by Fanny Finch
Liliana had complicated things.
Yes, he was an evil man, but he truly cared for his stepdaughters, howbeit for his own benefits. The girls were gold mines in human form. Wonderful ladies who had the gentlemen of the ton flocking to their side and dancing to their whims… particularly Nora.
They would marry into wealth and bring him more affiliation. Affiliations that he would use to better himself, increase his status.
He had made one mistake than one. He never should have encouraged this romance with Longcross. Never! There was no need for this. He already had the Leighton family in his grasp.
He should have stirred Liliana in another direction. To some other Lord who would serve his purpose.
He could not kill Sebastian… Liliana would be devastated and would throw a tantrum. She would become hysterical and act foolishly, ruining her chances of securing another profitable marriage.
She was too emotional, like her mother, Theresa. Oh, his Theresa. She had been so beautiful and so easy, so easy. It was why he had enjoyed her so much. He enjoyed manipulating her to do his bidding.
A shame that she had never been able to overcome the grief of losing her husband and that grief had plunged her into the dreadful illness that had taken her to meet him.
Rothwell had been angry at first, of course. But he had forgiven her eventually, and he had kept his promise to her, taken care of her daughters as is. He supposed, he had his noble sides as well.
Not many men would show such kindness. Not many at all.
So yes, Liliana shared her mother’s emotional nature… women. With a silly notion of love and fairy tales. Ah.. but Liliana was better than her mother. She had her father’s will.
His guts. His strength. Oh… Poor Lord Swan. He had been valiant and noble. A pity, noblemen did not survive this harsh, cruel world.
Rothwell remained at the window, thinking… of what piece to move next. He had to win this game of chess. This boy from overseas could not come and best him so. No!
Just then, a thought occurred to him. The frown that had creased his face melted into a smile.
Oh, but of course! It was clear. Ah… all was not over yet. Perhaps, he could still use this to his advantage, greatly. There was a thing to do. Indeed, there was.
This marriage to Sebastian could prove befitting. Sebastian would be tied to them in more ways than one.
He would be bound by loyalty to keep Rothwell safe. Rothwell simply had to make certain that the marriage happened quickly and Longcross never found out the truth of Hanson’s death and his connection to it.
For he feared, if that truth ever came out, being father-in-law would not save him from Sebastian’s wrath. And being son-in-law, would not make Rothwell choose Sebastian over himself.
The battle line would be drawn then, and they would have to go to war. All was fair in love and war, after all. Every man, for himself.
Chapter 24
Sebastian held back a cry as he landed on his feet. The force of the jump had sent a shot of pain, ricocheting up his ankles. It had been long since he got involved in exercises like this. Too long.
If it had been another time and place, when he was much younger, climbing and jumping would have come with ease. Perhaps, it was old age, perhaps, it was a lack of practice. Whichever it was, he knew not.
He rose to full form, shrouded by the darkness, and turned to look at the shadow by his side.
Raising one thumb up, he asked if the man, Ramsey, was doing well. Ramsey responded with a raised thumb as well and then, they were on their way.
As they walked through the hallway, masked in the cloak of the night, Sebastian felt his heart begin to beat harder. This was a dangerous adventure, he knew. Yet, there was no way he could have done without coming.
If he had had his way, he would have been here sooner. Ah… but Mr. Walsh had been up to a number of things and it had taken a while before they had been able to get the pattern of his movements and act accordingly.
It was the second hour in the night and if all things went right, Walsh would not be back until the fifth hour. That would give Sebastian and Ramsey enough time to ransack his study and copy correspondences.
Oh yes, they had come prepared. All the lamps in the house had been put off, so now, they walked as shadows, invisible in the dark. Sebastian walked with his mind now, leading them both, recalling the steps he had taken, the night at the ball.
It would appear that that escapade, had not entirely been for naught.
Soon, they reached the door of the study. As Ramsey got down to work on the lock, Sebastian lit a candle.
In no time, a click was heard and when Ramsey tried the handle, the door came open. As quietly as they had been moving all night, the two men entered the study and locked the door behind them.
Sebastian thought of turning on the gas lamp for better lighting, but he was aware that may very well draw attention. One lit candle would be hard to spot beneath the doors if anyone walked past.
He could not say the same for a lantern of a gas lamp.
“We have to work very quickly, my Lord. I have done this enough times to know that things do not always go as planned. Anyone may come down this way and we are done for. These men have already proven they have no issues with killing men.”
Ramsey was right. This was something Sebastian knew. Yet, as he said it, worried gnawed inside of Sebastian yet again. His hand moved to his pocket, where he had tucked his revolver in, and patted it.
