Marquess of Menace (Lords of Scandal 10)

Bash scratched his chin, but Dylan cocked his head as he tried to put several pieces together. “You said you believe he’s also stealing from the Crown. Why do you think that?”

“Two weeks ago, as I did a final check on a wagon load, I found two crates in the back with the Crown’s seal. When I asked the driver, he’d no idea how they had gotten there. But they were headed to Dover.”

“Did you look inside the crates?”

“Yes.” Dishonor ran a hand through his hair. “Exotic spices, silk, goods from the Orient mostly.”

Bash’s gaze lit with inspiration. “If you can prove that your books are off, do you think the Crown could as well? Prinny’s got significantly more resources than we do to run an investigation.”

“And more power to put a stop to whoever is at the top of this league of criminals,” Dylan added.

Dishonor shook his head. “I’ve no relationship with the Crown.” His voice tightened, growing harder and Eliza squinted her eyes, trying to assess his features in the growing darkness.

But Bash waved his hand. “Leave that to me. He’s my second cousin on my father’s side.”

“All right. If you need to contact me, leave a note with the solicitor.” And then Dishonor tapped the wall behind him as the carriage drew to a stop.

Bash raised his brow. “We can continue this conversation in my office.”

Dishonor gave his head a shake. “Forgive me, Your Grace. B

ut I think it best we spend as little time together as possible.”

“But we now own a business together.”

“True. But I don’t have a wife or young ladies in my charge. We’ll keep most of the attention on me for now. We don’t want…” and then he stopped, giving Eliza a long look.

She gave a single nod. He was trying to protect her and her sisters still. “Thank you, Dishonor.”

The carriage had stopped, and he snapped open the door, and then jumped out, disappearing into the night.

“He’s gone again,” Eliza said as Bash closed the door.

“Did you learn anything in the warehouse? And who was the Scot he was with?” Dylan asked as soon as the carriage started moving again.

“The warehouse is where he keeps several shipments of goods that only he and a few other trusted men in his business ever see or touch. And the other man wished to remain anonymous for now, but I have my suspicions.”

Eliza’s hand tightened in Dylan’s. “Should we be concerned?”

“I don’t think so, but I’m going to check in with my friend, the Earl of Goldthwaite. The first time I met Dishonor, I asked Goldthwaite to investigate Dishonor’s real identity. It’s time I circle back to see if he’s learned anything,” Bash said as he shook his head. Then he gave them both a long stare in the dark. “But we won’t have any more information there until I’ve talked with Goldthwaite, which means it’s time to discuss another pressing topic.”

“What’s that?” Eliza asked, nibbling on her lip.

Bash dropped his chin. “Your future marriage.”

Oh. That.

Dylan gave Bash a hard glare.

Though he appreciated his friend’s position, this was between himself and Eliza. “Once we’ve returned to your home, may I request an audience with Miss Carrington?”

Bash let out a breath, or perhaps a short laugh. “Fine, but it will be chaperoned. Unlike the last one.”

Eliza straightened. “Don’t be absurd. I just—”

Bash thumped his hand on the seat. “If you would like a choice in this engagement, you will allow the meeting to be chaperoned. Honestly, Eliza, I have attempted to give you a great deal of leeway in this matter, but you’d push a man past reason.”

Eliza shrugged. “Why, thank you.”