Page 46 of An Earl’s Sacrifice (The Clandestine Sapphire Society #3)

Once inside Lucius’s bedchamber via the bathing chamber, Ashcroft set his tin box on the bedside table. He pulled his spectacles from his waistcoat pocket and slipped them on. “Don’t know why we’re bothering to doctor you up.”

“Because my wife demands it,” he said wryly.

The late afternoon sun struggled to pierce the heavy drapes, casting long, somber shadows across the chamber. Lucius moved next to the bed, discarded his banyan, and stood wordlessly watching Ashcroft situate his tin box.

Ashcroft gently tugged at the bandages. “Why didn’t you tell Meredith who I am?”

“Frankly, I forgot. But I think I will leave that to you. Should be quite the awkward conversation.”

“Something you take great pleasure in, I take it?”

“I don’t want her angry at me. I’ve done enough damage,” he said with a quick grin. It just as quickly disappeared. “Rathbourne fears Parliament is going to enforce the laws passed in the Mines Act, isn’t he? But I fear my knowledge on it is limited.”

“1842.”

“What?”

“The Mines and Collieries Act of 1842. Basically, it prohibits women and girls from working underground in the mines. Too dangerous. The act also bans boys under the age of ten. Before that, boys from the age of five were put to work.”

The bandages came away without Lucius even feeling them. “Good God,” he breathed. No wonder Meredith was so angry. “So if there are inspections…”

“They would have to comply with the laws.” Ashcroft straightened and stood back. “And here is the real kicker, my friend.”

Lucius lifted a brow at this familiarity.

Ashcroft folded his arms over his chest and rocked back on his heels. No apology forthcoming. And why should there be? He was Rathbourne’s heir after all. “The fact that you are not dead means you could be charged with the same crimes. You are the Earl of Pender.”

“Christ.” Lucius shoved his hand through his hair. “You’re right. Meredith, too, could be charged.”

“Unless we learn exactly why Rathbourne is so determined to keep the inspectors at bay. He owns thirty percent of the mineral rights, I believe.”

“You don’t remember? It was in the betrothal agreement you had in your possession—in case you’ve forgotten,” he added, his voice coated with irony.

Ashcroft disregarded his jibe, his thoughts already whirring with something Lucius couldn’t read.

He dug around in his tin and pulled out the salve then applied it.

“The stitch is torn just a little. If you can restrain yourself from overzealous activity for another few days, you’ll likely be fine. ”

“The mineral rights?” Lucius prodded him.

“Right.” Ashcroft tugged off his glasses and slid them back where he’d retrieved them, speaking absently, as if his thoughts were already miles beyond the current track.

“I haven’t observed children working the mines.

Not under the age of twelve at any rate.

” His eyes blinked and his focus was back.

“It was your wife who was instrumental in keeping the really young children from the mines due to the school she introduced.” He sounded proud, admiring.

“She literally pays families to keep their children in school.”

And, damn if Lucius could fault him. The same sense of appreciative gratification filled him at what she’d accomplished over the past three years. On. Her. Own. “Tommy Trenwith?”

“Yes. There’s also talk in Parliament of another inquiry. The Mines Act of ’42 was just the start. They’re looking for heads to put on pikes,” Ashcroft said, his voice low but firm. “I suspect he and Thornfield are hiding something even more nefarious.”

Lucius pinned Ashcroft, his eyes narrowing.

Again, the man ignored him. “My mind keeps going back to those missing stewards.”

“Hell.” Lucius flew off the bed and snatched his banyan. “My coat.”

Ashcroft’s brows beetled.

“I searched Thornfield’s office and found a book. A ledger of sorts. Some of those missing stewards’ names were listed. Beside their names were notations of ‘removed’ and ‘relocated’ and ‘resolved.’” Silence filled the room after this little revelation. “Not very encouraging, is it?” Lucius said.

Ashcroft paced the room, again with that closed yet thoughtful look on his face.

“Rathbourne’s not wrong to worry. The employment of children younger than ten working the mines is quite specific and a direct violation of the law.

Hell, the Trenwith child was ten. And though he snuck inside, his age alone doesn’t break the law.

Indeed, it speaks volumes that Thornfield offered no protest when Meredith fixed the age limit to twelve. ”

Lucius frowned. “And the women?”

“As long as they are not working below ground… again, not illegal. Which tells me…”

“That if inspectors come sniffing about, they’ll find more than enough to hang him,” Lucius finished for him.

“—and you.” Ashcroft’s lips compressed.

The possibility infuriated Lucius. He crossed the room in a few long strides to the fire. “And me. This is Rathbourne’s and my father’s doing. Their mines, their overseer, their orders. Neither Meredith nor I had anything to do with any of it.”

Ashcroft’s tone was sharp. “True. Unless we can learn what they are hiding. I suspect your death not only gives my father control of everything through Lady Pender, but also a place to lay blame. Your name is still tied to the estate, and these are your lands. Do you think Parliament or the broadsheet dwellers will care to untangle the nuances? You’ll both be condemned. ”

Lucius ran a hand through his hair, pacing the room. “So, what then? Do I march into Thornfield’s and demand to know what he’s hiding?” He stopped. The ledgers he’d received from Thornfield. The numbers hadn’t added up. “Thornfield’s likely skimming profits.”

“Probably not enough for Rathbourne to care. No. There has to be something else.”

Something hit Lucius like a kick in his chest. “Meredith caught Rathbourne searching the study. It didn’t make sense because the room is unusable and being readied for renovation.”

“Apparently, he’s desperate enough to silence anyone who threatens his control,” Ashcroft said, his voice taking on a darker edge.

His hand squeezed into a fist at his side.

“He knows the tide is turning. He’s scared.

” His lips curled in a cutting smile sharp as a dagger’s edge glinting in candlelight.

Again, his eyes focused. “We need that book you took from Thornfield.”

“Yes. Yes, we do.” Lucius stormed from his chamber prepared to shock anyone who crossed his path.