Hobsworth proceeded to the witness stand, and the Clerk of the Crown swore him in. After which the Attorney General started his questioning.
“Mr. Hobsworth, on the evening of 23 July, did you accompany Lord Hudsyn to an establishment called Madame Katrina’s in St. James’s Street?
“I did.”
“Did Mr. Burdington and Lord Craventhorp join you at this establishment?”
“Yes. We met to play cards.”
“And at some point during the evening, did the conversation between Lord Hudsyn and Lord Craventhorp become heated?”
“Yes,” Hobsworth said.
“Do you recall Lord Hudsyn insulting Lord Craventhorp,” he paused to consult his notes, “calling him ‘a bankrupted viscount who believes himself a duke’?”
A low murmur rippled through the court.
“Yes,” Hobsworth said, “however, before that, Lord Craventhorp—”
“A yes or no answer will suffice, sir,” the Lord High Steward silenced Hobsworth.
“And did the argument then escalate to a physical altercation?”
“It did,” Hobsworth said.
“And, according to your statement to police, Lord Hudsyn lashed out at Lord Craventhorp, and you were forced to restrain him.”
“Correct, but Lord Craventhorp goaded him. He stood up, took off his dinner jacket, and said, ‘You are a baron in need of a good thrashing.’”
“Well, one can hardly blame him,” the Attorney General said, “A man must defend his reputation, after all.”
Laughter rippled through the courtroom.
Henry’s heart sank. While he had been languishing in Canterbury, Craventhorp had been spreading the seeds of discord against him.
“Mr. Hobsworth, you have spent a great deal of time in the accused’s company, have you not?”
Hobsworth nodded. “Yes.”
“Both you and Lord Hudsyn have resided at Albany for the past two years, correct?”
“Yes, sir.”
“During that time, how often have you seen Lord Hudsyn sober?
“I don’t quite recall,” Hobsworth said, and Henry could see the sweat collect on his friend’s forehead.
“You don’t quite recall ever seeing the accused sober?”
“Well, no, of course, I’ve seen him sober. I just—” he sighed.
“Would you say then that you are more accustomed to seeing him in a drunk and disorderly state than sober and orderly?”
“Not disorderly. He keeps to himself most of the time, drunk or sober.”
“Not on this occasion it seems.” The corners of the Attorney General’s lips curled into a smile, and he turned briefly to face the lords before asking his next question. “Mr. Hobsworth, at any time during that evening, did Lord Craventhorp mention his plans to attend Lady Dawley’s ball?”
“Yes, to meet his new betrothed, Miss Annabel Leonard.”
