Love Engineered (15 page)

Charles sat motionless. Surely this was not true?

Mr Russell continued. “Miss Thomas's reaction was, of course, to doubt this woman, but she decided to investigate all the same. How could she not?”

“Indeed.” Charles's mind was almost unable to comprehend what he had just heard. If this was what had really happened, he had made a grave mistake. But then, Miss Thomas had said Risinger had tried to defraud her.

“She came to me, and I employed a private investigator. Nearly a month later, I obtained material proof that Mr Risinger was in fact leading her into bad investments. He borrowed money from several people to pay her, to show that his advice in investments yielded profit.”

Charles swallowed, his throat was dry. “What happened next?”

“She confronted Mr Risinger of course, and he denied everything at first, but after she showed him the evidence his reaction was extreme. It took four of her strongest servants to restrain him; but not after he had struck her several times.”

“He did that?”

Mr Russell leaned forward and took a pen between his long thin fingers. “I saw her the day after he was taken into custody, and she had terrible bruises on her face where he hit her. He was completely unrepentant. She was far too lenient with him, in my opinion. Should have had him locked up. The fraud alone would have given him at least fifteen years in prison, possibly transportation, and the evidence was overwhelming. Still, it was her decision. I'm sure a man wouldn't have been so charitable.”

“Why would he do that to her?” Charles whispered.

“He wanted her estate, her money. He even stated it openly; he said as Sir Robert's only godson, he should have the right to her inheritance.”

“A strange idea.”

“Yes, but even stranger given that Sir Robert wasn't Mr Risinger's godfather, though he had been as generous as one.”

Mr Russell sat back in his chair. “His intention all along had been to get Miss Thomas to marry him so that he could obtain her estate. He realised that the gift of five thousand pounds was the final proof that she didn't consider marriage with him.”

“Perhaps he didn't believe her,” Charles said, suddenly realising he believed her now and not his friend. “Or denied to himself that she felt anything other than platonic sentiments towards him. Maybe he believed that over time she would fall in love with him.”

“Perhaps,” Mr Russell acknowledged.

“What happened next?” Charles found himself asking.

“After the servants restrained him, the local magistrate was called, and he was taken into custody. After much discussion, he agreed to leave the country for good, if Miss Thomas wouldn't press charges. He wanted to go to France. What to do, I know not, but he was to leave immediately. He was escorted to Calais, and then on to a train headed for Paris, and he was gone.

“Miss Thomas saw nothing of Mr Risinger until that day in your house. We believed him still in France, true to the agreement.”

“She told you they met here?”

“Yes, she summoned me that day. She also asked me to show you the affidavit Risinger signed admitting his guilt.”

It took some minutes for Charles to read the paper; the words swirled. “His crimes are grievous,” he said eventually.

“Yes, but they do not stop there.”

Charles looked up. “There is more?”

Mr Russell nodded. “Miss Thomas has asked me to explain about the child. She believed Mr Risinger had made you believe it was hers?” Mr Russell gave a small laugh.

“That is what he told me, yes.” Charles went cold. He was sure he was about to be told the child was not hers.

“Soon after he was released from custody and in France, Mr Risinger, anxious that Miss Thomas might cancel the contract on his marriage, sought out a dying widow who agreed to marry him.

“This woman, who was with child by her recently deceased husband, married Mr Risinger so he could obtain the money, and in return, he promised to look after the child as his own. The marriage took place, and soon after the child was born, the mother passed away. However, Mr Risinger, having received his money, left the woman many weeks before and did nothing to look after the child. He has, I believe, never seen the child, and although he is the legal father, named as such quite legally on the birth certificate, he has never honoured his promise to his wife.

“Miss Thomas visited the grandparents, who confirmed the abandonment. They themselves, being infirm, were not capable of looking after the child, so Miss Thomas graciously asked if she could place the child with a loving but childless couple near Glazebrook, who agreed to look after her as their own. The child has now been legally adopted by them and is very happy. Mr Risinger can never have any claim on her; something that Miss Thomas was eager to ensure, given his previous behaviour.”

