“There must be something we can do.”
Jane was thinking more and more of her “banishing Ned” plan. The Americas might be a good destination.
There was a knock at the door. She and Ned looked at each other, wondering who it could be. Violet could sleep through anything, so Jane didn’t think it was her.
Ned opened the door to find little Anna Emerson.
“I’m sorry if Daniel woke you, sweetheart,” Ned said to her.
But Anna just smiled at Ned, then padded into the room with bare feet and a nightgown that was a little too big. She smiled shyly at Jane, then studied Daniel.
“He’s all right,” said Jane. “Just a little upset.”
Anna nodded, then began singing a song, accompanied by a dance. It was in the girl’s native tongue, and while Jane didn’t understand the words, from the movements it appeared to involve the sun and moon.
And miracle of miracles, as Anna kept singing in her sweet, clear voice, Daniel stopped crying and looked at her. As Anna continued singing, Jane could feel the tension begin to leave her son’s body.
There was movement at the open door. Jane looked up to see James and Irene standing there, curious. They were soon joined by Rosalind and Liam, then Colin and Ava, and Nick and Rose. No doubt Daniel had been keeping all of them awake, as well.
Daniel began to close his eyes. The closer he came to falling asleep, the quieter Anna sang. Finally, the baby fell into a deep sleep. Anna continued singing softly, then finally stopped. They waited a moment, but Jane could tell her son would now sleep for hours.
Anna leaned in to Jane, then whispered in her ear. “Can I kiss him?” she asked.
Jane smiled and nodded.
Anna bent down, then very carefully, very softly, kissed the sleeping baby’s forehead. Then she grinned at Jane and Ned. Jane was both incredibly grateful and completely enthralled by the performance. Ned leaned down and kissed the top of Anna’s head, which made her giggle.
With that, Anna turned and was surprised to find her audience, all of whom looked like they wanted to applaud but knew better than to awaken a sleeping baby. Anna took her father’s hand, as well as Irene’s, and everyone left for their respective bedchambers.
Ned pulled an ottoman to the chair and sat next to his wife. The two of them looked at their sleeping son, then they kissed.
It was, thought an exhausted but happy Jane, the perfect night.
CHAPTER EIGHT
“I am kidnapping Letty and Anna,” announced Ned the next morning at breakfast, to the assembled Kellington and Emerson families.
The three girls were off working on a mysterious surprise for Win that they wouldn’t talk about other than to say it involved flowers and singing a song for her.
“Ned!” said his wife.
“I cannot help it if my daughter has grown so attached to the girls that she’ll be heartbroken when they leave. And you know what an incredible relief it was when Anna put Daniel to sleep. They’re coming back to Marston Vale with us.”
“I must say I was thoroughly charmed,” said Rosalind. “Though I cannot condone kidnapping, of course.”
“Just wait until you and Liam have a baby,” said Ned.
Rosalind’s only response was a blush. “How did Anna learn to do that?” she asked James.
“She told us it had been her job in her village,” said James. “When a new baby was born, she would sleep in the home, then serenade the babe when he awoke crying. I’m ashamed to admit I didn’t know that until last night.”
“Which is all the more reason she and Letty should come live with us,” said Ned. “We have a baby who cries. We need her assistance. Well, Jane does. I’ve been handling the pressure quite admirably.”
Jane shut his mouth with a kiss.
They were interrupted by Heskiss’s arrival. “My lords, my ladies, Mr. Olson has arrived. I have taken the liberty of placing him in the sitting room and ordering tea.”
“Thank you,” said Win. It was the first morning she’d taken breakfast downstairs. She was still in pain, but with each day spent with her family she felt stronger.
“We will leave you to meet with him in private,” said Lynwood. “But please remember that if you need us for anything we are at your service.”
“Thank you,” said Win. “I cannot express how much I appreciate what you have already done.”
Lynwood bowed to her, then the Kellingtons took their leave.
