“Edmund,” he muttered.
Robbie’s eyes widened. “You met up with him? Or rather his fist?”
Daniel scowled at his echo of Taunton, his words defensive. “He did not leave unscathed. Turns out, unlike his daughter, Taunton is amiable to my suit. He had reservations about Edmund. Wise man.”
“You are the only bloke I know who can ruin a man’s daughter and have him thank you for saving her. You titled gents get all the good fortune.” Robbie shook his head.
Taunton’s support was an odd turn of events. Daniel was not used to being championed over Edmund. In the past, it had been his word against Edmund’s. Edmund was the heir apparent. Once Daniel had realized no one was listening to his side, he had stopped talking.
“So Lady Julia hasn’t accepted your offer?”
“She will,” Daniel grumbled. “I am working on it.”
He filled Robbie in on Edmund waiting a fortnight before making the news of the severed engagement public. “What I would like to know is why is Edmund borrowing money from Taunton? How much are the loans Taunton paid out to him? Where the devil is he pouring the profit that he is leeching from his estate?”
Robbie leaned down and hefted the saddle into his arms, carrying it over to deposit it with the tack needing cleaning. “I am not privy to the man’s finances.” He tossed a brush to Daniel. “My stable hands are busy elsewhere, make yourself useful. Rub your own horse down.”
Robbie collected a pitchfork and moved to a storage bin, proceeding to dig out straw and toss it into a wheelbarrow. “Bedford resides in London during the Season. He could have accumulated gambling debts or a mistress. I would not be in the know about that, but keeping a sweet bit of fluff would cost a good amount in lodging and trinkets.”
A mistress would not put Edmund into debt, but it might explain Edmund’s willingness to prolong his engagement, for he doubted Julia would tolerate sharing her husband. After she finished with the unfortunate woman, what was left of her would be sent packing. Thankfully, he found one woman trouble enough. The idea of juggling two had him loosening his cravat.
He sighed. His brother’s strained finances, like his estate, were none of his business. However, as Taunton had ceded Julia’s dowry to Edmund and planned to forgive other debts as well, Daniel had a vested interest and a burning curiosity to know what sponge was sucking up the Bedford fortune.
“While I can’t account for Edmund’s debt, I can assist you in another area. I located Weasel.” Robbie straightened and his grim expression gave Daniel pause.
“Where is he?”
“He is in London. But there’s something you should know. Bedford caught Weasel poaching on his land, laid a trap for him no doubt.” Robbie’s brown eyes darkened.
Daniel stilled, his mouth bone dry. Edmund had liked to set his traps, but he liked his punishments more.
“Bedford’s the magistrate now, and he delivers a harsh justice. I didn’t know how harsh, but I have learned. Apparently, he sanctioned slicing off two fingers on the poor sod’s right hand in punishment for his poaching.” Robbie spat in the newly laid straw as Daniel sucked in his breath. “Then Weasel disappeared. Rumors say he is sequestered in town and has been working at a gambling hell for the past two years.”
Daniel strode to the open stable door, letting the fresh air cool his rising fury. Robbie’s words stirred up buried memories. Idly he rubbed his thumb over a jagged line on his index finger. Edmund had cut it, curious to test the blade of his new knife. They had been at Eton, and after nearly losing his finger, Daniel had made his decision to leave the school.
These scars had served to remind him of who his brother was, but Weasel’s fate reminded him of much more. Daniel had stained Julia’s reputation, but he had not ruined her—that Edmund would have done. His freedom for Julia’s was a sacrifice he would never regret.
Feeling a renewed purpose, he vowed to woo his beautiful, obstinate warrior and pry the necessary acceptance from her. Difficult, but not impossible, remembering their kiss. She felt something for him, and that gave him a flicker of hope. He just needed to fan the flames a bit higher and hotter—and he would.
He faced Robbie. “Well, then, it looks like a trip to London is in order.”
“You are going to look for Weasel? You really think he knows something?”
He shrugged. “It is the only lead I have for now. If nothing comes of it, my partner came over with me and is in the city, so I can visit Curtis Shipping while there.” And Julia. “However, before I leave, where can I get a special license to wed?”