Page 84 of When the Viscount Seduces
“I see. And where are you going? To visit a relative, perhaps?” He tried to make it seem like he was making idle conversation, but he wanted to know why the man was leaving now amidst all that was happening. Had Jo’s visit yesterday provoked him to want to leave London?
“Ah, yes. A relative.”
“How splendid. Well, I shan’t take too much of your time then, but I do require a few moments.” Lazarus easily pushed his way inside past the man. The lodgings were neat, if shabby, with a spartan collection of furniture.
Lazarus turned as Nott closed his door. He stood to the side of it, his brow deeply creased and his mouth turned down.
“Since you are in a rush, let me get straight to the point,” Lazarus said almost cheerfully. “I understand you are a witness to a love affair between your employer, Mr. Tremblay, and one of his students, Miss Melissa Worsley.” Lazarus paused as the man paled slightly. “Yes, just so,” he continued with a faint smile. “I believe you are aware that Miss Worsley is expecting a child. Unfortunately, she has decided to embroil me in this tawdry situation and claim, falsely, that I am the child’s father. As you can surmise, I am not interested in being trapped into marrying Miss Worsley.”
“No, I don’t imagine you are,” Nott said, his gaze wary. “What is it you want from me?”
“I am trying to prevent my name being dragged into this scandal, and I do hope you can help me by accompanying me to call on Mr. Worsley and perhaps Lord Haverstock to explain the affair you witnessed.” Lazarus thought that was the best, and perhaps only, course of action at this point. Miss Worsley andher mother would tell those gentlemen today that Lazarus had fathered the child, and if Nott could share his knowledge to the contrary, Lazarus was certain Haverstock and Worsley wouldn’t force the marriage.
But Nott went gray. He flicked a glance at his valise, then clasped his hands tightly before him. “I really do need to leave. I shall miss my coach. I’m afraid I can’t help you.”
Lazarus’s answering smile was practically malevolent this time. “And I am afraid you must.” He recalled what Jo had said about the man being vexed about the amount of money he’d been paid to remain silent as compared to his employer. Now, he was suddenly leaving town. “Did Mrs. Worsley pay you to leave?”
Nott’s eyes rounded. “How did you know?”
“I wasn’t certain, but I can deduce that you seem keen to leave. Since I know you were visited yesterday about this matter, I presumed the two events could be related. Did you go to them after my friend spoke with you?”
The smaller man’s shoulders sank. “Yes.” He straightened, as if he’d found his backbone. “Since they’d already paid Tremblay to be quiet and not me, I decided I would ask for money too. You can’t expect me to continue working for that libertine. I’d already decided I needed to find other employment. I’m going to try my luck in Bath.”
“How good of you to finally grow a conscience.” Lazarus couldn’t help thinking of how this man ignored Tremblay’s treatment of his students. “How long have you witnessed his grotesque behavior and said nothing?”
Nott’s jaw worked, though he didn’t have much of a chin to move about.
“I don’t know what the Worsleys paid for your silence, but I will pay you more if you will speak. Do yourself a favor and don’t inflate the price. I will be asking Mrs. Worsley what she paidyou.” He looked down his nose at Nott. “Furthermore, I’m sure a letter of reference from a viscount will go a long way to ensure your future security in Bath.”
He nodded furiously. “Indeed, it would, my lord. I would be most grateful. She paid me twenty pounds, but with your letter, I would be happy to accept ten from you.”
“How magnanimous.” Lazarus withdrew the notes from his pocket. “You may have the money now, and you’ll receive the letter after you deliver your testimony to Haverstock and Worsley. Shall we go?”
“Now?” Nott fidgeted with the buttons on his coat.
“Is there a better time? Besides, as you said, you need to catch your coach.”
“I’ll have to take a later one,” he replied sullenly.
“But you shall be the richer for it.” Lazarus started for the door. “Come, Mr. Nott.”
As they left the man’s mean lodgings, Lazarus felt a soothing calm. This would all be over very soon. Then he could call on Mr. Price and set his future in motion.
All morning, Gwen felt as though she were walking across a thinly iced pond waiting for it to break. Or in this case, waiting for something to happen. Either Lazarus would call and their betrothal could be made official, or Markwith would arrive eager to negotiate a marriage that wasn’t going to happen.
She’d tried to speak with her father last night, to tell him she couldn’t wed Markwith, but he was still not home when Gwen had gone to bed. Her efforts to talk to her mother instead had also been foiled, as she’d retired early with a headache. Her maidhad confided that the stress of the Eberforce rumor was taking a toll.
Gwen felt terribly about that. If not for her secretly meeting Lazarus at Tamsin’s, Eberforce would not have spread the gossip.
Before Gwen thought it would be reasonable to disturb her father, which was any time before noon, she was summoned to his study. She dearly hoped she wouldn’t arrive to find Markwith already there.
Worrying her hands as she walked downstairs, she rehearsed what she would say to Markwith if he was here. He was a very nice gentleman, and she hated to disappoint or hurt him. She reminded herself she’d never done anything to indicate she would marry him. Up to now, she’d enjoyed dancing with him and taking a promenade. That did not equate to an entire courtship that would result in marriage.
Particularly since she didn’t love him.
Her love for Lazarus, however, was so strong and keen that she felt like skipping, which would probably be disastrous. Or singing, which would definitely be painful for those around her.
Instead, she walked sedately to her father’s study and peered around the partially open door. “You wanted to see me, Papa?” A quick scan of the interior revealed him to be alone. Relief swept through her.
