“You would,” said Alex again.
Another glance at the Greenaways found them tight-lipped and glowering. Afraid he’d spill the beans?
“Then I’ll take leave to say, me lord, as I can’t accept your word for it that the young lady ain’t being constrained against her will.”
“Ha, there’s for you, Dymond!”
“At last!”
The ham-like hand of the runner was once again raised, accompanied by a severe look. The Greenaways subsided. Wondering if this was where he was removed from the premises with gyves about his wrists, Alex set his teeth as Benjamin’s steady gaze returned to his face.
“Be that as it may, me lord, there ain’t no evidence neither to suggest as you stole the young lady by force.” Alex breathed again, ignoring the muttering behind the runner. “The only thing as will serve, me lord, is for me to see the young lady for meself and ask her straight.”
Stymied, Alex stared at the man. Nothing was further from his wishes than to haul poor Apple here to confront her ghastly guardians and a Bow Street Runner. But if he was to keep her hidey-hole secret from the Greenaways, it began to seem as if he must do so.
Searching his mind for alternatives, he hit upon sacrificing Vergette. “There is one other option, Benjamin.”
The fellow’s brows rose. “There is, me lord?”
At least he’d surprised the man. “You could go to see the lawyer in the case. He can corroborate what I’ve said about the trust. Moreover, he’s seen Miss Greenaway lately, and —”
“What’s that you say?” Exploding all over again, Walter Greenaway leapt forward. “Apple’s seen him? How? When?”
“Be quiet, Walter!” Marjorie surged in, her cheeks suffused as she pushed past Benjamin to confront Alex. “Tell me this, Lord Dymond. If Mr Vergette has seen Apple, why should she stay away? You claim that was her purpose in leaving us, but if she’s done that, there’s no occasion for her to remain in your custody, is there?”
A snorting laugh escaped Alex. “My custody? That’s how you see it?”
She ignored him, turning on Benjamin. “You see? He’s lying. I’m willing to wager my cousin hasn’t seen hide nor hair of this Vergette fellow.”
But Benjamin, to Alex’s amazement, was looking dazed. He fixed his gaze on Alex.
“Mr Vergette? You’re sure of that, me lord? It’s Mr Vergette as is the young lady’s lawyer?”
“He is. Why, do you know the fellow?”
Benjamin gave a harsh laugh. “There ain’t no one in the business of the law don’t know Mr Vergette, me lord.” A dire look came Alex’s way. “Is he … is he acting for you too, sir?”
“Good Lord, no! Ain’t enough of a high-flyer for Vergette myself.”
Benjamin drew an audible breath and let it out again. “I’m bound to state, if it’s true as Mr Vergette is indeed acting for the young lady, as that puts a vastly different complexion on the matter.”
Marjorie cut in again. “Why should it? You’re afraid of him, are you?”
“Afraid?” Walter thrust his portly bulk back into the fray. “Afraid of Vergette? Why should you be?”
The runner squared his jaw at the man, stolid once more. “I never said as I was afraid of him, did I? Only when you’ve Mr Vergette in the firing line, you’re leery, see? Ain’t no law officer as don’t tread with caution around Mr Vergette.”
Alex could have cheered. Never had he thought to be grateful to the lawyer, puzzling though it was. How the fellow came to have such an intimidating reputation at Bow Street was a mystery. Unless he did in fact serve other than high-ranking aristocracy, as was rumoured.
“You’re not going to let yourself be bubbled, are you?” demanded Walter, in a disgusted sort of tone.
Benjamin drew himself up. “Bubbled, sir? I ain’t in the habit of allowing meself to be bubbled. But nor I ain’t in the habit of running afoul of one of the niftiest lawyers this world ever did see.”
Marjorie glared at the man. “You’re going to let him go?”
“Weren’t never no question of taking him into custody, madam, so it’s no manner of use your railing at me.” He held up his hand again to stem any further protest. “But I’ve me duty just the same.” He turned to Alex again, this time with a note of apology in his voice. “Truth to tell, me lord, it don’t make no happorth of difference if the young lady seen Mr Vergette or she ain’t seen him. What I say and what I stick to is, without the young lady’s corroborating your story, I ain’t to be shifted from me purpose.”
“Which is?”