“Win,” said Nick. “Colin, James and I would like to meet with Olson, as well.”
“I want to come, too,” said Rose.
Colin shook his head. “This isn’t the type of thing a young girl should be exposed to.”
“Win lived it,” said Rose firmly. “And she was no older than I when it first began. She stayed with that bastard in part because of me. I am sitting in on that meeting.”
Heskiss entered again. “My lords, my ladies, Lord Grayson is here. He is most insistent on meeting with you. He is quite concerned about Lady Winifred.”
If Win hadn’t been standing next to Rose, she might have missed it. But she heard the sharp indrawn breath and saw her sister smooth her skirts and tuck away a tendril of hair.
It was just as she suspected. Win had a tendre for Grayson.
Nathaniel Gage, Lord Grayson, entered. It had been six years since Win had last seen him, but he looked much the same. He was a handsome man with fair hair and blue eyes. Even if he hadn’t been the heir to the Duke of Bancroft, every Society miss would have fallen at his feet. The scandal sheets were filled with his exploits. It appeared her old friend was doing his very best to throw away his considerable fortune in gaming hells and to drink himself to an early grave.
But today, he looked decidedly grim as he entered. Then, after seeing her bruises, he clenched his jaw in anger.
“Oh, Win,” he said. “I just heard. I’m so sorry. I am here for whatever you need.”
Nate gently took Win’s hand and bowed over it. There was nothing romantic in the gesture – thank goodness – just the concern of a good friend and ersatz brother.
Then he turned to Rose and the two locked eyes. There was a moment when neither could look away. Win could feel the spark between them. Thankfully, Nate’s back was to Win’s brothers, so they couldn’t see the attraction between the two. It wasn’t that they disliked him. But no one would want rakehell Nathanial Gage as their beloved sister’s husband.
“Olson is waiting,” said Nick. “We should probably meet with him. Win, would you be all right with having Nate join us? We may need him down the line.”
“Of course,” said Win.
“Good. It will be to our advantage to have as many peers on our side as possible.”
That was enough to finally break the gaze between Nate and Rose. Win would have to talk to her sister in private. Win liked Nate very much, but even she had her doubts about his suitability as a husband.
They found Olson going through his notes. He rose when they entered. “Good morning, my lords and ladies.” His gaze went straight to Grayson.
“Lord Grayson,” said Win. “Might I introduce you to my solicitor Mr. Olson?”
The two exchanged greetings before Olson bluntly asked, “Lord Grayson, what is your business here?”
Grayson raised a brow. “What do you insinuate, sir?”
“I mean no offense, my lord. My entire objective is to be Lady Winifred’s advocate. Lord Layton and Lord James might have warned you that I do not always observe the social niceties while doing so. You are the only one here whose relationship to the lady is unclear. If you’re seen in her presence, it would ignite a firestorm of gossip.”
“I am Lady Winifred’s friend. That is all.”
“Grayson grew up with us,” said Colin. “There is truly nothing but friendship between them.”
Olson looked like he was mulling that over. But he refrained from asking further questions. He waited until everyone was seated before beginning. “I was unable t
o secure the services of any of the barristers I usually use. I appealed to one of the best chambers in town, but, unfortunately, they handed your case to George Peyton.”
“And you do not believe he is good?” asked Win.
“I know he is not. He is meeting us here at any moment to interview you. When he leaves, I would like to discuss our options.”
Heskiss entered the room. “My lords, my ladies, sir, the Honorable George Peyton has arrived. He says he is expected.”
“Mr. Heskiss?” said Olson.
“Yes, sir?”
“Did he ask you to add the ‘honorable’ to his introduction?”
Heskiss was torn. He didn’t wish to speak ill of a guest, even by implication, but it was clear Peyton had indeed made the request.
“You do not have to answer, Mr. Heskiss,” said Olson. “I believe I know what occurred.”
Win had to smile. “Please send him in, Heskiss.”
