Reuben left the Colborne house in a state of fury. He stalked across the park and lingered behind the oak that towered in the center. Ephraim had spoken to him and set a seed of rage within him. The old man had asked if Reuben might hasten the marriage—a prospect that did not fill Reuben with delight. He did not wish to rush. There were certain things he still had to do.

More than that, he understood where the urgency had stemmed from. He had witnessed the rogue watching Adelaide from the shadows of the India room, at Montagu House. He had made it his duty to discover what this fellow was up to—this supposed gentleman who seemed eager to follow Adelaide about London.

Even now, he saw the carriage lingering at the corner of the cobbled street. A carriage that did not belong here. He did not know how long it had been waiting, but he could guess at the inhabitant within.

A spurned admirer? I think not. I know you, Lord Rowntree. I know you would seek to take what is mine for your own delectation and delight. She is not for you, nor never shall be. You may cease your trailing of her or endure the consequences. I will not break this engagement, no matter what filth you may discover regarding my past.

He moved stealthily across the park and let himself out of the side gate. Approaching the carriage from the rear, he knew the fellow within would not see him coming… until it was too late. He reached for the door handle and wrenched it open. A gasp of alarm echoed from inside as he clambered into the darkness.

“Lord Rowntree, if I am not mistaken?” he said pointedly, facing the middle-aged man with the sandy hair and badger beard. The devil had the decency to look sheepish.

“Your Grace… I had not expected to see you here.”

“No, I imagine you did not.” He sat down opposite. “Might I ask what you are doing here, watching the Colborne residence with such outlandish veracity?”

Lord Rowntree cleared his throat. “I merely stopped to rest the horses.”

“Do not lie to me, or it shall be the last thing you do,” Reuben warned. “You know of me, correct?”

Lord Rowntree nodded slowly.

“So, you understand what I am capable of?”

He nodded again.

“You see, you might have all the lords and ladies of Bath on a tight rein, with your newly gained position there, but I do not bow to anyone,” Reuben continued, every word dripping venom. “You may have your underhand measures and your threats and your blackmail, but you do not frighten me. I have done far worse to men with far more power than you. Do you not think it strange that I have such a history, and yet I am still welcomed in polite society?”

“I do not know, Your Grace.”

“They understand that I am made of darker substance. They understand that if they cross me, or spurn me, or mention my name in a way that I do not care for, I shall come for them,” he said menacingly. “They know that I possess the ability to ruin every single one of them. The secrets I could tell, Lord Rowntree. They would make even your toes curl.”

“You do not need to threaten me, Your Grace. I mean no ill-intent.”

Reuben tutted. “Oh, but I think you do. You see, I have been watching you. Had you paid less attention to the charms of Lady Adelaide, and more on your surroundings, you might have noticed.” He paused for effect. “I saw you watching her at Montagu House. Everywhere she goes, your carriage is there. Might I ask why that is?”

“I admire her,” he replied.

“Well, at least you are honest.” Reuben gave a cold laugh. “The trouble is, Lord Rowntree, you are coveting my property. Lady Adelaide is to be my wife, and nothing you can do shall prevent it. You may think you have enough information to scandalize me, but fiercer men than you have tried and failed. I cannot be ruined. You may count on that.”

“I do not covet her, Your Grace. I merely—”

“If another word of deceit leaves your lips, I shall have them removed,” he snapped. “I do not know what sort of sway you hold over the Earl of Leeds, but I am here to tell you to cease this endeavor—whatever it may be. He is my future father-in-law, and I will not have him threatened by the likes of you. I do not care what reason you may have for doing so. Moreover, I will not have you use him to get at Lady Adelaide.”

Lord Rowntree’s expression darkened. “How can you claim to know so much, and yet know so little?”

“I know all I need to know,” he replied. “Now, stop whatever it is you are doing, or face the consequences. I have men at my disposal, who will come for you in the night, when you least expect it. They will make it look like an accident. Besides, nobody in this city will miss you when you are gone. They would laud me for disposing of you.”

Reuben watched the man’s entire demeanor change in a split-second. Fear flickered in the whites of his eyes. He knew that Reuben was serious, for Reuben never jested about such things. He did not often use the tools at his disposal, but he would if someone crossed him. It had been a year or so since the last man tried.

“You do not deserve her,” Lord Rowntree spat.

Reuben snorted. “And you think you do? It is my firm assumption that no man in all of England is deserving of her. She is unlike any lady I have ever encountered. I adore her. I will have her as my wife. You will not stand in the way of my plans.”

