Excitement shot through Trevor, and he could have hugged Hawthorne if it were proper. Instead, he gave his brother’s friend a nod of approval and glared at Miss Watson. “Lord Hawthorne is correct. I am also anxious to hear how you know about this Macgregor fellow.”
The young woman’s eyes widened as they darted from person to person around the room, her face losing color by the second.She forced a laugh. “I must have heard it somewhere. Why else would I know?” She shrugged. “Perhaps I heard my uncle speak of this vile man.”
“That does not make any sense, either, Miss Watson.” Trey stepped closer. “At my mother’s dinner party, you clearly stated your family had not spoken to your uncle in years.”
The Earl of Danvers waved his hands through the air. “Please forgive me, but can we discuss this at a later time? If my daughter is in the gaol, I want to get her released immediately.”
“Do you know how?” Trevor asked quickly.
The earl gave him a sharp nod. “Magistrate Templeton is a cousin. We know each other well. He’ll listen to me and help, I assure you.”
Trevor swept his hand, motioning toward the door. “Come then. Let’s be on our way. There isn’t a moment to lose.”
Lord Danvers marched to the foyer and barked orders to the servants. Within seconds, the cloaks were fetched while the vehicle was being prepared. Miss Watson scurried from one person to another, muttering lies about her not knowing about Featherspoon’s activities. From what Trevor could tell, her desperate pleas were being ignored by the Danverses and Frank.
Once they were all ready, Trevor, his brothers and Hawthorne walked to the front door—being held open by the butler—and hurried to their horses while the others made their way to the carriage. Before anyone could climb in, a squeaky voice called out in the night.
“Miss Watson.”
Everyone stopped and looked at the vagabond rushing to Eliza’s side. The young woman gasped, and pushed the boy away.
“Leave me, you vermin.”
“Miss Watson, it’s me, David. Don’t ye remember? I’m the one who helped ye the other night.”
“You… have the wrong… person,” she stammered as she tried to urge the Danverses and Wellesley into the coach.
Trevor left his horse and came closer to the lad. “You. Boy. What business do you have with Miss Watson?”
David faced Trevor and lowered his gaze to his worn, brown shoes. “Sir, I need to talk to her. She promised me money for helping her the other night, and I came to collect.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Trevor hitched anexcited breath. Things couldn’t have worked out better if he planned them himself. Although he was the one who found David earlier this afternoon and paid him to come confront Eliza. Inwardly, he grinned.
“Liar,” Miss Watson shrieked, then tugged on Frank’s sleeve. “Please, if you love me, you will make that boy leave.”
Wellesley arched a distrustful eye. “What makes you think Iloveyou? The only reason I’m marrying you is because my uncle and aunt wanted me to.”
“Oh!” Eliza slapped a hand over her mouth as tears filled her eyes. “You cannot mean it.”
“Believe me, I do.”
Trey stepped forward and touched the vagabond on the arm. “What is your name, boy?”
“David.”
“David, what kind of help did you give Miss Watson the other evening?”
“She wanted me to steal Mr. Macgregor’s favorite knife and bring it to her. She said she was going to put an end to his thieving and blackmailing career.” The boy shrugged. “I was more than happy to comply since I recently learned that my parents were still alive and he knew it.”
“Nooo…” Eliza sobbed into her hands. “He’s lying, I tell you.”
Frank tightened his hand on Eliza’s elbow. “Let us confront Louisa and see what therealstory is.” He glanced at the Danverses. “Forgive me aunt and uncle, but I have wondered about Eliza’s story from the first time I heard she saw Louisa drown. And recently, I have caught her in lies. I cannot trust her, and I certainly cannot marry her.”
The earl nodded. “We shall discuss this further, but for now, I want to find my daughter.”
Trevor, his brothers, and Hawthorne mounted as the Danverses climbed in their vehicle. Trey allowed David to ride on his horse.
