A Wedding In Springtime(82)

Genie held up the jewels to the light. “Where did you get these?”

Blakely shifted in his seat. “I bought them for you.”

“Did you perhaps buy them from a Mr. Smythe?”

Blakely shifted again. “How—how did you know that?”

“Mr. Smythe is actually my brother. He gave me these earlier. I wore them to Almack’s. Did you not notice?”

Blakely opened his mouth but said nothing. He clearly had not noticed.

Genie put her hand on Blakely’s sleeve. It was time to present her case for her brother. “My brother decided to come to London on holiday and took an assumed name because he wanted to pursue some amusements without our father discovering him. I know it sounds very foolish and he ought not to have done it, but he is young still. Mr. Blakely, is it you that he owes a great sum of money to?”

Mr. Blakely swallowed convulsively and said nothing. On his forehead, tiny beads of perspiration began to form. He gave a barely perceivable nod.

“Well, this is fortuitous! You see, my brother misunderstood the amounts of money he was gambling for. It is very silly I know, but he does not have anywhere near the money to pay the debt. It is very fortunate then that we will be married and of course you will forgive the debt.”

Mr. Blakely took the emeralds back and snapped the box shut. He stood and began to pace the room.

“Mr. Blakely?” asked Genie, a pit growing in her stomach.

“It is unfortunate indeed that your brother was so foolish,” said Blakely, his voice cold. “But he is responsible for his debts.”

“You would demand a debt from your own brother-in-law?”

“No, indeed I will not. But from your brother I certainly shall.”

“Mr. Blakely!”

“It is a debt of honor! Your brother should never have gambled more than he had to lose. I am not responsible for him, you hear me?” His face was red and he was breathing fast.

“My brother is young and naive. Surely you would not persecute him because of it. Surely there is some compassion in your heart, if not for him, then for me?”

“I am sorry, Miss Talbot, but I fear that I will not be able to serve as a husband and spare you from the social ruin your family clearly deserves. Your dowry could not make up for the loss of the debt which I fully intend to collect from your brother. Please do not take this personally; it is simply a matter of finances.”

“I think it is time for you to leave,” said Genie, her fists balled at her sides. She was unaccustomed to anger, so the sudden urge to do this man physical damage came as a shock.

“I wish things had transpired differently, but I do expect to be paid.”

He exited the room, leaving Genie fuming. Vile, wretched man! She followed him out to the entryway, where the butler appeared with his coat, walking stick, and top hat.

“Do allow me,” said Genie sweetly, taking the hat and walking stick from the butler. With all the rage within her, she balled up her fist and punched out the top of the hat.

“What are you doing?” demanded Blakely.

“Showing you the full extent of my appreciation for your kindness to my family.” Genie held out the stick with both hands and slammed it down on her thigh, breaking it in half.

“Are you mad?” shouted Blakely.

“Now get out, you vile snake.” Genie threw the ruined hat and the pieces of his walking stick at his feet.

“Genie!” Lady Bremerton called down from the stairs above. “What are you doing?”

“I am forcibly removing this repulsive creature from your house, Aunt Cora.”

“Genie! How could you? Mr. Blakely, there has been a misunderstanding, please don’t go!”

But go he did, and none too soon for Genie, who felt she might become sick if she looked at his cold eyes any longer. Her aunt continued to rail on behind her, but Genie tried to shut her ears.

“Of all the foolish, headstrong, stupid girls, you certainly are the worst, Eugenia Talbot. How, how could you treat me this way? Why did you chase Mr. Blakely from this house like a harpy?”

“Mr. Blakely is a hideous man, Aunt. He was only interested in marriage to me for the money and when he thought he would not get enough for his trouble, he rescinded the offer.”

“But what did you do wrong? You must have done something wrong!”

Genie walked in a daze back to the parlor and sunk into a chair exhausted. She bit her lip trying to hold back the tears. What on earth was she going to do now?