Always Have Hope (Emerson Book 3)

by Maureen Driscoll

  Jane beamed at her daughter. “Lady Winifred, may I present my daughter, Violet Kellington? Violet, this is Lady Winifred.”

  “It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady,” said Violet with a curtsy. “Aunt Rosalind and I were in the hothouse and I picked out these flowers for you.”

  Win took the dozen flowers, no two alike. “Thank you so much, Violet. They are beautiful. It is a great pleasure to meet you.”

  “Are you really Anna’s aunt? She’s my friend and we met at Gunter’s. Do you think she’ll come back to London soon? Lord James said she would, but I was hoping she’d come and your sister Letty, too.”

  “I hope they’re coming, too.” Though Win dreaded having them see her this way. “You’ll also like my sister Rose, though she’s older than Letty and Anna.” Win wasn’t sure what it would be like to see Rose again, whether the girl would forgive her for ignoring her all those years.

  “Poppet, Mrs. Rigg and I are going to help Lady Winifred get dressed now,” said Jane, as she smoothed her daughter’s hair. “Would you be so kind as to tell Lord James and Miss Wallace that she’s awake? I know they’re most anxious to see her.”

  “Yes, Mama.” Then Violet curtsied to Win again. “If you want to come see my room later, you can.” Then she left, closing the door behind her.

  “You have a lovely family,” said Win, as she eased out of her night clothes.

  “I am very blessed, though I hope the newest addition did not keep you awake last night. My son Daniel still hasn’t learned the habit of sleeping through the night. And we have him with us in our room. If he’s too disruptive we can arrange for a different suite for you.”

  “I slept quite soundly, thank you.”

  “No doubt the result of a full meal and complete exhaustion.”

  “Perhaps,” said Win, who believed it was because it had been the first night of safety she’d known since her marriage began.

  “James and Irene are downstairs meeting with a solicitor. James didn’t think you’d be up to meeting with Mr. Olson today, but I thought I’d pass on the information, just in case.”

  “Thank you. I’d like to meet with him. I’m still a bit hazy about the events of last night, but it sounded like the Crown was rather intent on convicting me. I should like to do something about that.”

  Half an hour later, Win carefully descended the stairs of the elegant home then entered the sitting room.

  James and Irene were there, as well as the duke and duchess and Ned Kellington. They were meeting with the solicitor, Geoffrey Olson. In appearance, he was quite unassuming. He was in his mid-thirties, with thinning fair hair. He was shorter than average and dressed like a man who had run into a spell of bad fortune.

  He was quiet, but from the way he studied her when she entered the room, Win had the impression he was a shrewd observer.

  Everyone rose upon her entry. James was immediately by her side. He unsuccessfully tried to school his expression when he saw her bruises. Perhaps she shouldn’t have come down today.

  He took her hand. “Good morning, love,” he said, as he carefully kissed her cheek.

  Just the simple act of being with her brother warmed her. It also gave her strength for the battle she was facing.

  “We are meeting with our solicitor, Mr. Olson,” said James.

  The man bowed to her. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Winifred.”

  “How do you do, Mr. Olson? Thank you for coming.”

  Win took a seat next to James, gingerly lowering herself onto the settee.

  “Are you sure you’re well enough to do this?” asked James.

  “I think it is imperative we start the process of my defense.”

  “I believe Lady Winifred has the right of it, my lord,” said Olson. “Mr. Pierce’s death was on the front page of every broadsheet in the city this morning and even the more respectable publications did not shrink from posting vile speculation.”

  “I did not kill my husband, Mr. Olson.”

  “No one in this house thinks you did, my lady. But it is not just lurid gossip which is feeding the press frenzy. I believe someone is determined to see you convicted of the crime.”

  “What makes you say that?” asked Lynwood.

  “Because I sent an associate to Bow Street to learn what I could. I didn’t think there would be much so soon after Pierce’s death. But my source told me the case file is almost complete and will be handed over to the Crown’s barrister today.”

  “But how could they get so much information so quickly?” asked Irene.

  “That is a very good question. And one I would like to learn the answer to. Even more troublesome is they’ve given the case to Alexander Lewis, one of the Crown’s most formidable barristers. His success in court is quite enviable. However, we are fortunate in one respect. He is an honorable man, known for his fairness and honesty – traits not always found in my field of work.”

  “We want you to represent Win,” said James. “Please. We will pay anything.”

  “Thank you for your vote of confidence, Lord James. But it is not money that determines the nature of my participation. As you know, the ordained procedure is to employ a solicitor who gathers all the particulars of a case and then finds a barrister to argue it in court.”

  “Do you know of a good barrister?” asked James.

  “A few. But I would rather get the particulars before I decide which one to use.” He looked at Win. “I do not need to tell you the stakes are life and death,” he said quietly. “Do you have any idea who might have killed your husband?”

  “No. Though I believe he had enemies.”

  “But you do not know who they were?”

  “He did not share details about his life with me.” Other than the beatings he gave her when life wasn’t going his way.

  “Then please tell me what you do know, and we’ll proceed from there.”

