by Jane Charles
“You have arrested the wrong man,” Lady Rothsbury asserted.
“Jordan would never hurt me,” insisted Angelique.
Wesby crossed his arms over his chest. “How can you be so certain?”
“I just know he wouldn’t,” Lady Rothsbury insisted.
“You did not see him, by your own account,” Wesby reminded her.
“That is true. I was asleep, but that doesn’t mean he would do such a thing,” she argued.
“You were in your bedchamber,” he pointed out and quickly glanced at Audrey before he continued. “I understand Trent is well aware of where that room is in your home.”
Heat crept up Audrey’s cheeks. She didn’t want to know the details of Jordan’s relationship, or former relationship, with Lady Rothsbury.
“It is a Town Home, Mr. Wesby. Many of them are almost identical in design. Anyone could have found my chamber.” Lady Rothsbury huffed and plunked down into a seat.
Angelique stepped forward and braced her hands on the back of Lady Rothsbury’s chair. “It did not feel like Jordan.”
Wesby narrowed his eyes on her. “You didn’t see your attacker either. He came at you from behind.”
“The man who grabbed me had a slightly rounded middle.” Audrey could see a hint of a smile form on Angelique’s lips. “Trust me when I tell you that there is nothing soft about Jordan Trent.”
Lady Rothsbury looked up at Angelique and they shared a knowing look. Or at least Audrey assumed that was the case since she couldn’t see their eyes all that well from where she stood. Jealousy turned in her heart knowing that these two had been intimate with Jordan and knew things about him that she did not.
She shook the feelings and thoughts away. Now was not the time to be upset over something so trivial. What mattered was that they came to help get him released.
“He could have hired someone to do the deeds,” Wesby suggested.
“To what purpose?” Angelique demanded. “Why would he wish to harm either one of us? Have you even given thought to his motivation or reasons?”
Wesby colored slightly and picked the papers up from his desk and shuffled them. The man didn’t have a reason so why had Jordan been arrested in the first place for these crimes. “One of the theories is that he took revenge for your rejection of him.”
The women were still for a moment and then began laughing. “Trust me, Mr. Wesby; if Jordan Trent wished to visit my bed, he is the last man on earth I would reject.”
Angelique nodded her head in agreement.
Audrey’s face grew hotter.
“In fact, he recently rejected my offer,” Angelique advised.
“As well as mine,” Lady Rothsbury confirmed.
The two ladies turned to look at Audrey.
“And I think we know why,” Lady Rothsbury added.
Was it true? Had Angelique and Lady Rothsbury both offered themselves and Jordan declined? He said he was done with that part of his life and it was the past, but there was still that little gnaw of worry at the back of her mind.
Audrey shut the thoughts down. Her first priority was getting him out of Newgate and she would think about the future later.
“Ladies, thank you for coming,” Wesby said after a moment. “I appreciate your wanting to help but I deal in facts and none of you have provided me with any that have convinced me of Trent’s innocence.”
Lady Rothsbury gasped.
He gestured to the door. Apparently they were being dismissed. Audrey turned and followed the two women out. What was she to do? There had to be some way to prove Jordan’s innocence. She knew he did not do these things.
Grace rose from her seat when Audrey stepped into the large and busy office of Bow Street. Silently they walked toward the carriage and entered. It wasn’t until the door closed that Grace spoke.
“Who was that woman with Lady Rothsbury?”
“Angelique, I assume.”
“She is the…”
“Yes,” Audrey cut her off.
“Were you able to convince Mr. Wesby that Jordan couldn’t have done this?”
Audrey sank back against the squabs, tears forming in her eyes. “Wesby wouldn’t believe any of us. He needs facts and I don’t have any facts to prove Jordan wasn’t in any of those places at the time.”
Grace reached over and grabbed her hand. “His brothers will find what we need and he will be home before you know it.”
Audrey prayed that was the case. If not, she would find the proof they needed to free Jordan.
