by Laura Landon
“What?”
Winnie clutched her fingers in her lap. She couldn’t do this. She couldn’t tell her father what she’d done. She couldn’t bear to see the anger and disappointment on his face. She couldn’t bear to know that he hated her. That after today he’d never be able to bear the sight of her.
Suddenly, Nick’s hand rested atop hers.
“Tell him, Winnie,” he whispered.
Winnie nodded, then swiped at a tear that spilled over her lashes and down her cheek. “Mother isn’t dead, Father. She didn’t take her life like I allowed everyone to believe she did. She’s locked away where she can’t hurt anyone ever again.”
Her father’s reaction was explosive, but not in the way she imagined. He didn’t shout and rage like Benjamin would have done, but his anger was like a simmering volcano, lying dormant, while below the surface, it was building in intensity.
The shock and disbelief on her father’s face frightened her. He sat without moving, as if he were chiseled from marble. As if the words she’d just uttered had never been spoken.
After several tension-filled minutes, he pushed himself to his feet and stood. He staggered, then reached out his arm to clasp onto the back of the sofa and steady himself.
Winnie rushed up from her chair to go to him, but Nick’s hand rested on her arm to hold her back.
The Duke of Townsend stumbled to the window and stared out into the sunshine. But Winnie doubted her father saw anything but blackness. Doubted he felt anything but dark anger. Towards her.
“Why?” he demanded, as if the pressure building inside him could no longer be contained.
His voice was loud. His word wasn’t a question, but an accusation. Its meaning and intent the deadly fire of a rifle aimed at her heart. And finding its mark.
“Why would you do that?”
“For you,” she answered. “For Gideon, and his sons. For Anne.”
He turned on her. “And Benjamin? You didn’t do it for Benjamin?”
“Yes, but not as much. Benjamin could survive the scandal that would be unleashed if Society found out what Mother had done. But Gideon couldn’t. He hasn’t been toughened by the cruelties Society can deliver. The gossip mongers would destroy him, and Eve along with him. She’s even less equipped to deal with Society’s vicious attacks.”
“And Anne?” he fired at her.
“Anne wants nothing more than what she is about to have—a man whom she adores, and who adores her in return. How long do you think she’d survive knowing she’d never realize any of her dreams? Living through the scandal of what Mother did would kill the spirit that makes her so special.”
“And me?” His voice was louder. Almost a roar.
“More than anyone, I did it for you, Papa.”
His anger turned more explosive. His expression was livid. “You think I am so weak I could not have survived a scandal? Do you think I am such a coward I would have hidden away and not shown my face again?”
Winnie shook her head. “Just the opposite, Father. On the outside, you would have appeared to have survived the scandal the best of all of us. You would have put on the bravest of fronts. You would have walked through Society with your head high as you do now, while inside you would be dead and decaying. Watching the Townsend name reduced to ashes would have killed you.”
“But I would have survived,” he countered, his voice a bellow.
“But I wouldn’t have,” she cried. “I couldn’t have stood it to watch what Mother did destroy all of our lives. I couldn’t have borne doing nothing when I had a way to save you. And Gideon. And Anne. And Benjamin. And yes, Father. Even me. I did it to save myself from having to watch what mother did destroy each of you inch by inch by inch.”
“You didn’t have the right!” he bellowed.
Her father’s words knocked the air from her body and for several moments she couldn’t speak. She couldn’t think. She could only feel. And every part of her body hurt with a pain so intense she thought she might die from it.
“Perhaps you’re right, Father. Perhaps I didn’t, but that point is moot now. I did it. I took Mother to a place where I didn’t think she’d ever be found.”
“Except someone found her,” her father added. “And now you’re being blackmailed.”
“Yes,” Winnie whispered. “Whoever is blackmailing me says they’ve seen Mother and they know she’s not dead. They also claim that they know what she did, and if I don’t continue to pay them, they’ll tell the papers and the world will find out.”
“Do you believe them? Are you convinced they’re telling the truth?”
Winnie lowered her gaze to her clutched hands in her lap. “Yes, I believe them. They know where Mother is. They even told me the name I used when I admitted her.”
“How much money do they want?” her father asked. “I take it that’s why you went to The Soiled Dove. To earn enough money to pay the blackmail amount.”
Winnie nodded. “At first it was only a hundred pounds. Their latest demand is for five thousand pounds.”
The Duke of Townsend’s eyebrows shot upward, and his mouth tightened in indignation. “Do you intend to pay it?”
“I have to,” she answered.
“No, you don’t! I won’t allow it! The demands will never stop. They will only continue.”
Her father’s answer was sharp and accusatory. “Then what do you suggest I do?”
“Nothing! Ignore the demand. Inform them that we’re prepared to battle the scandal Ernesta has caused. It’s the only way.”
“No! We can’t do that! It will ruin everything. Annie’s life will be destroyed. Your grandsons’ futures.”
“I refuse to give in to the demands of such lowlifes. I couldn’t look myself in the mirror if I did.”
He glared at her with a warning in his eye, then shifted his gaze to Nick.
“Don’t you agree, Mr. Stillman?”
