Page 64 of Suddenly a (The St. Clairs 5)

Chapter Twenty

Hudson worked fromhome this morning after seeing Mia off. She was excited to return to the warehouse and back to her inventions. She promised to be home by one o’clock this afternoon and they both hoped they would hear back from Mr. Davidson regarding a tour of Viscount Bromwell’s London townhouse. Hudson had stopped by the solicitor’s house early this morning, explaining that he and Mia wanted to preview the property this afternoon. He also checked to see if Davidson had completed drawing up the documents giving Mia full possession of any inventions she created, now and in the future. Hudson had promised her that before they wed but they hadn’t signed any agreement to that effect. The papers were ready to be signed now that they were back in London. Davidson had anticipated one of Hudson’s early morning visits and took him to his study to sign while he was there, telling him Mia could do the same at any point, though it would have to be at his office.

He heard a knock at the door as the clock chimed nine and went to answer it since this wasn’t one of the days his maid was here. Buying a large house would mean adding on numerous servants. He hoped Mia would be up to the task since it wasn’t something that interested him.

Opening the door, he saw the Bow Street Runner he’d hired shortly before marrying Mia. He’d sent a note requesting the Runner come this morning, making sure the time was after Mia left the house. He didn’t know how she would react to having her cousin investigated, much less Hudson’s plans for revenge regarding the loathsome viscount.

“Good morning, Mr. Easley. Please, come in.”

He led the Runner to the room that served as his study and closed the door, just in case his wife came home early for some reason.

Easley handed him a file. “This is my written report, Mr. St. Clair. I’m happy to give you a verbal one now and see how you wish to proceed.”

Hudson set the document on his desk and leaned back in his chair. “Go ahead.”

“Horatio Sloane, now Viscount Morrison, is mired in debt.”

“Even after his marriage to Lady Morrison?” he asked.

“Yes, Mr. St. Clair. From what I’ve been able to ascertain, Lady Hortense, now Lady Morrison, paid off all his debts soon after the wedding ceremony. That hasn’t stopped Lord Morrison’s gambling, however. It seems he is a regular at three different gaming hells.”

He could use this to bring Morrison down.

“What else?”

“You asked me to discover why Lady Morrison decided to wed her husband in the first place.”

Hudson had, curious as to why Lady Hortense had chosen to marry a man in debt and waiting on a title.

“It seems the viscount and viscountess have peccadilloes that each other satisfies. Though it would be impossible to get anything out of her many rumored lovers among theton, it was quite easy to speak to various women in the brothels Lord Morrison frequented before his marriage. He enjoys bondage—and being whipped.”

Hudson was aware of sadomasochistic sexual practices, where one partner was restrained. How gratification came from inflicting physical pain or humiliation. He wondered if he could use this information in avenging Mia.

“I came across a young man in one of the houses who has gone several times to the viscount’s house,” Easley continued. “He has participated in these practices with both the viscount and viscountess, sometimes all three of them together.”

“So, these unusual tastes go beyond their marriage,” he mused.

“It seems so, Mr. St. Clair,” the Runner agreed.

“What of any investments?”

Easley elaborated on what he’d learned regarding the couple’s legitimate investments and noted that they seemed stretched thin, especially since extensive, expensive renovations had begun at Morris Park and it appeared the estate hadn’t any viable income. Hudson would pursue that on his own. If they had debts he could buy up, he would. He’d do the same at the gaming hells where Morrison was in deep. He wanted to break Morrison, leaving him with nothing.

Then Easley mentioned that Lady Morrison had, through a third party, purchased a bordello that catered to unusual tastes, such as those reflected by her and her husband.

“It’s called the Pleasure Palace and has become their largest source of income. Many of theton’sleading gentlemen are said to visit it.” Easley paused, his face grim. “One of the biggest draws involves the children to be had.”

Hudson’s gut twisted. “How many?”

“More than a dozen. I’ve only learned of the Pleasure Palace in the last two days and haven’t had time to gather all the details.”

“Keep at it, Easley. Discreetly. Does your report list their bank and solicitor?”

“Yes, Mr. St. Clair. It’s quite detailed,” Easley assured. “How do you wish me to proceed, beyond learning more of the Pleasure Palace?”

“You can limit yourself to that for now. I’ll read through the information you’ve provided. From our conversation, it seems as though that will be enough for what I have in mind.”

He rose and extended his hand. “Thank you, Easley. I’ll contact you when I’m ready to meet again.”

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