She knew that Grae planned to sail in about a week. The cargo was due soon and once it was on board, the ship would be ready. And she would be on it.
With her mind made up, Arista made her way to the street. She had only gone a few steps when a carriage pulled up alongside her. “A lovely evening for a stroll,” Wild said from the window. “Did everything go well with Lord Raffer?” Raffer. So that was the despicable man’s name. She tried to keep her face as neutral as possible. If Wild had any inkling that she intended to deceive him, this night would not end well for her.
“Yes, he gave me his payment.” She stepped closer and handed Wild the small bag through the opening. She heard the unmistakable jingling of coins, and then Wild handed her half of tonight’s money. Tucking it safely in her reticule, she started to move past the carriage.
“I have arranged a meeting for one week from now—a new client who is very interested in meeting Lady A. He has indicated that masks won’t be necessary.” A thin line of white smoke drifted from the window of the carriage.
Arista’s feet froze to the ground. No mask? “That’s not how it works.”
“The meeting will be held in a discreet place, I assure you, so you don’t have to worry that anyone else will see you.”
“Why?” Something didn’t feel right. Anyone dealing with Lady A had no need to see her face to conduct business. Not unless they had ulterior motives.
“He simply wishes to see the face of the woman he does business with. As I said, your safety is my utmost concern.” His bored tone told her more than his words did. Her safety did not interest him at all.
“No. If what you said is true, if this is a real partnership, then I have a say in how things work, correct? Or is this where you reveal your true colors, and I find you are no better than Bones?” It was a bold move, calling him out on the promise that he’d made her at Lady Carstair’s party. He would either prove to be a liar and demand she do as he bid her, or he would relent.
Wild leaned out the window. She did not miss the steely glint in his eyes. “This is a very lucrative offer. You could have the money you need to go to India after only a few meetings. Isn’t that your goal?”
The ground beneath her feet shifted, and Arista stumbled. How did he know about that? She had only ever talked about it with Becky and Nic. And Grae. In public—several times now. The air left her lungs in a soft whoosh.
He chuckled, a dark sound that made her cringe. “I have ears everywhere, Lady A. London belongs to me, and I know everything that goes on in it. It really would be foolish to pass up this opportunity. If we both get what we want, we can conclude our partnership.”
The tiny tic in the corner of his mouth gave away his lie. He had no intention of letting her go. But she had no intention of staying. It was only a matter of time before one of them would betray the other.
Play along. Let him think he has you.
She gave an exaggerated sigh. “How much is he offering?”
“More than the rest put together.” His smile told her everything. He thought he’d won already. She would need to fit in as many meetings as she could before Grae’s ship left, in order to collect enough money to put this life behind her.
She was to meet Wild’s new client in a week. It was scarcely enough time to enact her plan, but it had to work. “It’s not as though I have any other choice, do I?” she said.
“Oh, there are always choices, my dear,” he answered pleasantly. “But I trust you will make the wise one. I will send instructions for the meeting’s place and time.” Arista jumped back as the carriage sprang forward and disappeared into the night.
She would begin sending notes tomorrow, and by the time Wild sent for her to meet with this mystery person, she would be on a ship heading far away from London.
The very next morning, Arista sent out a dozen notes, the addressees carefully chosen based on their ability to pay quickly—only familiar names, those she knew were well off. Time could not be wasted with those who did not have the means to meet her offer quickly.
Those others would receive their letters after she set sail. There would be no demand for money, only their secrets returned, free and clear. Yes, she could make demands of all of them—threaten to expose their secrets—but then she would be no better than Bones or Wild.
She was not like them. She would not cause fear and pain for profit. Not anymore.
They may have set their own blackmail in motion by contacting Bones in the first place, but desperation caused a good many people to make bad choices. People like Grae’s father, who years later was still being manipulated. No, she would end everything before she left. And if they chose to move back into that world, well, she couldn’t be the one to help them.