The Last Duchess (The Lennox Series)(116)
He grasped Wrotham’s shoulder. “If I were to ask your assistance, would you be willing?”
His eyes widened. “Blix, will you call him out? Do you ask me to act as second?”
“Nothing of the kind. Calling a gentleman out suggests he deserves the honor of a request for satisfaction.”
Wrotham’s eyes widened further. “Revenge, then?”
“It’s said revenge is a dish best served cold, but in this situation, I believe straight from the oven is what’s called for. May I count on you?”
“It would be my pleasure and honor.” He stood straight once more. “What do you plan?”
“Please, let us have a seat and I’ll tell you.”
Half an hour later, he thanked Wrotham and took his leave, then headed for Sherbourne’s townhouse. He wouldn’t ask his assistance, but he believed her father deserved to hear the blasted rumor from his son-in-law, instead of via sly innuendos in a social setting.
Sherbourne was out, having taken Lucy and William to the park. Michael returned to his curricle and went there directly, driving through, searching. When he located them, he noted William was very adept with his small bow and short arrows. He noted Lucy was beaming proudly, and Sherbourne was staring at her as though he expected her to disappear. If he were not in a cold rage, he’d be warmed and fairly amused by Sherbourne’s obvious besotted state.
His father-in-law, now also brother-in-law –and wasn’t that odd? –turned as he drove up, his expression changing from rapt admiration to concern in a blink. “Blix, what’s this?”
“Will you come up with me for a turn about the park?” He nodded at Lucy. “I’ve need to borrow your husband for a moment, sister. I pray you won’t mind?”
“Of course not. Is everything all right, Blix? Is Jane well?”
“Yes, she’s fine.” Actually, she wasn’t fine at all, but he didn’t wish to say so to Lucy. “I’d ask your forbearance, Luce, and allow me to speak to Sherbourne at once.”
He climbed into the curricle and Michael took off. He didn’t wait, didn’t mince words. Straight out, he told Sherbourne what had happened and what he’d learned.
Her father was quiet as they drove along, then said, “If you don’t kill him, surely you know I will.”
“I admit, that was my first resolution, but I don’t believe it’s for the best. For one thing, if the man’s dead, he can’t refute what he’s said. For another, it will be murder, no two ways about it, regardless of justification, and Jane would never get past it. She hates the man, of course, but she doesn’t hate me, and she’ll be convinced I’m doomed to Hell were I to commit murder. Jane worries much about Hell.”
“You don’t say. I don’t suppose I knew.”
He told him about her nurse.
“Never did like that woman. She was there only a short while before I dismissed her, but it appears she was with Jane long enough to inflict her demented cruelty upon her.” He paused, then asked, “If you won’t kill him, what do you plan?”
“While I was away, I had my solicitor make some enquiries and he tells me MacDougal is likewise invested in a crossbreeding program. I was pondering how I might use this information to gain satisfaction for his ill treatment of Jane, but my plans didn’t involve anything of a public nature, for obvious reasons.” He leveled a look at his father-in-law. “Now it appears his comeuppance must be made very public.”
Sherbourne was a quick study. “You’ll draw him to London.”
“Wrotham has agreed to assist. He’ll write to MacDougal and express interest in his crossbreds, making mention of several other gentlemen who are likewise interested. My solicitor tells me MacDougal is in financial straits since the death of his father and the discovery of some significant debt. The woman he was to marry cried off and he must now find a wealthy bride to save him from debtors’ prison. Wrotham will suggest he come for a visit, to discuss the possibility of him investing in MacDougal’s program, and to enjoy the remainder of the Season.”
“He’ll be unable to resist temptation, with an eye toward Wrotham’s money, and the possibility of securing an heiress.”
“That’s my hope. To ensure he has no worry of meeting Jane or myself, she and I will retire to Eastchase Hall until he arrives in London, when we will return, but not openly. With your permission, we’ll stay with you until it’s done, that no one knows we’re in town. With Wrotham to assist, we’ll determine which engagement might draw the largest crowd, and when things are in full swing, Jane and I will arrive. It will, I am certain, bring the matter to a head, and the truth will out.”