“That doesn’t mean I wanted him labeled a traitor. The old fool is taking me down as well.”
Henry nodded. “Corruption by blood. If the attainder by verdict goes through, the duke will be barred from inheriting or transmitting property, and you will be barred from inheriting his property and his title.”
“I have little doubt he won’t be attainted. My solicitor informed me my accounts have been frozen, and I had a line of creditors at my door this morning.”
“What brought you…here?”
“The taverness claims we started a riot last night and are financially responsible for the damage.”
“Riot?” Henry waved a hand. “It was barely a brawl.”
“That’s what I said, but I offered to pay her so I could follow her here. I needed somewhere to hide from the tailors and haberdashers. But now that you’re here, I can finally be free.”
“About that—”
“If you don’t want me at your house in Town, I’ll go to one of your country estates. I should lie low for a few months. Until all of this blows over.”
“It’s treason and corruption of the blood, King. I hardly think it will blow over.”
“It’s not as thoughIsold secrets to the French. I couldn’t even tell you the last time I spoke to my father.”
“And no one in thetonwill care one way or another. You’re a pariah.”
“It will pass.”
“No, it won’t. This isn’t like one of our school pranks, Kingston. Your father is to be executed. You are to be thrust out of Society. It won’t pass.”
King crossed his arms over his chest and gave his friend a long look. “What are you saying? You won’t help me?”
Henry looked away. “Of course I’ll help you.”
“Then why won’t you meet my eyes?”
Henry looked at him. “Because I can’t do what you asked in your letter. I can’t offer you shelter. That could reflect poorly on me. I consulted my lawyer—”
“Not alawyer.” King wanted to groan in frustration. If there was anything he hated, it was lawyers.
Henry shuffled, looking rather sheepish. “My debts are rather more numerous than I like to admit, and my lawyer thinks if I’m seen providing you succor, that might propel the gentlemen holding my vowels to demand payment.”
King wanted to argue, but what could he say? Henry was right. King was tainted, and if Henry was seen associating with him, the taint could bring him down too.
“I just need to pay off my debts, and then I’ll be able to help you.”
“How long until you can do that?”
“A few good nights at the tables, and voilà!” Henry snapped his fingers.
King resisted the urge to pull out his hair and scream. Carlisle was in debtbecauseof a few nights at the tables. Though he usually had good luck, the duke often lost enormous sums. King enjoyed the gambling tables himself, but he never bet more than a couple hundred pounds. If he lost, he walked away. Henry couldn’t seem to walk away. He often continued playing even after he’d lost thousands.
King felt that awful sinking feeling in his belly again. He didn’t want to think about it. Didn’t want to consider his bleak future. “Isn’t thereanythingyou can do?”
“Of course. I brought your clothes.”
King brightened at this. “You did?”
“You know my valet and Danby are good friends. My valet snatched up several items of your clothing before Danby could sell them to the pawnbrokers. I have them in the coach.” Henry walked outside, and King followed.
He refrained from commenting on what he’d like to do to Danby. How dare the man sell his clothing?
