by Platt, Meara
“But it’s all gone to ashes,” their mother said, her voice a broken whisper. “Lord Fortesque will never relent. He’ll drain us of everything and leave us as beggars in the street.”
“He won’t. This will end.” Belle turned to Finn with hopeful eyes. “This is why we asked Finn to join us. He’s brilliant. He’ll find a solution to this problem.”
Belle’s father studied him. “How? It isn’t possible. The man is too powerful. He is well connected here in Oxford.”
Finn folded his arms across his chest. “My family is just as powerful, if not more so. My cousin, Marcus Brayden, was invested with the title, Earl of Kinross, because of his military valor in service to the Crown. He is a favorite of the royal family. My brother is Earl of Westcliff, and another of my cousins is Earl of Exmoor. Marcus was a general in the army. His brother Caleb still holds that rank and remains in active service. My own younger brothers are military liaisons to Parliament. That’s just the men in my family. I haven’t mentioned my own connections outside the family, which are extensive. And if all else fails, there is always my mother, Lady Miranda Grayfell. You do not wish to cross paths with her when she is in ill temper.”
“Young man, I’m sure your connections are quite impressive. But you are dealing with a dangerous man. If you confront him, he will kill you.”
Belle gasped.
Finn put a hand on her shoulder to calm her. He knew her father’s words had frightened her, and he wanted to strangle the man just now. Did he not realize that fear would trigger one of Belle’s attacks? Her breaths were coming faster. She began to cough. “It won’t happen, love. This is what Fortesque wants you all to believe, but he’s vulnerable.”
“Finn…” She coughed again.
“Belle, listen to me. It is only a matter of time before someone strikes back, and he knows it will happen. I will be the one to strike him hard. I won’t be alone. I’ll have experienced men with me, and I’ll take precautions.”
She placed a hand over her heart. “How can you be sure?”
“You are brilliant at ciphers, but my talent is in understanding people, even the lowest scoundrels. His son is his weak spot. All he’s done, everything he’s built up over the years has been for his boy. He’s sent him to the best schools, given him an elegant upbringing, and introduced him to the best families.”
Her father frowned. “The boy even courted Belle for a time.”
“He wasn’t courting me, Father. We all know Lord Fortesque would have ordered Lawrence to break off the supposed courtship the moment he got his hands on my formulas.” She rolled her eyes. “As if I’d ever be so foolish as to give them over to him.”
Her mother dabbed at her tears and sniffled. “I thought young Fortesque sincerely cared for you.”
“He didn’t,” Belle said.
Gad, her parents were naive. Finn was glad she and Honey had better sense. Still, he did not wish to hurt their feelings. “Perhaps he did like Belle. But it is irrelevant since Fortesque would not have given his consent to their marriage. He intends his son to marry into the aristocracy.”
“And he’ll succeed,” her father muttered. “We’ll be ruined, and his son will be married to the daughter of a duke.”
Finn held on to his patience, for they sounded so defeated. He could not bear to hear the utter resignation in their voices. “It will never happen if his son is disgraced and imprisoned.”
Belle looked up at him, startled. “How? His father is a lord. Young Fortesque would never be sent to prison.”
“He would for treason. He’d be hanged if it could be proved.”
Belle was getting agitated again. “Are you speaking of planting false evidence? Finn, you cannot do this. Two wrongs don’t make a right.”
He took her gently by the shoulders and turned her to face him. “Whether I do so or not is completely up to Lord Fortesque. Do you believe for one moment he is not up to his ears in dirty dealings? Selling weapons to the French in wartime? Trading military secrets? Perhaps it was small amounts, not intended to have a serious impact. But such is the nature of this man. Nothing is sacred to him.”
“But his son must be innocent of this.”
“Of treason? Perhaps. I don’t care. So are you innocent of all that is happening to you. Has he shown you any mercy?” He held onto her shoulders, still taking care to be gentle despite his rage toward that vermin. “Belle, how can his son not know what his father is doing? He was courting you to get your formulas. He may not have been happy about it. He may not approve of his father’s dealings, but he is doing nothing to stop him.”
