Free Never Doubt I Love by Patricia Veryan Page B

want to sell, they resort to such charming persuasions as blackmail or intimidation, or even murder. We don’t know how many unfortunately. We do know they’ve been responsible for some terrible tragedies.”
    Glendenning said, “They’re also stirring up public unrest. You’ll have noted all the little street flurries of late.”
    â€œNow there’s a masterpiece of understatement,” said Cranford. “I was nigh embroiled in a couple of ‘flurries’ I’d be more inclined to name full-fledged riots! But, what makes you think your—er, League can be blamed for ’em?”
    â€œWe don’t think. We know,” Furlong answered gravely. “They’re well organized and well funded. They’ve sent out trained agitators whose task it is to spread discontent. They’re expert at whipping the people into a frenzy. As prime examples of the degeneracy and corruption of those in high places, they point to the once-powerful gentlemen they themselves have deliberately disgraced and ruined.”
    â€œBe damned,” muttered Cranford.
    â€œAnother of their jolly hobbies is wrecking,” said the viscount. “You’ve read of all the recent shipping losses?”
    Appalled, Cranford exclaimed, “But—that would be wholesale murder! Women, and little children! No, surely, you must be mistaken? What would they have to gain?”
    â€œThe cargoes,” said Morris.
    â€œBut the cargoes were lost with the ships.”
    Furlong shook his head. “Not so, Perry. Morris and Falcon are recently come from Cornwall. They found Johnny Armitage there, and—”
    â€œArmitage? Is he still alive? I thought he went down with his ship about two years ago.”
    â€œAnd in darkest disgrace, eh? Not so. ’Twas more of the League’s brutal work, and succeeded to a point. Armitage had a very ugly two years, poor devil. But—”
    Morris put in, “But August and I were able to give him a helping hand.” He grinned at the memory. “’Twas a merry brawl, I can tell you! We caught the League red-handed at their tricks, and found out that the ships’ cargoes are stolen before sailing! Sooner or later during the voyage, the vessels are scuttled so that the thefts go unsuspected.”
    Stunned by the enormity of it, Cranford said haltingly, “And the passengers and crew are sacrificed to greed? No, you never mean it! ’Tis past belief that men could plan so dreadful a thing only for—”
    â€œFor a great deal of money,” put in Glendenning. “Which is used to finance their plot to bring down the government!”
    Cranford’s jaw dropped. He half-whispered, “Bring down … the … You never mean … Is it Bonnie Prince Charlie again? Another Jacobite Uprising? Now—may God in His mercy forbid!”
    â€œAmen,” said Morris solemnly.
    Through a long silent moment Cranford scanned one after another of their earnest faces. A frown crept into his eyes, and his fingers tightened around the glass. He demanded, “Do you say that you’ve set yourselves up alone ’gainst a large organization of insane traitors? Are you all gone demented? Whitehall must be told and—”
    Furlong gave a gesture of impatience. “They’ve been told. Whitehall, and Bow Street, and the Admiralty Board, and the East India Company. But the League’s been there before us. They’ve managed to convince the authorities that we’re an irresponsible lot, bored and seeking diversion.”
    â€œBesides being of questionable loyalty,” said Glendenning. “True in my case, as you know, Perry, having helped me out of a few tight corners.”
    Remembering some of those “tight corners,” Cranford smiled, but his smile was brief. He murmured, “I wonder so ruthless a lot haven’t simply put an end to the lot of