After knocking the cutthroat unconscious, Christian accepted the aid of passers-by who, in turn, flagged down a passing curricle. A length of rope had been found and used to secure the man before he began to come round. Within half an hour, the Earl had been able to return to the scene of the shooting where he was assured that the injured lady had been taken care of. After paying a lad to deliver a message to the Duke’s residence, Christian imposed upon the curricle’s owner once more to deliver both him and his prisoner to Bow Street.
Soon after, to Christian’s relief, Reverend Shackleford and Percy arrived with Lizzy Fletcher in tow. The matron was keen to give a statement to the Runners describing exactly what she knew. Any loyalty to her brother had evidently long since withered. While their prisoner was unlikely to corroborate Lizzy’s story, the Runners now had enough evidence to raid Witherspoon’s warehouse and arrest him.
As he rode in the carriage with the uniforms, Christian reflected that what they had still might not be enough to see Witherspoon hang. There remained no proof that he’d murdered his shipmate, aside from Charlie Fletcher’s garbled account, but Christian doubted Barnet’s was the last murder the former Fourth Lieutenant had ever committed, and he had to hope that someone would be willing to cry rope in return for a suitable reward.
In the event, Witherspoon didn’t put up much of a fight, though he eyed both Nicholas and Christian with mocking contempt, spitting at their feet as he was dragged past. It was clear he didn’t think he’d remain incarcerated for long.
The raid on his quarters upstairs revealed nothing untoward, and on the face of it, Witherspoon appeared to be a legitimate businessman. All they had to convict him was a failed assassination attempt and his sister’s word. If anyone else had been involved with the gambling den, they’d vanished into thin air.
∞∞∞
‘Even if he is freed, surely he won’t risk coming for you again?’ Chastity demanded, trying to force down her fear.
‘I think he truly has other things to worry about at the moment,’ Christian responded, his grin almost savage. ‘And since Fletcher was the one backing his story…well, I suspect Witherspoon is going to want to lie low.’
‘It’s unlikely he’ll risk trying for you again,’ Nicholas agreed. ‘He certainly won’t wish to draw attention to himself. And anyway, I doubt he’ll be walking the streets anytime soon. We can only hope the hired killer will point the finger in the right direction.’
They were sitting in the dining room having just finished dinner. Both the Earl and Mercy had been invited to spend the night-an offer Christian was more than happy to accept given the circumstances. Briony had been given the evening off, and the children surrendered into Prudence’s less-than-motherly ministrations.
‘And I cannot imagine anyone will mention your name in connection with Barnet’s murder now that Fletcher is dead and Witherspoon has no one to back his story,’ Nicholas added with a small smile.
‘As soon as Felicity is well enough, I should like to return to Blackmore,’ Grace declared suddenly, drawing all eyes to her. ‘I think she will recover much more swiftly in the cleaner air of the countryside, and of course, we have a wedding to plan.’ She smiled faintly at Chastity.
‘It’s certainly about time I got back to my flock,’ the Reverend announced. ‘If Percy and I are away for much longer, they’ll be turning into deuced pagans and dancing stark naked round a maypole.’
‘Lord Cottesmore,’ Grace continued hesitantly, please forgive me if I am being presumptuous, but since the consequences of this whole sordid episode are unlikely to disappear overnight, would you consider allowing Mercedes to accompany us back to Blackmore? She would be most welcome to stay with us until the wedding.’ The Duchess paused before finishing in a rush, ‘It will give her some company I think…whilst you are otherwise occupied.’ She glanced over at her husband, wondering if she’d overstepped the mark. His raised eyebrows did not provide any reassurance.
There was a short silence. Chastity didn’t know whether to applaud her sister or gag her. She certainly agreed with Grace’s comment that Mercy would benefit from being around other children. She looked anxiously over at Christian who had so far been silent.
‘Well, I cannot argue with your reasoning,’ the Earl answered at length, his voice wry. ‘And in truth, even without the added concern of Witherspoon, I had hoped to make a start on the renovations to Cottesmore before the wedding.’ He looked over at Chastity and gave a faint smile. ‘Naturally, I would be grateful to know that my daughter’s being well taken care of, but I think that’s a decision that Mercy herself will need to make.’
‘Yes, please,’ came three muffled voices from outside the door. Frowning, Grace jumped to her feet and threw open the door to reveal three pyjama-clad figures sitting in a line on the floor.
‘What on earth…?’ the Duchess began.
‘Oh, please Papa,’ Mercy interrupted, jumping to her feet and running to her father. ‘Miss Sharpham said this morning that she despairs of ever making me into a lady, but when I told Prudence, she saidpoof, who wants to be a lady. If I go to Blackmore, I can learn to be more like Prudence.’
‘God help us all,’ the Reverend commented with a shudder.
The Earl grinned, and shook his head before giving his daughter a swift kiss on the cheek. ‘Very well, Blackmore and lessons inhow not to be a ladyit is,’ he murmured. ‘But for now, bed.’
While the Duchess escorted the children back to the nursery wing and Prudence, Nicholas offered an apologetic smile to the Earl. ‘Forgive my wife,’ he said ruefully. ‘When she gets a bee in her bonnet about something… Well, I’m afraid she takes after her father…’
‘Steady on…’ interrupted the father in question. ‘I’m entirely sure you wouldn’t have said that if she’d been in the room…’
‘With your permission, I should like to stay until she is settled in,’ Christian added.
‘Of course,’ Nicholas responded easily. ‘You may stay as long as you wish. I believe Cottesmore is only a day’s journey from Blackmore. It may behove you to make your plans from Devonshire. I can certainly put you in touch with the necessary tradesmen.’
He stopped as Grace came back into the room. ‘Don’t ask,’ she muttered helping herself to a glass of Madeira. Grinning, Nicholas, returned back to the subject of their journey. ‘The snow is already showing signs of thawing,’ he observed, ‘so I think if we give it another week, most of the roads will be passable. I suggest we travel in three carriages to ensure Felicity gets as much room as she needs. As there’s no urgency, I believe we would do well to take the full four days. I’ll have Malcolm make arrangements for our overnight stops.’ He looked round the room, pointedly drawing attention to the absence of his valet and gave a small chuckle. ‘That’s if I can tear him away from his patient for long enough.’
‘Have you sent a note to everyone informing them what has happened?’ Grace asked, suddenly concerned that her sisters might be thinking them dead or worse.
‘I tasked Augustus with it before dinner,’ Nicholas answered. He glanced enquiringly towards his father-in-law who gave him an enthusiastic thumbs-up.
There was a small incredulous silence, then…
‘What on earth were you thinking, Nicholas?’
