Mr. Broadcreek was still doubled over, trying to catch his breath. He held out his hand and shook his head. “I think . . .” he said, sucking in more air. “I think I may know why she had to sell that jewelry.”

Everton paused. “Why?”

“She was late on an order of ballast, and although I cannot claim full responsibility for that, I may have distracted her a bit on the day her payment was due. She most likely had to pay an exorbitant sum for faster shipping.”

“She most likely had to?” Nate asked.

Mr. Broadcreek’s snakelike eyes slithered back and forth between the two of them. “She had to. I spoke to the ballast company owner myself. I know how much it cost. If the two of you would simply let me go without further harm, I will pay it myself. Please. I wasn’t built for physical violence.”

Everton swore under his breath. He had been looking forward to punching the man. He stepped closer to Mr. Broadcreek. “How much was it?”

“One hundred and forty pounds.”

Everton cocked back his fist and slammed it just above where Nate had landed his first blow. Mr. Broadcreek doubled over, grabbing his stomach.

Everton dusted off his hands. “I’ll pay it myself.”

“If I so much as hear that you have been near my sister again . . .” Nate paused.

“You will be on the next boat to New South Wales,” Everton finished for him. “If you are lucky.”

Mr. Broadcreek hadn’t excelled in the railroad business without understanding a good deal when it was presented to him. “Of course,” he panted, still bent over. “Of course, I understand. I won’t go within a mile of that office.”

“Good,” Nate said.

“Now, that wasn’t so hard, was it?” Everton asked. “As long as everyone sticks to ethical business practices, I see no reason why we cannot all get along.”

Nate picked up his jacket and gloves. “My gloves stayed fresh, and yours won’t need to be replaced for a while yet.”

“All in all, a successful day,” Everton agreed.

The three of them stepped out of the alley and into the sunlight. Diana was standing not far from the Parliament building. Mr. Broadcreek—his arms curled about his stomach—took one look at her and pointedly turned the other way.

Nate chuckled. “Looks as though we have some good news to tell Diana.”

“I should have taken care of him long ago.”

Diana was wringing her hands but looked decidedly less concerned than she had before the two of them stepped back into the light. Mr. Broadcreek had left on his own two feet, and apparently, that was reassuring to her. Everton wasn’t one hundred percent sure he agreed.

Nate looked back and forth between his sister and Everton. With a deep sigh, Nate returned the gloves to his hands. “Why don’t you tell her?”

“Me?”

“Yes, you were the one who was here for her as she worked to build up her business. I was home, happily enjoying life with my wife, while Diana was struggling with the likes of Mr. Broadcreek. Go tell her she needn’t worry about him anymore. I will be waiting in the carriage.”