“Are you bloody stupid?”his father said, his brows drawn together.“How did you end up on the battlefield without a rifle?”
“It was foggy.I couldn’t see and took a wrong turn,” Jonathan said weakly.“It was a British bullet that took me down.”
Edward cleared his throat to gain their attention.“We will not know until we go to court who the informant is, but let me point out that the law presumes that a crime has been committed.It’s my job to ferret out the evidence that would prove the opposite is true.”He rubbed his jaw again.
A nervous habit, Jonathan supposed.It wasn’t a good sign that his barrister was nervous and the trial hadn’t yet begun.
“Is there anyone who could testify that you didn’t fight?”Edward asked.
“There are many.Unfortunately, they are all in America.”
Edward shook his head.“I will have to be truthful with you.This does not look good, especially if the witness is reputable.”
Jonathan frowned.“I was afraid you were going to say that, and I don’t know who would testify against me.I suppose I won’t find out until the trial.Do you know when it will be?”
“We are in luck there.The Assize judge usually makes one appearance a year, and that will be in two weeks.You’ll not have to wait a year.”
“A year!”Jonathan shouted.
“Some have to wait that long.”
“Father, I’ve heard that for a price there are better accommodations than this filthy rat hole.”
“We’ll take care of that right now.Get the Warden.”
Edward jumped to do his bidding, and brought the Warden back with him.
“I want my son in a private cell with a bed, clean bedding, everything he needs, plus easement of irons.How much will it cost me?”
“It can get costly,” the Warden replied blandly, folding his hands together.
“I’m sure it can,” Lord Middlesex said impatiently.“Do it.And if I find that you’ve cheated me, I’ll have you in irons!Then you will enjoy the hospitality of your own prison.”
“Everything will be arranged,” the Warden said simply, then left.
Lord Middlesex reached over and touched Jonathan’s hand.“Maybe that will make things a little better until we can get you out of here.”He sighed.“I’m getting a bit tired, Son, but I will be back to visit soon.”
“Thank you, Father.”Jonathan crossed over and bent to embrace him.Turning to the barrister, he said, “I hope you can do something for me, Edward.”
“I shall try, but I will not lie to you.This will be an uphill battle,” Edward admitted, walking over to push the marquess’s chair from the room.
“Father, have you spoken to Elizabeth?”Jonathan asked before he was taken back.
“Jeffrey went to deliver your message, but found she’d left for Briercliff.I’ve dispatched a messenger to her.”
“I see,” Jonathan said as he ducked back through the door to hell.
So she ran away again.Would he ever learn?
Elizabeth breatheda sigh of relief upon finally seeing Briercliff again.The carriage came to a stop, and she and Tiffany waited for a footman to help them down.As she started up the steps of the castle, Elizabeth took a deep breath.Even the air was fresher here than in London.
Giles opened the front door, and Elizabeth actually surprised him with a hug.“It’s good to be home,” she said happily.
“And happy we are to have you home, Lady Elizabeth,” Giles said, his face a bright red.“I wager you’d like to see Master Dawson?”
Elizabeth nodded.
“He is in the garden with Annie.”