A moment later, a rakishly dressed man in his middle-twenties entered. He bowed to the noblemen in the room. “Grayson, Ridgeway, Layton.”
Win knew her brothers and Grayson enough to know that while they had likely met the man – the ton was claustrophobically small – they didn’t know him well, despite his rather casual greeting.
“I am curious,” said Peyton, looking around and adjusting his cuffs. “Where are Lynwood and Riverton?”
“The duke has given us privacy and Lord Riverton is tending to a sick child,” said Colin.
“Oh.” Peyton’s disappointment was clear. “Can’t the nurse do that?”
“It is my understanding that Lord and Lady Riverton are taking a rather personal approach to raising their children,” said Colin.
“I think it’s quite admirable and look forward to seeing you change a few nappies,” said Ava.
“I’d love to see that,” said James.
“That’s no job for a man, is it?” asked Peyton. “Might I be introduced to the lovely ladies in the room?”
Colin looked like he was already tiring of Peyton’s presumptions, but he did the honors. Peyton raked every woman with his eyes, then lingered on Rose.
“Lady Rosemary, I daresay you are excited to be in London to see all the sights,” he said.
“Actually, sir, I am quite concerned about my sister and her ordeal.” She was trying to be polite, but it was clear she was tiring of the man, as well.
“But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself.”
“Peyton!” said Grayson, in a tone of voice that made everyone jump. “Don’t you think you should get to why you have come?”
“Yes, I suppose it must come to that.” He looked aggrieved by the very thought. “Well, I shall see you ladies later.”
Win, Rose, Ava and Irene looked at each other in confusion.
“Are you going somewhere, Mr. Peyton?” asked Win.
Peyton laughed. “Of course not. I need to discuss the case with your brothers. Don’t worry about a thing. We’ll have it all worked out. But do be a good girl and send the duke in on your way out.”
“This is my case, sir. My life!”
“Technically, I suppose you have the right of it. But you are a lady.”
“An astute observation, Mr. Peyton.”
They were interrupted once more by an apologetic Heskiss. “My lords, my ladies, please forgive my interruption, but there is a Mr. Lewis here to see Lady Winifred. He is the Crown’s barrister.”
“Damnation,” said Peyton under his breath.
“Did he say what he wanted?” asked Win.
“He said he would like to ask you a few questions, my lady. I can send him away, if you wish.”
“That is a capital idea,” said Peyton. “Send him off with a flea in his ear!”
“I am awaiting Lady Winifred’s instructions,” said Heskiss. The “not yours” was unspoken, but clearly implied.
After a moment’s consideration, Win said, “I suppose it is better that I meet him here and now, instead of at the Old Bailey at trial. Yes, I will see him. Please send him in.”
“Are you certain that’s wise?” asked Nick.
“We shall soon see.”
CHAPTER NINE
“What the devil is Lewis doing here?” asked Peyton, as Heskiss left to escort their visitor.
“Language, Peyton!” said Grayson, who obviously hadn’t forgiven him for being forward with Rose.
Nick turned to Olson. “Is this a good idea?”
Olson slowly nodded. “We should at least hear what he has to say.”
A moment later, Win looked up to see a man enter the room who was wholly different from any gentleman she’d ever seen. He was of average height, but with a muscular build. He looked strong and powerful, and her first instinct was to flinch. Unfortunately, he caught the movement and stopped in his tracks, while he was barely inside the room.
Win was embarrassed for showing weakness to this man who would be her adversary. But there was nothing for it now but to proceed.
Olson crossed to Mr. Lewis and shook his hand. “Lewis, it is good to see you again, though I must say they’ve given you a case you simply cannot win.”
“A case he can’t win?” asked Peyton with a snort from his seat. “I’m the one with the task that’s so difficult. It’s like that poor devil in Hades, the one rolling the boulder. What’s his name? Sisy-something? Don’t waste your pity on Lewis. I never do. Do you think we could get that butler back in here? I could use a drink.” He picked imaginary lint off his well-pressed trousers.
