Vale liked not his manner and looked at him with some distaste, but dealings with this individual would be a necessary evil. “There is a man, I will not qualify him as a gentleman,” he said harshly as Wragg stood before him. “His name is Raymond Thornton—ah, I see by your expression of aversion that you recognize the name.”
Wragg grimaced, showing his distaste at the name. “I do indeed, sir. A very unsavory character, and one that I have had dealings with on a number of occasions. In a professional capacity of course, you understand. He is very tardy in the payment of his debts, but if I am not mistaken, I believe him to be gone to France.”
“He is returned, and I am desirous of knowing his whereabouts. There would be fifty guineas for this information. Are you confident that you can supply it?”
Wragg’s eyes widened with the mention of such a generous sum. “Of a certainty, sir,” he said, already imagining the coins lining his pocket. “There is not a person in London I could not find for such a sum. Indeed, unless I am much mistaken, there are those other than yourself who would welcome the opportunity to know his whereabouts.”
“You must tell no one, do you hear? No one! I deal with this man myself.”
“It would seem you have a personal score to settle then, sir?”
“A very personal score and none shall cheat me of it. Therefore I am forced to trust in your discretion.”
“Your trust will be honored, sir. I myself will start the search immediately; there is no need to involve others. I am well acquainted with the quarry. I will report to you as soon as I have any news.”
At Wragg’s going, Vale sat deep in thought. His first impulse had been to return to Blake House to reassure Sophie, but he would not go until he had received the required information. It would not do to raise false hopes in her breast.
*****
The information was not long in coming; no sooner had he finished supper the next evening than Wragg stood before him, his face beaming with triumph.
“Your man is found, sir,” he said, grinning in anticipation of the wealth that was about to come into his possession. “He has lodgings on the outskirts of the town in a very unsavory neighborhood, but one well befitting him. He is at The Red Cockerel, a low tavern, but one where he would not easily be found. He gambles heavily, sometimes he wins, sometimes he loses; but always he drinks.”
“You have done well to find him so quickly,” said Vale, throwing a leather pouch containing the fifty guineas to Wragg. “I shall remember your service should I have like need in the future.”
“If your lordship requires it, I could provide the men to administer whatever retribution you require.”
“There is not the need. Whatever punishment is necessary I will administer myself and take pleasure in it. Now go, I have a visit to make at my parent’s house.”
Chapter Ten
Vale arrived at Blake House only to be informed that Miss Regina and Miss Sophie had gone with Lord Wroxham and friends to the play at Drury Lane and cursing softly he returned to his coach and directed his driver there immediately.
The second act was well under way when, entering the theatre, he went immediately to his lordship’s box. Drawing aside the curtain, he crossed the threshold unnoticed.
Wroxham’s was the first form he saw sitting close beside Sophie overlooking the pit, but ignoring his presence he stole behind her chair and bending low whispered in her ear. To Wroxham’s great annoyance Sophie rose at once and left the box on his lordship’s arm.
Immediately upon reaching the corridor she anxiously asked, “Have you found him, Dominic? I have scarce dared leave the house. If Raymond should come for me...” He placed his hand over hers as it lay on his arm. “Have no fear, child,” he said gently, attempting to allay her fears. “I have his location and he will not have the opportunity to terrify you again. Haven’t I promised you that I will put an end to his tyranny?”
“Where is he?”
“It is better that you should not know, my dear. It would serve no purpose. I assure you; very soon you will be free of him.”
“But what if he should harm you? I could not bear it. You do not know his temper.”
Dominic smiled most unpleasantly. “And neither does he know mine. You need not worry on my account. My retribution will be thorough—quite thorough.”
She looked fearfully up at him. “You will not kill him, will you, Dominic?”
“You don’t wish him dead?” he asked incredulously. “You have suffered so at his hands and still you would have him live?”
“He is still my brother, no matter how he has treated me. No, I would not wish him dead, and think of the consequences should you be found out. I cannot allow you to put yourself into such a situation for my sake. Please, Dominic, promise me.”
“Very well, my dear,” he agreed with a great show of reluctance. “I will honor your wishes, but ask no more, it is sufficient that I am not to remove him from this life. Now go back to your play and send Wroxham to me, I need have words with him and then I away.”
“Could you not stay just a little while longer?” she beseeched, catching at his sleeve. “I feel so much more secure when you are here.”
He turned his head away, finding it difficult to resist the pleading in her eyes, her complete trust in him. An unfathomable look crossed his countenance, but he could not allow himself to be swayed from his purpose. Instead, turning back to her he smiled gently and taking her fingers to his lips said softly, “All will be well, child, all will be well. Now back to your box and send Wroxham.”
*****
Joining his friend in the corridor, Wroxham made no effort to disguise his displeasure at the earl’s intrusion. “What game is this you play, Dominic?” he snapped, scowling heavily. “I had thought us free of your company. Why must you find it necessary to disrupt the evening?”
“I was not aware that my presence irked you so, my friend,” scorned Vale. “You have not always found it so. Indeed, at one time it was something you sought. However you must forgive the intrusion, for I have need of your confidence,” and taking his friend’s arm in a vice like grip he steered him toward an anti-chamber which remained vacant during the performance.