Jordan picked at the bread left over from the basket delivered yesterday. He had tried to make the food last as long as possible, not sure if and when another basket would be delivered. Most of the water was gone but one bottle of wine remained. At least he would have that for later. He may need it to help him sleep. Little had been found the night before. From all over the prison men had yelled, called out and cursed. Some had nightmares, others simply talked and he couldn’t block out any of the noise. He may not have been able to sleep anyway though. Too many thoughts plagued his mind. What if they didn’t believe his innocence? What if no proof could be found? What if he had to face a trial and was found guilty of murdering two gentlemen?
Jordan swallowed and rubbed his neck at the thought of a noose tightening around it.
Instead of worrying about how he could prove his innocence perhaps he should concentrate on who could have committed the crimes. Perhaps if he made a list and asked one of his brothers to determine the whereabouts of the suspects they would find the true guilty party.
Across the top of a sheet of parchment he wrote Dalton, Everton, Rothsbury, Angelique. He sat back and stared. Dalton and Everton were young bucks of the ton. They gambled, flirted, seduced. They avoided the innocent young ladies, until Everton had tried to seduce Audrey. He assumed they knew Lady Rothsbury because they attended the same functions. He also assumed they knew Angelique because they frequented Lady Devine’s often enough.
Yet, it wasn’t the question of how they were connected. Jordan needed to know who knew all four individuals enough to want to do them harm.
The connection at the moment was him but he could not be the only one.
Jordan stared at the names and trying to determine what he knew of each this Season. Lady Lydell had been flirting and pursuing both Dalton and Everton. She was also pursuing him. If Jordan hadn’t been arrested would he have been the next to be attacked? But if the link is Lady Lydell, who would attack her lovers?
Lord Lydell?
Though Jordan wrote the man’s name down, he dismissed him as a possibility. Lydell didn’t care about his wife. Lydell had slipped into bed with her for the sole purpose of compromising the woman to get his hands on her riches. Jordan doubted Lydell would care if he came upon his wife in bed with both Dalton and Everton at the same time. When he had caught them in the hall, Lydell only appeared disgusted and was fairly certain the disgust wasn’t directed toward him.
No, Lydell had no reason to kill the men. And, he certainly had no reason to attack Lady Rothsbury or Angelique.
He straightened. Why the Runners were convinced the same man had committed all four crimes?
Because of some damn letter? The assaults on the ladies weren’t even similar to the murders, unless it was because a knife was used in each instance. If all crimes were related because of the same type of weapon, almost every murder and attack in London would be linked.
They were looking at this wrong. There had to be two attackers.
But who, and why?
As he was the link to all four, did he have an enemy that he was unaware of?
Jordan pushed his fingers through his hair and began to pace inside the small cell. Wouldn’t he know if he had an enemy? Creighton was the only one who came to mind and while he may have taken his revenge out of Lady Rothsbury there was no reason to attack Angelique as well.
He stopped and looked out the small window. Unless Creighton wanted him to be prosecuted for the at
tacks to get him out of the way so he could retain control of guardianship of his nephew. But simply removing Jordan would not make the situation disappear. Lady Rothsbury’s brother was now involved and if necessary, would hire another solicitor. Creighton couldn’t dispose of every solicitor in London. His nephew would reach his majority before that happened.
What if someone simply wanted to hurt him by injuring the ladies in his life? A chill ran down his spine. Did that mean Audrey was in danger? Their betrothal hadn’t been announced but surely society had taken notice of his interest in her. Was she in danger now?
Jordan hoped one of his brothers visited soon so he could prevail upon them to make sure Audrey was protected. He would never forgive himself if something happened to her while he was locked away in here like an animal.
“You have a visitor, Trent.”
He jumped. Jordan had been so lost in his own thoughts that he had blocked out all noises in the prison and hadn’t heard the jailer approach. Clayton stood behind the man and relief shot through Jordan. Hopefully he would have news.
The door was opened and Clayton slipped inside, carrying another basket. A moment later the two brothers were locked inside together. Clayton shuddered at the clang and click of the door. Jordan understood completely.
“How is Audrey?” was the first question out of Jordan.
