fingers. “First, he has petitioned for a promotion in his field of study, which is archeology. He has the opportunity to lead a new venture, but one of the requirements is he must be married.”
“Why?” That seemed like an unusual requirement for that sort of a job.
“Wherever it is that this new archeological dig will be, there is an abundance of—shall we say—ladies of the night. The dig is sponsored by a religious organization and they don’t want temptation among their scientists.”
“But he doesn’t intend to take his wife with him.” Edwin was even more confused.
“It doesn’t matter. The group leaders feel as though a married man will honor his vows whether his wife is with him or not.”
Edwin studied his hands for a minute, taking this information in, wondering how he could use it.
Then Nick took up the conversation. “However, the best part of our investigation came from some of my informants.”
Knowing Nick had numerous contacts in the underworld due to his early years on the streets of London, Edwin perked up at this comment. “Yes?”
“It seems your Mr. Faulkner-Jones has an arrest warrant with his name on it. Hence the necessity for speed to get the marriage over with. Our man needs to get out of England as quickly as possible. I believe if it hadn’t been a requirement for him to be married for this project, Dr. Stevens would have languished as his ‘betrothed’ for years.”
Edwin took in all that information in stunned silence. After a few moments, he said, “What is the arrest warrant for?”
Carter handed a paper to Edwin. “Years ago, he falsified information on an artifact that he sold to a museum. The curators found out, but Faulkner-Jones was out of the country and there was no extradition agreement between England and wherever it was he was holed up at the time. So, the warrant languishes, but if he is caught within the country, he goes right to gaol.”
Edwin sat back and let the information process. “I wonder if Dr. Stevens’ father knows about this?”
“It is our guess he does not. Based on what you’ve told me, his only interest in the matter is to see his daughter tied to her medical practice her whole life, with no chance of a normal, healthy relationship with a husband and a family. Hence, his desire to see her married to a man who will see her only a handful of times over their lifetime.”
Edwin snapped. “Son of a bitch.”
“Yes,” Nick answered. “It appears he is obsessed with this and controls the adult Dr. Stevens as much as he did the child.”
Edwin shook his head. The man Rayne thought was a loving, caring father was really a monster. He wanted an empty life for his daughter just because he wanted her to follow in his footsteps.
“Do you know where Faulkner-Jones is now?” he asked.
Carter looked over at Nick who handed him another paper. “This is his direction. He rarely leaves, which is no surprise, so I am sure you will find him there.”
Edwin was overwhelmed. These men did not have to help him. In fact, Carter had once slammed his fist into his face and midsection because of how he’d acted toward the former Lottie Danvers—now his wife.
Almost as if he read his mind, Carter said, “I can’t say all is forgiven for what you did to upset Lottie, but she and her other friends asked us to help you because they love Dr. Stevens. As long as you stay on this path and don’t go back to the dissolute you’ve been for the past few years, we can accept you into our group.”
Nick added, “We’ve all made mistakes and made fools of ourselves. But we stick together. It’s a tough world out there and we need friends to have our backs.”
Edwin had never been so humbled in his life. These men had virtually saved his life. He now had the information to chase Faulkner-Jones out of England and Rayne’s life, and move on with his plans to marry her.
“I don’t know how to thank you. But know that if there is anything at all I can do to return the favor, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
“We won’t,” Nick said with a grin. “That’s what it’s all about.”
Rayne came awake abruptly as Walter shook her shoulder. “Dr. Stevens, there are four women in the drawing room waiting for you.”
To say she was discombobulated was an understatement. She barely knew where she was and what day it was.