Page 92 of Courting Claudia
“Well, as much as I’m sorry your father did such a thing, I’m pleased by the outcome. I’d hate to think of Claybrooke lifting those tempting skirts of yours.”
“Honestly, Derrick.”
“This proves my point, though. You’ve always believed there was something wrong with you, something about you that prevented you from having a string of suitors. When in fact, it was only because your father is a bastard. I do apologize, my dear, but it’s the truth.”
“Let’s not talk about him anymore this evening.”
“I’m going to go find my aunt and make our excuses. I can take no more of this. We are going to bed.”
Derrick waited in the parlor, knowing there was a good chance this was the worst mistake he’d ever make. He was putting his marriage on the line, gambling the newfound love he had with his wife. But if her father was guilty, it was a risk worth taking to ensure Claudia’s safety.
He didn’t have to wait too much longer before he heard the rapping of the cane down the hall, and then Lord Kennington entered.
“Middleton. What the hell do you want?”
“Are you this hospitable to all your guests?”
“You can save your sarcasm for someone who has the time.”
“Fair enough. I’ve come with a business proposition for you.”
“I’m not interested.”
“Oh, but I think you will be.”
He grumbled and found his way to a chair.
“Does the name Chester Edwards mean anything to you?”
A slight flicker in his eye, and then it was gone. “I’m familiar with him, yes. He was a patents officer. Offed himself as I recall.”
“Yes, he did. But I think you knew him a little better than that.”
“What are you after, Middleton?”
“I think you knew him well enough to blackmail him.”
“That’s preposterous.” His color heightened, turning his cheeks and neck a cherry-red.
“Yes, I think you blackmailed him so that he would embezzle money for you from the patents office. And I think you used Richard Foxmore as your deliveryman. Only Richard didn’t deliver your blackmail letters, did he? No, he must have relied on your threats, and he kept the letters himself, planning to turn the blackmailing tables on you. How am I doing so far?”
“You weave an entertaining tale. But you can prove nothing.”
“Oh, but I believe I can. And I have more to tell. Richard, being the greedy, not quite so smart man that he was, fouled up his blackmail with you when he told you about the letters. That’s when you decided to kill him. You simply were not aware that he’d already contacted me with the story. Of course my past with Richard and using him as a source is tainted, so I was reluctant to believe him. Until I saw the letters.”
“Telling people you think you saw letters proving this ludicrous tale will only make you look the fool. People will believe me. I am an important man.”
“Indeed you are. Which will make this scandal all the more explosive. So here is what I propose. You leave quietly. Retire from public life. Move to your country estate and cut all ties with the House of Lords. And cut all ties with Claudia.”
“Are you mad?”
“No. It’s a generous offer. Better than the alternative.”
“Which is?”
“Prison. Don’t think for a moment that a jury of your peers would not convict you for crimes against the crown. They might not care that you rid the world of Richard Foxmore, but stealing from the queen…” He clicked his tongue. “Shame on you.”
“You cannot prove any of this.”