“What’s to do now?” complained Wroxham as he was thrust unceremoniously into a seat. “I don’t see you for more than a sennight and then you present yourself and command my assistance.”
Frowning, Vale took the chair opposite, saying, “I don’t have time for your belligerence. ‘Tis not for me, but for Sophie that I require your confidence. Or do I ask too much?”
“For Sophie?” asked Wroxham, taken aback. “You must know that I would do anything for her.”
“Then if you can assure me of your complete discretion, I have a narrative to tell which I must rely on you not to repeat,” and at this Vale related Sophie’s story to him, pausing only when he came to the end.
“Nom de Dieu,” Wroxham expostulated. “I cannot believe that the child has been subjected to such misuse. We must find Thornton without delay.”
“There is no we about it,” said Vale firmly. “I will redress this matter. Alone! My reason for telling you all is that, if by some mischance something should happen to me, you must protect Sophie. Protect her against Thornton and have him brought to justice. I cannot leave her unguarded.”
“You love the child,” stated Wroxham flatly, it was not a question; he had never seen his friend so intense.
“I do, and when this coil is resolved I intend securing her if she will but have me.”
“Oh, she will have you, there’s no need to worry on that head,” said Wroxham harshly as he rose to leave. “She idolizes you. It is forever Dominic says this and Dominic does that. I tire of hearing your name, so often does she have need to use it. She has no thoughts for others; you will find her an easy conquest.”
“I wish for no conquest, I love her too well. I take her to wife. I would neither expect nor accept any alternative.”
“Y
ou? Be tied to a wife?” mocked Wroxham. “Hell’s breath, here is a new state of affairs. Who would have thought that possible?”
“If you have designs in that direction yourself I advise you to forget them, my dear friend,” seethed Vale. “Now, do I have your confidence or not? Can I rely on you?”
“Aye, but be assured it is for Sophie’s sake alone that I swear to it. I too would give my life for her though the child is hardly aware of my existence.”
“Then I am away. I visit our friend on the morrow, and remember, no word of our conversation to Sophie. I would not wish her alarmed in any way.”
*****
The following evening the earl traveled to The Red Cockerel in a hired conveyance. It would not do to arrive in such an area in his own coach with his arms emblazoned on it. Before leaving his apartments he had taken the precaution of pocketing certain papers and also a small gold-mouthed pistol which he could feel pressing against his thigh as he alighted from the conveyance. As the vehicle departed he looked about him with some distaste. The light was very poor but he could see indiscriminate forms moving about in the shadows and the disgusting aroma of the back streets assailed his nostrils.
Striding forward he thrust open the door to the inn, having to bend his head to enter. The stench of unwashed bodies and acrid smoke immediately assailed his nostrils, threatening to overcome him and he scowled heavily in distaste. So ill lit was the interior that he could not immediately discern its inhabitants until, as his eyes became accustomed to the dim light shed by the occasional candle, he espied a rat-like man in a filthy apron whom he assumed to be the landlord. This individual came slowly forward. “There’s nothing here for the likes of you, my young buck,” he said through blackened teeth. “If you be looking for sport this night it’s best that you should look elsewhere. I want none of the likes of you in here.”
“Where is Thornton?” demanded Vale.
“Oh, one of his set are you?” sneered the landlord. “Might ‘ave known it by the cut of y’jib. Top of the stairs; second door on the left. ‘Ere, take this bottle with you, he called for it not long since.”
Taking the bottle of gin none too gently from the landlord’s hands, his lordship pushed his way through to the unlit stairs and started up them, having to feel his way so as not to lose his footing.
During Vale’s discourse with the landlord, none had noticed that a youth had slipped quietly through the inn door, pressing himself against the wall so that he remained in the shadows.
*****
Achieving the dark landing, the earl unceremoniously thrust open the second door, startling the inhabitant who appeared to be finishing his supper. This room was somewhat better lit, Vale well able to see the surprise that flitted across Thornton’s bloated countenance as, pushing aside his plate, he rose in protest of the intrusion.
He was a large, florid man, almost as tall as Vale but much heavier and it took him a moment to comprehend the cause of the disturbance as he had been drinking steadily throughout the day. “Who the hell are you?” he growled as the earl forcefully closed the door behind him.
Taking all in, his lordship proffered a small mocking bow. “I am sir, Dominic, Earl of Vale,” and he sneered at his most awful.
Falling back into his chair, Thornton issued a hard laugh. “Wondered how long it would take you to seek me out. I was beginning to tire of the waiting. Can assure you, if you hadn’t presented yourself in the near future I would have been compelled to contact you myself. However, you save me the inconvenience.”
“Then we understand each other completely, I have not the need to explain my presence.”
“Sit down, sit down, there is no need to stand on ceremony,” said Thornton, pushing a chair forward with his foot. “Here take a drink. The only issue we have to agree on is terms, no reason we cannot do it amicably.”
“Terms?” queried Vale harshly.
“Aye, terms for the chit. How much...”
