“Nevertheless,” Charlotte said, “we have no right to—”
Mrs. Callanach snapped her fingers to draw attention. She held up her hand, motioning for them to wait, then proceeded to write. When she was done, she handed her note to Charlotte, who proceeded to read.
“My marriage was one of convenience, completely devoid of love. Bruce Callanach was a violent man who had no qualms about striking others. He whipped my son…” Charlotte swallowed hard in an effort to tamp down her rising fury. “And he would often strike me for the slightest offense. Since he had his own lovers, I saw no reason not to seek comfort in the arms of another. In retrospect, it was foolish. I played a dangerous game with my husband – one in which a man was killed.”
“A good solicitor might be able to use this to gain some sympathy for you,” Marcus said. “Especially if there were witnesses to your abuse.”
“I saw the master strike her on numerous occasions,” the maid said. “So did the butler.”
“What about James?” Charlotte asked. She couldn’t believe he wouldn’t have done something sooner to try and help them both out of such an awful life. Of course, she reminded herself, he’d only been a boy and not a very tough one either, until circumstance had forced him to change.
Mrs. Callanach shook her head. She wrote another note.I did my best to protect him from the truth. It’s possible he viewed me as a weak woman who lacked the strength to stop her husband from beating her son, but the truth is, I tried, and was always punished as a result.
The image Mrs. Callanach painted of a home ruled by tyranny, caused Charlotte’s heart to ache. “And Seamus?”
“He idolized his brother,” the maid responded. “And did his best to absolve him posthumously by pinning the murder of Mr. Hollander on James. As soon as Master James ran, Mr. Callanach ordered Mrs. Callanach removed from the premises immediately. After applying to her brother for help, she was set up in this house.”
Charlotte drew a tight breath. “And her brother?”
“Has since passed away. Her nephew manages the rent, but makes sure to keep his distance so as to avoid tarnishing his own reputation by association.”
“I see.” Charlotte sipped her tea which had now grown tepid. She set the cup aside and folded her hands in her lap. “Do you know where Seamus might have taken James?”
“Possibly to the Police Court in the Lawnmarket,” the maid suggested. “He’ll want the constables there to help with James’s arrest and imprisonment until a trial can be held.”
Mrs. Callanach nodded.
“Thank you.” Charlotte glanced at Marcus to see if he had anything further to add. When he kept quiet, she said, “We’ll head over there straight away to see if he’s there. And then we’ll acquire a solicitor to help in his defense.”
“Would a barrister not be better?” the maid asked after sharing a hesitant look with her mistress.
“I’m hoping one won’t be required, seeing as I intend to prevent a trial. Which I suspect would also be in Seamus’s best interest. Let’s not forget that stirring up the past in a public forum would not be beneficial to his reputation either.”
“No, but it could secure his position as his brother’s heir, which is likely why he’s doing this,” Marcus said. “And money might matter more to him than public opinion.”
“In any event,” Charlotte said, “we shall be in touch with you both as soon as we know more.”
Mrs. Callanach made a new note.I’d like to see him.
“And I am certain he’ll want to see you as well.” Charlotte smiled at the woman she hoped would become her mother-in-law. “Rest assured, I will do all I can to ensure your son’s acquittal.”
When Charlotte was back in the carriage, she turned to Marcus. “That poor woman. Can you imagine the hell she has been through, first in her marriage, then as a widow?”
“I almost wish her husband would rise from the dead so I can kill him,” Marcus said.
“She cannot speak because of him and then, as if that weren’t enough, she was told her son had died. Never mind the damage done to her reputation because she decided to take a lover. Which I’ll allow is not a commendable choice, but given the fact that her husband did the same and beat her, I really can’t blame her for trying to find a few moments of happiness for herself.”
“Neither can I.” Marcus gave her a grim look. “Mrs. Callanach’s situation is to be pitied, not criticized.”
“I’m sure Seamus had a hand in branding her the worst sort of harlot while turning his brother into a saint. And she could not even speak in her own defense.” Charlotte cast her gaze out the window as the carriage tumbled along the cobble-stoned streets toward the Lawnmarket. She could not wait to come face to face with Seamus Callanach, because she was very determined to give that man a piece of her mind.
19
Seated on a rickety wooden bench in his cell at the Police Court, Blayne pondered the events that had brought him so low. His uncle had clearly been threatened by Blayne’s reappearance. He’d referenced the notion of Blayne attempting to come back and claim what belonged to Seamus on more than one occasion. Blayne hadn’t argued. He’d not seen the point when he knew the law was against him. So he’d accepted his fate – the one that had been chasing him for so many years – and walked into the Police Court without the slightest resistance two days earlier.
“Mr. Callanach,” a clipped tone spoke from beyond the bars. “Ye’ve two visitors.”
With the weariness of a man well into his eighties, Blayne stood. It would probably be his uncle’s prosecutor with his clerk, although he’d not expected either to arrive until later. He snorted. The speed with which they’d shown up was a testament to how eager Seamus was to put an end to things.
