“All I ask is that you agree to everything I say. That you support whatever claims I make regardless how ludicrous. You must be convincing if we’re to establish if Mr Hemming is guilty of a crime against you.”
“A crime?” She fell silent, though he could almost hear the cogs turning in her mind. “You think he might have sent the blackmail note?”
“He is one of the few people who know you write as Cain Dunnavan. When frightened, women tend to seek help from men they know.”
“You think he wrote the note to lure me to his office?”
“I think it’s worth testing the theory, worth laying a trap. Don’t you?”
Chapter 6
Telling Mr Ashwood of her family’s shame brought a surprising sense of relief. For the last month, ever since Clara had been spirited away to Northumberland in the dead of night, Eva had lived with the guilt. She should have done something to protect her friend. She should have spoken to Lord Benham the moment Howard’s behaviour roused her suspicions.
It was too much to hope her brother had fled the country never to be seen again. The coward had created a scandal and left Eva to suffer the shame.
How could one’s sibling be so callous, so cruel?
“Remember, we must dangle the bait if we’re to lure vermin into our trap,” Mr Ashwood said as he opened the wrought-iron gate leading to the alley between the goldsmith shop and the apothecary.
Eva nodded, a sudden rush of confidence filling her chest.
Mr Ashwood was the most capable, most sincere man she had ever met. She had been waiting for the moment he proved a disappointment, and yet the more time she spent in his company, the more she admired him. Every kind and competent action restored her faith. And despite being a sensible woman, she struggled to fight her growing attraction.
Foolish gal!
“And if Mr Hemming is not the rodent we seek?” she asked. Her publisher had wandering hands but lacked the backbone necessary to commit a crime.
“We dangle our bait elsewhere. Namely, Lord Benham’s door.”
Lord Benham!
Heavens above. Now she knew why Mr Ashwood’s colleagues called him Dauntless. Lord Benham had money, connections, rights that came with his position. The viscount could afford to prosecute her for defamation. Could ruin her for good. Had she not suffered enough in her brother’s name?
“I doubt a gentleman of Lord Benham’s standing would hire someone to steal my boots.” And what would he have to gain from the murder of her cobbler?
“It’s highly likely he’s responsible for your brother’s disappearance,” Mr Ashwood countered.
She could not argue. It was only a matter of time before the lord sought vengeance. “Still, you cannot pry into a peer’s affairs.”
Mr Ashwood came to an abrupt halt beside the shiny brass plate bearing Mr Hemming’s name. He faced her and arched a reprimanding brow.
“Miss Dunn, I will give you another piece of advice. Learn to use your weaknesses to your advantage. As I have done.”
Eva snorted. “If you have weaknesses, sir, I’ve yet to see them.”
“When your father is a shameless devil, you have two choices. You can hide in the corner, afraid to meet anyone’s gaze, or you can let people believe you possess the same dangerous streak.”
She considered this tall, broad-shouldered man, with his determined eyes and firm jaw. Beneath his devastatingly handsome face lingered a deadly force. Yes, she could imagine people fearing what he might do.
“No one respects a coward,” he added.
“What should I do, sir? March into Lord Benham’s house and demand to see his sister?”
She knew the answer before he spoke.
“If Miss Swales is important to you, then ye
s. Climb onto your plinth of shame, shout and scream and incite the crowd to riot. Do what you must until you have Lord Benham’s attention. Be clever about it. Use your brother’s recklessness to your advantage.”