Mrs. Sterling huffed. “I bet he told you not so charming things about me. Did he call me a hag?”
How little did she know about Ethan.
Cora shook her head. “Actually, Lord Stark defended you when I pointed out that your judgement of him was unfair. He’s never spoken a single ill word about you.”
The lady arched her brow. “He defended me?”
“He said that after your loss, you had the right to say whatever you wanted, even to insult him, and he wouldn’t judge you or complain.” Her defence of Ethan wasn’t a strategy to win the widow’s help. No one could accuse Ethan of being dishonourable in front of her.
A moment of thick silence followed. Only the ticking of the clock on the mantelpiece filled it.
“Why would he say such a thing?” Mrs. Sterling sounded genuinely curious.
“Lord Stark knows what love is. He knows how painful losing someone can be. He has nothing but respect for you and your loss, and he sincerely wishes to take care of you and your daughter. Trust me, he’ll never stop offering his help for any reason. No matter how many times you reject him.”
Mrs. Sterling’s pale cheeks flamed red, hard to say if in anger or another emotion. “Why should I help you?”
“Because you shouldn’t trust a word my husband said.” Cora lifted her chin. “I won’t tell you all my story, but I’ll show you.” She unbuttoned her shirt and uncovered the rounded scar on her breast. “Jacob shot me. I nearly bled to death. Lord Stark saved my life in more ways than one. He stitched the wound and gave me his blood without expecting anything from me.”
Mrs. Sterling moved closer with tentative steps and examined the wound. “Lord Roxbury said you tried to kill him and then you fled with David to hide in your lover’s house, Lord Stark’s house.”
She shook her head. “He tried to shoot David. I stepped in front of my son to protect him, and the bullet hit me. My son David carried me to Lord Stark’s house, and he’s proven to be nothing but a gentleman.”
“Why would Lord Roxbury shoot his own son?” Mrs. Sterling gripped the back of a chair as if needing support.
“Jacob has despised David from the moment he was born, regarding him as too stupid to be a Roxbury. My son isn’t allowed to call Jacob father, and in a way, I’m glad of that. Because a father shouldn’t humiliate his son whenever he makes a mistake, shouldn’t tell him he’s a worthless rat. No man behaving like that deserves to be called a father.” From Mrs. Sterling’s stern face, Cora couldn’t understand if her words had the desired effect. “Jacob hates me too. When we first met, helured me in with flowers, poems, and romantic words only to discard me once we were married.” She took a step closer. “Mrs. Sterling, you understand my position. I can’t return to Jacob’s house. I have nothing. No money, no position, no husband deserving of that name, and no protection. No means to keep my son safe. My only wish is to regain freedom for my son and me. I beg you. My future is in your hands. Let Mrs. Marshall testify. Let her tell the truth. Jacob is a coward who must face his sins. Only you can bring me the justice my son and I desperately need and deserve. Please.” She wouldn’t cry in front of the widow lest Mrs. Sterling believe Cora tried to manipulate her.
Mrs. Sterling lowered her gaze, shivering. “I have a daughter,” she said after a long pause. “Annette. Without James, she’s the only thing keeping me alive. She’s my reason to leave the bed in the morning. She’s the reason I keep eating. I would do anything to protect her.” She raised her gaze to Cora, showing the ardent flames in it. “From one mother to another, I will help you, my lady.”
Cora exhaled. “Thank you.”
“And…” Mrs. Sterling straightened. Her cheeks regained a bit of colour. “Please tell Lord Stark that I accept the allowance.”
twenty-four
IT WAS CURIOUS how to invalidate one single certificate, a person had to produce a hundred different certificates supplied by a hundred different officers, solicitors, and clerks.
For three weeks, Cora had done nothing but sign and fill out forms and documents, write letters to solicitors, and have interviews with several members of the House of Lords. She was tired of recounting the story of her marriage, especially since she didn’t understand if her words fell on sympathetic ears or not. As true politicians, the lords she’d spoken with had remained unfathomable. At least Mrs. Sterling had shown some compassion.
Judge Quigley seemed to conjure up new documents to read and sign and forms to fill out of thin air with the unapologetic ease only bureaucrats possessed, and poor Mrs. Marshall had written pages upon pages to describe what she’d seen while at Jacob’s service on top of having to repeat her testimony no less than twenty-seven times. David couldn’t escape the interviews either. He’d been questioned and examined as much as Cora and Mrs. Marshall, never contradicting himself. But then again, when one told the truth, there was no need to rememberanything. In all that chaos, Ethan’s legal problem with his centre had been neglected. But Ethan had told her his solicitors were handling the case, whatever that meant.
After all the frenetic activity of documents and interviews, it was a matter of waiting for answers while cooped up in Ethan’s house as a precaution in case Jacob got ideas. He’d shot her once. He could shoot her twice.
Not that Cora could complain about the inactivity, but if she could take a walk in the park, the waiting would be less consuming. Not even the books and the library helped speed up the time. She reclined on the Chesterfield sofa, opening and closing the book without reading a word, too worried to do anything.
Ethan walked inside with David. “Cora, fancy a walk? You’ve been in the house for too long.”
Goodness. He truly could read her mind. “What about Jacob? What if he hurts us?”
David tilted his head. “You’re right, sir. Mama always thinks the worst.”
“But… well…” No point in ending her protest. He was right.
“Judge Quigley believes that at this point in the case, there’s no need not to go out. Finn will come with us. Since the annulment has been filed with the court, he says Roxbury can’t force you to do anything until we hear the verdict, and he won’t be stupid enough to shoot you in a public place.”
“Please, Mama?” David asked, shifting his weight from one foot to another. “Harry wants to play cricket with me.”
“Let’s go.” She couldn’t leave the library fast enough.