Mr Russell handed Charles several papers: a birth certificate of a child, “Marie Annette Risinger”, and adoption papers, several of which were in French.

“It's a mystery how Mr Risinger found out that the baby was adopted out.” Mr Russell stared at Charles. “Though, given the amount of gossip that goes about London, it's no small wonder.”

Charles took a deep breath. He had never heard any gossip, but then, he wasn't the sort of man who was interested in it. It was only Risinger who had ever told him of Miss Thomas.

Mr Russell continued again. “I must warn you in the strongest possible terms against any further involvement with Mr Risinger, either personally or in business. He has proved himself to be dishonourable, dishonest and completely untrustworthy.”

Charles pulled at his shirt collar. He suddenly felt ashamed. She was in the right. Absolved of everything. Innocent. Sudden regret swamped him. He had acted unreasonably towards her, accused her and believed Risinger. He had been hasty, irrational and stupid.

Mr Russell spoke again. “I have to say Mr Lucas, I was surprised when Miss Thomas gave me leave to let you see these papers, though not in the way you may think. In fact, I was rather pleased that she has told someone else about Mr Risinger. She keeps things so close and has only ever told one other person, her cousin Lord Philip Eldon, and he's not much help. She shuts herself away from society so much these days. She does have dinners and attends parties but there is no one she is really close to. There was a time she wouldn't come near London because she was pursued by fortune hunters. But it's nice to know she's made friends with such an eminent person as yourself. In fact, it's an honour to meet you.”

He paused briefly before he continued. “I have known her a long time you see, since she was a girl, and she was always an excellent child. She has many responsibilities and sometimes they appear to weigh her down considerably, but I'm sure you know that. It's not an easy task running an estate as large as hers these days, especially with so much change going on in the world. Yes, I'm glad that you know these details, it will at least be good for her to have another confidant in this matter. She hasn't told you about Mr Robert Adams, then?”

Mr Russell's sudden change of subject surprised him. “Mr Adams? No.” Charles shook his head.

“No, I didn't think so. I just thought she might have done, what with Mr Adams investing so much in your work. But I've said too much already.” He held up his hands.

This last comment silenced Mr Russell henceforth and he said nothing more for some time as Charles gave the papers one more glance, to imprint everything on his mind.

Mr Russell's earlier speech about Miss Thomas didn't help the overwhelming feeling of guilt Charles now had. He was utterly and completely wrong. Now he didn't know what to do. His mind moved to the other accusations he laid at her door, including his charge of unladylike behaviour. He still considered what she had done as highly unusual, even though she had been exonerated of Risinger's lies. But lies they were and he felt somewhat embarrassed at having believed them.

The knowledge that he had aroused such a physical response in her was still a little strange. He had never been a romantic man, and couldn't understand these feelings that she professed to have. Had his earlier feelings for her been love?

His thoughts were intruded on by Mr Russell's monotonous voice. “I don't suppose you have heard the latest goings on with Mr Risinger?”

“That he is to go to America?”

“Yes, but more than that. We had word this morning that he has disappeared.”

“Disappeared?” Concern spread across Charles's face.

“Yes. He was being watched of course; Miss Thomas saw to that a while ago. No, what I mean is he gave the men who watched him the slip the other night. Not sure how he managed it, but he's definitely gone, the blighter.”

“Does Miss Thomas know?”

Mr Russell delved into his waistcoat pocket and pulled out a silver watch. “Yes, by now the man sent to tell her will have reached her. She's on her way to France. But I'm sure you know that.”

Charles nodded. Jane had told him.

“And what is being done to find him?” Charles felt a sudden agitation and he wasn't sure why.

“We have many men looking for him. Don't concern yourself too much. No expense will be spared to find him.”

“And what about Miss Thomas's safety? He attacked her once before. Should there not be extra men to protect her? And the child too? Should she not be taken somewhere safe until he is found?”

