“Platt,” Owen said. “Will you fetch the magistrate?”
“Of course, sir.”
When the butler left, Owen approached the women. “I need to remain until Simon is secured and his fate decided. We’ll have this matter dealt with shortly, and then I shall join you if you’d like to return to the ball.”
“I could not dance in this state,” Sophia said. “I should find my aunt and return home.”
Simon made a frustrated grunt, but no one paid him any mind.
Owen gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “I’ll see to it your carriage is brought to the house.”
“I need to return to Primrose End for my gloves, but then I can accompany you to the house,” Emma offered, glancing down at her gown. The grass stain was visible, but this was her only ball gown, so it would have to do.
Sophia seemed to notice it at the same time. “It’s hardly noticeable.”
Emma was grateful for the lie, but she was hesitant to leave Owen.
He looked over Sophia’s head, his eyes focused intently on Emma. “I will see you in the ballroom.”
Emma let out a short sigh. “Yes, soon.”
One quick explanationof what had occurred, and the magistrate immediately agreed to come to the stables. He questioned Simon with little success, but Platt explained what he had witnessed, and he and Owen both described what Emma had told them had occurred within the house. It was determined that Simon needed to be taken to the gaol in Derby to await a trial at the next assizes.
It would be a blow for Miss Yardley, of course, but she must have known to some extent that he was a dishonest man.
Owen scrubbed a hand over his face, wishing his house were not full of strangers at that precise moment. He wanted nothing more than a stiff drink and a quiet evening with the people who were closest to him. But first, he would put on a nice smile and do his best to prove to each person in that room that he was marrying Emma for love. Their rumors meant very little to him, but he would do what he could to lessen them for her sake.
Two women were leaving through the front doors as he approached, and his heart panged when he drew near enough to recognize Sophia in the darkness. She stood at the carriage door, letting her aged aunt climb in and sit as she waited for him to approach.
“I sent Platt to inform you of the magistrate’s decision. Did he find you?”
Sophia nodded. “It is only fair, but I cannot pretend I am happy to hear it. He is still my brother. I am struggling to reconcile the truth with the man I know. It is hard to believe that he was even capable of the atrocities he committed this evening.”
“You cannot be blamed for that. It will likely take time to come to terms with the reality of the situation.”
She shook her head, frustration edging into her motions. “He’s been in such a state since our father lost the mine. I donot say this to excuse his behavior, for nothing could ever excuse it. His desperation drove him to madness, I think. There is no other explanation that makes sense to me, and this was such an extreme way to solve our financial troubles. It is…I cannot help but feel ill when I think of how scared Emma must have been.”
Owen clenched his hand into a fist and forced himself to release it. “Has the port vineyard not been a good investment?”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“The vineyard he went to Portugal to invest in.”
Sophia narrowed her eyes, tilting her head to the side. “Simon has never been to Portugal.”
A rock fell clear to the pit of Owen’s stomach. “The day I met Simon again, he had come off a ship returning from Portugal. We rode home to Briarstead together.”
Sophia’s cheeks pinked. She shook her head. “I am afraid that must have all been orchestrated.” She closed her eyes but seemed determined to speak her mind. “Simon knew about the contents of the will…you see, my uncle is Mr. Buckley’s solicitor. Mr. Hobbs is my mother’s brother. One evening, when he was in his cups, he shared more than he ought to have about Mr. Buckley leaving everything to you. Simon must have planned to contrive a way for us to be married so he would have access to part of that fortune in order to restore our wealth. As it stands now, I fear we’ll have to sell the estate and move. I’m not certain what else my father can do.”
He straightened his cuffs, feeling every inch the fool for believing Simon’s tales. Hobbs must have been his source regarding Owen’s travel plans as well, for how else would he have known precisely which ship he would be on? Owen had informed Hobbs of his travel plans so he would arrive at Buckley Place around the same time.
“That’s terrible.” The horses stomped impatiently, so heoffered a hand to help her up. “You are always welcome at Buckley Place, Miss Yardley. But your brother?—”
“Yes, I know. He ought to keep his distance.” If he was ever released from gaol, but she did not add that bit. Owen was certain he would rot in prison, but he refrained from saying so as well.
“Perhaps we’ll find a new solicitor,” Owen muttered.
Sophia cringed, taking his hand to step into her carriage. “He is a good man.”
