Page 40 of Read To Me, Lyon

Oliver waited with Benton in the private sitting room of the Red Fox Inn. He’d slid the proprietor enough coins that the man hadn’t argued when he requested Dominic Larson be escorted down here. Oliver had hired guards to assist him, and they’d gone with the inn owner to Larson’s room.

The inn was a decent place, but nothing extravagant. Oliver suspected the man was already running low on the money Kitty had given him. That was shocking because the amount of banknotes Kitty had provided to him was enough to support a family for years.

“I’m glad you are doing this. Kitty deserves happiness, especially after her parents’ death. Larson has been scurrying around like a rat for too long.”

Oliver knew that was true, and Benton’s words recalled the awful thought which had been floating around his mind for some time. He’d kept it to himself, but now it couldn’t be contained. In a low voice, he said, “Do you think he could have been connected to their accident?”

Benton shook his head. “I’d considered it too, but no, according to the investigator I hired, it was just an unfortunate accident. Honestly, Kitty’s father always gave him money, so I don’t think he’d ruin that setup. Maybe if he’d been cut off and desperate, he might have done something; yet since he wasn’t in the will to inherit the business, how would it have given him any advantage he didn’t already have? No, he didn’t kill them.”

Oliver nodded. “Still, desperate men do desperate things. It is one of the reasons I want Larson to leave England.”

They didn’t have time to discuss the subject any further because an angry Dominic Larson entered the sitting room. He scowled at Benton before he noticed Oliver. Once he did, he gaped.

“Hello, Mr. Larson, I’m assuming you weren’t expecting me,” he said dryly.

Larson smirked at him. “So, she told you about her obscene publications. I should have reported her to the government for supplying all types of sordid material to women. It is immoral!”

Oliver studied him. “I’m not sure you have much room to judge, Mr. Larson, based on your own—known—vices.”

Kitty’s uncle turned red. “I will go to the newspapers if you both don’t continue to pay me.”

Oliver rose from his chair and stepped closer to the man, who tried to shuffle backward, but the guard held him in place. “I don’t think you will. I’ve contacted all your clubs, and the banks, and anyone from whom you’ve borrowed money in the past, and they’ve agreed not to allow you entry or provide you loans.”

Larson’s face paled, but he continued to bluster. “You don’t have that type of power.”

Oliver couldn’t help but smirk at Larson in return. The man was so arrogantly unsufferable. “I can assure you I do.”

“I will find other clubs.”

“And I will have those clubs deny you entry as well,” Oliver stated.

The room fell quiet, but eventually, Larson said, “What do you want?”

Oliver was prepared for this; now he handed the man the paper he’d tucked into his breast pocket. “I’m prepared to provide you with a sizable sum to live off of as long as you depart from the London Docks to the Continent tomorrow. This will be the last payment you receive from my family.”

Larson read the amount and said, “I have some things to do first.”

“My guard, Mr. Hutchison, will escort you until you board the ship.”

“No!” Larson snapped.

“Yes, I will meet you and him at the ship in the London Docks. Your money will be provided then. If I discover you speaking ill of my wife or her business, things will be much worse. Don’t cross me.”

Larson sulked. “It seems like I don’t have a choice.”

“You don’t,” Oliver said and turned to Benton. “Do you have anything to add?”

Benton looked at Larson. “Your poor choices have prevented you from having a relationship with your nieces. They are remarkable. Shame on you for choosing a life of vice over them.”

Embarrassment flickered across Larson’s face, but it quickly disappeared when he spat out, “They are spoiled brats.”

Oliver was unable to stop his reaction when he grabbed the vile man by the front of his shirt and lifted him up to snarl into his face, “Do not speak poorly of my family ever again. Do you understand?”

Larson sputtered, and his eyes went wide. He nodded and wiggled, trying to break free. Oliver released him with a shove, then turned to Mr. Hutchison. “Please stay with him at all times. I will meet you at the ship tomorrow.”

“Yes, my lord,” the guard agreed.

His plan complete, Oliver nodded at Benton, then turned and left the room without another word.