Chapter Twelve #2
‘He told me that he had information about Papa’s whereabouts,’ she said, feeling that she owed him some sort of explanation, particularly since she had more of a chance of finding Papa with his formidable backing.
Backing that he was likely to withdraw if he disapproved of her behaviour.
The fact that he had severely disappointed her by assuming her to be little better than a lightskirt was neither here nor there.
They were partners in the hunt for her father, nothing more than that, but his good opinion was still ridiculously important to her.
‘I wasn’t sure if I believed him, but I was desperate enough to at least hear him out. ’
‘You ought not to have gone alone.’
‘I am well aware of that, but I don’t have a maid who could have accompanied me. Besides, he insisted I go alone.’
‘I am sure that he did,’ Reuben replied, his tone scathing.
But his anger no longer appeared to be directed at her.
‘The bounder lured you into a compromising position with vague assurances when his real objective had nothing to do with your father’s disappearance.
He simply saw an opportunity.’ Reuben shook his head.
‘Why did you not tell me? I could have driven you and been on hand to protect you.’
‘Use your sense,’ she replied impatiently. ‘That would have looked even worse. Me arriving at a tavern with you unchaperoned.’
‘Even so.’
‘Besides. Well …’
‘What is it?’ he asked.
‘Templeton misinterpreted your reasons for taking me in to dinner last night,’ she said, feeling distinctly uncomfortable at being forced into making the admission, aware of her cheeks flooding with colour. ‘It sounds ridiculous, but he appeared to be jealous.’
‘Ah.’
‘And what is “ah” supposed to mean?’ she asked, rolling her eyes.
‘Templeton has a terrible reputation when it comes to the fairer sex, which is one of the reasons why I was so angry to see you being taken in by him.’
‘You did not merely think I was being taken in. You assumed that I had reached an understanding with the bounder.’
‘I hoped you had more sense than that, and should have trusted your instincts.’ He lowered his head. ‘I humbly beg your pardon.’
‘There is nothing remotely humble about you,’ she replied acerbically, her anger giving way to anxiety. ‘Even so, your apology is accepted.’ Farrah let out a long breath. ‘I knew I was taking a risk but … well, I’m desperate.’
‘Was he able to tell you anything worthwhile?’
‘He said that Papa is involved with embezzlement,’ Farrah replied, staring blankly up at Reuben, almost oblivious to the rain dripping onto her head from the branches that partially protected her from the elements.
Her cloak was thick, but water still trickled down the back of her neck and her feet were soaked.
‘Did he say in what respect?’
‘No.’ Farrah tapped a wet toe against soggy leaves. ‘Other than it was probably illegal. I think he made a lot of things up, just to panic me into agreeing to his terms.’
‘What terms?’
‘Use your imagination, your grace.’ Farrah quirked an eyebrow. ‘Anyway, it doesn’t matter because I never would have entered into such an arrangement with him.’
‘The cockroach should have higher standards than to approach an unmarried lady. There are rules about such things. Not that I’m surprised, mind you.
He has always resented me, simply because he knows I disapprove of his behaviour, and probably thought he would steal a march on me by … well, by stealing you.’
‘Oh, you men!’ She flapped a hand. ‘All I want to do is to find my father, not become a pawn in two gentlemen’s game of one-upmanship.’
‘If only it were that simple.’ Reuben chuckled, a deep earthy sound that reverberated through Farrah’s body, helping to ward off the chill. ‘In case you were not aware, we men are highly competitive.’
‘Do you intend to stand here in the pouring rain talking figuratively, or do you have an actual suggestion to make?’ she asked, shaking her head.
‘I have already lost much of my day talking to two men who refused to come to the point and then questioned my morals, and my patience is wearing a little thin.’
‘I apologise. Tell me what else he said. Tell me everything.’ He led her into the deeper shelter of the trees, and seeing her shiver he removed his coat and set it around her shoulders.
It felt warm and smelled of something indefinable which did as much as the material to ward off the cold.
She sent him a grateful glance and wiped an errant raindrop from the end of her nose.
‘He told me that Papa was involved in several questionable schemes that were supposed to generate overnight wealth, or words to that effect. He was approached, discovered there was embezzlement involved and declined. Others, apparently, did not.’
‘Did he mention names.?’
‘No. He said that he would if … well, if I agreed to his terms, which obviously I did not.’
She noticed Reuben clench his fists as his features filled with rage. ‘I don’t have a high opinion of the man, but I didn’t think him quite as depraved as that.’
‘I just wish I knew what point he was attempting to make by propositioning me. I was mulling the matter over when Percival interrupted my train of thought.’ She dropped a hand to ruffle the dog’s ears. ‘I think Papa has offended him in some way, and that he was attempting to exact revenge.’
Reuben nodded. ‘You believe Templeton did actually participate in your father’s scheme, that there has been a falling out between them and that he is now striving to regain the upper hand?’
‘Well, I certainly had not gone so far as to reach that conclusion, but you could be in the right of it.’ She paused. ‘But why would Templeton involve himself in a situation that he described as highly suspect?’
‘I wouldn’t take anything he says as gospel.’ Reuben paused. ‘Has it occurred to you that your father may not have been the orchestrator of such a campaign?’
Awareness streaked through Farrah. ‘You think Templeton dreamed it up.’
‘The possibility occurred to me.’
‘Along with many others today, your grace.’ Farrah let him know that she had not quite forgiven him as she snuggled deeper into his coat in a futile effort to keep warm.
‘But why would he feel the need? I am given to understand that he is a man of considerable wealth. Would he really risk his standing just to make even more money?’
‘He has a large family, a gambling habit and a reckless nature. I doubt he could resist. However, I shall discuss the matter with him in person.’
‘Do you think you should? He will know that I have confided in you.’
‘And he will then leave you alone. Besides, we are resolved to finding your father, are we not? I am not prepared to have chancers posing as gentlemen and breaking the law in this part of the world. I have certain responsibilities. Obligations.’
Farrah nodded, aware that what he said was true but wondering why she felt that there was more to his determination than he was willing to admit.
‘Very well,’ she said. ‘Do what you think is right.’
‘Come along,’ he said, taking her arm. ‘The rain has almost stopped and you are frozen.’
Without giving her the opportunity to object, he took his coat from her shoulders, lifted her from the ground and perched her sideways on Brandon’s saddle.
He then got up behind her and grasped the reins with both hands, putting his coat around them both and encasing her body within his arms as he pushed his stallion forward.
‘Don’t worry.’ His lips touched her ear as he spoke. ‘I have you and I won’t let you fall.’