With Leith’s help, she jumped from theBlack Prince’s gunwale to the other deck, Minette following behind her on Leo Tate’s arm. As they prepared to resume sailing, Leith led her below to another cabin where they had complete privacy.
She sat in the chair he pulled out for her, exhaustion mingling with welling joy, as he poured her a glass of ratafia. He poured himself the same as the ship’s sudden motion told her they would soon be underway.
He pulled up a chair beside her, and they faced the stern windows, his fingers encircling hers. For a few minutes they said nothing, just sat in stunned, joyous silence.
“Tell me everything,” he finally said.
“You go first. I want to know without a doubt you’re truly free.” She reached out and smoothed a strand of his hair that had slipped from his silk queue. He was as wrinkled as she was, his fine garments suggesting they’d been worn for more than a day.
“Where do I begin?” He took another drink, grimacing.“The witnesses on my behalf won the day, primarily the doctor giving evidence of calomel.”
“Havilah was poisoned, then. There’s no doubt?”
“The missing maid—Minette’s sister—confirmed it. Havilah was given calomel powders to drink at bedtime. Édith fled soon after Havilah’s death because Lyrica threatened her to say nothing. She feared she’d end up like the other maid, Mary, who died of mysterious causes.”
“Meaning Lyrica and Euan might have killed her too.” Juliet thought of the web of deceit and turmoil that had ensued. “I’ve not said it before, but I’m especially heartbroken about Havilah. She was truly the victim here. If not for the evil that came against her, she might have kept a sound mind and known the joys of family life.”
“If I had been more present I could have helped her. Could have prevented it.”
“You didn’t realize what was happening till it was too late.”
“And now I’ll live with that regret for the rest of my life.” He paused as emotion got the better of him. “I kept her bedchamber unchanged after her death because I didn’t think the matter was finished. I suspected someone meant her ill. Now I can let go of the past, her belongings with it.”
“At least the truth is now known, Leith, however harsh.”
He looked at her, his expression clouded yet relieved. “The jury found me not guilty to a man. The sheriff even presented a pair of white gloves declaring my innocence. There was enough evidence to charge both Cochrane and Euan at the last. They’re now in custody awaiting trial, along with Lyrica.”
“So you were freed first, then found me gone.”
“I was on my way to Virginia Street when I passed and then halted Lyrica’s coach. She seemed agitated to see me, andwhen I boarded, I found she had your watch.” He reached into his weskit and withdrew the coral chain and timepiece. “At that, I nearly lost all reason. She denied having been with you, then admitted you dropped your watch and your coach was at the waterfront. I forced the remaining truth from her by driving her straight to the tolbooth and handing her over to the magistrates. She confessed everything, or so she said.”
“Intercepting our coach from Lamb Hill, you mean, and then all the rest.”
“Aye, all the rest. An ill-scrappit affair if there ever was one. I felt murderous toward Euan and Cochrane then Lyrica. They thought my conviction was certain and so you were told the same.”
The steady cadence of his voice reassured her as all the pieces of this macabre puzzle fell into place.
“Euan arranged for you to be put on board theBlack Princeas he’d done with Leo Tate. Your guard was also put in the hold. Euan used Lyrica to lure you to Glasgow by sending a faux note supposedly written by Tennant. They wanted to declare that you had abandoned me and left the country. The war would have prevented your return, or so they thought. With the both of us out of the way, Euan had fuller rein of the Buchanan firm, with Cochrane behind the scenes embezzling for the both of them as before. They likely felt their plan so seamless not even Niall would be the wiser.”
“Niall had investigators working night and day on your behalf. He suspected Euan from the first, though we remained unsure of Lyrica’s involvement.”
He started to speak but stopped, the anguish in his face so unlike his usual stoicism it struck her hard as a fist. To be betrayed by a brother. A brother’s wife. She took his hand in silent support.
He continued with difficulty. “Since they have nae heirs,Euan and Lyrica also wanted custody of Bella and Cole. My release turned their plans on end and gave me time to come after you. I sent word to your father of my pursuit and to simply stay put and pray.”
Prayer. Had it been the most powerful part of it all? “I’ve lost count of how long we’ve been at sea. Long enough for me to despair of you ever overtaking us.”
“If not for the fastest ship in our fleet—this armed merchantman normally bound for the colonies but lying at anchor in Port Glasgow—I may have missed you altogether.”
“’Tis nothing short of miraculous.”
“Navigation and weather were also in our favor. We’re not far off the west coast of Ireland or it might have been a different tale.”
“What will be done with the captain and crew?”
“For now, they’re chained in theWoodlark’s hold. Half our crew will return theBlack Princeto Glasgow while we sail south.”
“South?”
