A Rogue No More - Lana Williams Page 0,80
Thornton know about Sir Alexander’s plans to take over Sir Reginald’s dock? Even more importantly, did he know of the methods the man employed?
The thought made Thomas consider approaching Thornton to demand answers. Or did Thornton only follow Sir Alexander around like a pup because the knight used the same heavy-handed methods against him?
If that were the case, Thornton still might be worth speaking to, but how could Thomas persuade the man to talk?
He watched the lord for a time, noting that he downed two drinks rather quickly. Surely that suggested he had sorrows he wished to drown.
Deciding the moment was as good as any to speak with him, Thomas rose then dumped the rest of his glass into a nearby potted plant before approaching the table where Thornton sat. Playing the part of a rake required alcohol, but that didn’t mean he actually had to drink it.
Thomas lifted his glass toward a nearby waiter. “Another, please.” He leaned one elbow on the back of a wingback chair and turned to view the room, doing his best to appear the worse for drink and therefore harmless. “Evening, Thornton.”
The man nodded. “Raybourne. Shouldn’t you be with your betrothed at some ball or other?”
“She’s not especially pleased with me at the moment.”
Thornton chuckled. “Problems before you make it to the altar, eh? That’s a risk one takes when forced to propose.”
“I suppose.”
The lord gestured for him to join him at the table, which Thomas did. “Changing from a rogue to an aboveboard, married man is no easy task,” Thornton advised. “It will only succeed if one is properly motivated.”
Thomas heaved a sigh, hoping it suggested he wasn’t certain if changing was worth the effort. He said a silent prayer that what he was about to say would never reach Annabelle. “I’m not certain whether to thank you and Sir Alexander for coming upon us in his library or to curse you.”
Thornton laughed then took another deep drink. “Interrupted you at an inopportune time, didn’t we? And to think the knight worried that you were up to no good in his library.”
Thomas stilled. Perhaps he truly could convince the man to share what he knew. “One would think he has something to hide if he believed that.”
Thornton took a sudden interest in his glass then downed the rest of its contents. “Nothing of the sort.”
“Allow me to buy you a drink,” Thomas said as he gestured for the waiter to bring another. He didn’t want the lord to grow nervous by pressing him too hard and too quickly for information. “We shall toast to my betrothed with the hope it improves her fondness of me.”
The change in the topic seemed to ease Thornton’s nerves. The lord raised his glass. “To the lady.”
They both drank though Thomas took only a sip.
“You’ve known Sir Alexander for a long time, eh?” Thomas asked.
“Since our university days. He did me a great favor, and we’ve been friends ever since.”
Though curious as to what that favor had been, learning about the past wouldn’t solve the current situation. “Good to have those sorts of friends.”
“Our lives are intertwined.” Thornton’s gaze held on the smooth surface of the table, but Thomas would’ve wagered he didn’t see it. The statement didn’t seem to please Thornton based on his somber tone. “In multiple ways.”
“Are you involved in the East India Company as well?” Thomas asked as if he didn’t already know.
“Yes.”
Thomas weighed his options. Thornton didn’t act as if he knew that Sir Alexander had threatened him. The knight would surely prefer to keep such things swept under the rug. Added to that was the friendliness of their conversation. If Sir Alexander had shared it, the lord would’ve avoided Thomas at all costs or acted as patronizing and threatening as the knight had.
“Sounds as if the Company is interested in my betrothed’s father’s business.”
Thornton stared at Thomas in surprise. “What makes you say that?”
“Something Sir Alexander mentioned in passing.” He lifted one shoulder in a casual shrug as if it mattered little to him. “Perhaps because of my relationship with Miss Gold, he thinks I could be of help. But I don’t know anything about docks or the like.”
“I have learned more than I cared to.” Thornton took another sip.
“Sir Alexander seems to have an avid interest in importing goods.”
“He believes trade is the key to our country’s power.”
“Our country’s or the Company’s?”
Thornton smiled and raised his glass. “That’s the question, isn’t it? He doesn’t believe we can have one without the