by Wendy Vella
“Yes, that’s what I was led to believe by Ace.”
“Could I invest, do you think, Alex?”
That threw him. “Well, I-I, um…”
“No, because I am a woman! Well, I am sure I did not respond that way when you wanted to become my business partner in a women’s clothing establishment, Alexander Hetherington.”
“It is not my business venture, Hannah,” Alex said, scrabbling to come up with words to appease her.
“I shall approach Oliver Dillinger, then; surely he is a fair and just man.”
“I am just and fair!”
“Apparently not.” She got to her feet. “And on that note, I am leaving. Come, Mary, we need to return home.”
After slapping some coins on the table, Alex followed. He caught her a few minutes later. Taking her hand, he placed it firmly on his arm. “I did not get to eat my cake,” he gritted out, to which she remained silent, and stayed that way until he had delivered her to her door.
The next note came one week after the murder of Lionel Jacobs, while Hannah sat on her bed sorting through her finances. She had been waiting for the blackmailer to contact her, and the wait had played on her nerves until she had been unable to sleep. Fear gnawed at her, visions filled her head, as she wondered if such a man would keep his word to her, or strike at her again and harm someone she loved.
Opening the note, she braced herself for what it would say.
I hope you enjoyed your tea at Mrs. Fletcher’s house with your dear friends. I wonder if the child will be born healthy? And of course you had that lovely episode with your beloved, I hope his head is quite improved?
Hannah bit back the moan that wanted to escape.
We will meet tomorrow at midday at the same place as our last rendezvous. You will bring with you two of your most expensive pieces of jewelry plus the money you would have paid Jacob’s. Come alone.
Hannah saw the lifeless body of Lionel Jacobs lying in a pool of his own blood. She had to meet his demands. Getting off the bed, she collected her jewelry box and turned out the contents onto her bed. There were plenty of things she had bought herself; those she would give him first. The others had been her mother’s, or things her father had given her; those would be harder to part with. She lowered her pearls back into the black velvet interior slowly.
“He will never stop,” Hannah said to herself, realizing that she could never hope to escape this beast of a man. “Nothing will stop him, and he will destroy me and everything I hold dear if I do not find a way to end this myself.” He had tried to kill Alex, and she knew he could easily do so again if he chose, just to keep her under his control.
A plan had been forming in her head since the day Jacob had been murdered, and now she realized she had no other choice. “I must implement it tonight,” Hannah whispered, knowing she was right. If she did not do it this very day, she would have doubts and find a way to put it off.
The plan involved her leaving London for places unknown, but before she did, she would leave notes for her father and Alex, telling them part of the reason why she had gone. She owed them that much. It was the only solution she could come up with. She was to meet the blackmailer at a location tomorrow, but she would package up her jewelry and send it and a note, explaining that it was all she had, and had left London for somewhere he would never find her. Surely that would work and he would move on to his next victim, especially as she was going to give him a great deal of money and jewelry.
The jewels would fetch him a tidy sum and Hannah believed he would settle for that, prayed he would, and that her loved ones would be safe.
It was the best she could come up with. With her gone, Alex was free to marry whom he wished. This thought was a painful one, but the best for everyone, especially him. She had no right to do what she had to him, and thrusting him into danger had already resulted in him being knocked to the ground. She could not allow him to end up the way of Lionel Jacobs.
She sat in her room for another hour, revising her plan until she had it set in her mind, and then began to prepare for her evening at the theater. This would be the last time she saw her friends and family for some time, but she would not allow herself to believe it would be forever.
The Woollers had been invited to the theatre by the Marquess of Levermarch. Hannah dressed with care, choosing a gown that Alex had insisted no woman but she could wear. It was the color of peppermint and trimmed with ivory satin.
“You look lovely, Hannah. I wish I could come.”
Bridgette wandered in, looking young and sweet in her white nightdress and dressing gown. Hannah had to turn away to blink back the tears. When would she see her little sister again?
“You would be bored silly, sister. Most of the people only go to be seen and strut about the place; the play is rarely all it is made out to be.”
“I think you should wear the pearl necklace with the emerald in the front. It would go wonderfully with that dress and father would be pleased.”
She and her father had established an uneasy truce since their argument over her increased dowry. Both stubborn, neither had taken the steps to get their relationship back to where it had once been. Hannah would see that changed this night. She would not leave her father unless there was peace between them.
“I think you could be correct, Bridgette. Would you fetch it for me, please?”
Once she was dressed she stood so her sister could inspect her, before hugging her hard.
“You are squeezing me, Hannah!”
“You know that I love you don’t you, Bridgette?” Hannah cupped her sister’s rosy cheeks as she memorized every detail. They would be together again one day, but she knew not when.
“Of course, as I love you. Why are you saying this to me now?”
“It never hurts to remind those we love of our feelings upon occasion.” Hannah ran a hand over her sister’s fiery curls, then reached for her wrap and reticule. “Now you need to get into bed, and do not give the staff any trouble. Is that understood?”
