Page 51 of The Baron's Reluctant Bride
William sank onto a velvet-upholstered chair, running a hand through his already disheveled hair. "It's nothing to concern yourself with, Gemma. Truly."
"Is it not?" she challenged, pacing the small confines of the room. "When you arrive at the Hartington ball looking as though you've just escaped a brawl, with Thorne watching your every move? When Viola Montford is circling like a vulture, ready to spread whatever scandal she can glean? This is precisely the sort of thing I should concern myself with."
William winced. "You're right, of course. It's just—" He broke off, his expression haunted. "I've made rather a mess of things, Gem."
"So it would seem," she replied, softening slightly at his use of her childhood nickname. "Is it the gambling again?"
"Partly," he admitted, staring at his hands. "Though it's grown rather more complicated."
Gemma sank onto the chair opposite him. "Tell me."
"I—" he began, then paused at the sound of approaching footsteps. They both tensed, but the steps continued past the door.
William lowered his voice nonetheless. "Thorne has been... collecting information through me. About investments, shipping ventures, but he is paying more than usual attention to thoseconnected to the Hawthorne Trading Company. It appears he has somewhat of a vendetta. But I do not know much detail."
Gemma's blood ran cold as she heard the name of Jameson's company.
"And tonight?" she prompted, dreading the answer.
"I was meant to meet him before the ball, to pass along some information about a shipment from the Indies." William's face contorted with shame. "I couldn't do it, Gemma. I went to tell him I was finished being his pawn."
"And how did he take that news?"
William's bitter laugh told her everything. "About as well as you might expect. He reminded me of my substantial debts to him, debts that could see me imprisoned if made public. And then he said—" William swallowed hard. "He said if I didn't cooperate, he would ensure that my sister's hasty matrimony became the scandal of the Season."
Gemma's heart pounded in her ears. "What did he mean by that?"
"I don't know exactly," William admitted. "But he implied he had information about Lord Brokeshire, something that would 'make the ton reconsider the match.' His words, not mine."
"I see," Gemma said slowly, her mind racing. What could Thorne possibly know about Jameson that could threaten their matrimony?
The door opened abruptly, and both siblings startled. But it was only Jameson, his expression inscrutable as he took in the scene before him.
"Forgive the intrusion," he said, his gaze settling on William. "I was concerned when my wife vanished so precipitously."
William stood, adjusting his cravat in a futile attempt to appear composed. "Lord Brokeshire. My apologies for disrupting your evening."
"Not at all," Jameson replied mildly, though his eyes were sharp. "Family is always welcome, especially when in distress."
"I'm perfectly fine," William insisted weakly.
"Indeed," Jameson drawled. "You look the very picture of composure."
Gemma rose, placing herself between the two men. "Jameson, perhaps we could continue this discussion later? William and I were just—"
"Discussing his association with Thorne, I imagine," Jameson finished, his tone deceptively casual. "A topic of considerable interest to me as well."
William paled. "How did you—"
"I make it my business to know many things, Lord Sinclair," Jameson replied, closing the door behind him. "Including the fact that Thorne appears to be using you to undermine my investments."
The silence that followed was thick enough to cut with a knife.
"I didn't know," William finally said, his voice barely audible. "Not at first. He approached me after a particularly... unfortunate night at the tables. Offered to clear my debts in exchange for what he called 'harmless society gossip.' By the time I realized what he was truly after, I was in too deep."
Jameson's expression remained unreadable. "And tonight?"
"I tried to end it," William said, meeting Jameson's gaze directly for the first time. "I told him I wanted no further part in his schemes."