“He is living an easy and carefree life off the misery of others,” Honey added with disdain.
“You don’t want me to use force,” Finn said, “so let me use my wits. But know this, if Lord Fortesque will not see reason, then neither will I. Your safety and that of your sister is my only concern. If he hurts you, then I will hurt his son because this is the only thing that will destroy him. I will make it clear to him. He is not a stupid man. He will understand that he wins by losing this battle.”
Her parents were gaping at him.
Belle was distraught, but her breaths were no longer erratic, and she was not coughing. “You mustn’t go to him alone. He’ll shoot you.”
“No, love. He won’t.”
“How can you be certain?”
“Because if I am shot, his son will be shot. If I am spared, his son will be spared. Simple.”
Her father seemed to hold the same concerns as Belle. “Don’t underestimate this man, Mr. Brayden. I’m not sure he has a heart. You think he loves his son and is doing all of this to provide an easy life for the young man. But if pushed too far, there’s no telling what he will do.”
“I know. I understand the nature of a cornered beast.”
Belle’s father ran a trembling hand through his thinning, gray hair. “Girls, I know this is small consolation to you, but I want you to know that I’ve married your mother…remarried her quietly as soon as we learned Fenton had died. I wish this were enough to erase the cruel stain of your births. If I could fix your situation, I would. You’ll inherit all I have, and all of the Farthingale family will support you if the truth of your…”
“Illegitimacy,” Honey said, for their father could not speak the word.
“You are my sweethearts, the best daughters a man could ever have. I detest how the world will view you. It is unfair. I’ll protect you the best I can. Belle, marry this man. You have my blessing. Cherish him. Love is a rare and wonderful thing. My heart is at ease knowing he will always take care of you and protect you. But my dear, beautiful Honey…” He couldn’t look at her as he continued. “I shall pray fervently every day that you will find a man who has the decency to see beyond this tarnish.”
“Don’t worry, Father. I was never that keen on marrying, anyway. Even if our perfume shops are stolen from us, I’m sure Uncle John or Rose will allow me a role in their businesses. I’m good at what I do. Selling perfume is not so different from selling fabrics or Rose’s beautiful glassworks and porcelain.”
“Let me put my plan in motion,” Finn said. “I won’t confront him today. Perhaps not even tomorrow. It will take a few days to set it up properly.”
“What shall we do in the meantime?” Belle asked.
He regarded her tenderly. “Prepare for a wedding.”
Chapter Fourteen
Belle felt so odd preparing for a wedding at the same time Finn was preparing to wage battle against an unmerciful foe. She tried to concentrate on this happy event, but couldn’t. Dahlia and Heather were browsing wide-eyed through the modiste’s shop while Honey and Holly remained in the dressing room with her. She was trying on gowns, merely samples available for anyone to try on. The modiste and her helpers were running in and out with more fabric samples suitable for a bridal trousseau.
“These are materials from the Farthingale millworks,” the modiste said, skimming her hand lovingly over several bol
ts of luminescent satin that left all of them in awe.
“They look like faerie cloths. Woven with faerie magic,” Holly said. “Look how they shimmer and change colors depending on the way they are held. Have you ever seen anything like them?”
Honey nodded. “They’re quite beautiful.”
“This one will make an exquisite ball gown for you.” The modiste held up a bolt of emerald silk. “But let’s set it aside for now. Your wedding gown is the most important. We must decide on that fabric first.”
Belle nodded. “I prefer something simpler for my wedding.”
“I have just the thing.” The woman returned within moments carrying several more bolts of pastel silks. “Any of these will do. What do you think?”
Holly gasped. “I’d consider remarrying just for the chance to wear a wedding gown of any of these colors.”
Belle chose silk of palest amber because it captured the amber flecks of her eyes and the reddish-gold of her hair. “I think Finn will like this one.”
Everyone around her laughed. “I doubt he’ll care,” Honey said. “Men never notice this sort of thing. He’ll only remember how he felt when he first saw you in it.”
