Page 82 of Defending the Duke (The St. Clairs 4)

Chapter Twenty-Four

Anthony came homeand found his new man of business had reported for work. The last thing he’d wanted was to talk business with Mr. Chase. Still, he took the man to his office and described each pile of documents and what had priority. He instructed Chase to become familiar with everything in the documents and write detailed reports of his impressions of each one. He also tasked Chase to make a list of a dozen businesses or industries that were showing prosperity and why Anthony should consider investing in them. He gave Chase a week in which to complete everything, hoping it would keep the man busy.

He’d also gone to Aunt Constance’s sitting room and spoken to her at length, revealing what had happened to Laurel and Hannah and promising her things had been set in motion that would see them soon returned. Despite what he’d thought, she didn’t shed a single tear, only nodded stoically. She told him she would keep to her rooms today and not say a word to any of the servants.

After that conversation, he’d gone to the bank, spending close to two hours before he secured the funds. He’d assured the bank manager countless times that he knew it was a large transaction and that he urgently needed it for a remarkable business opportunity which might never present itself again. Once he revealed it presented the chance to triple the amount he withdrew if things panned out, the bank manager had grown more amenable. Anthony also promised that he would return the funds—and profits—to his account as soon as possible. As if any of that mattered. It was his money and the bank manager could really do nothing to stop him from withdrawing his own funds. It was a miracle that he hadn’t crushed the bank manager’s skull into dust.

After that, he forced himself to eat something and then slept for a few hours. When he awoke, he was given a note which had arrived from Everton. It informed him that Lord Mayfield had come to town and would be here for a few days and that he hoped Linfield and his duchess might be able to come for dinner the next evening. Anthony knew Everton had worded the note tersely in case it had been intercepted by any of Farmon’s minions. He was grateful for the earl coming. Anthony knew how much Laurel liked this brother and his wife and how she’d mentioned visiting them in the country once their baby came. At the time, he hadn’t cared one way or another. It took this crisis—and falling in love—for Anthony to understand how much family was to be treasured.

What if Laurel were already pregnant? What if this trauma caused her to lose the child?

What if he lost her?

If he did, life would no longer be worth living.

Around midnight, Lord Alford appeared in the library.

“I slipped in the back,” the earl assured Anthony. “I have the case.” He held it up. “My portion of the ransom is already inside.”

“Everton and Merrick sent their shares to me,” he revealed. “I have mine, as well.”

The two took the additional money and placed it inside the large satchel. Alford declined a brandy and the two sat in the dimly lit room without speaking for a short time.

“Waxby came to see me this afternoon,” Alford finally said. “He wanted me to know that he left two Runners positioned where they will be able to see me leave your townhouse on the off-chance that Farmon might send men here to seize the ransom before I arrive in the park. They will follow me to Rotten Row at a distance to make sure I’m not attacked along the way.”

“Waxby seems to think of everything,” Anthony murmured.

The clock chimed and he stood. Alford did the same and they shook hands.

“Thank you,” he said, his throat thick with unshed tears.

“We’ll get them back, Linfield,” the earl said. “And see that vermin Farmon dead.”

Anthony left the library and moved quietly down the carpeted stairs. He made his way carefully through the darkened kitchen until his heard his name called out softly.

“Aunt Constance?”

She came toward him and wrapped her arms tightly about him. When she released him, she said, “Get our girls back. Whatever it takes. I know you were a soldier, Anthony, and no stranger to death. I will rest better—as will Laurel and Hannah—if we know the threat is ended.”

“I will take care of Farmon myself, Aunt,” he promised.

With that, he slipped through the door. The night air was cool. He saw no one on his way to Everton’s. As before, he went to the back door and found it unlocked. As he pushed open the library door, he heard the clock sound three.

Everton, Merrick, and Hudson were all seated. Only Mayfield paced restlessly about the room. He spied Anthony and came to him.

Wrapping him in a bearhug, Mayfield said, “We just found Laurel. We won’t lose her now.”

“Thank you for coming,” Anthony said, overcome with emotion.

Mayfield released him. “Once we have Laurel back, plan to come visit us once the baby is born.”

He could only nod, knowing Laurel’s brother tried to bolster Anthony’s spirits, making plans for the future.

Everton asked, “Are you ready?”

He nodded. All the men wore black from head to toe. The duke led them outside to a waiting carriage. A man stood beside it.

“This is Strong,” Everton said. “He will take us all but a few blocks to Farmon’s. He is our most trusted servant. If not for Strong, I would not be wed to Catherine today.”

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