Page 67 of Duchess By Accident
“You have had dealings with him then?” Adrian took another sip of his whiskey.
His mind was buzzing, a part of him ready to file whatever his friend was about to share in the Bolton volume he kept.This is what I am good at. This is what I should have been doing.Information was power. And Lord Bolton would soon learn the price of upsetting him.
“Of a sort.” Frederick massaged his neck and rolled his shoulders which made a faint cracking sound as he did. “He got one of my cousins in a spot of trouble. We ended up having to pay him rather a large sum of money to leave her alone.”
“He blackmailed you?” Adrian just managed to keep the surprise from his voice.
“Yes. This was before he owned the Morning Post and the Evening sun mind you, but I was not going to gamble with my cousin’s future. It is why every Caverton cousin, niece and aunt knows never to accept a drink from the man.” Frederick spat. “I do not think she was the first woman he tried it on, but it is hard to confirm. It is far too embarrassing for most of the ton to admit.”
“Indeed. And no doubt he uses that to his own advantage.”Would Natalie have had to learn the same lesson if the truth had been known.Adrian scowled. “With the scandal sheets he owns, few would risk telling the truth of the matter.”
“Exactly.” Frederick frowned. “And you know, he had the gall to ask me to be part of some business venture in the new world. I told him he had had more than enough money out of me.”
“No doubt the venture would be one of a most… unsavoury nature.”
“I have no idea. I had him escorted from my study and threatened to set the dogs on him if he returned. My cousin married a foreign prince and there is no chance the cad could hurt her now.”
“The man thinks he is untouchable.” Adrian ran a hand through his hair. “The blackmail is one thing, but this business venture… Do you know if he has approached others?”
“I can ask around. He kept saying it was the chance of a lifetime. That my returns would be unmatched.” “I told him I was not particularly worried about money. And I would never be desperate enough to do business with him.”
Something clicked into place in Adrian’s head, and he smiled. “I think I know just how we are going to get him.”
His plan would keep him away from his home, from Natalie. He knew he should be relieved, but some part of him felt guilty. He pushed it from his mind.
He had dallied in his feelings long enough. There was revenge to be had.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“Are you listening to me?” Melody frowned, her arms crossed as she peered at Natalie.
It was the day after the Caverton ball and Melody had just been returned to Blackwood house by Rose and Alexander. Natalie had been attempting to listen to Melody tell her about her night with her cousins, but had been rather distracted.
She gave her an apologetic look. “My apologies, Melody – it was a rather late night. Please tell it to me again.”
“Perhaps it would be best if I waited until father joins us – then I will not have to keep repeating myself. Where is he?” Melody glanced around expectantly.
That is a good question.Natalie’s heart sank. She had not seen Adrian since the night before. She had walked past his study on the way to greet Melody at the door and there had been no sign of him.
Unease trickled across her spine but she did her best to hide it from Melody. “I am not sure.”
“He is not home?” Melody looked crestfallen.
“No. Or at least not yet. I am sure he has just popped out to tend to some urgent business.” Natalie forced her voice to remain bright and cheery, even as she felt a band drawing tight around her chest.
She could only assume Adrian had left that morning. Surely, he had returned back to the house last night? She glanced at the grandfather clock. It was 10 o’clock in the morning, plenty of time for him to have got up and gone on some errand.
“That is good.” Melody nodded. “I suppose it must have been rather urgent.”
“Probably. Little else would keep your father from you.” Natalie agreed. “Have you breakfasted already?”
“Yes, but if you would like, I will keep you company.” Melody began to walk towards the dining room.
“That is most kind, thank you.” Natalie forced herself not to look back at the front door.It is not as though watching the thing will make him stride through it.“And if you wish to tell me more of your night I will listen. I know how hard it can be to wait to share such exciting times.”
“It is, a little. But I do not like repeating myself. And what if father is sad because he has missed out?” Melody chewed on her lip.
“I am sure he will not. Besides, I find that when I am very excited about something I want to tell as many people as possible! Inevitably in the retelling I discover some little thing that I had forgotten until that moment.” Natalie explained.
