Mr. Blue Fox got the results to me a couple days later. The contents of the report were nothing worse than I expected from the horrible man Miss Eleanor described to me.
There was a particularly juicy bit of information among all the shady things Lord Pendleton had done. And that was that he had somehow gone from the worst student at the academy he attended in his teenage years to one of the top students.
Now, let me just say that I support studying and self improvement whole heartedly. But it was clear based on other evidences, that Lord Pendleton had done nothing of the sort to increase his standing at the school.
The first evidence was that he'd suddenly begun penning letters to another student attending the same academy. Additionally, it was a student that he had no previous connection to whatsoever. They couldn't be considered friends, enemies, acquaintances, or even bully and victim.
In regards to the identity of the student, it was a commoner who bought his way into the academy. He had top grades, lots of money, and was generally well-behaved, but still he was looked down on for his status.
Apparently, after he began exchanging letters with Lord Pendleton, his popularity increased throughout the school. And the moment Lord Pendleton successfully graduated, his little penpal suddenly came in possession of a Baron title.
The Blue Fox was thorough enough to include information about that event as well. (He better, considering how much money I paid him.) Apparently Sir Penpal, received his title from a high ranking noble for his 'honorable contributions' to the kingdom. The noble in question was a close friend of Lord Pendleton.
Based on that information, you don't need to be a professional scandal maker to figure that Lord Pendleton basically used his penpal to cheat his way through the academy in exchange for a title.
I should say the penpal received status rather than just a measly title. Any wealthy commoner could purchase a title. But a commoner who bought their way into nobility is still outcasted in most circles. To be granted a title, backed and sponsored by a true blueblood, was really the only way to gain status.
And Lord Pendleton had given his little accomplice just that.
Now, I'm sure I don't need to explain how this evidence wouldn't fly in a court of law. No, any decent lawyer could dismantle it all with minimal effort. If I wanted to stir up a scandal that actually resulted in the courts taking away Lord Pendleton's accreditations, I needed something physical.
Indisputable.
Something like the actual letters exchanged.
Now, how can I be sure those letters weren't burned at the first chance and long gone?
Well, people who lie and cheat tend to have a great distrust of others. I can't speak for Sir Penpal, but I'm positive Lord Pendleton held onto the incriminating letters, to keep the other party silent or, in the worst case, drag him down with him.
"So, I just need to get those letters!" I smiled. "And since the rest of the report reveals his other great weakness, it should be easy as pie."
Immediately I pulled out some fresh parchment and penned a letter to Lady Da Braose. After signing and sealing it, I rang for Marissa.
"Make sure this gets to the Lady as soon as possible," I urged her.
"I'll deliver it in person right away then," my maid assured me, tucking the letter away. "So please give me the fee for the carrier instead."
I sighed, sliding a couple coppers across the table. Honestly, it was sometimes frightening, the lengths the girl would go to for a little bit of pocket change. If Wolf was around, he would have done the job for free. But also was likely to cause damage far more costly. Just the thought was enough to make me wish I'd given Marissa an extra copper.
Marissa returned only an hour later.
"Ah perfect timing!" I greeted her. "Let me just grab some paper and I'll write out the instructions. I'm sure she'll want about.. 20 gold for this job? Ha. Her services certainly aren't cheap-"
"She said she couldn't do it." Marissa interrupted me.
"Haha. What?" I turned to her, my hands still holding parchment and pen.
"Lady Da Braose didn't even read your letter. She simply told me to tell you that she can't," the maid shrugged. "Now if that's all-"
"Wait! She.. she said she couldn't?" I was flustered. "Did she say why?"
"No, My Lady," Marissa answered. "But..," she leaned closer, lowering her voice, "it did seem like she was preparing for a trip."
"This can't be," I pressed a hand into my forehead. "This will ruin everything. I need to see her now!"
Without wasting another second, I grabbed my hat and cloak, dropped another copper into Marissa's outstretched hand, and rushed out the door.
I made it to Lady Da Braose's home in record time. Her townhouse was usually a twenty-minute walk, but I got there in ten.
And good thing too.
Just as I arrived, I saw Lady Da Braose stepping into a carriage. She paused when she saw me and offered me a sad smile.
"Oh, Opal! I hope your maid delivered my message. I'm not sure what you have cooking right now, I threw the letter into the fire after all, but I won't be able to help you out," she explained, her foot still on the carriage step.
"I'll pay you double!" I exclaimed, screeching to a halt right next to the carriage. "It's imperative that you do this job. Nobody else is suited!"
"Oh my," Lady Da Braose put a hand to her mouth and glanced back and forth to make sure her attendants were out of earshot. "You make it so difficult to say no."
"Forty gold. How does that sound?" I lowered my own voice as well. "And I won't call on you for another three months."
"Hmmm, forty gold does sound tempting," she murmured, rubbing her chin. "But I'm sorry. I planned a tour of all the tropical islands in the Southern Sea! And I'm simply dying to go."
"F-fifty gold!" I stammered as I held up five fingers. "And you could afford to extend that tour."
Lady Da Braose chuckled. "Sorry, Dear." She finished stepping into the carriage and settled herself neatly on the plush seat. "Do call for me next time, though. I should be back in six months or so! Bye bye!"
At her signal, the attendants closed the door and the carriage rolled away.