Part 73 (1/2)
”Before she's married--preferably before she even accepts an offer. We don't need any legal complications.”
Mortimer was frowning.
”Complications?” ”Yes, d.a.m.n you!” Joliffe struggled to mute his snarl.
”If the d.a.m.ned woman marries, the guardians.h.i.+p of her stepdaughter pa.s.ses into her husband's hands. If Harry Lester takes the reins, we can forget getting a farthing out of your lovely cousin's estate.”
Mortimer's eyes widened.
”Oh.”
”Yes--oh! And while we're on the subject, I've a little news for you--just to strengthen your backbone.” Joliffe fixed his eyes on Mortimer's wan countenance.
”You owe me five thousand on a note of hand. I pa.s.sed that vowel on, with one of my own, to a man who charges interest by the day. Together, we now owe him a cool twenty thousand, Mortimer--and if we don't pay up soon, he's going to take every pound out of our hides.” He paused, then leaned forward to ask,
”Is that clear enough for you, Mortimer?”
His face a deathly white, his eyes round and starting, Mortimer was so petrified he could not even nod.
”Well, then!” Scrugthorpe pushed his empty tankard away.
”Seems like we'd best make some plans.”
Joliffe had sobered dramatically. He tapped the tabletop with one fingernail.
”We'll need informatiofi on her movements.” He looked at Brawn but the boy shook his head.
”No good. The maid won't talk to me again, not after the roasting that groom gave her. And there's no one else.”
Joliffe's eyes narrowed.
”What about the other women?”
Brawn's snort was eloquent.
”There's a few o'them all right--but they're all as sour as green grapes.
Take even you 'til next year to chat 'em up--and they'd likely refuse to talk even then.”
”d.a.m.n!” Joliffe absentmindedly took a sip of his porter.
”All right.”
He set the tankard down with a snap.
”If that's the only way then that's the way we'll do it.”
”How's that?” Scrugthorpe asked.
”We watch her--all the time, day and night. We make our arrangements and keep all in readiness to grab her the instant fate gives us a chance.”