“Right, sorry. There will be no more weddings for a while, as Theodore has only just entered society.”
“A staff member, perhaps?” Captain Sinclair said, looking at Eliza. “Mint green is indeed a lovely color.”
“You are looking a little shocked, Miss Downing, but I assure you all will go well. My uncle and aunt are wonderful people, as are the heathens you are tasked with molding into acceptable debutantes,” Lord Seddon said. “The Sinclair family are harmless too,” he added with a gentle smile.
She nodded, which she’d been doing a lot of since meeting these people.
“Well then,” Bramstone Nightingale said, holding the door open for her. “Let’s get our Scotsman back.”
The watchhouse’s interior was as drab as she’d expected. Plain walls the color of old porridge, a single narrow window that let in more chill than light, and a lingering scent of damp. Looking around, she thought the place could do with brightening up but doubted any man who spent his days in here cared about its appearance.
The man behind the desk rose as they approached and studied them, wide-eyed. She didn’t blame him for thatreaction, as Eliza herself thought the people surrounding her looked formidable.
“I want to speak to the person in charge at once, please,” Bramstone Nightingale said. “We are here regarding Mr. Mungo Fraser, who is being charged for assault.”
“Well now, the charges against him are serious?—”
“If you don’t do as I say at once, I will be bringing my brother-in-law the Duke of Raven along to see you toe the line, Constable,” Captain Sinclair said.
“And the other lords you have in your family. Don’t forget them, Wolf,” Alexander Nightingale said.
That threat seemed to galvanize the man, and he left without another word.
Eliza didn’t know Mungo Fraser well, only what he’d done for her. But surely he was a good man if all these people were here to help free him. She’d never been in such exalted company and, to be honest, had never wished to.
Eliza had heard many stories about nobleman, and when she’d worked in their houses, she’d seen for herself what some of them were capable of doing. She couldn’t say all were bad, but many believed themselves a great deal better than those who served them.
They did not have to wait long for the man to return with another, who had a thick moustache and broad shoulders. The top of his head came to Bramstone Nightingale’s chin, which meant he was a great deal smaller than all the men present.
“I am Sergeant Haversham. How may I help you today?”
“Sergeant Haversham, I am Mr. Bramstone Nightingale, and I want my friend Mr. Fraser released at once.”
“I’m afraid there has been a serious allegation leveled against Mr. Fraser that we cannot ignore, Mr. Nightingale.” His expression was calm as he spoke and a little smug.
“They are lies perpetrated, I know, by Baron Ellingtonand his son, Mr. Parson, who has hated my family for many years.”
The man tensed at Bramstone Nightingale’s words.
“If Mr. Fraser is not released, then things will become very difficult for you, Sergeant Haversham. Especially when the truth comes out.”
“We do not take kindly to threats, Mr. Nightingale,” the sergeant said, rather bravely to Eliza’s mind, considering who stood before him.
“Allow me to intervene, Uncle. I am Viscount Seddon, and am disgusted by the treatment of a man respected by my family. A friend who was taken from his home like a criminal. If”—he put emphasis on that word—“he is not released at once, then be prepared for hell to rain down upon you, sir.”
“And I am Captain Sinclair, Sergeant Haversham, and I fought to ensure this country did not fall, and I did not do so to see injustices such as this one carried out. You will release our friend at once, or every nobleman of our acquaintance will be in this watchhouse by day’s end.”
Sergeant Haversham was now looking nervous.
“My brother-in-law is a detective at Scotland Yard. You may have heard of him. His name is Grayson Fletcher, and he will want to know what proof you have of this assault, Sergeant,” Mr. Alexander Nightingale said.
“Well—as to that?—”
“Excuse me,” Eliza said, and the Nightingale brothers parted to let her into their line.
“Who are you?” the sergeant demanded.
“You’ll want to adjust that tone when speaking to a lady, Sergeant,” Bramstone Nightingale said.
