“Well, no,” Julius said. “I doubt Lord Maltravers would see it that way.”
“No, but Mr. Skelton might,” David said. He looked a little worn, but his lips were curving in that foxy smile. “Lord Maltravers’s valet told me that his lordship and Mr. Skelton had argued. Mr. Skelton had shouted that he would not be let down again.”
“Let down,” Dominic repeated. “You think Skelton doesn’t trust Maltravers to hold his course?”
“Precisely, Mr. Frey. Lord Maltravers did not come up with that demand against Mason on his own. I think he went to Skelton for advice on what to do with the letter, and I suspect that Mr. Skelton made it a condition of his involvement that he should hold it, because—”
“Lord Maltravers has pulled the rug from under him once already, over that business with Harry,” Dominic came in over him. “Skelton cannot afford another damp squib like that.”
“Wait. Wait.” Ash’s eyes were stricken. “You think Mal went to this fellow and said, Look what my brother’s been up to; here’s the letter? Mal did that?”
Richard put a hand on Ash’s shoulder. David shook his head. “I doubt it, Lord Gabriel. Mr. Skelton is not a highborn man, entitled to hear a noble family’s secrets. I suspect Lord Maltravers told him, I have a hold over my brother and not what it is.”
“Ash said Skelton spoke to him separately, that he did not mention the blackmail,” Dominic told David. “And he and Francis have not been followed. I feel quite sure that if Skelton knew what was going on, his first step would have been to get supporting evidence. It would certainly have been mine. I think you’re right, Mr. Cyprian. Skelton can’t know what’s in the letter. But you still think he has it?”
When Dominic applied his full attention, Richard well knew, it was an almost tangible thing. He was applying it to David now, focusing on him to the exclusion of all the others, and Richard could see the gleam in David’s eyes as the unspoken alliance took hold. The two loves of his life, plotting together. He felt a little breathless.
“I think there’s a good chance he holds it,” David said. “Perhaps his lordship may keep it at his bank or in a strongbox, of course. But what I see is a balance of mistrust. Lord Maltravers has power over Lord Gabriel, lacks the brains to use it without Skelton, but is too proud to take him into his confidence. And Skelton has been badly stung. Twice now he has made an attempt on Silas and Mr. Harry and been thwarted. I don’t think he would risk serving as Lord Maltravers’s weapon once more when he has misfired already and when he is being kept in the dark. Not without a safeguard.”
“The past incidents have done his career no good at all,” Dominic agreed. “A third failure—I think you’re right. If I were him, I should protect myself. And if he is doing that—”
“We can take him off the board altogether. How is that progressing, Mr. Frey?”
“All set up, Mr. Cyprian.” Dominic smiled, and David smiled back, and their expressions sent a shiver down Richard’s neck. “Name your time.”
—
David was exhausted by the time they had finished their discussions. His ribs hurt, and his face hurt, and he felt miserably shaky on his feet. He hadn’t been hit since he was a child, and the assault had been a more frightening, unmanning experience than he’d believed possible.
Lord Maltravers had bellowed abuse at him, face red and distorted with rage. He was a big man, and he had struck without restraint, his fists heavy with sharp-edged rings, and then strode over to seize a thick walking stick that could have broken bones. David had run, wrenching at the door handle and taking the stairs three at a time with blood trickling down his face and a savage pain in his ribs, praying that the doorman would not stop him. He had been utterly, physically terrified; it still hurt like hell.
Richard’s fury at his injuries almost made them worthwhile.
Richard sent the gentlemen off with thanks and turned back to him. “Are you hungry?”
“Very.”
“I’ll have them send something up.” He rang the bell over David’s protest and gave the order to a footman, then pulled up a chair to sit by David. “Are you sure you’re able to tackle Skelton tonight? You look shaken.”
“It needs to be done. And I have no intention of tackling him. With luck, he won’t know I’m there.”
Richard nodded. “Good. Nevertheless, I want to come with you.”
“What? My lord—”
“Richard, damn it. And if you are doing this for me, then I should do it with you.”