“I’m never trouble,” Bridgette said, skipping from the room.
“I will not need you later, Mary, I can take care of myself this evening.”
“If you are sure, Miss Wooller?” The maid looked uncertain.
“Of course. Please take the evening off; there must be somewhere you wish to go or someone to visit.”
“Thank you, I would like to visit with my sister, she has been poorly.”
“Excellent, and thank you for all you have done for me.”
Hannah left the room and made her way down the hall and then the stairs to where her father awaited her. He looked handsome in his dark evening clothes.
“You look lovely, Hannah.”
“You also, Papa.”
“I have not heard you call me that in many days.”
“It is time to put this behind us now. I am happy with Alex and I have come to realize with time that your intentions were honorable, if misguided.”
“I did what I thought was best for you, Hannah, and I’m sorry you saw it otherwise.”
She kissed his cheek, inhaling the familiar smell that was so much a part of her father. “Let us talk of it no more and enjoy the evening.”
“Is it possible to enjoy an evening at the theater with all that noise and carry-on?” he grumbled, but the smile he gave her reached his eyes.
Dear Lord, she loved this impossible man.
They were soon in the carriage travelling to Covent Garden, and Hannah felt better knowing that when she left, at least there would no longer be anger between her and her father. Of course, that would probably change when he realized what she had done, but for now they were in harmony.
The Levermarch box was grand and offered a wonderful view of the stage and surrounding boxes. Below, people were milling and making their way to their seats. The theater was often more about who attended than the play, and most often it was hard to hear the actors over the noise of the guests.
Hannah and
her father arrived to find the other guests were already seated. Phoebe and Finn, Ben and Alex, the latter as usual looking handsome in his evening clothes. Ace and Thea were also there, but Livvy and Will had not been able to come due to their son, who had a slight chill.
“Go and sit with your beloved, daughter, as I know you wish to, while I take the seat next to Finn, as I have a few things to discuss with him.”
She didn’t argue over his choice of words, for tonight she wanted to spend time with Alex, as it may be her last chance.
“Good evening, my sweet, you look lovely in that dress, as I knew you would.”
Hannah’s cheek tingled after Alex kissed it. After tonight, he would no longer call her his sweet or love; no longer kiss her, but he would be safe, and that was all that mattered.
“Thank you, and you also look nice, sir.”
His eyes ran over her face.
“What, no cutting words, no attempt to antagonize me? Whatever is the matter, my dear Miss Wooller?” He’d whispered so no one else could hear his words.
“Is your head healed, Alex?”
“Yes.” He leaned over. “You can still feel a small lump, but it is no longer tender.”
She touched his soft hair and found the small lump. He could have been killed had the man struck his temple. The thought of a world without this beautiful man in it was not to be borne.
“I’m sorry, Alex, that you had to suffer in such a way.”
“It’s not your fault, Hannah.” He took her fingers in his.
But it was her fault, and she would not allow it to happen again.
“Do you enjoy the theater, Miss Wooller?”
Hannah tore her eyes from Alex and looked at Mr. Dillinger, who sat on her other side. “It is very entertaining, sir, but usually the main source of amusement is from the guests rather than the production.”
“I’ve noticed that.”
Ace had once survived using his fists, and looking at the size of his shoulders and hands, she could see how. But when he smiled, Hannah could see exactly why Lady Althea had fallen in love with him. It transformed him. His eyes lit and his face softened and suddenly he looked handsome rather than menacing
“You should smile more often, Mr. Dillinger.”
“My wife tells me that regularly, but in business I prefer to look mean, so it has become something of a habit.”
Turning in her seat so that she now faced him, Hannah lowered her voice so only he heard her words. “Mr. Dillinger, may I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
How could she put this to him so he did not become suspicious?
“A friend has approached me, sir, to assist her, but I fear I do not know where to start. I would ask you not share what I am about to tell you with anyone, even though I will not reveal any names.” Shut up, Hannah you sound like a babbling fool.
He nodded, watching her, his large body almost unnaturally still. “You have my word,” he said solemnly.
“She is being blackmailed, Mr. Dillinger, and the man has threatened dire circumstances to her family and friends should she not comply with his wishes. I would ask your advice on the m-matter.” Hannah did not lower her eyes, although she wanted to as he stared at her intently.
“I would tell her not to pay him a penny, and to talk with her family and friends. A blackmailer only has power if you let them, Miss Wooller.”
“But could she not get someone to… to take care of the matter? I suggested a private detective to flush out the scoundrel.”
“That could work.” He nodded. “However, I would have him removed permanently.”
Hannah’s throat was suddenly dry. “I don’t take your meaning, sir?”
“I would find out his identity and then put him on the first ship out of London to the farthest destination,” he said, as if the prospect were no more taxing than moving house. “But there are not many brave enough to blackmail me.” He was not bragging, it was the simple truth, and she envied him his reputation at that moment as her thoughts strayed back to the lifeless body of Lionel Jacobs.
“What do you speak of so intently?”
