Page 74 of A Game of Scandal

An expression of displeasure flickered across Laing’s face. “I wanted only to speak with you. Had you not flung yourself so cavalierly from a moving carriage, you would have found yourself taking only a simple detour on your way home. None of this would have been necessary. It became expedient for us to talk when you and your colleagues infiltrated a certain warehouse.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, but the words sounded weak even to my own ears.

“Come now,” Laing chided, spreading butter over one half of the scone on his plate and transferring it to my own. “There’s no need for pretence between us. I’m perfectly aware of the little organization your sister-in-law is caught up in, the one running out of the haberdasher’s on St Andrew’s Square. Did you think a man in my position would miss such a threat?”

I only stared at him.

“Unlike many of my contemporaries, I’m not blind to the potential of women,” Laing continued, picking up his half of the scone and munching thoughtfully. “I’ve been rather impressed by the Aviary’s skills. They have – unwittingly, of course – thrown a wrench into several of my own schemes. The matter of Samuel Morland, for instance – although that was easily rectified.”

Samuel Morland was a politician who had died a couple of years ago. I had no idea what his connection to the Aviary was, but it seemed there was one.

“I could have dismantled them, of course,” Laing continued, “but our interests have aligned more than once. They’ve been doing an excellent job of removing my … shall we call them competitors?”

“Villains,” I said firmly.

Laing laughed, and the laugh was full of easy charm. “Certainly an improvement on criminal. But now their interference is proving difficult. And then, of course, there’s you.”

“Me?” I asked. “If you know anything about the Aviary, you know that I’m not an agent.”

“No,” Laing said coolly. “That simplifies things. When they sent you to infiltrate my poker game, I was delighted. Here, I thought, was finally a woman with a mind as brilliant as my own.”

“Thank you,” I said, the words dry as sand. He seemed not to notice the sarcasm, only nodded.

“I saw that you would be able to grasp the true scope of my ambition, the intricacies of my vision. The Aviary are playing chequers, my dear. I am playing chess. My goal is no ordinary one.”

“So you keep implying. But I don’t understand what your goal is.”

“Power, of course.” There was a flash of something unbalanced in his eyes then, a slip of that jovial mask. “It’s what all men want, but it is what I am made for. My destiny was forged in the fires of my early struggle. I’m not soft like those currently in power are, but a truly gifted, self-made man. Someone who could – should he choose – have the world dancing to his own tune. I’ve been working from the shadows for years, pulling at many strings, and my greatest personal achievement is about to be realized.” He sat back, toyed with the teaspoon in his saucer, a pleased look on his face. “My mind doesn’t work like the rest of theirs. And neither does yours.”

“I’m nothing like you,” I said, deciding I’d had enough of this game. “And I don’t want to sit here having tea with you. Tell me what you want and let me go.”

His expression hardened. “I had hoped we could avoid threats. That you would see the benefit of a true partnership. What I intend, Lady Felicity, is for the two of us to marry.”

“I already told you that will never happen.” I had to fight the urge to shoot to my feet, to fling my cup of tea in his face.

“It will happen, for several reasons,” Laing said flatly. “Firstly, your position will legitimize my business in ways that I will find helpful. Secondly, the access I will have to your brother and his government work will also be useful. Thirdly” – he trained those not-quite-sane eyes on me – “I want you. You interest me, and I have decided you will make a pleasant wife. Once I’ve made a decision, it is set in stone, Felicity. And you would do well to remember that, if you care for the safety of your family and friends. Winnie Phillips, Sylla Banaji, Maud Crestwell, the woman they call Mrs Finch.” He listed the names with a cold indifference. “Your mother, your sister-in-law, of course, and your brother.”

“You wouldn’t get near my brother,” I hissed, but my heart clattered in my chest. I tasted fear, sharp on my tongue.

“No?” Laing raised his brow. “Why do you think he’s been kept out of the country on business for so long? Because I wanted him out of the way. I have influence you cannot imagine. If I decided I wanted him removed on a permanent basis, he would be extinguished as easily as blowing out a candle.”

I felt all the blood leave my face. “You wouldn’t,” I managed.

“Not unless it becomes necessary,” he replied silkily. “I rather fancy having a duke for a brother-in-law. You will agree to marry me, Felicity, and return to London, where we shall be seen attending several important social events including, naturally, Queen Charlotte’s Ball. There’s a train this afternoon and you’ll be on it. I will meet you in London once my business is concluded.”

A moment stretched between us then, a moment where I tried desperately to see some other way through.

“I can be on the train,” I agreed finally. Anything to keep my friends safe, anything to get away from him.

“My man will be pleased to escort you.”

“Your man?”

“Oh, don’t worry about Milton,” Laing said easily. “An excellent fellow. He won’t hurt you unless instructed to do so, and there won’t be any reason for him to hurt you, will there?”

“Of course not,” I replied, my throat dry.

“Wonderful.” Laing reached into his pocket and began placing coins on the table to cover the bill. “But, Felicity, I must warn you. If you attempt to contact any of your friends, there will be consequences. I am having all of them watched.”