“Even if I was, that’s no cause for Mr. Beaumont to say anything.” So, their crafty engineer did know about Owen.
Thomas stared at her. “You’re not talking to Burnley, are you? After what he’s done?”
She considered how to answer his question. Owen had not tried to interfere with Smythe Coal in any way. He had only tried to help her.
Thomas jumped into the silence. “Dilly! What can you mean by speaking with him?”
“You intended to ask the elder Lord Burnley for counsel, did you not?”
“That was before—this!” Her brother gestured at his surroundings. “And that was the father,notthe son. Your viscount thinks I’m a murderer!”
She didn’t know what to say except to defend herself. “I haven’t done anything wrong. I didn’t tell any company secrets. I don’t know any to tell. And I do not condone Mr. Beaumont bothering you. First, he wanted me to agree he should handle everything, including what I believe is Mr. Arnold’s purview. And when I told him I had decided I should inspect documents and sign in your stead, he came running to you. Do you think that’s appropriate conduct?”
“I don’t think your discussing our company with Burnley is proper conduct!”
Adelia sighed. He wasn’t going to get over that point to see how inappropriately overbearing Mr. Beaumont had become.
“What did you tell our esteemed manager and engineer?” she asked, prepared for her brother to have given the man permission to take over everything.
Thomas hesitated, pursing his lips in distaste. “I told him to defer to your wishes in everything.”
“What?” She couldn’t believe it.
“Of course. When it comes down to it, I can trust only you and Constance.” He glanced at them each in turn.
“I will not let you down, Thomas,” Adelia promised, and the tears she’d fought back earlier returned unbidden before she could stop them.
He rolled his eyes. “Foolish woman. I’ve already had enough tears from this one.” He jerked a thumb at the Miss Moore, who had stood silently beside Adelia. “Don’t you start. There is nothing to cry about. Your barrister will have me declared innocent when we go to trial, and we’ll put this behind us.”
She nodded, unconvinced but unwilling to let him see that. Perhaps when she met again with Mr. Brassel and Mr. Jaggers, which she was doing within the hour, she would feel more confident of their eventual success.
“I do think Mr. Beaumont was trying to pull the wool over my eyes, trying to convince me to let him take over all your duties.”
“He only wants what’s best for the company,” Thomas insisted. “He is always most concerned with our continued success.”
She nodded, hoping her brother was correct. Glancing at Constance, who appeared worn out, Adelia remarked, “It’s your only day off. I shall leave you two to have time alone. Please, contact me if you need anything.”
“That’s very kind of you, my lady,” Miss Moore said.
Adelia reached through the bars of the fence to hug her brother, tamping down the returning tears.
“Don’t worry,” she told him.
He shook his head. “I won’t.” But his eyes held a sheen of apprehension he couldn’t hide.
Hoping to dispel it soon, she directed her driver to Gray’s Inn.
*
“I have preparedmy opening statement. Would you care to hear it?”
Adelia sat next to Mr. Brassel and watched as Barrister Jaggers strolled up and down his office.
“After much consideration, and in light of the strong evidence and lack of a credible alibi, I have decided to tackle the McNaughten rule.”
“Hm,” said Mr. Brassel, glancing sideways at Adelia prior to addressing his associate. “Having met the accused, I am doubtful he will agree to such.”
“It is not his place to agree or not,” Mr. Jaggers said, looking affronted. “It is my job to secure his release or, at the very least, his life. In fact, I shall not even speak with him about it.”