A wave of panic washed over her. She’d always known this would be her father’s choice. He was so proud. So noble. So determined to do what was right, even if it wasn’t right for anyone around him.
Now he was asking Nick to confirm his decision. Which he would. Of course he would. He and her father shared the same high ideals. They both lived by a separate set of principles that prevented them from stepping beyond what was honorable. That prevented them from looking beyond the decision they felt obligated to make, to the catastrophic result once that choice was made.
Her father was so certain they would survive, and they might. But what would be left for them after their survival? What kind of life would they have? What kind of happiness would Annie ever know if their mother’s scandal became common knowledge?
Her father kept his gaze focused on Nick, waiting for him to agree with the decision he was about to make. To give credence to his refusal to give his daughter the money to pay the blackmailer. He wanted Nick’s blessing when he told her that he wouldn’t allow her to pay the blackmailer’s demand.
“Well, Mr. Stillman? Would you pay the blackmail demand were you in my shoes?”
Winnie waited for what Nick would say. She prayed that he could, just this once put his lofty ideals aside and look at the end results if she didn’t make the payment.
She turned her gaze to where he sat beside her, but he didn’t look at her. He looked at her father, as if he couldn’t face her.
A heavy weight pressed against her chest, the pressure making it difficult to breathe. The heaviness causing her heart to exert more effort to beat.
She had to have that money. She didn’t know what she’d do if her father refused to give it to her. She didn’t have nearly enough to pay the blackmail demand.
She clutched her hands in her lap until they ached, but there was nothing she could do to force Nick to say the words that went against everything he believed.
When he spoke, he said what she’d battled so long to prevent from happening. He said the words her father needed to hear, words that would destroy h
is family.
“No, Your Grace. I would not.”
CHAPTER 27
Nick felt Winnie’s angry glare shoot deadly daggers in his direction. He knew if he looked at her, he’d see more than her disappointment. He’d see a full range of emotions, from explosive irritation to fury to rage. From treachery to disloyalty to betrayal. And she’d be right. His words had betrayed her.
“See, Winnifred,” His Grace said. “I’m not the only one who feels that giving in to the blackmailers would be a grave mistake. Even—”
Nick held up his hand to stop the Duke of Townsend’s words. “Excuse me, Your Grace. But I need to clarify my statement.”
Winnie’s father gauged Nick’s remark, then, realizing Nick had more to say, he returned to the sofa and leaned back against the cushion.
“While I detest the idea of giving in to blackmail demands of any kind,” Nick began, “I believe the matter before you…and your daughter…requires a different approach. Unfortunately, you aren’t only talking about the vicious rumors that could result if Society discovers that the duchess is still alive. You are talking about a murderer, and what the reaction would be if Society discovered your children’s mother was a murderer.”
“What are you saying, Mr. Stillman?” His Grace asked.
“Have you considered what might happen if you don’t pay the blackmail demands and Her Grace’s crimes are exposed? Have you considered the consequences if that happens?”
“Yes,” the Duke of Townsend replied. “The choices are the same as they were before we thought Ernesta was dead. If the blackmailer exposes the crimes Ernesta committed, and where she is, I’ll have no choice but to turn her over to the authorities.”
“And are you willing to accept the penalty that will cost you and your family should that happen?”
“Do you think I want to do this?” His Grace exploded. “Don’t you think I know how it will affect my family to suffer through a scandal of this magnitude?”
“Yes, I do. And so does your daughter. Which is why I think we should consider another option.”
“What option?”
“You need time. Time to consult your family. This isn’t a decision you should make on your own. It’s a decision you should make together. What you decide will affect your children as much as it affects you. We also need time to find out what we can about the person or persons blackmailing Lady Winnifred. There’s always a possibility that they can be dealt with.”
“A possibility?” Winnie asked.
Her expression held so much hope, Nick didn’t want to admit that the chances of that happening were almost nonexistent. But he couldn’t stand to destroy the glimmer of light he saw in her eyes.
“Perhaps,” he said, but that was as far as he was willing to go. “And then,” he continued, “there is the decision of what to do with the duchess if we can eliminate the threat of the blackmailer.”
“Are you suggesting that Ernesta not be held responsible for the murders she committed?” the Duke of Townsend asked. His shock was evident. Also his disapproval. It was obvious that he refused to consider any form of leniency.
“I’m not suggesting she shouldn’t be punished for her crimes. I’m suggesting that there are many forms of punishment. Her Grace needs to be punished. She needs to be banished from Society. Locked away where she cannot harm anyone ever again. But…” He paused, and looked at Winnie, then turned his gaze back to the Duke of Townsend. “She alone should be held accountable for the lives she took. You and your children shouldn’t have to suffer that same penalty.”
His Grace was silent for a few moments as if considering what Nick had said. “What do you suggest we do?” he finally asked.
“I suggest we make the payment.” He glanced at Winnie. “Do you have the note you received, my lady?”
Winnie reached into the pocket of her gown and handed him the message she’d received from the blackmailer. Nick read it.