“Perhaps later,” said Colin curtly.
“Come in,” Olson said to Lewis, who was still standing just inside the room
“Thank you, but I am fine where I am.” Lewis gave Olson a look that had the solicitor turning to Win. “My lady, would you like to meet the man who will lose his case in court?”
Win had a feeling Mr. Lewis would not step one foot closer to her if she was uncomfortable. The truth was, she didn’t feel entirely at ease with him. But she wouldn’t be a coward. Not with everything she’d been through.
“Please come in, sir,” she said with more courage than she felt.
He walked slowly toward her and with each step it seemed to Win like there was a shift in the room. It was more difficult to breathe. She seemed warmer. He stopped a good three feet further away from her than was customary, then bowed.
“Mr. Alexander Lewis, my lady,” he said. “How do you do?”
“I am in a difficult position, Mr. Lewis, but pleased to have the support of my family around me. I am Mrs. Pierce.”
Lewis was in turn introduced to Win’s family and Grayson, each of whom greeted him civilly, but coolly.
“I have come here today to ask you a few questions, Mrs. Pierce.”
“You mean, ask her directly?” asked Peyton.
“She is the defendant.”
“But she’s a woman,” said Peyton in a bewildered state.
“Nothing gets past you, Peyton. My quest is not out of the ordinary. I have had many conversations with women.”
“Why on earth would you do that?”
“Mrs. Pierce,” said Mr. Lewis, apparently choosing to forgo an argument with an imbecile. “I have spoken to the late Mr. Pierce’s brother and sister, as well as the servants. I have read the file, but I am still desirous of hearing from you about the events of the night of your husband’s murder.”
“Very well.” She did not look forward to talking about the beating. She didn’t wish to appear vulnerable to this man who was powerful both in position and body. But perhaps Mr. Olson would gain insight into Mr. Lewis’s mind from the questions he asked. She certainly couldn’t count on Peyton’s help. “Please have a seat.”
She watched as he sat on a chair that seemed too delicate for his strength.
She turned her mind back to the matter at hand. “It started out as an ordinary day…”
“What does that mean?” asked Lewis. “What were your days like?”
“It depended on what Pierce wanted to do. On most days, I rose shortly after sunrise. If the weather was warm, I would break my fast, then walk in the garden.” Supervised by the servants, for she was never alone. “In the winter, I would usually wait until closer to midday to exercise. I often spent my mornings in the sunroom reading or attending to household matters.”
“What kind of household matters were they?”
“Just the usual. Planning the menus, sorting through invitations.”
“Did you tend to any of his business correspondence?”
“No, sir.”
“But you must have seen some of what came to the house.”
Win smoothed her skirts. “The servants had been instructed to take the post directly to Pierce. I only saw what he wanted me to see.”
“He showed you no letters?”
“Only some of the ones from my family. And only then after he’d opened them.”
Lewis raised his eyebrows. “How do you know he was only showing you some of them?”
“Because I know my family would have written to me more often.”
“How do you know this?”
“Because they are my family,” she said, simply.
“When you wrote to them, did you tell them about Pierce’s business affairs?”
“I did not know much about Pierce’s business and he never would have permitted me to speak of it to others. In addition, I was not…allowed to write to my family often. And he always read the letters I did write.”
Mr. Lewis nodded, though it was impossible to tell what he was thinking. “What about social engagements? Did you hear anything about your husband’s business practices then?”
“We were not a very social couple.”
“Not even at tea? I have found matrons to be an invaluable source of information.”
Win was growing a bit tired of his rapid-fire questions. “I would be interested to know how you gain information from matrons, Mr. Lewis.”
He was surprised by the question, but continued in his even tone of voice. “I disguise myself as a seamstress then spy on them at their modiste, as I hem their gowns.”
Always Have Hope (Emerson Book 3) Page 8