Mr Russell sat back in his chair. “Yes. You're right. Thank you for your concern. A true friend to Miss Thomas! I think that is an excellent idea. I shall arrange it immediately. Extra protection is exactly what she needs.”

After a short pause, Charles spoke again. “If there is anything I can do to assist you, please let me know, even the smallest thing.”

“Thank you Mr Lucas, although I wouldn't want to trouble such a busy man as yourself.”

“It's no trouble. I insist. If there is anything I can do, please tell me.”

“Of course.” Mr Russell smiled and his cool gaze settled on Charles for a moment.

Mr Russell left soon after, and Charles's thoughts were in turmoil. Part of him shrank away from the grave mistake he had made: it was mortifying. He had been so rude to Miss Thomas, both at her own house and his. The other part, the stronger part of him, knew that he must beg Miss Thomas's pardon for what he had done. He had to do it, as a gentleman. This would be a little more difficult with her on her way to France, so being the practical man he was, he knew what he must do.

He called at Miss Thomas's house to enquire after an address to write to her. He was told by her assistant that his mistress had expressly asked him to open all letters and return any of them that were from the Lucas family. The man was adamant that he was to follow her instructions, for to disobey his kind and thoughtful employer wasn't to be contemplated. Charles even tried to bribe the man, but received a cutting response. The man was too loyal to even do that, saying that no amount of money would make him betray his mistress. It seemed the man was to receive a generous pension from her, and he wasn't willing to jeopardise it.

Charles asked if he could be informed of her return, but the assistant didn't know, or at least that is what he said. He suspected that he didn't wish to tell him. In any case, the man was leaving that day to join his employer in France, and therefore trying to get a letter to Miss Thomas through the lawyer would prove a fruitless endeavour. The assistant would be in France before it.

He left her house agitated, and annoyed that any letter would be returned, because it was his own fault. He had desired all contact with his family to be at an end, and she was simply following his wishes.

That evening, when their mother had retired, Charles told Jane of the things he had learned about Louise. Jane sat silent and grave as she listened to him, until he told her of the child, and then she was no longer able to keep quiet.

“Did I not tell you Miss Thomas was of an exemplary character? What a mess you have created for me. Look how foolish you have been!”

“Yes, foolish is probably the correct word for it,” he said in a serious tone.

“I have always been a much better judge of character than you,” Jane said. “I thought there was something sinister about Mr Risinger. I'm very angry at you, Charles. My dear friend has been treated badly. Think how upset she must be.”

Charles didn't dare mention the fact that Miss Thomas had declared her wish to marry him. What Jane would say to that, he could guess. She would most likely tell him that he was a fool to turn her down and that he didn't deserve the attentions of a woman so much better than he. She was probably right.

Jane continued on. “I feel the loss of my friend greatly. Despite the infrequency of our time spent together, I have grown fond of Louise. I'm still angry with you, but what is done is done, and now I have to look forward and help you gain pardon for any wrongdoing. I'm sure in time I will forgive you completely. I suppose you can't help your lack of intuition regarding the character of men and women. The problem is your engineering-like approach to life. You would get along better in life if men and women were machines.”

Ordinarily, Charles would have defended himself, but not today. “I'm trying to correct the situation. I have tried and will continue to try to speak to Miss Thomas to ask her forgiveness.”

“Good. Not that you deserve it.”

“I know. But I have to try.”

Jane touched his arm in an affectionate gesture. “If I know Louise, she will forgive you.”

Charles's spirits lifted. “You think she will?”

“Yes.”

The next day, Mrs Lucas was included in the information her son had brought. Jane told her everything, but Mrs Lucas wouldn't be drawn into expressing an opinion of censure for her son. An opinionated woman, she still had designs on a match between her son and Miss Thomas, and kept to her hope that this might still happen.

The messenger who carried the letter telling Louise of Mr Risinger's disappearance reached her just after she arrived at Dover. She was shocked, dismayed and angry at the news, but part of her wasn’t completely surprised that something had happened. She rued the day she had ever contacted Mr Risinger after her father died. If she had ever thought all this would happen especially now, to top everything else.