“Now then, now then, we’ll have no argy-bargy in here, ladies and gents,” said this stalwart, holding up a pudgy flat hand towards each side. “If so be as you’ve business here, you’d best state it to me.”
Alex let out a quick breath. “In good time. I’m Dymond and I’m here to present Miss Greenaway to make a statement. Is the runner Benjamin here?”
The fellow’s manner became a touch more deferent. “No, yer honour, he’ll be about his duties. But I’ll see if Justice Armitage is free.” He turned to the Greenaways. “Do I take it as this here gent and lady is who you’ve been waiting for, coming in and out two days running and making a nuisance of yerselves?”
Marjorie’s nose was in the air. “Impertinence! What’s it to you, my man?”
Walter waved her down. “Yes, it is, and we demand to see the Justice along with them.”
The fellow rubbed his chin. “As I recall you already seen him yesterday.”
“Yes, but they are here now and we insist upon being present.”
“That’s up to his honour, that is. I’ll arst him, but I don’t reckon he’ll take kindly to your nagging at him all over again.”
Triumph lit in Alex. If the Greenaways, in their inimitable fashion, had already managed to alienate the magistrate, Apple’s case looked a deal more hopeful. The enemy were clearly not yet routed, but the fellow directed them to a bench and bid them wait while he consulted with Justice Armitage. Grudgingly, the Greenaways did as they were told and the fellow turned back to Alex, his gaze shifting to Apple.
“If you and the young lady will accompany me, sir, I’ll lead you to his honour.”
Alex began to follow, but felt Apple’s fingers grab his arm and found her hanging back. She leaned up to whisper, “Alex, what if he won’t believe me? There’s no denying Walter is my guardian still.”
“Not for long. Don’t fret, Apple. Let’s see what the fellow asks.”
He ushered her in the wake of their guide, who led them through into a corridor and up a set of stairs which came out into a bright gallery.
“This here’s Justice Armitage’s office, yer honour.” The fellow knocked on a nearby door, and a voice within bade him enter. “What’s the name again, yer honour?”
“Dymond.” Feeling his status would not go amiss in this situation, he clarified this. “Lord Dymond, and Miss Greenaway.”
The stout man put a finger to his forelock. “Begging your pardon, me lord, but I weren’t to know.”
“Of course not.”
Opening the door, he preceded them into the room, addressing the gentleman seated at a desk set to catch the light from a large window behind him.
“It’s the lady as was expected by them two as have been plaguing you these two days, sir.”
The magistrate rose and came around the desk. A man of middle years, spare of both figure and face, with a peevish look about him, he came forward, brows raised in enquiry. His minion waved at Apple.
“Miss Greenaway, sir. And this gentleman is Lord Dymond, who asked for Mr Benjamin, sir.”
Alex elected to take a high hand. “Justice Armitage?”
The gentleman pursed his lips. “I am he, my lord.” He then gave a small bow towards Apple, indicating one of the chairs set in front of his desk. “Would you care to sit, ma’am?”
Apple glanced up at Alex, and he gave her a reassuring smile, urging her into the chair.
The magistrate nodded dismissal to his minion and came around the desk. He waited, looking at Alex, who was reminded of nothing so much as his master at school. But then the fellow gave a thin smile.
“Pray be seated, my lord.”
Breathing a little more easily, Alex took the chair next to Apple and watched Justice Armitage reseat himself, setting aside the paper on which he’d been engaged and drawing a fresh sheet towards him from a stack on one side of his crowded desk. Laying it down on the blotter in a precise fashion, he replaced his spectacles on his nose and picked up a pen from the standish, dipping it into the inkpot.
Alex watched him write Apple’s name at the head of the paper, and impatience got the better of him. “Don’t you wish to hear what Miss Greenaway has to say, sir?”
Justice Armitage looked up. “All in good time, my lord.” He directed his spare smile towards Apple. “Will you be kind enough to confirm your identity, ma’am?”
Apple opened her mouth, shot an anguished look at Alex, and shut it again. It wasn’t difficult to divine what troubled her. The last thing in the world she was able to do at this moment was to say exactly who she was.
