Page 65 of An Alleged Rogue

23 September 1788

Dear Mr. Wilmott,

Upon learning that you recently relocated from Amsterdam to London, I determined to write to ask for your assistance with a most delicate matter.

An Englishman by the name of Mr. Edward Trevors recently opened a correspondence with me, purportedly with the intent of investing in my textile company. Only this week, I discovered that rather than advancing me one thousand English pounds, he has, in fact, defrauded me of the same sum.

I have reason to believe that Mr. Trevors is now in London, and I ask that you do everything in your power to locate the gentleman. Once he is found, I believe that my associate Mr. Reginald Hadford would be willing to assist in recovering my money. I have written to Mr. Hadford regarding the financial details, but it is probable that my letter will take a few weeks to reach him in Berkshire.

Please respond with your findings as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Willem den Haan

“Good heavens. This is terrible.” Hadford lowered the letter, his expression shocked. “Have you managed to locate the fiend?”

“I have.”

“What is this all about, Hadford?” Bertrand wished for his part in the conversation, but Hadford was more anxious to hear what Freddie had to say.

“Here, my lord. You may read it yourself.” He passed the missive to the viscount and turned his attention back to Freddie. “You have found Trevors, you say?”

“Yes. Although it took some doing. I searched all the gentlemen’s clubs in town to no avail. Only when I went back and questioned the bookies did I learn that Mr. Trevors places regular bets on the races, and he is not known for gambling paltry amounts.”

Hadford raised his eyebrows. “Do you believe that is where den Haan’s money has gone?”

“Perhaps. But if that is the case, Trevors has given us something to work with. He has made a name for himself in the gambling community—and he will not wish to damage it. We simply need to persuade him that returning the money to den Haan will be far less painful in the long run than having it become known in the betting circles that he has defrauded someone of one thousand pounds.”

“Now, just one minute.” Bertrand pointed at the letter. “This is all very irregular. Whyever would the Dutchman write to you and Hadford over such a hefty grievance? Something like this should be handled by one of those Bow Street fellows, surely.”

“I imagine he was hoping to take care of it without it becoming public knowledge.”

“Wilmott is right,” Hadford said. “If news of a loss like this were known abroad, it could be very damaging to den Haan’s business.”

Freddie eyed the viscount. “I assume we can count upon your full discretion, my lord.”

“Well, of course.” Bertrand squared his shoulders as though preparing for battle. “That goes without saying.”

“Just as I thought,” Freddie said with a placating smile.

Hadford took the letter back and glanced at it once more. “I have corresponded with den Haan enough to know his script and his seal. This would seem to be a genuine plea for help.” He looked over at Freddie. “You have obviously had longer to consider the issue. Have you come upon a viable solution?”

“I believe I have.” Freddie masked his glee with a thoughtful pose. This could not be going any better. Hadford was putty in his hands.

“I have learned a few things about Mr. Trevors that we can use to our advantage. First, he is a man of habit. He takes a walk through Old Ryland’s Green at noon every day. He wears the same red coat, white wig, and eye patch, no matter the weather. Second, as a gentleman who may wish to place a bet at any time, he carries an indecently large amount of cash on his person.”

“Forgive me,” Hadford said. “But I fail to see how these points can directly aid us in our goal.”

Freddie pressed his elbows to his knees and leaned forward. “I propose that you meet Mr. Trevors on his walk tomorrow. You now know how to recognize him. Once you have made your introductions, draw him into a conversation about mercantile affairs in Amsterdam, and by pretending that he can be of service to you, invite him to your home to dine with you. Once you have him at Charwell Park, you can explain the whole of it, show him the letter from den Haan, and inform him that unless he refunds the money immediately, you will expose the affair to the bookkeepers. As he always travels with significant funds, I daresay he will hand over the money before he leaves your table.”

“By Jove. That is most ingenious.” Bertrand appeared suitably impressed.

“You think he would be willing to travel all the way to Charwell Park?” Hadford asked.

Freddie shrugged. “If the gentleman frequents Ascot as often as I have been led to believe, he is very used to traveling into Berkshire.”

“Fair enough,” Hadford said. “I shall attempt a meeting with Mr. Trevors tomorrow. If all goes well, I shall send word ahead of me to Charwell Park to have my wife expect a guest at dinner the next day.”