“Nothing, my love. Miss Wooller and I were just discussing plays and our lack of delight in most of the ones we have seen,” Ace said to his wife.
“Uncultured is what you both are,” Thea said, before turning back to Phoebe.
“Surely if you removed the person who is being blackmailed, then that would also be an option,” Hannah said, leading to what she really wanted to ask him, and hoping he would offer her another option. “I told her to go away for a while, and then this horrid person can no longer reach her or be a threat to her loved ones.”
“He has made threats?” Oliver Dillinger’s brows lowered.
“He has.”
“Then yes, that is an option, but there is always the chance of the threat resurfacing if she returns to London.”
I will not be returning, Hannah realized. She would not be able to in case Mr. Dillinger was correct.
“Miss Wooller, should you or your friend ever need my assistance, I would be at your service, but I would like to add that Alex is more than capable of taking care of such matters. He is a man of shrewd intelligence, whom I would not hesitate to turn to should I need help in any situation.”
“Oh indeed, I have already discussed the matter with Alex, and he told me to ask you,” Hannah said, adding another lie to the large group she had already told. Luckily, Alex did not overhear.
“Tell your friend that she must take control of the situation, because if this continues, the blackmailer will only be stopped with her passing, and, God willing, that is surely a long way off.”
“Indeed, I-I will relay what you have told me to her in the morning. Thank you, Mr. Dillinger, you have been most helpful.”
For Hannah the evening was bittersweet. She enjoyed the company, but the pain of knowing it would be some time, if ever, before she saw these people again, had lodged in her chest like a burning ember.
“You are fidgeting, Hannah.” Alex took her hand in his and rested it on his thigh, which she thought highly improper, but she did not remove it, simply because she enjoyed his touch, even if it was through her gloves. What did it matter about propriety anyway? After tonight, her disappearance would be of more concern.
At intermission Hannah strolled on Alex’s arm while she thought about Ace’s words. Refusing to pay the blackmailer would not help her cause, as he had already attempted to harm Alex, and if he did so to Bridgette how would she defend herself? No, she could not allow that to happen.
“Lord McDonald is glaring at me, Hannah.”
She found the man among the people milling about. Hatred blazed from his eyes.
“He approached Father yesterday, asking for my hand once more. Papa sent him away, telling him I was no longer interested in any offers from him.”
“Did he just,” Alex said, looking at the man. “I may have to have a talk with him if he makes any further advances toward you.”
“No, Father made him see reason, Alex, there is no need for that.”
“You will tell me if he approaches you again, Hannah, promise me.”
“Miss Lowery is sending you longing looks, Alex,” Hannah said, seeking to change the subject.
“Miss Lowery is nearsighted, therefore it looks as if she is sending covetous glances, when in fact what she is trying to do is focus.”
“She never told you that!”
“She did actually, when we danced once and she asked me who was wearing a particularly nasty shade of green to our left. Naturally I apprised her, given that I am something of an expert on fashion, and hence she explained her situation. Her mother dislikes her wearing spectacles when she leaves the house.”
“People tell you things, don’t they?”
He shrugged his broad shoulders.
“Because you genuinely appear to care, whereas they think I do not.”
He steered them toward a curtain, whic
h he lifted to one side, and then motioned her through. It was not a place Hannah had ever been before, and led down a long hallway with a door at the end.
“But you do care and are not as hard-hearted as you want everyone to believe, Miss Wooller.”
“Where are we going, Alex, and furthermore it is highly inappropriate for us to be alone.”
He opened the door and they walked through and she saw the night sky before them.
“We are in love; it is expected of us to slip away upon occasion.”
“Oh, how lovely.” Hannah sighed, walking to the balcony. “The stars seem so close tonight.”
“I found this place a few years ago, and have missed entire acts just staring at the night sky.” Alex moved to her side.
“And how many ladies have helped you miss those acts?” Hannah managed to sound lighthearted, when in fact her heart felt leaden.
“No one as beautiful as you.”
She felt his eyes on the side of her face and turned. He was close enough to touch and Hannah realized that if she did not take this opportunity she would never have it again. She started with a cheekbone, running a finger along the edge, watching its path, she then traced down one cheek and along his jaw. She felt the moment his breathing increased, as hers did also.
“Your skin is warm,” she whispered, stroking his other cheek.
“Hannah.” His voice was uneven. “Why are you sad?”
“I am not sad, Alex,” she lied, running the finger down the aristocratic line of his nose.
“Talk to me.”
She pressed three fingers to his lips and shook her head. “No, Alex, not tonight. No more questions. Just know that I am indeed grateful to have you in my life, and am sorrier than I can ever say for what I have done to you.” Moving her fingers, she cupped his cheek then rose to her toes and kissed him.
His fingers bit into her shoulders, pulling her close until there was nothing between their bodies, and then slid down her sides. His mouth took hers on a deep, sensual journey that Hannah never wanted to end. One hand pressed into her spine, pushing her body into his, and she felt the hardness in him, the solid planes of his chest and the strength in his thighs. She felt his desire, and liquid heat flooded her body.
