“Oh yes. Nic even went as far as to kiss her—in front of me, no less.”
A chuckle sprang to Trevor’s throat. “I can believe that. But if he tries that on Louisa, I swear I will call him out.”
“Oh, I’m quite certain Hawthorne will not do that to Louisa. Or to you. Nic knows me well, which is why he attempted to make me jealous.” He shrugged. “It worked like a charm.”
“Good.” Trevor turned and hurried out the front door as a servant ran to fetch the horses.
Hawthorne stopped beside Trevor and nudged his arm. “Are we going to talk to the Danverses now?”
“Yes.”
“I wish we knew more about Miss Watson. I, too, don’t feel she is being entirely honest.”
Trevor glanced at Nic. “Well, considering her uncle is the very man who kidnapped Louisa, I think that right there will give the Danverses enough doubt to start questioning her as well.”
“Good thinking, brother.” Trey nodded.
The servant brought the horses around, and each man grasped the reins. Just as Trevor mounted, another horseman rode up to them and stopped quickly. The dust around them puffed into thick clouds, and the wind didn’t assist matters any, either.
As the dust cloud cleared, Trevor recognized the rider. “Tristan. It is good to see you this afternoon.”
“Trevor, I’m glad I caught you. I was just at the gaol, and—”
“You were at the gaol?” Trevor’s voice rose. “Why? What happened? Do I need to hire my solicitor to represent you?” He shook his head. “I cannot believe they think you guilty of Hollingsworth’s death.”
“Trevor, that’s not why I was there. But as I was leaving, the police were bringing in a prisoner.” Tristan leaned over and touched Trevor’s arm. “They have arrested Louisa.”
Trevor’s heart cried out and buzzed through his already pounding head. His chest ached as panic surged through him. He glanced at Trey and Hawthorne, whose angry expressions mirrored the way Trevor felt.
“Go tell the Danverses,” Trevor instructed. “It’s extremely crucial for me to talk with Louisa now.” He turned to Tristan. “Will you help me?”
“Yes. What do you wish me do to?”
“Find Miss Watson. She is behind this somehow. I need to know.”
Tristan shrugged. “I can help you with that one already. Miss Watson was the one who turned Louisa in to the authorities.”
Trevor’s curses mixed loudly with Trey and Dominic’s. “All right, so the woman is more vindictive than we thought. I shall ride to the gaol immediately. Hopefully Louisa can shed some light on this.”
Trey and Dominic kicked their horses into a run as Tristan followed. With a heavy heart, Trevor rode toward the gaol, knowing not what he would find, or even if Louisa would speak to him. He had been wrong to judge her so quickly the other night and he would always be sorrowful for his actions. But right now he must make amends by finding Macgregor’s true killer.
He rode his horse hard, only stopping when he reached the building. Quickly, he dismounted and threw his reins to a servant boy who hurried over to assist. Trevor’s long strides ate up the distance between him and the gaol until he walked inside.Many people milled about, and he turned to the first policeman he found.
“Please, sir. I need to speak with the magistrate or governor of the facility,” Trevor demanded.
“Neither are here at the moment. How may I assist you?”
“I am the Duke of Kenbridge, and I heard you brought in a prisoner. A woman by the name of Louisa Hamilton. I would like to see her, please.”
The other man arched a gray bushy eyebrow. “Why, may I ask?”
“Because she works for me, and I think she is innocent. I will hire my solicitor if I must, but she will not be sent to the gallows for something she did not do.”
“I shall allow you to see her, but only for a few minutes.” The jailer turned and walked down a long hall.
The stench of unwashed bodies and rotten food had Trevor gagging. He withdrew a handkerchief from his pocket and lifted it to his nose. “Has her trial been set yet?”
“No, it has not,” the man told him over his shoulder. “Perhaps tomorrow when Magistrate Templeton arrives.”
