Page 68 of Suddenly a (The St. Clairs 5)

Chapter Twenty-One

Hudson pushed asidehappy thoughts of living with Mia in their new London home as he concentrated on destroying Lord Morrison for her. He’d spent time at two banks before he’d met her to tour the Bromwell townhouse and after he departed, he made several more stops. These were in unsavory places, the gaming hells that Morrison frequented. Hudson bought up every marker with Morrison’s name upon it. He also planned to purchase two companies in which Morrison had invested heavily. He would see the prices driven down so that the viscount would never realize a profit. Then he would call in the gaming markers and watch the man crumble. Morrison had stripped Mia of everything but the clothes on her back. Hudson planned to return the favor.

He still hadn’t decided how to handle the demise of the Pleasure Palace. The thought of children being used in such a way sickened him. He would need to find a place for each child—if they let him. Many of them wouldn’t trust a stranger and more than likely would return to the streets. If he could save a few, though, it would be worth it. He wondered if Laurel’s orphanage could provide a home for these children.

By the time he’d finished his rounds, it was almost ten that evening. Though he longed to go home and hold his beautiful wife in his arms, he waited to see if Morrison would show up. He’d learned that no ball was scheduled for tonight, only card parties and routs and one musicale. At ten-thirty, he saw Morrison emerge from a hackney cab and enter Rigby’s. Hudson waited a few minutes and then followed the viscount inside.

He still didn’t understand the appeal the hells had. The gentlemen who played in them had money for the most part. Hudson supposed some came for the thrill of fortunes being won or lost on the turn of a card or the toss of the dice. Others would seek pleasure upstairs if whores were available. At least Luke had schooled him well and Hudson was familiar with these places.

He spied Morrison at a card table and made his way there, slipping into an empty seat opposite the viscount. Only one other player sat at the table, an earl Hudson knew who enjoyed gambling and drinking. He already looked deep into his cups.

“Viscount Morrison,” Hudson said, nodding his head.

“St. Clair,” Morrison said begrudgingly.

“What’s wrong? Afraid to be seen with a bastard who’s now a relative by marriage?” he taunted.

“Exactly. You should go back to whatever hole you crawled from and take that cousin of mine with you.”

“You mean your brilliant, beautiful cousin?”

The dealer said, “I need to get a new deck, gentlemen. I’ll return shortly.”

The earl snorted and rested his head on the playing table. Snoring sounded immediately.

“If you call those ridiculous machines of hers brilliant, you are a fool.”

“I believe you are the fool for having burned Mia’s machines,” he retorted.

“Oh, you heard about that?” Morrison shrugged. “They were taking up space. Lady Morrison and I have grand plans for Morris Park. Getting rid of that junk was the first step.”

“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

“Don’t go quoting English proverbs at me, St. Clair. It’s tiresome.”

“The St. Clairs have purchased one of Mia’s steam engines. We will use it in a railway in which we are developing.”

“What?”

Hudson enjoyed the astonishment on the man’s face.

“You heard me. Mia has developed numerous machines. Her inventions will put her in the history books. Mark my words, Morrison. Her devices are in our warehouse now, along with countless notebooks containing her ideas. I have provided her the resources to develop her devices. She will become wealthy in her own right—while you will wallow in the mire of your excessive debt.”

The viscount winced. “What do you know of my debt?”

Hudson flicked a piece of lint from his sleeve. “A great deal, actually. You are looking at the man who owns all of your gambling markers.”

Morrison shot to his feet. “What?” he shouted.

Play ceased at the various tables as people became interested in their conversation.

“You heard me,” Hudson said, his voice low, causing bystanders to turn back to their play. “I have purchased your markers and will call them in. Soon. Be prepared.”

“How... why...” Morrison sputtered.

“Howis relatively easy. I paid for them when you couldn’t.Whyis a better question.” He calmly studied his enemy. “You stripped Mia of everything she had. I plan to do the same to you.”

Morrison slid back into his chair, panic on his face. “You can’t do that, St. Clair.”

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