A Wedding In Springtime(85)

Genie did not like the way he said that word. She did not like this man at all and ventured no further into the room. “Please state your terms, Mr…”

“Candyman is what you may call me, missy. I see you are one to get down to business. No chitchat for you today, eh, missy?” His tone was not as friendly as his words and she could not like the way he rubbed his hands together.

Genie said nothing and waited. He wanted her here for a reason, and she was certain he would get to it sooner without her help.

“Yes, well, terms. It is a grievous amount of blunt your brother lost. Grievous indeed.”

“Twelve thousand pounds. What are you terms?”

“Well, now, if I be giving you such a large sum of money, what’s to say you will be able to pay me back? Tell me, Miss Talbot, how you intend to repay me?”

“I have some pin money I receive every week—”

“Miss Talbot! Pin money? We are speaking of twelve thousand pounds, my dear. Not even the pin money for the royal princess would be enough to repay that amount.”

“So you will not lend me the money?”

“Now, now, let’s not get too hasty. I see you are upset. Poor dear. Now, let me see if I can be of help. Maybe instead of money, you can pay me in service.”

Genie stiffened. There was a limit to what she would do for her brother. “I am a respectable lady.”

“You haven’t even heard my proposal. And my but you do make some interesting assumptions. I’m not talking of that sort of arrangement, though I will say you could make a pretty penny on your back. But women, they always have it easy, just lie back and do nothing for their supper, but don’t they complain about it, like you actually asked them to work.”

Genie took a step backward at that pretty speech. She should not have come.

“What I want from you is a piece of paper. That’s all,” said the Candyman, his voice dropping even lower.

“A piece of paper?” Genie wished she could see this man, but he kept to the shadow, the hat brim concealing his features.

“See now, not so bad, not so bad. One letter is all I ask for twelve thousand pounds. You won’t get better odds. You bring me the letter, and I’ll pay your debt.”

“Why? What letter?”

“You needn’t be so nosy. You bring me the letter; I pay the debt. Do we have a deal?”

“What letter?” Genie repeated.

“In the study of the Duke of Marchford is a safe behind a picture frame. Inside the safe is a letter with a red seal. Bring it to me and all your problems are answered.”

“I could not steal from the duke.” She could not, could she?

“Such a little thing to ask for the life of your brother,” said the Candyman in a soft low voice.

“My brother’s life?”

“He will be ruined if he cannot pay a debt of honor. Only one thing left to do but to take a swim in the Thames.”

“No!”

“Well now, missy, what did you expect? Only honorable thing to do if you have no hope to pay your debts, and so I told him.”

“Am I to understand that you recommended my brother take his own life?” Genie swallowed hard on the lump lodged in her throat. Her stomach tightened into granite.

“Didn’t recommend anything. Just saying, in certain circumstances, it is the only respectable thing to do. He asked for a loan but there was nothing he could do for me. Not like you. There is a way you can pay the debt.”

“He is an impressionable young man, you have no business recommending suicide.”

“There now, don’t take a pet. It will all be right as rain when you bring me the letter.”

“I will do no such thing.”

“Remember now, it has a red seal. When you get it, bring it to the Thorn and Thistle on Salt Street.”

“Not here?”

“Not here.”

“When should I meet you?”

“Go to the Thorn and Thistle and say you are looking for the Candyman. They’ll find me. Mind you, do not give it to anyone else. And come alone. Don’t bring your driver next time.”

“I cannot possibly go to a public house unchaperoned in London.”

“Don’t you worry. You won’t be alone for long.” His tone made her wish she were a lad, so she could knock him senseless. Genie blinked at the sudden violent turn her thoughts had taken. It was the second time in one day that she had wished to do harm to another person.