“And then he’ll be waiting impatiently for the day to end so he can strip it off you,” Holly teased. “But the fabric is truly beautiful.”
Belle studied her cousin. Holly had been a widow several years now. She still wore drab, widow’s colors. It seemed a shame. She wasn’t much older than they were. No one would consider her on the shelf yet. “What about you, Holly? Surely you can do with a new gown or two.”
She shook her head emphatically. “My sisters are to have their turn in Society. I’m quite happy to chaperone them. I am not putting myself on the marriage mart any time soon.”
When they finished with the modiste, they went past their perfume shop and stopped in for a few moments. Mrs. Wynne and her staff happily greeted them. The shop was busy, as usual, and Mrs. Wynne assigned one of her assistants to attend to them. While her cousins tried on the latest perfumes, Belle went in back to inspect her laboratory, and Honey went into the office to check on the daily accounts.
Belle was relieved nothing had been touched since the last time they were in the shop. But when she peered out the back window, she saw Runyon standing there, staring back at her with an evil grin on his face.
She hastily drew away, placing her hand over her heart to steady its frantic beats.
She had sensed they were being watched even at the modiste shop.
Obviously, Runyon was following her.
What should she do?
Finn would tell her to do nothing. He would want her to run straight to him and tell him what she’d seen. Sighing, she knew this is what she had to do. Warn Finn. Report her concerns to him. Do not confront Runyon on her own. There was no other choice. She had no weapon, and Runyon was twice her size and a trained fighter.
She returned to the front of the shop and peered out the window to look for the Bow Street runners. She couldn’t see them and wasn’t certain she could count on them being close by. Perhaps they were assisting Finn now.
“Is something wrong?” Dahlia asked her.
“No, just thinking up a new scent. Are you thirsty? Shall we stop for tea?”
“A splendid idea,” Heather said. “I could do with a strawberry tart…or two or three.”
The cousins walked out, each with a bottle of perfume.
Belle and Honey bid Mrs. Wynne farewell but said nothing more for fear she might unwittingly give something of their plans away.
“Honey,” Belle whispered when they were once more out on the street. “Runyon was standing behind the shop. I think he is following us. I sensed someone was watching us when we were at the modiste. You know, the creepy feeling that sends tingles shooting up your spine. If I see him at the tea shop, then it will confirm he’s been assigned to follow us.”
“Oh, Belle. Let’s be careful. Make sure we all stay close. Thankfully, Abner will come around with our carriage. He won’t let anyone get close enough to harm us, but I fear it is you they really want. You are the one who creates our scents.”
“I’m going to tell Finn.”
“Yes, you must. And what of the Bow Street runners Finn brought with him from London? Shouldn’t they be following us as well? Have you seen them?”
Belle pursed her lips in worry. “No, I haven’t seen them since yesterday. Perhaps Finn wanted them to go with him today.”
“It makes sense.” Honey nodded. “They’re trained men. He’ll need them to watch his back. And what of Joshua? I haven’t seen him since early this morning. What do you think he’s up to?”
“It’s quite frustrating. Finn won’t tell me anything about his plans. I’m not sure I like that. We’re to be married soon. Shouldn’t he confide in me?”
Honey locked her arm in Belle’s as they walked to the tea shop. “He’s a good man. He must have his reasons for keeping us in the dark.”
“I hope he doesn’t intend to maim Lord Fortesque. Seriously, Honey. I’ll never forgive myself if I’ve turned him into a killer. He had such a fierce look on his face when we first confronted Mama and Papa.”
“Do you remember Uncle John’s favorite expression? He always says people don’t change. If Finn has it in him to kill, then he’s always had it in him.”
Belle nodded. “But he’s never had to use that ruthless trait before. What if he does have the killer instinct, and now I’ve brought it out in him with a vengeance? This is what worries me.”
“There’s nothing you can do about it, Belle. Stop worrying. And for pity’s sake, don’t try to handle any of this on your own. You’ll get us all killed.”
