Lady Mary dropped her pen and lifted her head. “What? He did no such thing.”
Eleanor nodded. “Just now. He and another Runner came to the house and took her away.” She looked out the window, her eyes blurring. “She didn’t even object. I think she feels guilty about hating Lady Richford so much, almost like her hate became a living thing that got the viscountess killed.” Either that, or she hadn’t understood what was happening. But being led away by two Bow Street Runners should be clear enough for even the most disordered mind.
“I don’t know where she is right now,” Eleanor continued. “Is she already sitting in a jail cell? Is she talking to the magistrate? Frederick wouldn’t let me accompany them.”
“At least he was right about something.” Lady Mary stood and circled the desk. She guided Eleanor into the guest chair and sat in the one next to it. “You can’t help your mother by following her around. You’ll only make yourself sick, and your mother might not want a witness to her humiliation.”
Eleanor leaned forward and buried her face in her hands. “What am I to do?”
Lady Mary rubbed soothing circles on her back. “There is only one thing that you can do.”
“Find the murderer.”
Lady Mary’s hand paused. “Well, yes, that too, but I thought that went without saying. I meant find defense counsel for your mother.”
“We have a man we used to help with my father’s business and investments.”
Lady Mary sniffed. “While I’m sure he is excellent at bills of lading and whatnot, I meant someone who specializes in criminal cases. I know a man. One of my nephew’s friends is acquainted with him and has brought him to some parties I attended. I believe Summerset wanted to have a criminal defense counsel on hand in case one of his escapades landed him in hot water.” She leant across the desk and dragged a journal in front of her. She ripped out a blank page and wrote down a name. “I believe his office is in Hanover Square. Call on him. Tell him I sent you.”
Eleanor blew on the ink before folding the paper and putting it in her reticule. “Thank you.”
“Now, how are you doing? Truly.”
Eleanor huffed out a laugh. “It doesn’t feel real. Not yet. But I’ll be strong. I have to be, for my mother.”
Lady Mary nodded, approvingly. “And how is your Frederick?”
Eleanor gaped. “How should he be doing? He arrested my mother!” She slumped back in her chair. Why should she care how that traitor was doing?
“Come now, don’t be silly.” Lady Mary frowned. “He must have had sufficient reason to arrest your mother. And if he hadn’t done it, another Runner would have.”
Eleanor started to protest, but Lady Mary held up her hand. “I’m not saying he was right, only that he would never do anything to hurt you unless he absolutely must. He feels his duties most heavily, that boy.”
A steel coil wrapped around Eleanor’s chest. She wouldn’t feel guilty about how she’d treated Frederick. She wouldn’t. He’d smiled at her mother over the dinner table and then arrestedher. He’d held Eleanor in his arms and told her he wanted to take care of her forever.
If she closed her eyes, she could almost feel those arms now.
She blew out a shaky breath. He’d thought he’d had good reason for his actions. Eleanor knew this, but it didn’t make accepting those actions any easier. In time, she might be able to forgive him, but she could never forget. If her mother was prosecuted, convicted… executed.
There was no way Eleanor could ever be with the man who’d had a hand in that. It would be too big a betrayal of her mother.
“Do you have any of that brandy?” Eleanor asked. She’d take the burning pain down her throat if it eased the ache around her heart.
Lady Mary stood. “None of that now. You don’t have time for self-pity.” Reaching down, she grabbed Eleanor’s arm and pulled her to standing. The woman was surprisingly strong. “Go. Speak to that solicitor. The sooner he takes your mother’s case, the better.”
Eleanor knew she was right. It was something solid to do, a definite act. And with her mind in such a muddle, a sure direction to travel in should be welcome.
She kissed Lady Mary goodbye, turned her steps to leave the club.
But Eleanor had been taught when she was young that life was rarely fair. Bad things happened to good people all the time. And more often than not, the wicked suffered no consequences, in this life, at least.
She would hire counsel for her mother. She would go through all the motions of helping her.
All the while knowing anything she did most likely would have no effect.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Lady Mary