He was not allowed to finish his sentence, Vale lunged across the table gripping his throat in his long slender fingers, fingers that belied their strength, and dragged him across the width. The grip was so fierce that there came a blue line about Thornton’s lips and a purple hue to his already florid countenance.
Suddenly letting him go so that he rolled from the table and knelt choking on the floor, clawing at his neck cloth for air, Vale stood over him. “Those are my terms; my payment. You may not know it but you owe your life to your sister. For my part I would put an end to you now and have no conscience about it. Now get up. Because of my promise to her, you live, but I am determined to put an end to this affair so I will play you at your own game in which winner takes all.”
Thornton rose unsteadily to his feet, the light of realization coming to him that he was not to be slain after all. Perhaps this earl was a bigger fool than he had given him credit for, perhaps there would be a way out, and it emboldened him. “There is no need for this animosity between us, sir,” he said, smiling ingratiatingly. “I am more than willing to consider any compromise. Indeed, to play for the girl suits me admirably. What is your game and what do you stake?”
“Any game of your choosing,” scorned Vale taking the chair, “and as for stake—I pledge all that I own, so your winnings would be considerable. Should I win however, you will relinquish all claims on your sister and brother. Now I am sure such odds must tempt you, you would stand to win a fortune.”
“And you to lose it, sir. I like the odds and will accept. I have a fancy to your wealth, obviously as you have to my sister. In this she serves me well, for you must know I have a mind to both.”
“I have one other condition to the match,” continued Vale, “that is, if I should win, you will remove yourself back to France and there remain. If you value your life that is, for I tell you now, I shall have no hesitation whatsoever in ending it should you return. I intend to take Sophie to wife and as such she will be free from your influence. David will live with us. He shall not be left open to your coercion.”
“You may keep him, my lord; he is of no use to me and would only prove an added burden, an extra mouth to feed.”
“You will sign papers to the effect that you relinquish guardianship of both Sophie and David?”
Thornton laughed mirthlessly. “You know not what you take upon yourself, what responsibilities. I felt them keenly enough. You will soon wish to be rid of them, as did I.”
“The only responsibility you ever felt was for yourself. You will never have the opportunity to wreak your influence over Sophie again. You must only be grateful that I don’t put an end to your life now, for so is my hatred of you.”
Emboldened by the drink Thornton lounged back in his chair. “You think I care ought for your hatred, you fool, when I can secure both my sister and your fortune. Be assured, sir, there are still those who are willing to pay dearly for her. Quite against her will, she has the power to provide well for me. Indeed she will make my fortune.”
“Or your death,” seethed Vale coming to his feet, but Sophie’s pleadings came to his mind and he held back. “This is not the time or the place,” he scorned. “If and when I should decide to put an end to your existence, it will be when you least expect it. It will serve you well to be vigilant—extremely vigilant. Don’t be deluded that honor or convention will bind me, I won’t balk at serving you ill as you have served my Sophie.”
“Your Sophie?” mocked Thornton scornfully. “You would do well to remember she is not yet yours. She is mine—and that is by law.”
Regaining his composure Vale returned to his seat. “That is a matter we are about to redress. Have you the cards?”
*****
As the evening wore on, more bottles were called for from the room below. Both men drank heavily throughout the night, the only effect visible on Vale being an unnatural brilliance to his eye whilst Thornton had achieved a slurring of speech. Oblivious of both the hour and the noise from beneath which at times rose to a crescendo, they c
ontinued with their play, neither emerging as the outright victor, and so they continued until the small hours.
Eventually becoming impatient with the situation, Thornton threw his hand down on the table. “Let us have done with the cards,” he slurred. “What say you we bring an end to this and use the dice to settle the matter? All on the last throw? All to the victor?”
“A more than excellent idea,” agreed Vale. “Let us have the issue settled, but send for fresh dice, I don’t trust any that you should have in your keeping.”
A pair of fresh dice was brought from below, both checking their validity before agreeing to the final throw. “Call a main,” commanded Vale.
“Seven,” responded Thornton, shaking the dice in their box before casting them onto the table where they settled into five and ace.
“Cinque-ace,” announced his lordship taking up the box and replacing the dice in its interior before he too shook them vigorously and cast them once more on to the table. “Quatre-trois. I believe that brings about a conclusion to the evening’s activities,” he stated coldly, turning to face Thornton.
“Devil take you, Vale,” snarled Thornton, throwing himself into his chair.
“He undoubtedly will,” responded his lordship harshly, “but at least now I have secured your sister and brother. I place now before you a paper which you will sign, it relinquishes your guardianship.” He replaced the paper as Thornton would have pushed it away. “Do not be so foolhardy as to refuse to sign; I am not so far into my cups as to render me unable to issue you a beating. Sign!”
Sullenly, Thornton called for quill and ink from the landlord, and the two waited in silence for its arrival, neither wishing to converse with the other. It took some while for the required items to be found and Vale was impatient to be away so that when they eventually arrived, he waited only for the signing of the document and then, pocketing it, turned on his heel.
Dominic (Books We Love historical romance) Page 9
