“Believe me, I know,” Mr. Steadford said with a glance at Viola. “Is there anything else I ought to be made aware of at this point?”
“No,” she said. “That is all there is.”
“In that case—”
“Before you go,” Henry said, “there is in fact something that I must tell you.” He’d been holding off on mentioning Guthrie’s visit and the information he had conveyed because he’d been waiting to have his own suspicions about Robert confirmed. As it stood, there was no evidence of any wrongdoing. “Carlton Guthrie came to call on me about a week ago.” He told them both about the ensuing conversation and the letter Henry had taken upon himself to write.
“I can’t believe you did not tell me,” Viola said. She looked slightly hurt.
“I didn’t want to get your hopes up about a solid defense until I had something concrete to offer.”
“Without evidence it’s just an accusation and a pretty outrageous one too,” Steadford said. “Hayes will have it thrown out of court in no time at all and we’ll just be left looking desperate.”
“What if Guthrie testifies?” Viola asked.
“What reason is there to believe what he says over the word of a duke?” Steadford shook his head. “I’m afraid it won’t work, but that doesn’t mean there’s no hope. Hayes isn’t the only one with efficient clerks. Based on the information you provided me about Tremaine’s character, Mr. Lowell, mine did some digging into his past. They found at least one person who can corroborate your story about the demimondaine and there are others who are willing to testify to his aggressive tendencies.”
“Do you think that will be enough to discredit his claims about me taking advantage of his father?” Viola asked.
“Maybe. If he wasn’t a duke it would help, but as he is one of the most powerful men in the country, I cannot say with certainty.” He gave them each a final look. “I will wish you both a good day now. There is much for me to do in preparation for the battle lying ahead.”
He strode away at a brisk pace, disappearing into the hallway beyond. As soon as he was gone, Henry turned to Viola, closed the space between them and pulled her roughly into his arms. “Are you all right?” He murmured the question against her head while reveling in the scent of her hair, the feel of her body, so familiar now, and the way she pressed her cheek against his shoulder in search of comfort.
“No. I don’t think so. My life is unraveling, Henry, and there is nothing I can do but stand by and watch it happen.”
He leaned back in order to meet her troubled gaze. “That’s not true. We can still fight this.”
“Really?” Her eyes pleaded for him to show her the way. “Steadford did not sound the least bit certain.”
Henry had to agree with her there. His lack of confidence was not reassuring, but at least it was honest. “The odds aren’t good, but that does not mean they’re impossible, though I really do wish that we had more time. If I were to receive a response from the West Indies about Robert’s wife, then—”
“There’s every chance she died as Robert said she did. Knowing the truth might not help.” With a heavy sigh, Viola stepped out of his arms and went to the window overlooking the garden. “This will be pretty once it is finished. What sort of tree is that over there?”
Disliking the space between them, he went to stand beside her. “Apple.”
“That will be lovely in the autumn when it bears fruit. I like how neat and simple it is. Once the rhododendrons and peonies grow and begin producing flowers, the splashes of color will make your garden a lovely retreat.”
“I’m considering a box over there to the left for some herbs and vegetables. What do you think?”
Her brow puckered slightly while she considered. “It could work, I think. Especially if it’s right up against the garden wall so it doesn’t take up too much space.” They remained side by side looking out, until she suddenly glanced up at him, her eyes filled with question. “I was just wondering... That woman Mr. Guthrie mentioned... Do you know who she was?”
“Her name was Olivia Jones. Besides that, I’ve no idea.”
“So you haven’t made any inquiries?”
“No. Considering the source of the information I received, I dismissed it as inconclusive and chose to focus on the circumstances surrounding the death of Robert’s wife. I believed I stood a better chance with that.”
Viola stared back at him for a second. “I think you might be wrong.”
“You heard Mr. Steadford, Viola. Guthrie won’t work as a witness.”
She smiled. “I know. But Olivia Jones must have a family, friends, people who might be able to offer some information about what happened to her. Reliable sources able to corroborate Guthrie’s story.”
The hope etched in every part of her expression made Henry wary. He didn’t want to lead her toward disappointment. “I think it’s a slim chance at best.”
“Probably. But what’s the alternative?”
Mr. Andrews stepped into the room before Henry could answer and announced the unexpected arrival of Henry’s grandmother.
