He knew who Moran was. While he outweighed Moran, he would be no match for him in a physical fight, I was certain of it.
“She didn’t kill her father. This can all be cleared up in a trice.” Ash sounded much cooler but the clipped quality to his tone spoke of a simmering rage. “Birdie, do you have the death certificate?”
“It is registered with the magistrate.” I never bothered to hide it because I hadn’t thought it mattered. What had been a white lie might be the catalyst to send me to jail.
“You know the law. She must come with us.” Diggory’s smirk sparked even more fear in me.
“Then I will go with her. Moran, find the death certificate and meet us at the station.” Ash got the station’s address from Jinx and gave it to Moran.
Just a few days before, he had been arrested and now it was my turn. I suppressed a bitter laugh at the sheer irony of it all.
Jinx held out metal restraints in my direction. I backed away, horrified and terrified when I wanted to be brave.
“Is that necessary?” Ash asked in a voice laced with ice.
“I suppose not.” Jinx swallowed and glanced to Diggory for guidance. Of the two, he was the more cautious. When the other man said nothing, he turned back to me. “Let’s go Miss Namath.”
“It will be all right. I will get you out in a trice,” Moran said low enough for our ears alone. “I will keep the title and obtain a special license. We will marry as soon as possible.”
“No, absolutely not. Do not keep the title on my account. I don’t wish for you to marry me out of misguided obligation.” I didn’t want the others to hear our conversation but I had to get my point across. He’d made his decision and I’d made mine.
“You two stop yammering. Come, I ain’t got all day.” Diggory continued to glower and took a menacing step forward. His unsteady character showed in his impatience.
“Go, we will talk later.” Jaw clenched, Moran stared down his nose at Diggory, every inch the duke, whether he wished it or not. “If you touch a hair on her head, there will be consequences.”
Diggory narrowed his eyes at Moran but stopped walking nonetheless. “Is that a threat? Because Iaman officer of the law.”
“AndIam the Duke of Moreland.” The simple statement said it all. Pride for him swelled my chest and I longed to agree to his proposal. Except he didn’t love me and no matter how much I wished to say yes, I wouldn’t settle for less.
Diggory didn’t look happy.
I cringed, wanting to twist away at Jinx’s clammy hand on my wrist. His grip was solid and I forced myself to relax, knowing Ash was with me and Moran would try to clear my name.I might not want to marry him out of obligation but I would accept his help as a friend since I had helped him. He was simply returning the favor. I just prayed he was successful. My freedom depended on it.
Chapter Forty-Two
Lord Tobias, Duke of Moreland
I climbed into the carriage boasting the ducal seal and sat next to Ash. He rubbed at his tired eyes, his legs stretched out in the well-appointed carriage. The past twenty-four hours had passed in a flurry and every second was torture thinking about Birdie locked in a dirty cell like I had been.
“Well?” Ash stared at me as the carriage took off at a brisk clip down the earl’s driveway.
“The earl was very understanding about the entire affair. A nice chap if a bit eccentric. He seemed to be more concerned over the welfare of the Namath sisters rather than by their deception.” I had taken on the task of speaking to the earl on Birdie’s behalf. It seemed more persuasive coming from a duke than it would have been had I simply been Mr. Moran. Which in my heart of hearts, I still was.
“If the earl doesn’t press charges, I am fairly certain that Humphrey will be successful in getting the charges against Birdie dismissed.” Ash released a heavy sigh, his hand coming to rest on my leg.