The small weight comforted him. If it ever came to it, Sebastian would protect himself and the truth, no matter the cost.
“You are right, Ramsey. We must begin at the desk. Then, we may move to the shelves. I do believe we would find something.
“A safe lock, most probably. We must look for it, and open it up. Whatever secrets this man has, I am certain we will find them all, therein.”
Sebastian could not agree more, still speaking in whispers, they got down to work.
Like Ramsey had spoken, there was nothing of importance at Ramsey’s desk. Oh, but they found the safe. Thanks to Ramsey’s skills, they were able to open it.
The safe was like a gold mine. Only, it was filled with documents, correspondences and a map, rather than actual gold.
The men shared looks. They had found exactly what it was they were looking for.
Not wasting any time, they brought all of the papers out and began to sort through them. Sebastian’s eyes opened in wonder as he got more proof of their suspicions and conclusions.
Indeed, Walsh was involved in many dirty deals. There were ledgers. Ledgers showing inflated figures deals gone wrong, receipt of shipments that were said to have sunk at sea, or attacked by pirates.
It would appear that Walsh and his cohorts sunk so low, and went as far as hiring pirates to attack merchant ships, including the ships containing merchandise of competitors, and business partners.
Then, there were letters. Sadly, the letters were mostly cryptic and Sebastian and Ramsey, for the life of them could not decipher the letter. Not so easily.
Nevertheless, there were notable words. Words like gold, sea, ships, merchants, and of course, people’s names… including Longcross and Leighton.
Sebastian stilled as he came across those letters that contained his name and that of his family. He took about three and read over a hundred times, willing himself to understand the meaning behind the hidden message.
It all came to naught. Nevertheless, it was clear now. They had been discussing him, just like they discussed his brother. Perhaps, they were also plotting his death?
The senders only identified themselves through initials. J, S, C, H… that way. He searched for R, but there was none.
Sebastian wondered if it was because Lord Rothwell was not a part of this, or he simply used a different alias altogether. And if he was, what role did he have to play in this?
Sebastian hated that he was beginning to suspect a man whom he both loved and admired.
The looming betrayal he knew he was certain to feel, weighed heavily on his heart like a ton of bricks. And in his mouth? It was a horribly sour taste.
Ramsey shared a look with him. It was one of empathy. Sebastian accepted the gesture, giving a curt nod. The truth of all that has happened was in these letters, he knew. He simply had to figure out how to decipher these words.
“I know a man. He lives in Scotland and rarely visits London… he has a dislike for the people, you see. He would not come to London. I can go to him. I shall have to go myself because these are too precious to be sent through a rider.”
“You put your life in danger, Ramsey.”
“I knew what I was getting into when I chose this line of work. It was never for the money, but for my passion to expose the evil in the world and rid us of them. I have always known that there is so much rot at the upper level of society. So much that is covered with fine clothing and expensive gentlemen houses membership. I have had some success in the past decade and some losses. Do not think I have never suffered a close encounter with death, I have, many times. There is no length these men would not go to, to cover their wickedness. Yet, here I am, still standing. This would be my biggest mission yet because there are so many notable men involved. If I lose my life for this cause then so be it. As long as the truth does come out.”
Sebastian had always admired the man that was Ramsey. Though Ramsey was years older, he lived life in such a humble manner. After hearing these words, his admiration for the man grew.
“No harm shall come to you, Ramsey. Either of us. I shall make certain of it. You are known for your stealth, so I rest assured that you would get the copies of these letters to this man you speak of, and return in good health. I shall see to things in London until your return.”
“You too must keep safe, my lord. When the truth does come out, it is you who must say it for I fear, no one would listen to a mere street runner like myself.”
Sebastian chuckled this time. “You are anything but a mere, dear friend. You are called the best for a reason. Now, come, come, we must begin to copy these letters, lest we run out of time and luck.”
Even as Sebastian got to work, he was aware that Ramsey stood looking at him in awe. He stopped then, to look up at the man, his brows raised in question.
“You called me friend.”
“Yes. That you are. We have gone past master and runner, Ramsey. I don’t think we ever were that.”
“You are one good man, Lord Longcross and I shall do my best to see that no harm comes to you. Not many men are like you. Not many men would take friendship in a runner.”
“You are not just a runner, Ramsey. Beyond that, my parents always told me that what makes a man noble is not the blue blood in his veins, the title before his name, or his position in society. It is what he has in his heart. You, dear friend, are indeed noble by heart.”
“So I am noble… you may as well call me Lord Ramsey then,” the other man teased.