  Win nodded, even as she tried to piece together the relevant details. “Clarence took over his father’s business. I do not know the exact nature of his work, other than he insured shipping vessels. I believe he was also involved in speculative ventures. He issued certificates of stock for investments in mining, transportation and the like.”

  “Those are risky endeavors,” said Olson. “I can imagine he angered a lot of people when the investments didn’t have a satisfactory yield.”

  “That is probably true, but I have no first-hand knowledge. I do not even know if he had much contact with the people who lost money. He had others working for him who oversaw the day-to-day transactions. They would sometimes come to the house and meet with Pierce in his study.”

  “What about when you went out in Society? Did you hear rumors about your husband’s work? Were there snide remarks? One can learn a great deal just by listening to gossip.”

  “We were not accepted in Society because of his humble beginnings and work in trade.”

  “That must have upset him.”

  “It did. You are too polite to ask, but the reason Pierce married me was to gain entrée into Society. He was rather upset when it did not work.”

  “And what did he do when he was upset?”

  It was impossible to escape Olson’s kind, yet intense gaze. “I believe you know, Mr. Olson.”

  James had grown more and more tense while Win answered Olson’s questions. He now strode across the room, where he began angrily pacing. “I should have killed him myself. I should have demanded entrance to your house. I should have…”

  “Lord James,” said Olson. “If you continue talking like this, you’ll be arrested for Pierce’s murder.”

  That stopped James for a moment. “Do it. I would gladly confess to this murder. I would die for Win. For that matter, so would Colin and Nick. Anything is preferable to seeing her in this position.”

  “James, please,” said Win, motioning for him to take his seat beside her. He was scaring her because it would be just like one of her brothers to try to take the blame. She had no do
ubt they would die for her. But she would not allow any harm to come to them. Not after everything she’d endured to protect them.

  “Lord James,” said Olson. “I do not doubt you would take her place. But I cannot imagine Lady Winifred or Miss Wallace would like that very much, not to mention Miss Emerson. The best strategy we have is to find the real killer.”

  “Did Bow Street interview the butler?” asked James.

  Olson looked through his notes. “Yes. Havers was in the servants’ quarters when the murder occurred. Apparently there was a contretemps concerning a footman and a maid who’d been caught…” He blushed and cleared his throat. “…who’d been caught in an irregularity. He said he didn’t hear anything, but he was the one who found Lady Winifred with the deceased. He also said Pierce didn’t have an enemy in the world.”

  “Interesting,” said James. “When I called on Win a few weeks ago, I was denied entrance. But I made my feelings clear to Havers. I told him that if she was being mistreated, I would kill Pierce. And I meant it. I wonder why he wouldn’t have thought to mention it to Bow Street.”

  “An excellent question, my lord,” said Olson as he made a note of it. “We will have to speak to Havers, again. Lady Winifred, what was your husband’s relationship with his family? He had one brother, a sister and a brother-in-law, correct?”

  “Yes. Their relationship was odd. Very formal. Pierce was the eldest and I sometimes believed his brother Clive resented the fact their father left the business to my husband and only a stipend to himself and their sister Emmeline. The stipends were rather generous. But if there was one thing the three siblings had in common, it was that they always wanted more.”

  “Do you think one of them could have killed Pierce? There was no sign of a breakin. Pierce likely knew his attacker.”

  “I do not know. They squabbled over money, but I never thought it was anything more than that. But, again, I was not privy to such matters.”

  “And you never noticed anything odd when you went out?”

  Win wasn’t sure how to answer that question. “I did not go out much. I was not allowed to leave without Pierce or the servants. And I did not receive many visitors.”

  Win’s head was beginning to ache. She must have squinted her eyes against the pain, because Olson drew his interrogation to a close.

  “You have been very helpful Lady Winifred. I will find out what I can about the Crown’s case. Fortunately, my network of sources is quite extensive. And, your grace, I may need you, as well as the Marquess of Riverton. I daresay Lady Riverton will be most upset when she learns what has transpired.”

  “She was extremely upset,” said Lynwood. “She would be here right now except her infant son has a cold and she did not wish to leave him. But you can count on our support at all levels.”

  As the duke and duchess walked Olson out, Ned and Jane went to check on baby Daniel, leaving Win with James and Irene.

  “I look forward to meeting your daughter,” said Win.

  “I cannot wait to introduce the two of you. She is in Wiltshire recovering from the chicken pox.” He took her hand. “I want to learn what your life has been like, Win. Unfortunately, I believe I can guess at least part of it.”

  She shook her head. “I cannot talk about it. Not yet. Though I expect there will be no escaping it when the others arrive. I fear I can tell my story only once.”

  James nodded, while squeezing her hand. “Of course. This has been an incredible ordeal for you. I do not wish to make it worse.”

  It felt good to be taken care of by her brother. “In the meantime, I should very much like to catch up with you,” she said.

  “I should leave you two alone,” said Irene, rising.

  Win reached out to her. “I wish you wouldn’t, for we are sisters now. And I would like to hear about your life, as well. Besides, I may be able to think of embarrassing incidents from our childhood. I expect you would like to be able to tease James from time to time.”

