Silence. Aside from a slight twitch of her lips, Lady Clifford’s expression didn’t change, but Tristan had the distinct impression she wasn’t pleased. Miss Monmouth, who was now squirming uncomfortably, seemed to have drawn the same conclusion.
“The, ah, gentlemen loitering outside Ye Old Mitre Pub were on the verge of beating Peter Sharpe bloody when I came upon them.” Tristan glanced at Miss Monmouth. “Street justice is an ugly thing,Lady Clifford.”
“Indeed, it is. What a fortunate coincidence you happened to be there to intervene, Lord Gray.” Lady Clifford reached out to stroke a hand overthe pug’s head.
Tristan let out a short laugh. “There are no coincidences, Lady Clifford. I saw Miss Monmouth follow Mr. Sharpe out of the courtroom, knew at once she was up to something, and went after her.”
“Is that so? I wasn’t aware, Lord Gray, you were still a Bow Street Runner.” Lady Clifford’s tone was as polite as ever, but Tristan didn’t miss the shard of ice in her voice.
“My interest is personal, Lady Clifford, not professional. Henry Gerrard was a dear friend of mine. I’m sure you can understand I’m eager to see his murderer brought to justice.”
“Jeremy didn’t murder Henry Gerrard!” Miss Monmouth shot to her feet, her face white with anger. “If you’re so anxious to see Mr. Gerrard’s murderer brought to justice, then you’ll do everything in your power to see the wrong man isn’t hungfor the crime!”
“Sophia, my love. Please.” Lady Clifford took Miss Monmouth’s hand and urged her back down onto the settee, but her gaze remained fixed on Tristan. “I beg your pardon, Lord Gray. Jeremy Ives is rather a favorite of ours. Naturally my girls are upset at the dreadful fate that’s befallen him. I wasn’t aware you were acquainted with Henry Gerrard. I’m very sorryfor your loss.”
Tristan stiffened. “I don’t want your sympathy, Lady Clifford. I want you and your…young ladies to stop interfering inthis business.”
“Miss Monmouth is right, you know,” Lady Clifford said, as if Tristan hadn’t spoken. “Jeremy is innocent. He isn’t capable of committing a crime, much less one so heinous as murder.”
“The court doesn’t agree with you, my lady. Jeremy Ives was found guilty of murder today, and there’san end to it.”
Miss Monmouth jumped to her feet again. “It’s not an end to anything! For a Bow Street Runner, you’re very disinterested in justice, Lord Gray.”
“On the contrary, Miss Monmouth. I’m quite interested in seeing murderers hang.”
“In seeingsomeonehang, at any rate. You’re far less troubled about whether the man swinging at the end of the rope is guilty or innocent.” Miss Monmouth took a step toward him. Her hands were clenched into fists, and her cheeks flushed withrighteous fury.
Tristan gazed up at her, a disturbing range of emotions twisting in his chest. Her accusation struck a nerve, and he didn’t care for it, but at the same time he couldn’t help but admire her passion, misguided as it was. His eyes met hers, and for a long moment they stared at each other, both of them a bit short of breath, then Tristan rose to his feet so he was towering over her. “I’ll takemy leave now.”
He’d said all he wished to say, but before he reached the drawing room door, he turned a sharp glance on Sophia Monmouth. “Remember your promise, Miss Monmouth. You gave your word. Good day,Lady Clifford.”
“Lord Gray.” Lady Clifford inclined her head.
For some time after Lord Gray left, neither Sophia nor Lady Clifford said a word. The only sound in the room was Gussie, snuffling and snorting contentedly as Lady Clifford stroked his head. Finally, when Sophia couldn’t stand the quiet a moment longer, Lady Clifford murmured, “Unnecessaryrisk, Sophia.”
“I-I’m sorry, my lady. I know you told me not to go to the trial, but I simply couldn’t…couldn’t bear for Jeremy to be left alone.” Sophia swiped angrily at the tearson her cheeks.
“I understand that, my love, and I can’t blame you for it, but this business with Peter Sharpe and your locket.” Lady Clifford shook her head. “That wasn’t well done of you. It could have gone dreadfully awry.”
Sophia sank back onto the settee, her knees shaking. “I just…I’m afraid I let my temper get the best of me. Peter Sharpeliedtoday, without a single qualm, or even a trace of regret. I never made any conscious decision to go after him. I saw him leave the courthouse, and the next thing I knew I wasfollowing him.”
“But to what end, Sophia? What did you hope to gain from such arisky scheme?”
Sophia grimaced. “I suppose I was thinking I could threaten him into a confession of some sort. I thought if I could prove he was a thief himself the court might dismiss his testimony against Jeremy. It was foolish, I know.”
Lady Clifford sighed. “I’m afraid it was. Your recklessness will get you nowhere, Sophia. I only hope you’ll learn your lesson before you get hurt. Now, Lord Gray said something about a promise. What did he mean?”
Gussie abandoned Lady Clifford in favor of Sophia’s lap. He rolled over onto his back, and she rested a hand on his fat belly. “Nothing nearly as significant as he seems to think. I gave him my word I’d stay away fromPeter Sharpe.”
Lady Clifford raised a brow. “And will you? I know you don’t give yourword lightly.”
“He wrung the promise from me by threatening to take me to the magistrate at once if I didn’t agree to his terms, but I do intend to keep it, yes, mainly because it costs me nothing to do so. Sharpe got a close look at me today, close enough he’d recognize me in an instant if he saw me again. It’s best if I keep out of his way.”
“Hmmm. You’ll have to find another way to go about this business, then.”
“Yes, but I can’t think how right now. My thoughts are all muddled. We’re running out of time, my lady.” Jeremy had been so terrified in the courtroom today, so wasted and defeated. Thinking of him made more tears spring to Sophia’s eyes. “Jeremy’s situation is desperate. If we don’t act soon, it will be toolate for him.”
Lady Clifford rested her hand on Gussie’s head. “My dear child, it’s never too late for anything. But I have a suggestion for you, if you’re willing to hear it.”
