A Devious Lot (Antiques & Collectibles Mysteries Book 5) by Ellery Adams, Parker Riggs Read Free Book Online Page B

Percy said firmly. “Since that fateful day you met at the Crystal Palace, it’s clear to everyone you’re meant to be together.”
    “Clear to everyone, but her parents,” Julius said sadly. “Her father has won. I must admit defeat. Lillian is lost to me.”
    “You must fight for her,” Percy said. “Talk to her father. Lord Gilbert is a reasonable man. I’m sure he’ll see the error of his ways when he realizes how much you care for each other. It’s wrong of him to force Lillian into a loveless marriage.”
    Julius cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, Percy, I should have told you I met Lillian’s parents a week after we met.” Percy’s eyebrows went up. “Lillian invited me to her home, hoping her father could be persuaded to accept me.” Julius took another, longer, drink of whiskey. “They were polite and cordial, but after I left, her father ordered her not to see me again. He told her she must resign herself to marrying Henson. Since then, she’s been trying to wear him down, to make him see reason, but to no avail.”
    Percy frowned. “Good God, man. I’m terribly sorry. I thought if Lord Gilbert met you he would surely drop this insane scheme.”
    Julius slugged back the rest of the whiskey, hoping its soothing properties would kick in soon. When the others arrived, he would have to mingle and converse for an hour before dinner was served. It would be torture.
    “Meeting Lillian has been the best and worst thing that’s ever happened to me,” Julius said. “The best, because I have finally known what it is to love someone, and the worst, because I must give her up.”
    “There must be a way,” Percy said. “Have you heard the rumors about Victor Henson?”
    Julius shook his head. “You know I don’t travel in your social circles. How would I have heard any rumors?”
    “Well, you’re in my social circle now, so allow me to enlighten you. You know he’s a widower?”
    “Yes, I know his wife died last year. Was she ill?”
    “That’s just the thing . . . the rumor is that he killed her. By poisoning her, no less.”
    Julius stared at him. “Was there an inquest?”
    “Yes, only because her parents insisted on it,” Percy said. “Her death was deemed to be from natural causes. Not surprising really, considering Henson is an important man in the business community, and very, very wealthy. There are many people who would support him no matter what he did.”
    “Does Lillian’s father know?”
    “Of course,” Percy said. “My father told me another rumor about Henson. It’s believed he spends much time in the company of fallen women in Whitechapel, and that he has beaten a few of them.”
    “What?” Julius felt the whiskey burning his empty stomach. “He beats women, and pays them for . . . ?”
    “Yes.”
    “How cruel, and criminal. To treat any women that way, and his wife.”
    “Indeed.” Percy slugged back his drink. “And now Henson is in pursuit of a new wife, and has set his sights on Lillian. Her father appears to be of the camp that chooses not to believe the rumors.”
    The parlor doors opened and a servant came in to collect their empty glasses. There were never drinks served during the mingling hour, much to Julius’s disappointment. He could have used another. With their guests soon to arrive, Harriett appeared in a rustle of silk skirts. Her dress was pink with white ribbons, her hair was adorned with red roses. She went to Julius, and her eyes filled with tears.
    He kissed her hand and said, “Happy birthday, Harriett. Please don’t let anything ruin your special day.”
    “Dear Julius.” She glanced at Percy. “My brother has told you . . . ?”
    “Yes, he did,” Julius said.
    “What will you do?”
    “I don’t know if I can do anything,” Julius said. “It’s out of my power to stop the marriage from happening.”
    Percy said, “Don’t worry, we’ll think of something.”
    The clock chimed eight, and voices sounded in the