“You won’t find your brother here when you return,” the detective said. “He’ll be lodged at Newgate until he sees the magistrate.”
“Newgate!” Thomas exclaimed, and she could see by his face, he hadn’t expected that.
Filled with fear at the notion of him residing in such a despicable place, Adelia began to shake.
“It’s all right,” he said to comfort her, patting her back before drawing away to give her upper arms a reassuring squeeze. “I shall be fine.”
“He will be,” the detective confirmed, then spoke to Thomas. “Unlike most, you’ve got the coin to pay your way, although your sister will have to fetch you that, as well. The jailers don’t go by account. It’s not pleasant, but you won’t be in the worst of it, and Newgate has held noblemen in the past.”
Detective Sergeant Garrard spoke to her again. “It’s late—or rather, it’s early. A couple of my men will take your brother over, and you can visit him there by afternoon.”
She thanked the detective who was being extremely kind to her, especially considering he probably assumed Thomas guilty.
Owen had remained silent during the exchange, watching as if he were removed from what was happening instead of being the cause. Wavering between terror for her brother and frustration at her own inability to alter the situation, she rounded on him.
“He is innocent,” she spat out.
The viscount’s expression, while somber, was also content, satisfied. After all, he believed he’d caught his sister’s murderer.
“One day, I will remind you I told you so,” she added, watching his eyes widen slightly. “And you will be sorry!”
He nodded, seemingly accepting her condemnation.
Turning to her brother, she kissed his cheek. It would only be a few hours, and she would return with help. Heading toward the door, Adelia was eager for the sun to rise so she could begin her task.
“Despite being an area full of policemen and courts,” she heard the detective remark behind her, “it isn’t safe for her ladyship to wander outside alone, especially if she’s looking for a hackney at this hour.”
Glancing back, she realized he was speaking to Owen.
“I will see her safely home,” he said to her brother.
No!She would not let him appease his conscience by escorting her home after he’d torn a hole in her life. Quickening her footsteps, she was nearly at the station’s entrance when he caught her.
“Adelia,” he began, using her name aloud for the first time.
“No!” she bit out. “Leave me alone.”
A policeman opened the door for her, and she stepped out into the thick, chilly pre-dawn fog. Clutching her cloak around her, she looked up and down the street, seeing nothing but Owen’s carriage and a few stray passersby. One man halted and stared at her, making the hair on the back of her neck stand up. She turned away from him and began to walk.
“Lady Adelia,” Owen tried again. He wasn’t behind her, but beside her, keeping pace.
She tried to walk faster but, of course, his long legs kept up easily.
“We can walk all the way back to 78 Hyde Park Street, or we can ride in the comfort of my clarence, but either way, we are traveling together. I will not let you out of my sight until we reach your door, and I see you safely inside.”
She walked another block, realizing she had no idea if she was going in the right direction. Abruptly, she stopped. Her brother was back there, his nose possibly broken, undoubtedly afraid of what he faced both at Newgate jail and in court.
Thomas, her protector. Her younger brother.
Unexpectedly, tears sprung to her eyes and began to trickle down her cheeks before she could get her emotions under control. Dashing at them with her gloved fingers, she suddenly felt Owen’s hand upon her shoulder.
That he would comfort her after the hell he was putting her brother through!How dare he!
Jerking away from his touch, she started forward again.
“Adelia, stop!” he commanded.
Feeling utterly defeated, after a few more rebellious steps, she did. Turning, she watched him approach.What did he think to do—take her in his arms?