“The instructions are to deliver the five thousand pounds to an address on Church Street. I’m only vaguely familiar with this area, but if I’m correct, this isn’t a building currently occupied. My guess is that it’s either an abandoned warehouse, or a stable of some kind.”
“Are you going to use your fellow brigadesmen to watch the area like you did last time?” His Grace asked.
Nick shook his head. “They’ll anticipate me doing that and will be waiting. We’d be walking into a trap if we repeat what we did before. I’ll use them to assist me, but they’ll stay far enough from the area that the blackmailer won’t see them.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I’ll take the money. And I’ll go alone.”
“No,” Winnie said. “You can’t go alone. I won’t allow it.”
Nick smiled. “So like you, my lady. But I’m afraid you have no say in this.”
“Yes, I do. I’m the one being blackmailed. I’m the one who made the decision to let the world believe Mother was dead, when she wasn’t. I’m the one who will take any risks that need to be taken.”
Nick shook his head, but Winnie ignored his refusal.
“It’s the only way,” she argued. “They’ll expect me to deliver the money. They won’t expect you, and they might not show their faces if I’m not there.”
“They won’t realize you’re not there until it’s too late.”
“You don’t know that,” she argued. “You think they’ll be watching for you, don’t you?”
“Yes. They can’t let the money go unguarded for too long. In that area, anyone who sees a fancy carriage stop at an abandoned building will be curious enough to find out what it was doing there. And if someone finds the money, it will be long gone before our blackmailer can get to it.”
“Then I need to be the one to deliver the demand. They don’t know you. And you won’t know them.”
“There’s no saying that you will either,” he argued.
“I think I will. The blackmailer very likely is someone I know. Someone who knows me. And knows Mother.”
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean—”
Winnie waved her hand in front of her to stop Nick’s words. “It means if we want the person blackmailing me to show his or her face, I’ve got to be the one to make the delivery. Don’t you see?”
“I see,” Nick said, “but I still won’t allow you to be anywhere near there.” He looked at the Duke of Townsend for help. He needed Winnie’s father to refuse to allow her to go.
Instead, His Grace looked at his daughter for several long seconds, then said, “I don’t like it Winnie.”
“I know, Father. But there isn’t another way. I’m the one who’s being blackmailed. I’m the one they expect to bring the money. I’m the only one who has a chance of getting them to show their faces so we know who is behind this. It’s the only way to stop the demands.
Nick looked at the duke’s expression. The thoughtful hue in his eyes said he was weighing Winnie’s suggestion. “Surely you aren’t seriously considering allowing your daughter to go?” Nick said in disbelief.
“Will you be with her?” His Grace asked.
“Of course I would be with her. But that doesn’t change anything. She’d still be in danger.”
“But you’d be there to protect me,” Winnie said.
“But anything can happen,” he argued.
“I know that, Nick. But worse things will happen if we anger the blackmailer and he goes to the papers with Mother’s story.”
“I can refuse to allow you to come,” Nick threatened.
“You can. But I’d follow. I know where you are to make the delivery and I will follow on my own. That would be far more dangerous.”
Nick knew Winnie well enough to know she had every intention of going to the address on Church Street, with or without his protection. And, her points had merit. She would be able to draw the blackmailer out far easier than he would.
Nick tried to tell himself he was insane for even considering her idea, but
he was more than considering—he’d already decided that he had to take her with him. Now he just needed to make sure nothing happened to her.
. . .
The carriage rumbled over the London streets as they traveled to the place where they were to leave the money. Winnie tried to stay calm, but how could she? If things went as she hoped, she was about to meet the person threatening to tell the world that her mother wasn’t dead.
“Do you have any idea who the person blackmailing you could be?”
Winnie wished she did. She’d done nothing but think of who might have discovered that her mother was still alive, and where Winnie had taken her. “I’ve thought of every possibility, but there’s no one. Except…”
“Except, who?”
“Except Mrs. Woodman.”
“The cook at your country estate?”
“Yes, but it can’t be her,” Winnie quickly added. “When mother escaped the estate where Father exiled her and Mrs. Woodman, we were told Mrs. Woodman left with her. But she wasn’t with Mother when Mother kidnaped Ben and Rachael’s daughter, Claire. We assumed Mrs. Woodman had gone to London. That was the most likely place for her to find work.”
“What if she didn’t? What if she found work at the asylum where you took your mother?”
Winnie tried to think if that were possible. Unfortunately, it was.
“Is the place where you took your mother close to where your mother and Mrs. Woodman were exiled?”
Winnie nodded. “Less than half a day’s ride. But surely—”
“We need to consider every possibility, Winnie. At least until we know for sure who is blackmailing you.”
Winnie didn’t want to believe that could be possible. She continued with her reasons for believing it couldn’t be Townsend Manor’s cook. “But you said there were at least two gunmen waiting for you in the alley that night. Mrs. Woodman had a son, Clyve, but he’s dead. Mack Wallace and the brigadesmen killed him when he tried to kill Gideon.”
“Did she only have one son?”
Winnie thought. “I don’t know. The one who was killed was the only one I knew of.”
“We’ll find out soon enough,” Nick said when the carriage slowed. “We’re there.”