Laughing, Sebastian replied in a coy Scottish accent. “Aye Aye, milord. Yer most gracious.”
Now, the men were smiling, the graveness of this adventure forgotten. They were soon copying the correspondences, as many as they could. Afterwards, they picked up the map.
Sebastian did not look too hard to know what it was… it was a map to the gold mine. The real gold mine, not the wild good chase he had gone on. Now, he knew why Rothwell had asked him to make an announcement if he wished to see the mine, so he would be taken there.
This land on the map, the land in which the mine had been found, it belonged to the crown. That would mean that the mine belonged to England and some men, had decided to take it for their own.
Rothwell would never have brought him to this mine. Not when they could not afford him knowing the truth. It all made sense now. Perhaps, this was the straw that had broken the camel’s back.
Day and day, he grew certain that Hanson had learned the truth and threatened to expose them, so they had taken his life to ensure his silence.
Sebastian had tried to search for any indication of these in Hanson’s study but it had proved futile. Had these men gotten rid of all the evidence after killing his brother?
Or had Hanson kept them in a safe place, knowing that his life was no longer safe? And why had Rothwell told him about this mine at all? If it was a truth he mustn’t learn of?
He could have lived in blissful oblivion, probably never finding out the truth. So why? Why had Rothwell unknowingly, or was it knowingly, led him on this chase?
Heaving a deep sigh, Sebastian looked up to Ramsey.
“We must visit Rothwell’s study. I cannot believe the time would come when I would say this, but I think my Uncle is more involved in all of these, than we think. Also, I must search the study at home.” He paused.
“Perhaps, Hanson’s chambers? I am certain Hanson knew all of these things we are only just finding out. He would have kept proof, even though he could not tell anyone.”
“Then, we shall do so before I leave for Scotland. Or perhaps, after?”
“Before… who knows how many more cryptic messages we shall find. I would not want you to make the journey twice.”
Ramsey nodded, understanding.
Now that they had achieved their purpose, they began to rearrange everything back into the position they had found them. They were done in no time and when Sebastian checked his pocket watch, he saw that they had entered the fourth hour.
“We must get going now, Ramsey. The fifth hour looms. It is just as well, we have made a good time.
“Indeed we have, thank goodness for that.”
In agreement, the two men found their way out of the study, with the rewards of the adventure. The moment they exited the large room and turned the locks into place, Sebastian blew out the candle- which was the third they had lit in the cause of their snooping- and they were left in darkness again.
Having a better sense of direction, they turned to go back the way they had come, through the kitchen door.
They had just come out in front and were about to proceed on their way when they heard a carriage pulling over.
Panic arose and quickly, they found a hiding spot behind the pillars and waited. From there, they could peep and their sight confirmed that it was indeed Walsh who had returned home.
He stayed at the door a while, awaiting his butler’s response after the first three sharp and loud knocks. The doors came open in a bit and a voice made husky from sleep was heard.
“Master, I am sorry it took so long. I was expecting you at the fifth hour and was still quite asleep.”
“We finished business early. I was in no mood for the brothel, so I came home to rest on my bed. You look like you haven’t gotten any good sleep, Jameson.”
Walsh had walked into the house now and the voices grew faint.
“Well, what can I say, master? Your recent late nights have been affecting me more than I care for.”
Those were the last words they heard before the door slammed shut. Aware that they were now out of harm’s way, as the carriage had disappeared down the street, the gentlemen resumed on their way.
Their own coach had been parked quite afar off, to avoid suspicions and now, they had to walk down to the other street.
“It is a good thing we finished in time, my lord. We would have been caught.”
“Very likely,” Sebastian replied, deep in thoughts. “It is a good thing we were not, the night would have ended very badly and we were in the man’s home, we never would be able to cry self-defence in our defense if we were to proceed to court.”
“Verily. Terrible thought. We best not give it any more pondering.”
“Yes, we best.”
There was silence for a while as they trudged on, long strides matching long strides, both men of equal height and stature, shrouded in their coats…
“Ramsey?”
“Yes, my lord?”
“Did you find it strange how Jameson spoke to h
is master?”
“Ah, a little so, if I must say. It would appear they have an amicable relationship.”
“Hmmm… interesting. I wonder how much more, this Jameson knows, apart from the business that makes his master keep late nights.
No more words were said between them until the carriage arrived in front of Sebastian’s townhouse and they had to part ways, with a promise to meet later in the day.
Chapter 25
Liliana felt truly beautiful. She supposed it was only to be expected, when a lady such as herself manages to catch and hold the eye of one of the most eligible bachelors in the whole of England.