Page 33 of The Untamed Heart

“Oh, friends, are you?” The woman drew herself up to her full five feet two inches, her demeanour one of rage. “Well, in that case you can pay his shot, for the miserable beggar hopped the twig last night with two months’ rent due.”

Sherry opened and closed his mouth and turned to Lucius. “All yours,” he said succinctly.

Lucius rolled his eyes and stepped forward.

“Where did the blackguard go?” he asked curtly. “Tell me all you know and I promise he’ll get what he deserves.”

The woman snorted. “If I knew that, I’d be after ‘im myself, you daft beggar. Besides, I thought you were friends of his?”

“We are not friends. We wish to speak to him in relation to a very serious matter,” Lucius said gravely.

“He in trouble?”

“He may be in a great deal of trouble,” Lucius agreed, at which she relented with some satisfaction.

“His folk come from Kent is all I know. Mayhap he’s gone there. You find him and make him pay. It ain’t right, a man like that taking advantage of a poor defenceless little widow lady,” she said piteously.

“Quite so,” Lucius said, brisk and disinterested now that he had his information.

Sherry glanced at the woman—privately thinking he had never seen a less defenceless woman in all his life—bowed and hurried after Lucius.

“Kent?” Sherry asked once they had settled back into the carriage.

“Kent,” Lucius agreed, his eyes alight with anticipation. “And I rather think I know just where to look.”

Chapter 10

The Price of Competence

Hatherley Hall, Little Valentine, East Sussex, 25th September 1816

The Duke of Hawkney read the letter from Sheringham with interest as a footman served Marcus a cup of coffee. His old friend had arrived while Hawkney was still at breakfast, letter in hand. The sender had directed it to Hawkney but addressed it to them both.

The complaints and frustrations the man had clearly needed to vent about Lucius aside, it seemed as if they were making progress. That Major Keller had left without paying what he owed was certainly damning, and not a fine indication of his character, but hardly made him a blackmailer.

Still, Hawkney hoped they caught up with him quickly.

Setting the letter aside, he picked up his coffee cup. “Damn me if he wasn’t right,” he murmured, shaking his head.

“What’s that?” Marcus asked.

“Lucius. When we took the blackmailer’s letter to him, he said the paper came from Kent. St. Mary Cray to be precise, and that the writer might have got his stocks locally if the family was from the vicinity. It seems this Major Keller may be heading in that direction.”

Marcus was broodingly silent, and Hawkney gazed at him. “Spit it out, man. You’ve something on your mind.”

Marcus rubbed his chin awkwardly. “Keller,” he said, his expression grim.

Hawkney sat forward. “You know him?”

Marcus nodded.

“You’ve had difficulties with him? Why on earth didn’t you mention this before?”

“I’ve not thought of the fellow in years,” Marcus protested.

“Well, it may be that he’s not forgotten you in that time. When did you first meet the man?”

Hawkney watched avidly as Marcus shifted in his chair and made a sound of annoyance. “During the Peninsular campaign. Oh, he was a fine gentleman officer,” he said, his tone scathing. “A handsome fellow. The ladies adored him.”