Page 27 of Dangerous Games of a Broken Lady
“You say that Lord Rowntree paid you a visit?”
Jasper rubbed his hands together to spark some life into them. “He did, not long ago. He is not best pleased, and that is something of an understatement.”
A guilty expression crossed Ephraim’s weathered face. It was a hard sight to see, given the Earl’s strength and pride. He was a powerful man by any standards, and it pained Jasper to see him brought so low. The character of his former self remained whenever he was around his family. Jasper was the only one permitted a glimpse of the Earl’s true state.
“Because I have not contacted him.” It was not a question.
“He told me that he had sent instructions, and you had not responded,” Jasper replied breathlessly. “We must seek to get the task underway or risk the consequences of Lord Rowntree’s wrath.”
Ephraim gave him a hard stare. “You think I do not know that?”
“I do not know, My Lord. I cannot understand why you have not responded to Lord Rowntree’s prompts.” He thought about telling the Earl of Lord Rowntree’s threat. In that moment, he decided to keep it to himself for a brief spell. The Earl did not need to hear that his daughter was in danger. Not yet, anyway.
“I will not be beholden to a criminal like that,” Ephraim spat. “It is bad enough that I must foist my daughter off on a known deviant. Who, I might add, has made no effort to make good on his promises. There has been no announcement, even now, and no response to my requests to meet. This can be no publishing error. He is toying with the family.”
Jasper shook his head. “The unfortunate situation with the Duke can wait, My Lord. Lord Rowntreemustbe answered. We must do what we have sworn to, otherwise… well, I hate to even contemplate his retribution.”
He thought back to another report, six months previous. An Earl dangling from the spires of St. Paul’s Cathedral with a note tied to his chest.Traitor, was all it had said. Lord Rowntree had been suspected, but he was not an amateur in the crime business. No one could pin anything to him. Jasper didn’t want Ephraim to end up dangling from another landmark, nor did he want any harm to come to Adelaide.
“I have had a great deal to think about these past days,” Ephraim contended.
“Regardless, you must find the time to respond to Lord Rowntree, and you must do it now. Send it by an express rider if you can. He will not wait.” Jasper sighed. “This cut is his warning, to show you he is serious.”
Ephraim slumped into his chair. He didn’t speak for what seemed like an eternity. Instead, he stared listlessly at the far wall, his face blank.
“My Lord?” Jasper prompted.
“I thought I could discover another way,” he admitted, his voice thick with emotion. “I needed to raise the funds for Adelaide’s dowry. I was desperate…but I was convinced I could find a different path and wrest free of Lord Rowntree’s association. A different means of paying the Duke of Bradford. I thought I could hand back the money that Lord Rowntree had given me, and everything would return to normal. No harm done. Oh, my dear boy, I was a fool to believe I could escape the promises that I made.”
Jasper did not know what to say. A tense silence stretched between the two men, peppered with the crack of logs from the fire.
“We have to do as he has asked, My Lord,” he said at last.
“I know, my boy, I know.” Ephraim paused, casting a curious eye in Jasper’s direction. “If you want to withdraw your offer of assistance now, I will not hold it against you. I should never have roped you into this, not knowing the dangers that might arise.”
“I pledged my allegiance. I will not balk from my duties,” Jasper assured. “You have always shown such kindness to my family, My Lord. What sort of gentleman would I be, if I abandoned yours in its hour of need?”
A strange smile crept onto Ephraim’s face. “You are an exemplary young man, Jasper. Do you know that?”
“I do what I can.”
“I often wondered why we never sought a betrothal between yourself and my daughter,” he continued, stunning Jasper into silence. “You are such dear friends, and you always seem so fond of one another. Even in the midst of your disagreements, there is always warmth. She might have been content indeed, to be wed to a gentleman such as yourself. Truly, I should have thoughtmyselfextremely fortunate to have a son-in-law like you. A decent man, without a single dent to his reputation. I do not know what she sees in Bradford, aside from his wealth and security.”
Jasper shrugged awkwardly, choosing to ignore the former part. “Nor do I, My Lord. I have attempted to dissuade her… as her friend. She will not hear of it.”
“No, she has always been strong-willed. Were I not in this predicament, I might have voiced my opinions on the gentleman with greater vigor. As it stands, he is a well-timed contingency for Adelaide and her mother,” he gulped nervously, “should anything happen to me.”
“Do not speak of such things.”
“How can I not? It is a very real threat. Even if I succeed, I shall always be glancing over my shoulder, wondering if the law may catch up with me.” He shook his head sadly. “It is why I urge you to withdraw now, whilst you still can.”
Jasper stood his ground. “I will not and cannot. You see, there is more to my encounter with Lord Rowntree than I have previously mentioned.”
Ephraim’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “There is?”
“He threatened to harm Adelaide—to use her as collateral against us performing the task he has requested. If we do not comply, he will seek her out and hurt her.” He let out a tense breath. “So, you see, I could not abandon you now, even if I wanted to. Adelaide’s life is at risk. Lord Rowntree has raised the stakes, and you cannot do this alone.”
Ephraim’s face drained of color. “He didwhat?”
