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Chapter Twenty-Two
Two weeks later, Jerome and Ava returned to the house from their customary morning ride in Hyde Park. Ava set her feet on the stairs, saying, “I shall just go up to change. I promised Mama I would visit her this morning. She is quite prostrate from traveling.”
Jerome smiled to watch her running up the stairs, his heart full with adoration for his wife, and turned to hand his hat and coat to Skelton, who said quietly, “My lord, there is a gentleman to speak with you. I put him and his companions in the front parlor.”
The expression on Skelton’s face told Jerome his butler didn’t approve of these visitors, and he said mildly, “Thank you, Skelton.”
He opened the parlor door and surveyed its occupants. One was seated in an armchair, the other two stood before the unlit fireplace with their hands behind their backs. The seated man was dressed with an elegant propriety that indicated a superior status compared to his companions, whose attire was worn and greasy. Skelton had not seen fit to take any of the visitors’ hats.
Jerome shut the door as the seated gentleman rose from his seat, and he advanced into the room.
“You wished to speak with me?” he asked, puzzled and with a vague prickle of alarm running over his skin at the somber expression on all three men’s faces.
The gentleman, who was middle-aged and somewhat corpulent, said, “Jerome DeVere, Marquess of Ravenshaw?”
“Yes,” replied Jerome, his heart kicking up.
The other man bowed. “Josiah Forbes, Magistrate, Bow Street.” He held out a folded piece of paper with a red seal on it. “My lord, it is my sad duty to inform you—”
Jerome took the paper from him and inspected the seal. His Majesty, King George IV. He broke the seal and scanned the paper as the other man continued to speak.
“I have a warrant for your arrest for the murder of the Honorable Miss Charis Dunsenay on the 11th of July, 1812.”
Reading the same words on the paper, Jerome’s head reeled. This couldn’t be happening!
“No.” he said, shaking his head. “Miss Dunsenay’s death was an accident. I tried to save her as she fell.” He stared into the impassive face of the magistrate before him.
“That will be a matter for the court to decide, my lord. If you will accompany me?”
Jerome swallowed, his brain whirling. “I gather you mean to detain me? May I have a few moments to collect some of my effects?”
The magistrate bowed again. “Of course, my lord. We will await your pleasure.”
Jerome nodded and left the room. He headed first to the library where he scrawled three notes, which he handed to Skelton to arrange for delivery. “Please ask Leyton to pack a valise for me, with sufficient clothing for an extended stay. I will be away for a number of nights. I am not sure how many at this juncture.”
Skelton raised his eyebrows but bowed and said, “Of course, my lord.”
Jerome then took the stairs two at a time to Ava’s bedchamber. He found her with her maid and said kindly to the girl, “Please leave us. I need to speak with Her Ladyship.” The girl bobbed a curtsy and left, and Ava turned to him, her eyes wide.
“What is it?”
He took her hands and said carefully, “I have received a warrant for my arrest—”
“What? What for?” Ava’s face paled.
“The murder of Charis Dunsenay.”
“No! No! How—?”
“I can only assume that Lady Mostyn, not satisfied with her attempt to wreak havoc between us, has decided to bring an action against me. There are a magistrate and two Bow Street Runners below to cart me off to Newgate—”
“No!” shrieked Ava, her hands clutching at him, tears streaking down her cheeks.
“It isn’t so bad as it seems, love. I am wealthy and can pay for comforts in prison. And I have influential friends. This matter will be dealt with swiftly.” He pulled her close and hugged her. “Now I need you to be strong for me. Can you do that?”
She nodded, clinging to him, her tears soaking his jacket.
“Good. Now listen, I need you to go to Letty and tell her to secure the services of Sir William Garrow on my behalf. He is a first-rate barrister, former politician, and judge and a man of principle. I am confident he will extricate me from this situation with all speed. Get him to come to me at Newgate, and we will see the wheels put in motion to deal with this situation. I have already sent notes to Rob, Pendrell, and Ashford. They will do what they can on my behalf. I will be with you again very soon, love, do not doubt it.”
