He drew them aside, considering his next comment carefully. “Do you trust me, Joanna? You both know what Justin’s disappearance has cost me. I’ll do everything in my power to find the truth, but you must keep an open mind, and permit me to explain.”
A muscle in Berridge’s cheek twitched. “You knew he was there?”
“No. But I rescued Miss Woolf from the same cottage three nights ago, where a masked man tried to kill her.”
Stunned, Joanna frowned. “What are you saying? That my brother was living with Miss Woolf? In what capacity?” She caught her breath as another thought struck. “You knew where Olivia was, and said nothing? You know how worried I’ve been. I’ve not seen or heard from her in days.”
“I was told of her whereabouts in confidence,” Gabriel said, not wishing to mention his source, “and had to respect her privacy.”
Berridge’s mouth tightened. “Privacy is the least of her concerns now. If Justin was found in her cottage, the magistrate means to question her in connection with his death.”
“Miss Woolf hasn’t left Studland Park. I assure you, she isn’t involved. The cottage was empty when we returned the key to the landlady. I checked the premises myself.”
Rather than bring clarity, his words drew raised brows.
“Good heavens, Gabriel. You let her stay at your estate overnight? What were you thinking? She’ll be ruined. You should have brought her to The Burnished Jade.”
“She was preparing to flee London, fearing for her life. There’s no place safer than Studland Park.”
Joanna’s gaze dropped to the valise in his hand, horror darkening her features. “You’ve brought her clothes? Tell me they’re not taking her to Newgate?”
“I don’t know. I’ve just arrived.”
Berridge gave a dry scoff. “You didn’t accompany her to Bow Street?”
“The ladies of The Jade follow their own rules.”
Before Berridge could agree, the clerk reappeared, his earlier stiffness replaced by nervous deference. “Sir Basil will see you now, my lord. If you’ll follow me.”
“We’re coming with you,” Joanna said, striding ahead. “I won’t wait out here while they question her.”
The clerk hesitated, uncertain whether to object to the intrusion, but Gabriel’s curt nod ended the debate. “Very well,” the man murmured, turning to lead them down the corridor into Sir Basil’s oak-panelled chamber.
The magistrate stood behind his cluttered desk, his heavy brows furrowed as he looked up from a stack of papers. Daventry occupied a leather chair to the right, his posture as composed as ever, though his eyes flicked briefly to Gabriel in silent warning.
Olivia sat in her modest wedding dress, grey a fitting shade, her face pale but composed. When she turned, her gaze met his with such fierce relief it struck him like a blow. She looked at him as though he were her saviour, and he would have sold his soul to trap that look in a jar, to study it unseen.
“Lord Rothley,” Sir Basil said, offering a curt nod before turning to acknowledge the newcomers. His brows lifted a fraction. “Lord and Lady Berridge? I’m not quite ready for you yet. Perhaps you’d care to wait with my clerk. Perkins will fetch refreshment.”
“We’re all friends here,” the countess said.
Olivia stiffened at the sound of her voice. “Lady Berridge.” Her fingers tightened around her gloves. “I’m not sure you’ll wish to stay once you know why I’m here.”
Joanna’s expression softened. “I know why you’re here, and I’m confident you didn’t strangle a man with those dainty hands.” She turned to the magistrate, her tone calm yet commanding. “You will, of course, release Miss Woolf into our custody until this matter is resolved and the true culprit is brought to justice.”
Sir Basil cleared his throat and straightened the papers before him. “I’ve agreed with Daventry that she may return to Lord Rothley’s care while we continue our investigations.”
Joanna’s eyes widened in alarm. “That’s preposterous. Can you imagine the headline in the scandal sheet tomorrow?”
Sir Basil chuckled. “It’s hardly a scandal to release a lady to her husband’s care.”
“Husband?” Joanna blinked and shook her head.
Gabriel answered before anyone else could. “We were married at Studland Park a few hours ago,” he said, as if it were of no consequence, not an event that had shaken him to his core.
“You married Miss Woolf and didn’t invite her friends?”
“Love has a way of catching a man unawares,” he said for the magistrate’s benefit.