They caught up with their cousins and spent the rest of the afternoon chatting about the wedding over tea and cakes. Belle knew she had to confront Finn this evening. He simply had to tell her what he was planning. She had no intention of doing anything foolish, but she had to know what was going on. If plans went awry, she and Honey needed to protect themselves. Indeed, if plans went badly awry, they needed to form their own plan to rush in and save Finn.
To her surprise, Finn and Joshua did not return in time for supper.
Her parents retired early, leaving them to entertain their cousins. They read together. They played some silly party games. But as midnight approached, Dahlia and Heather could no longer keep their eyes open. Holly herded them upstairs, leaving Belle and Honey to close up the house.
They went through every room, meticulously locking every door and window. Finn and Joshua would have to wake up their butler in order to gain entrance into the house, assuming they returned at all this evening.
When they were done and ready to walk upstairs, Honey gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Sleep well. Don’t worry about those Braydens. They know how to take care of themselves.”
She nodded.
As they were about to climb the stairs, they heard riders pulling up to the front of the house. They rushed to the entry hall window and peered out. “It’s Finn and Joshua,” Honey muttered. “Oh, thank goodness. They’re back.”
Belle threw the bolt and opened the door.
Joshua strode in. “Finn’s seeing to the horses. He’ll be right along.”
“What happened? Where were you all day?” She and Honey were both tossing questions at him. Then Holly came downstairs, fire iron in hand.
Joshua held up his hands in mock surrender. “Set down your sword, my fierce Valkyrie. It is only I, your meek and humble servant.”
“Oh, for pity’s sake.” Holly shook her head and lowered her weapon. “Tell us what happened. I promise I won’t hit you.”
“We rode to London. Let me run upstairs and change out of these dusty clothes. Finn will likely want to do the same. We’ll come back down and tell you what we’ve been doing. I’m thirsty. I could use a brandy.”
“Of course,” Honey said. “Are you hungry? There’s leftover ham, potatoes, and leeks. I’ll put a tray
together for you and your brother.”
Within the quarter-hour, the front door had been securely bolted again, and the five of them were seated around one of the small tables in the drawing room. Two lamps were lit, casting a golden glow around the room. Belle, Honey, and Holly were on the edge of their seats, waiting for the men to finish devouring their meal. They were gobbling down every morsel as though they hadn’t seen food in years.
Holly was the first to prompt the men into talking. “Joshua said you rode to London.”
Finn nodded. “We did.” He washed down the ham with the last of his brandy and eased back in his chair. “We were gathering reinforcements.”
Belle nibbled her lip. “What do you mean?”
“I had an audience with the Prince Regent today.”
Honey blinked. “An audience…how did you manage this?”
Finn shrugged. “I have connections.”
“Good connections,” Joshua said, cutting off another slice of ham and barely cutting it up before packing it into his mouth while he continued to speak in muffled garbles.
“Lord Fortesque has overreached,” Finn said, obviously repeating what his brother meant to tell them with his mouth full. “Had he restricted his blackmail to the lesser gentry and wealthy merchant class, no one would have cared. But he’s been going after noble families as well, and word has reached Prinnie.”
Belle was astounded. “You call him Prinnie?”
He nodded. “We are friends.”
“The Prince Regent trusts my brother. I don’t know why Finn’s such a monumental arse at times.” Joshua grinned. “But seriously, Finn is one of his most valued advisors.”
“I am not. He ignores most of the advice I give him. But we are friends, as I said. It changes nothing. Even in private, we maintain formality. He’ll be king once his father dies. He won’t let any of us forget it, not that we ever would.”
“He must like you if he’s providing reinforcements.” Belle shook her head. “What sort of reinforcements?”
“My army regiment,” Joshua said. “They’re up here now, camped just outside of Oxford. This is why we returned so late. First thing tomorrow morning, we’re raiding every one of Fortesque’s establishments and shutting them down. We’re seizing his financial records. We’re detaining his henchmen. He and his son will be escorted to London and held in our regimental headquarters until the Prince Regent authorizes their release.”