“And what plans are those?”

“Never you mind,” Reuben shot back. “All you need to know is that I am deadly serious in my threat. Approach Lady Adelaide again, or attempt to speak with a single member of her family, and I shall have you smothered in your sleep. Or, perhaps, I shall come up with something a little more colorful.”

“You would not.”

Reuben narrowed his eyes. “I would. You know I would. I can see the terror on your face.” He smiled coldly. “You have heard the stories, have you not? You have heard how the Baron of Nantwich met his end, yes? You have heard how the Earl of Crawley lost his tongue, correct? You have heard how the Marquess of Taunton fared in that tragic duel, have you not?”

Lord Rowntree gasped. “You?”

“Me.”

“How could you get away with such travesties?”

“I am untouchable,” Reuben replied simply. “All of those men had one thing in common—and they are only the ones I wish to tell you about. I cannot even begin to go into detail about all the commoners and servants and soldiers that I have brought to death and ruin.”

Lord Rowntree gulped audibly. “What did they have in common?”

“Now, you are asking the right questions,” he said with an icy chuckle. “They all got in the way of something I desired - like their wives, mostly, - but there were other reasons, too. However, I believe Lady Adelaide is the one lady on this earth that can change my ways. I would change for her, which is why I will not have you ruin things.”

“You are a monster, Your Grace.”

He shrugged. “Perhaps, but I know what I am made of. I do not shy away from the darkness, nor claim to be anything other than I am. I am not a deceiver, as you are.”

“You cannot marry Lady Adelaide. You are deeply contemptible. She ought to be with a gentleman of better heart than you.” Lord Rowntree balled his hands into fists. “I do not claim to be perfect, but I have not done as you have done.”

“Really? You have not ruined men for your own personal gain?”

“I have not cut out their tongues, so I might amuse myself with their wives!” he snapped.

“Then you are missing out, Lord Rowntree.” Reuben grinned. “As I say, Lady Adelaide shall make me a changed man, I am certain of it. She is accepting of my jaded past and looks only to the future. Were you a Duke, you might stand a chance. However, you are not. You may think yourself untouchable, but you are mistaken. You do not have that kind of power, no matter what you may think.”

They stared at one another in silence for what seemed like a lifetime. Reuben knew his words had reached the villainous cretin. Everyone knew that Reuben had connections at court. They were the very connections that had kept him from hanging on several occasions. With that kind of backing, no one could pin anything on him. They never would be able to. They would need proof of his actions, and all of that had been buried long ago.

His gaze turned out towards the window, as a figure hurried past. Jasper, Lord Gillett, future Earl of Richmond. The sight of him boiled Reuben’s blood further.

Why must everyone paw at my love? he pondered angrily. Why must they all gather around her and feed their disdain for me into her ear? I know she will not heed them, for she admires me so. Still, every single one of you is a thorn in my side. As soon as I am married to that girl, I shall take her away, where none of you may reach her. She will be mine, and mine alone, and I will take every morsel of her for my own delights. I would bet my life that she will give me what I want, without question or restraint, for she is cut of the same cloth as I. We are twin souls, brought together in this world. She simply needs a taste of the darker side—I know she shall find it rather intoxicating.

Reuben turned his attention back to Lord Rowntree. “So, may I count on your compliance?”

After several moments, Lord Rowntree nodded. “I will keep my distance from Lady Adelaide. I shall cease my pursuit of her, and everything that entails.”

“I knew you would see things from my perspective, Lord Rowntree,” he said, with a note of satisfaction. “Were you of higher birth, I might admire you for your behaviors. You have left quite the trail of misery behind you. Indeed, I wish you luck in your future endeavors.”

Lord Rowntree dropped his gaze.

“Saying that, I do hope our paths never cross again.”

“As do I, Your Grace,” he replied bitterly.

“Return home, and never come back here,” Reuben warned, before opening the carriage door again. He paused on the steps and turned over his shoulder. “If I hear a whisper of your pursuit of Lady Adelaide, it shall be the death of you. I must ensure that you understand the severity of the situation?”

He nodded slowly. “I understand, My Lord. I should not have trespassed on your territory. Indeed, I had not realized what sort of man I was dealing with. Your reputation pales in comparison to the truth.”

Reuben grinned. “Excellent… so you do understand.”

With that, he turned and stepped down from the carriage, before melding into the oncoming shadows of the night.