  “From time to time?” asked James. “She already teases me quite mercilessly about any number of things. Well, if you insist, dear Win, I shall tell you about my illfated travels in America and how I became a failed farmer.”

  “If I recall,” said Irene, “you did not get the chance to be any type of farmer because of my dishonorable brother. And you are an indisputable success as a father.”

  It was obvious that James and Irene were very much in love. Win hadn’t known such a thing existed. But there it was, for the world to see. She would likely never have it for herself. She might not even live out the month if that successful barrister had his way. But she’d lived long enough to see at least one of her brothers happy.

  And that was enough for now.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Alex stood outside the mansion where Clarence Pierce had been murdered. It showed obvious signs of wealth. The knocker was too big, too gilded. The shutters looked like they’d been painted only the previous week. There was a garish statue in the Greek style in the front garden. But Alex was certain the neighbors Pierce had obviously wished to impress with his wealth only resented him for it. By their thinking, Pierce had been an interloper, trying to buy his way into the peerage. Alex could have told him from first-hand experience that Society did not open itself up to outsiders easily.

  He had been on his way to Bow Street when one of the chambers’ clerks had stopped him in the dining hall. He’d told Alex there was no need to actually go to Bow Street. Everything he needed to know had been gathered in one thin file, which the clerk had presented to him.

  Now, while it was customary for barristers to be given all the material they’d need for trial, the process almost always took longer than a day and there was usually a good deal more evidence than what he’d been presented with. This was a murder trial, after all. It wouldn’t do to appear before the Lord Chief Justice with so little evidence. Surely the defense would have more than this.

  Alex wondered if, perhaps, the Crown was actually trying to have Mrs. Pierce found not guilty. That might explain why there was so little evidence. Maybe it was yet another case of the ton protecting its own – and damaging his career in the process.

  But when he went back to his personal chambers and began reading the material, he realized the Crown very much wanted Mrs. Pierce to be convicted.

  Or at least someone did.

  The file was filled with gossip about her late parents. Tales of affairs, questionable parentage, blackmail, lying, duels and scandal. According to the file, both the late earl and countess had squandered a few fortunes gaming, though never in each other’s company. They’d been so desperate for money that the old earl had all but sold their eldest daughter to Pierce.

  It was said that Mrs. Pierce resented the arrangement. She was a cold woman who never saw her brothers and sisters, nor gave them money even when they were in desperate need of it. She was jealous of her younger sister Rosemary, and made sure the girl wouldn’t have a come-out. And she’d refused to see her youngest sister Leticia because she was the result of an immoral liaison.

  Pierce had beaten his wife, hurting her vanity. And he’d cheated on her with servants, further humiliating her. Combine that with Mrs. Pierce wanting his fortune and there was no need to look further for the killer. She’d had ample motive and opportunity.

  She was a murderess and must hang.

  Alex had rarely seen such a one-sided story. Even dossiers of knife fights on the docks witnessed by dozens of men, contained at least a few contradictory statements and possible theories.

  There was very little actual evidence. It was true that Mrs. Pierce had been discovered leaning over her husband’s body. But even that could be explained, if one believed she’d simply found him that way.

  From the sound of it, this Mrs. Pierce was a cold woman who did have reason to kill her husband and the opportunity to do so. But why weren’t there any other theories? In order for him to do his job, he had to know how to counter any arguments the defens
e might make, including theories involving other suspects. However, he hadn’t been presented with any. Why had there been no investigation? And why were they in such a rush to bring this to trial?

  Alex had a choice. He could either proceed with what he’d been given, which would allow him to present a fairly convincing argument, even if much of it was based on circumstantial evidence and conjecture. Or he could ask a few questions and see if there wasn’t more to the story. After all, a woman’s life was at stake. And he couldn’t live with himself if there was a chance she was innocent.

  So that’s what had brought him to the house in Mayfair.

  He rapped on the knocker, then looked around as he waited. He wondered if any of the neighbors had ever heard Pierce beat his wife, had ever seen the bruises. Certainly the servants must have. He also wondered if anyone had seen or heard anything the night of the murder or if they’d even been questioned.

  The door was opened by a butler. The man was reserved and everything that was proper, as was usually the case with the servants of cits looking to impress peers. Making a good impression started at the door.

  “May I help you, sir?” asked the butler.

  “I am Alexander Lewis, the barrister for the Crown. I am looking into Mr. Pierce’s death.”

  “In what way, sir?”

  “I would like to see the crime scene. What is your name?”

  “Havers, sir. While I would like to help you, this is not a good time.”

  “I am certain the household is in mourning and as such in a certain amount of disarray. I apologize for the intrusion, but I am not asking. I am going to come in and look around.”

  Havers dropped his professional façade just enough to make it clear he didn’t like being ordered about, even if it was by a barrister. But he allowed Alex entrance.

  And Alex could not believe what he saw. An army of footmen was packing away vases and various pieces of art. One of them walked by with a box of silver.

  “What is going on?” asked Alex. “Is Mrs. Pierce selling these items to pay for her legal defense?”

  “I should say not, sir,” said Havers, offended by the very notion. “We would not allow that to happen. The late Mr. Pierce’s family is safeguarding the items.”