Earl's Well That Ends Well (The Way to a Lord's Heart #5) - Jane Ashford Page 0,65

slight smile. “But his meaning was clear.”

“Not men you want to cross,” said Tom.

She nodded. “And according to what Mr. Rigby heard, the pay is very good.”

“Some’ll do just about anything for money. Whatever they’re ordered.”

“Those who care only for money can be…repurchased,” Arthur pointed out.

“That’s so.” Tom looked more cheerful.

“I have put a name to the man you followed,” said Arthur to Señora Alvarez. “The clues you gathered from the other dancers and the redoubled efforts of Tom’s friends led me to a young sprig called Lord Simon Farange.”

“Bella sneaked a look at him after you sent me word,” Tom put in. “He’s the one took Jeanne out driving.”

Arthur nodded; he had already heard this. “He is the third son of the Duke of Yarbridge,” he continued. “I am acquainted with his father. A harsh man. Perhaps because the family is in decline. They have lost most of their lands to gambling and poor management. Lord Simon is not prominent in society. He receives few invitations because his behavior cannot be…relied upon.”

“And because he doesn’t have a fortune to make all smooth,” said Señora Alvarez.

“Indeed,” Arthur acknowledged. “He is renowned for his ill temper and dissipation. Many wonder how he can afford his current indulgences. It is assumed that he is heavily in debt.”

“Ripe for mischief then,” said Tom.

“In many different ways.” Arthur pressed his lips together in distaste. “I tracked him down at a gaming hell last night. He was well into his cups and quite surprised to be addressed by me. I doubt he will remember much of our conversation, which I found most unpleasant.”

“Did you ask him about that house?” Tom wondered.

“I couldn’t trust he was that drunk,” Arthur replied. “Our exchange was more general, an effort to feel him out. I judge Lord Simon to be utterly self-centered. He cares nothing for others, and he treats those below him on the social scale as scarcely human. Opera dancers are no more than playthings for men like him. He feels that he has the right to do whatever he pleases with them or indeed anyone he can gain power over.”

“I am familiar with the type,” the señora said.

Arthur could hear the disgust in her voice. “Fortunately, I did not find him very intelligent,” he added.

Tom gave a snort of laughter.

“I don’t think he will be any use to us,” Arthur went on. “Any overtures from me would bewilder him and rouse suspicions even in his thick head. I am of his father’s generation, and they are bitterly at odds.”

“Don’t sound like he would think much of me neither,” said Tom.

“He has all a weak man’s contempt for the ‘lower orders.’”

“The venomed varlet,” said the lad. He frowned. “If one of the other opera dancers was willing to make up to him…”

“No!” Señora Alvarez sounded adamant. “Enough of them have suffered already. We will not bring any more into this.”

Arthur understood her reluctance.

Tom nodded. “No, you’re right. That ain’t fair. Can’t we just gather a gang and storm that place? My friends would come along. Mr. Rigby too, mebbe. And he’d know others. Good fighters.”

Teresa shook her head. She’d hinted at something like this when she talked to the pub keeper. “He won’t. Join in or try to recruit anyone to do so. He is very wary of breaking the law.”

“I suppose he has reason,” said Lord Macklin. “I couldn’t ask my servants or employees to take part in that sort of direct assault either. People might be hurt. And attacking a private residence without any proof of crimes would land us all in trouble.”

“But if we was to find the crimes when we got inside…” Tom began.

“Against opera dancers,” said Teresa. Anger and despair coursed through her. “No one cares about them, as this Lord Simon person showed. Owners of great walled estates bribe and persuade their way around the law when no one else of their class is involved.”

Silence greeted her outburst. Tom started to speak, and then did not.

A thought came to Teresa. It filled her with fear so strong that her hands began to shake. Nonetheless, she voiced it. “A woman might be able to get inside.”

“No,” said Lord Macklin.

“They take women there,” she continued.

“No,” said Lord Macklin again.

“And once in, she could find a way to admit others.”

“Absolutely not,” said the earl. “I forbid it!” He looked as if he knew he couldn’t, really, and that the knowledge enraged him.

“There’s them dogs,” said Tom.

“They might be given sleeping powders,” Teresa went on,