, Palmers, and leave Lady Hampton and the Wilcoxes alone. For your own good.”
Palmers orders ale. “Katherine Wilcox owes me.” He gawks, tugging at his thin, wrinkled cravat as I push Livingston’s and my bill his way.
“You want me to pay, Torrance? You have this wrong. I’ll get money from you, or Katherine and your long-lost daughter will pay.”
When his glass comes and the server leaves us, I say, “You can’t undo what I’ve done. No court will side with you, and you don’t want my wrath. Besides, your accounts are low. You can’t hire a barrister good enough to make a case.”
The evil man cackles. “I’ll ruin her in the court of public opinion. That’s the one that matters. I’ve already convinced some of her mother’s jezebel ways. The good people merely need a small push to throw fruit at the haughty Blackamoor, who thinks she’s their better. Then there are your peers, who will welcome the ruination of her and your daughter to strike at you.”
He stands. “Mrs. Palmers and I will attend the ball you are throwing at month’s end.”
“I’m bad at invitations, but I’m sure you’re not on the list.”
He tosses down a coin. It’s not enough to pay for one glass of ale. “We’re on the list. And have my payment ready. You can act impervious. Maybe nearly dying can do that, but the ones youleave behind will crumble. And unlike you, Your Grace, they can’t be mistaken for who they are. They’ll not be able to hide from men like me.”
Livingston stops swiveling his neck from me to the threatening buffoon and focuses on his drink. He pushes it away when Palmers leaves, and asks, “What are you going to do, Torrance?”
“Have more tea and wait for Lord Mark and Carew to join us.” I wave for a clean seat to be added.
“That’s not what I mean,” he says. “Palmers will make good on his threats.”
“Nothing will be done tonight.” My voice lowers. “But soon, I will act.”
“You’re a cold one, Torrance. Very even-tempered.”
Cold? Nyet. Just less fevered about all the trivial things. “I want anyone who dares to think of coming after me or my family to live in fear, in this life and the one beyond.”
Livingston pushes his glass of brandy to me. “Sounds like you need this more than me. And do you feel like adopting me? I’d like that type of friend when everyone finds out about Rosa.”
“I will count you as a friend. And I know you and Carew and Lord Mark will take care of the people I love when I can’t.”
He nods. I guess he knows what I mean.
