I gasped, my hand flying to my throat. Exhaustion and fear had been my companion for the last day and now disbelief overcame everything. “Murder? He killed someone?”
“Yes, several women.” Stark looked to CS Rogers, a stiffness in his jaw that wasn’t there a moment ago. Melville remained silent, allowing Stark to take the reins. “In addition to murder, he is charged with blackmail and bribery.”
“He tried to blackmail me.” I fisted my hands, glad when Moran put his warmer one over mine. That fateful day had been one of the worst I could remember and I shuddered to think where I would be now if not for Moran’s protection.
“As well as others in this room.” Stark turned his narrow-eyed stare to CS Rogers. Dislike had crept into his voice. “Brown seemed very keen on sharing names.”
“Brown is a zealot and a liar who will say anything to discredit decent, honest men.” CS Rogers stepped back, eyes wide with panic. Ash had said Brown had friends high up in the department. CS Rogers must have been one of those men. Moran continued to hold my hand and Ash stood protectively behind my chair. Gratitude for their nearness warmed my chest.
“Be that as it may, I must take his allegations seriously.” Melville motioned for Rogers to follow him. “Given the circumstances, you will need to come with me to headquarters.”
The wind left Rogers’ proverbial sails and he did as instructed, dread shining in his gaze. While he had no compunction about putting me in jail, I felt sorry for him. The night spent locked up hadn’t been pleasant and when I wasn’t worrying about my sisters, I thought about Moran and the way we had left things. He was torn about his title, which was understandable. However, I couldn’t help being resentful about my own situation. I was the first born, I should have inherited my father’s title.
Stark ran a hand through his hair the moment the door closed and plopped down in a chair. I had spoken to him when I was seeing to Moran and found him to be agreeable. Handsomein a rugged sort of way, I would have never thought he was related to Brown. I shuddered just thinking about the man.
“You broke open a hornet’s nest.” Ash laid his hand on my shoulder for support.
“It would appear so. Brown has been arrested for murdering the Anderson woman and several others. As you probably guessed, the department will be investigating Rogers and has leveled several bribery charges against him,” Stark said.
“Does that mean my client is free to go?” Humphrey asked.
The little man had been invaluable since our first meeting, but he wasn’t omnipotent. My heart hammering a mad beat, I sat forward in my seat, anxious to find out the answer.
Stark shook his head, true regret in his stare. “I am afraid not.”
Worrying my hands in my skirt, I shook my head, dread settling deeper into the pit of my stomach. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”
Stark cocked one brow, a hint of amusement curling his mouth, but said nothing.
A flush rushed into my cheeks at being caught in a lie. He was sharp and I reminded myself to never underestimate him. What I had done benefited my sisters and if I were able to go back, I wouldn’t do anything differently on that score.
“I think we can clear this up quickly.” With a squeeze of my hand, Moran linked his fingers through mine and handed another document to Stark. “Her cousin, the earl has agreed not to press charges and has given you permission to contact him. As the letter says, his concern is more with his cousins’ welfare than any monetary compensation.”
My jaw dropped open before I pressed my lips together. Not only was I shocked by the turn of events, the kind words Moran paraphrased shamed me. I had thought the worst of the earl without having met him. All this time, I had been terrifiedthat once he found out, the earl would seek revenge. Instead, he had forgiven me when he had no obligation to do so. Once this nightmare ended, I would seek him out to thank him.
“Her father’s death was also properly recorded,” Ash pointed out.
“There is still the matter of impersonation.” Stark exhaled a long breath and began to tap his thumb on his thigh. “It is a very serious matter and comes with heavy consequences.”
Ash’s hand on my shoulder flexed, giving away his agitation with the entire affair. “If her cousin isn’t pressing charges, why should we?”
“That isn’t up to me to decide but a judge.”
Moran released a growl of frustration. “Fine, when will she see the judge?”
“I will inquire of the clerk.” Humphrey took the documents Moran provided before leaving the room.
“I will go with you to straighten this out.” Stark paused in the doorway and looked at me over his shoulder. With a slight tilt to his mouth, he nodded in Moran’s direction. “Hypothetically speaking, if Miss Natham were to become the Duchess of Moreland, this would all go away.”
“That’s what I keep telling her,” Moran and Ash said at the same time.
“Listen to your friends, Miss Natham, they are offering you sound advice.” Stark left the room, closing the door behind him.
“And I have told you both that I have no intentions of marrying.” I tore my hand from Moran’s and crossed my arms over my chest. My stubborn side refused to accept the proposal on principle.
Ash rested his head against mine, his beard smooth next to my cheek. One arm draped around my neck, he pressed a kiss to my temple. “You are letting your vanity get in the way of your common sense.”
“If I were a man, you wouldn’t be saying that.” Pride kept me from agreeing. I cast a glance at Moran whose frustration showed in the cold cast of his stare. I would say yes if he loved me, but his many proposals rose from obligation, not a real desire to be with me. “I will be nobody’s obligation.”
