“Yes, of course. I’ve no doubt you’ll assert yourself accordingly.” Aldous continued to smile and patted Julian’s shoulder. “Let’s get back to the party before we’re missed.”
When they returned, they found Annie in the company of his grandmother, the dowager countess. “Grandmama.” Julian dropped a kiss on her cheek. “Did you enjoy the ceremony?”
“I did indeed,” she replied. “As I was just telling Annabelle, there’s a lot to be said for simplicity.”
Aldous turned his head and cleared his throat. Julian suppressed a smile. “It was what we wanted, Grandmama.”
“Oh, don’t misunderstand,” the dowager replied. “Truth be told, I’ve always found those grand affairs to be rather tiring. This smaller celebration is far more pleasurable. I hope it becomes a trend.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself, Mother,” Aldous said.
“I am. You know I’ve always loved this house.” She tapped her fan on the lapel of his jacket. “I must also assume, since those two police officers have left, that the reason for their presence no longer exists. And please, do not attempt to gainsay me.”
Annie gasped softly and Julian exchanged an amused glance with his father. “How did you know they were police officers, Grandmama?”
“I overheard them mention ‘the Yard’ while they were ploughing their way through the buffet.” She frowned. “It was also obvious they were not the sort who’d normally be included on the invitee list, though I don’t really care about that. I’m just wonderingwhythey were invited. Were you expecting trouble? Is everything all right?”
“Everything is fine, Mother,” Aldous replied. “The expectation, such as it was, no longer exists, and it was never a grave concern to begin with. There’s nothing to worry about at all.”
“Glad to hear it.” She regarded Julian. “And it must be about time for you to leave.”
Julian barely managed to keep a straight face. “We’ll be leaving in about an hour, Grandmama.”
“An hour?” She turned to Annie. “Then you’d better think about getting ready, my dear. It doesn’t do to dawdle.”
*
Julian had almostgiven up hope of confronting Leopold De Witte. Indeed, he was just about to excuse himself and prepare for his and Annie’s departure when Barnes approached him. “Been asked to give you this, sir,” he said, handing Julian a folded paper. Julian opened it and read the one-word message.
Gatehouse.
Which is where he now found himself, gazing upon the scarred face of Taggart’s handcuffed prisoner. The musty air carried the faint odor of sweat and unwashed skin, though the man’s general appearance was less slovenly than Julian had expected.
“I’ll leave you to it,” Taggart said, “but I’ll be right outside the door.”
Julian waited till the door creaked shut before speaking. “Leopold De Witte, I assume,” he said, raking a gaze over the fellow, his focus resting on the scarred cheek for a moment. “Due to your recent surveillance efforts, I must assume you know who I am. It’s a displeasure to make your acquaintance. I was hoping you’d left the country.”
De Witte responded with a cavalier tilt to his chin and a smirk on his face. “I confess to being wrong about you, Northcott,” he said. “I felt sure you’d abandon the chit when you found out she was born on the wrong side of the blanket.”
“Happy to disappoint you.” Julian grimaced. “You know, there’s something repugnant about a man who’s responsible for fathering anillegitimate child yet vilifies illegitimacy. You’re an arrogant fool, De Witte. I fail to understand why you persist with these absurd little games. You should have left England while you had the chance.”
“My absurd little games amuse me. They ensure I’ll not be forgotten that easily. As for leaving England,” he shrugged. “I considered it but changed my mind. Why should I leave? Which laws have I broken? I know nothing of Hoffman’s fate, nor do I accept responsibility for his sister’s bastard.”
Julian narrowed his eyes. “Where did you get that scar?”
“None of your business. Suffice to say, I was the victim.” He assumed a sullen expression. “You misjudge me, Northcott. I am not a violent man.”
“I read the newspaper report, De Witte.”
“Which was misleading.” De Witte sniffed. “Hoffman was the aggressor, not I.”
Julian scoffed. “My wife tells a different story. Which reminds me, allow me to return your paltry offering.” He pulled the little gold ring from his pocket and flicked it at De Witte. It bounced off the man’s chest and fell to the floor. The man’s smug expression faltered slightly, then the smirk returned. “I’m curious, Northcott,” he said. “Did Annie tell you about our little meeting atop that hill?”
Annie’s name on De Witte’s tongue had Julian clenching his fists. “That’sMrs. Northcottto you, and yes, she did.”
De Witte tilted his chin again and smiled a cold smile. “Well, there’s your proof. I could easily have ravished her that day or thrown her off that ledge and got away with murder, but I merely kissed her instead and let her go.”
Julian’s fragile restraint snapped like a dry twig. With a hiss of fury, he closed the gap between them and landed a bone-crunching uppercut to De Witte’s jaw. The man’s head snapped back, and he crumpled to the floor.
