Chapter 24 Sebastian
A lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony, in a moment.
JANE AUSTEN, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
I sat beside Edward’s bed, thumbing through a worn copy of Pride and Prejudice.
I had not the time to finish it, but regardless, found myself perusing the pages, skimming the words—searching for some deeper understanding of Kitty’s feelings while waiting for Edward to rouse.
She had darted from the drawing room the previous night with no flippant remark, no pert defiance .
. . just the saddest, deadest look in her eyes as if all spark within her had been extinguished when her grandfather raised his hand against her.
Would she shut me out again? I feared the answer considering the darkness I had witnessed firsthand in this home. The more I learned of the Iron Colonel, the more I loathed the man. He would have struck her had I not been present. I was certain of it.
A faint stirring from the bed drew my attention to Edward and I set the book down on the nightstand.
“Water,” Edward mumbled and I obliged, bringing a glass to his lips.
“You frightened us, Edward. All this time, your family fretted over your late nights.”
He grimaced, waving away the water. “I never meant to cause alarm. It’s far too difficult for a man to keep his family safe from his affairs—to keep those he loves from harm. My activities were all for show so I could get to the bottom of the East India Company and all its sins.”
To an extent, I understood his nightly prowls, although mine years ago had differed in purpose significantly. Edward sought to ease his anger and anguish. So had I. But unlike Edward, my dissolution had not been an act, but rather true cowardice.
“What sins have you discovered?”
“A few of import. I fear there are members of the ton who would do anything to keep their secrets hidden. Mr. Wilberforce wanted the information public as soon as he had proof.” Edward tried to rise from the bed but fell back on the pillows, his cheeks unnaturally gray.
“You cannot walk in this condition.”
“I must,” he breathed. “Do you realize that the testimony of other men, men who infiltrated slaver ships, brought about the abolition of the trade? In 1807, the Slave Trade Act was passed because of what they discovered on board. Wilberforce and the others had to fight every inch of the way to expose the evil. But now, Sebastian, more corruption remains. Shine a light and the rats scatter farther into the recesses.”
I blinked, trying to process his words, but everything felt hazy. “Tell me,” I demanded, my voice tighter than I intended.
Edward’s breath came ragged. “I don’t know how deep the rot runs, but I’ve got evidence to at least put Chudley away. Freight slips, signatures, links to offices in India.”
A chill ran down my spine. I rose from my chair and walked to the desk where Edward had been keeping his papers. I sifted through the documents until one of the freight slips caught my eye. The handwriting was unfamiliar, and as I read the details, the gravity of what he was saying sank through me.
“This . . .” I muttered, barely able to process what I was seeing. “This came from an office in Surat—one of the major ports the Company uses. The crates, these markings—they’re not just ordinary goods. These are shipments of opium.”
“And pearls. And spices. Calico. A whole enterprise of contraband,” Edward added with a sneer. “Stolen from the Indian people and sold wherever profit may be found.”
“You assume the Company is behind this smuggling. What if it is rogue players? I agree that perhaps an official or an employee might be engaging in the clandestine, but—”
“The entire organization is full of rogue players,” Edward cut in.
I let the paper fall from my hand, my mind spinning. My grandfather would be furious with this news.
“Regardless, you found the culprit. Surely Lord Chudley will face the law and the matter will be finished.”
He sighed, his voice barely above a whisper when he spoke again. “I doubt it is simply one bankrupt earl. An operation of this magnitude means bribing officials, covering it up at every level. They’ve paid their way out of trouble too many times.”
Remember, a man’s worth is measured by his ability to fulfill his obligations. Do not disappoint me. I cannot leave my duties here, no matter how hard Wilberforce presses for me to return to England. Can I trust you to carry out this simple task?
My grandfather’s parting words ripped through me yet again.
He would personally horsewhip Lord Chudley if given the chance.
“Allow me to deliver your notes to Mr. Wilberforce,” I finally said. “Unless you do not trust me as an employee of the entity you despise. I shall see that a servant—”
“Nay!” Edward shook his head, beads of perspiration dotting his brow. “I suspect our house is watched. No servants—they are far too easily bribed. Nor should you invite Wilberforce here. Keep our relationship secret, aye?”
Sebastian wondered whether the Iron Colonel knew more of his grandson’s activities than what had just been revealed.
Edward licked his lips. “You will take them, Sebastian . . . yes? After your presentation in Parliament, no one will suspect you of aiding me. And you are leaving within the week?”
I nodded, mute—my thoughts once again captured with Kitty. Booking passage on the Seraphim brought a certain finality. I had offered her marriage and she had not given me an answer. Silence indeed was an answer.
A knot of dread tightened. How could I abandon her?
Edward could take care of himself, but Kitty?
Her tears brought a pang to my chest. How readily she believed the lies the ton spun around her, and her grandfather.
How deep the wounds within her—courtesy of an overbearing old man who treated his grandchildren as possessions.
I might not be able to change Kitty’s mind, but I could help a friend in need.
Edward said nothing as he watched me gather his papers, and then his mouth twitched when my hand hovered over the gilt copy of Pride and Prejudice as I hesitated at the last moment. When I took the tome, his smile widened.
“Good man.”