Chapter Ten
“M
iles! How’s life as a new husband? And where is Eleanor? You didn’t bring her with you to London?” Baron Stanton’s wife, Mary, almost skipped into the small parlor where Miles sat conferring with his closest friend over what to do with Ned who lay upstairs in one of Reggie’s guest rooms beaten almost unto death. He rose to his feet and clasped her outstretched hands.
“Mary, you are a vision of loveliness this evening. I suppose married life suits me as well as the next man.” He grinned and winked when she made a face. “Now, Mary… it wouldn’t do to seem too enthusiastic.”
“You men.” She reclaimed her hands and shook her head at his wry response, then sobered. “You’ve spoken with your brother?”
“During the brief moment he was lucid. I apologize for the imposition. As soon as he’s fit to travel, I’m removing him to Fairwood.”
“It was no imposition, Miles… just a shock to the system to find an unconscious body on one’s front step.”
“For which I cannot sufficiently apologize.” He gazed at Reggie and Mary. “Ned should get on his knees and beg your forgiveness. I thank you for taking such good care of my errant brother, and please refer the physician’s fees to me.”
Reggie waved his hand in a dismissive fashion. “Mary, do you suppose we might have a moment of privacy?” Reggie kissed his wife’s cheek and held her gaze in some sort of silent communication that husbands seemed to have with their wives.
“Of course. Come find me when you are done discussing things ‘not fit for tender ears’,” she complained with a smile and left, closing the door behind her. Reggie immediately dug in his coat and pulled out a ragged piece of paper which he handed to Miles.
“I took this off Ned’s unconscious body.”
Miles read the clumsily scrawled message written in grease pencil on what looked like a corner of newsprint.
£15,000 in a fortnight or we finish the job
“Has Ned seen this?”
Reggie shook his head. “He hasn’t been fully aware of his surroundings until today. I thought you should know in case…” He sighed. “In case trouble follows you to Newmarket.”
Miles closed his eyes, anger and distress vying with each other for a place of prominence.
“The physician said he has a broken nose, two cracked ribs and to watch his piss for blood. As far as he could determine, all Ned’s other injuries, while painful, are not as serious as those. They beat him to a fare-thee-well, but someone took care not to cause him permanent disability. I have little doubt that if their terms are not met, these ruffians will attempt to see the job properly done. I don’t suppose there is any hope of applying to Edgar for the funds?”
Miles caught and held Reggie in a direct gaze ripe with cynicism.
The man simply shrugged. “It was worth a mention.”
“We both know these types. If I thought for one moment that this was a legitimate debt gained through honest play, I’d insist Ned work out some sort of repayment, but I’m certain it is not. Paying these bullies and cheats will just make them worse. The only thing these sorts understand is force. Well, if required, I’m not above using a little intimidation myself. As soon as they realize that I will not be blackmailed or cowed by their threats, the better off we’ll all be. And if they think to extract money from Edgar…well, I wish them joy.” Miles caught Reggie’s gaze with his. “Did the physician say when he thought Ned could travel?”
“If you take it in easy stages, he can travel now, but you know you are—”
Miles put his hand on Reggie’s shoulder. “…welcome for however long. You are too good, Stanton. I’ll stay tonight, but tomorrow I’m removing my brother to Fairwood. Permanently. I’ve moved the Dowager Duchess Julia in, and she will be glad of the opportunity to smother Ned in maternal care.”
“You’ve installed your mother at Fairwood?”
“Yes. I’ve given her full run of the place. The Duke treated her with cold indifference, and she lacked all but the bare necessities of life at Chelsony Hall. While she never complained, it was obvious to all who cared to see that she led a bleak existence. Removing her from under the oppressive hand of my half-brother was the first thing I did when I occupied Fairwood.”
The expression on his friend’s face made words unnecessary. “I cannot number any other persons of my acquaintance who possess such a sweet temperament as your mother…how…” Reggie sighed. “He’s a thoroughgoing rotter, Miles, even if he is your brother.”
“Half-brother and I agree.”
Reggie’s traveling coach was the height of modern luxury, but even its superb suspension with the latest in new design for springs couldn’t smooth all the jolts from the road, and while Ned maintained a stoic expression, his occasional hitch of breath at any significant lurch said all that need be said about his physical condition. Miles sympathized, but he wasn’t about to tell Ned that.
“Tell me how you came to this point, Lord Edmund.”
His brother hunched a little more at his formal address, but drew in a careful breath through distorted lips and peered at Miles through the one eye that wasn’t swollen shut. He spoke more slowly than normal, and carefully shaped his words as if it hurt to speak—which it probably did. “It’s not what you think. I never went back to those gaming dens.” His brow wrinkled. “I didn’t, Miles. I know I haven’t been a paragon of virtue, but I gave you my word, and I kept it. Miles? Please tell me you believe me.”
“I believe you. So, finish your story.”
“The day after I spoke with you, I secured your draft and searched for the lender, but I couldn’t find the man who’d made me the original loan. I left messages for him everywhere that I had his money. Days went by without a word from him, and then a fortnight and still nothing, and I suppose I just thought …” His brother let out a groan. “I’ve been such an incredible gull. Finally, I received a message to pay up with a time and place. Five nights ago, I appeared at the agreed-upon place,” his mouth curled in disgust, “some stew near the docks, and met with three ‘associates’ of Mr. Smith.”
Miles snorted. “Smith?”
Ned closed his eye. “Yes…I know. Not his real name, certainly. I just wanted to pay what I owed and leave, but they wouldn’t let me. Said it wasn’t £5,000 anymore but £15,000 due to daily interest! Interest, Miles! I explained that I’d tried to pay them back weeks ago, but … well, stupid as I am, I finally realized they were playing me for a pigeon.” He rested his head gingerly against the squabs of the coach’s interior. “I became angry and said I knew their game and they’d not get more than what I owed. One of ‘Mr. Smith’s’ associates said he thought I was worth more than £5,000 to my brother, and someone bashed me in the back of the head. The three of them set on me with cudgels and fists. I attempted to defend myself but after being blindsided and with the numbers against me… well, the results are plain. I don’t remember much about what happened after that, other than I woke up in bed at Baron Stanton’s, less the draft for £5,000.”
Miles fished in his inner pocket and withdrew the ragged piece of newsprint and laid it on Ned’s thigh. “This was pinned to your coat when Reggie found you.”
Ned regarded the message as if Miles had placed a poisonous spider in his lap. “Damn it to perdition, Miles. I’m so sorry. I’ve been a complete embarrassment to you, and you’ve already done more than you should have. As soon as I’m able to travel on my own, I’ll go into hiding somewhere until this blows over.”
“No, you will not. You do not retreat from bullies. We will confront them with the only language this sort understands—force. I refuse to succumb to their extortion. You are going to make a life with Mother and me at Fairwood, and I swear to Almighty God, I will protect you.”
“I don’t deserve you.”
“No, you don’t, but you are stuck with me nevertheless, and trust me, Ned, I will extract a full day’s work from you as soon as you are able.” He held his younger brother in a stern gaze, but Ned appeared so woebegone that he couldn’t sustain his anger. “Are you in a lot of pain?” he said softly. “The doctor gave me some laudanum if it gets too bad.”
The corners of Ned’s misshapen mouth twitched. “A vile concoction. I’d rather endure the discomfort.” With a few grimaces, Ned arranged himself lengthwise on the seat, his arms wrapped around his ribs, and stared at the ceiling of the carriage. “First Mother and then me … who will you rescue next?” he murmured.