Page 81 of The Artisan and the Duke
Jules laughed, “And you think that makes you better than me?”
“You are no better than those brats at that factory that everyone keeps screaming about,” Boris said in agitation. “It had to happen. It needed to be done.”
Jules’ mouth fell open, and then she screamed, “You set that fire? There were children in there! Innocent children who did nothing.”
“They would grow up to be more of you,” Boris said with distaste. The crowd had fallen so quiet that Boris looked around. “Why do you look at me so? Was it not your husband or yours who benefitted from that fire? Or you Sir who is sneering at me … Did you not mutter good riddance the morning after it happened?”
The crowd shifted uncomfortably. Gregory said, “This is not about commoners or Lords, Boris. This is about your own madness. You are so struck with keeping your ideals in line that you forget there are prices that have to be paid for it. But you do not have to pay those prices, do you? We as Lords do not have to suffer the consequences of our own actions except for when they are against one of our own kind.”
Uncle Lawrence chimed in, “And that is where you made your mistake. Guards, detain Sir Davenport until we can sort this all out.”
“This is preposterous,” Boris shouted.
Sir Chapman cleared his throat. “I think Lawrence is right, Sir Davenport. We have much to figure out.”
Boris sneered at Maxwell, “And you will have much to answer for too, Sir Chapman.”
“I think we all will,” Sir Chapman said with a nod.
The guards grabbed Boris, but Gregory rushed forward before they could drag him away. “Where is Fredrick? What have you done with him?”
Boris grinned. “I hope you suffer not knowing.”
Maxwell asked, “What is this about?”
“He has Fredrick somewhere,” Gregory said in frustration.
Maxwell shook his head. “Boris, you would do well to tell them the young man’s whereabouts.”
“I am ready to go to jail,” Boris said flatly. “I no longer enjoy the stench of society.”
Maxwell gave the nod to the guards, and the men dragged Boris off towards the door. The crowd was standing in stunned silence. Lady St Claire spoke up, “I think it would be best if we ended the party here. I do appreciate your coming as a show of support for my family.”
As everyone began filing out, Maxwell grabbed Gregory’s arm. “There is a place down along the river where your cousin often liked to meet. It is possible that Fredrick is there. We should hurry, though. Boris will likely not be detained long with his connections no matter the amount of tarnish you have placed on him.”
“Go ahead,” Lawrence said. “I will stay with Lady St Claire in case the ladies need any help.”
Lady St Claire nodded. “Just hurry,” she said softly.
Jules too started to go with the two men, but Gregory shook his head. “Please stay here,” Gregory begged. Jules finally relented and sighed as she watched the injured man leave with Sir Chapman.
***
The rush of the river covered up most all noises, Gregory noticed right away. No wonder his cousin had liked to come to this place, Gregory mused. The building they had stopped in front of did not look anything like a place that a Lord would frequent, and Gregory gave Sir Chapman a dubious look.
“I know what it looks like, but it is better inside. He did not want to draw attention to it,” Sir Chapman said as he led the way towards the squat building.
Inside, the boards creaked under their feet, and Gregory worried the boards might actually give way with the amount of dampness in the air.
A muffled sound made Gregory hurry over to a door in the floor. It was a little basement of sorts with just a ladder down. Gregory scrambled down the ladder and listened as the groan came again from a corner. “Fredrick?” Gregory called.
“Gregory?” Fredrick’s voice asked warily. “Is that you?”
Gregory sighed in relief as he went towards the sound and found a mound of wet clothing which he assumed was Fredrick. Fredrick moved to sit up. “Are you okay?”
“I’m well enough, where’s Boris?” Fredrick asked anxiously.
Gregory said, “He is on his way to jail, where he will hopefully stay for a bit.”