“She is staying with Matthew and Grace at the moment.”
Jordan blew out a breath. “Thank goodness, though I almost think John and Elizabeth would be better.” Of all of his family, those two would be the best protection given their professions.
Clayton nodded grimly. “It crossed our minds as well.”
It was a relief to know that he wasn’t over reacting in thinking Audrey could be in danger. “So you think she is in danger as well?”
“You were close to Angelique and Lady Rothsbury at one time and have recently been in their company.” He set the basket on the floor before leaning back against the bars and crossed his arms over his chest. “If it is someone who is jealous, or out to hurt you, Audrey would be an obvious next choice to harm.”
“Rats,” Jordan muttered as he bent to pick the basket up off of the floor and place it beside the other. “Thank you.”
A smile pulled at Clays lips. “The cooks in each household were arguing about who has the privilege of sending you meals. They are afraid you will waste away in here.”
He would too if not for this food. Jordan would need to thank them for taking care of him.
Jordan thrust his fingers through his hair. “I can’t imagine who would be jealous enough to do something like this.”
Clayton shrugged. “The only jealous person we can think of is Lady Lydell.”
Jordan nodded. “The woman is not right in her head.”
“Matthew doesn’t think it is her though,” Clayton added.
“If not Lady Lydell then who?” Jordan asked as he paced.
“We are at a loss.” Clayton straightened. “I need you to tell me everything you have done in the last few days, beginning with the day you encountered Dalton and he hit you.”
Jordan sank down onto the straw cot and Clayton took the chair at the desk as Jordan recounted each and every movement.
“Creighton?” His brother asked.
“It is clear why he would harm Lady Rothsbury, but there would be no reason to hurt anyone else.”
“True,” Clayton agreed, stroking his chin as he thought. “You haven’t argued with anyone else?”
Jordan shook his head.
“Are there clients who are not happy with the work you have done for them?”
“I am sure there are a few, but not upset enough to commit murder or harm women.” He stood to pace again. “Besides, what purpose would it serve?”
“Someone did send the letter. Maybe it was simply to see you behind bars because it was the only revenge they could get.”
Jordan whipped around. “Then why didn’t they just come after me?”
“They wanted to make you suffer?”
The only way he would suffer more is if something happened to Audrey. He closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath as panic squeezed his heart.
The carriage passed Grace’s home and Audrey turned to her.
“I thought we should visit Eleanor.” Grace shrugged. “Perhaps Bentley has learned something since we last spoke with him.”
Audrey nodded. As head of the family and a well-respected earl he was likely to learn any news first.
Moments later the carriage stopped before the Bentley Mansion and the footman opened the door for the ladies to emerge. Audrey had only visited here once last fall and recalled it being very grand on the inside. The door to the house opened before they reached the third step and they were ushered into the foyer.
“I’ll advise Lady Bentley you have come to call.” The butler bowed and continued up the stairs. He hadn’t even asked their names. However, Grace was a sister-in-law and probably visited her often enough that he didn’t need to inquire.
He returned a moment later. “Lady Bentley is in the green salon.” He stood back and gestured up the stairs. “I will take you to her.”
“It is no bother,” Grace assured him. “I know the way.”
Audrey followed Grace up the marble staircase, trying not to gawk at the priceless paintings along the wall. Jordan had lived here on occasion as a child and young man, when he wasn’t in the country or at school. Her background, in comparison, was quite provincial. Did he realize how humble her upbringing was compared to his? Would it matter to Jordan?
They turned down a corridor covered in a rich gold carpet. Her slippered feet practically sank into the thick softness. Dark paneling covered the lower portion of the wall, and shined as if just polished. More paintings were hung along the wall at even intervals with gold sconces placed between them.
Grace entered the second door on the left and Audrey followed her inside. A gentleman, who had been holding a boy of about three on his lap, rose at their entrance. Audrey vaguely recalled meeting him at one time but could not recall his name.
“Jamie,” Eleanor said as she came to her feet. “Go find your brothers and you may play with them.”
The little boy darted toward them. Grace and Audrey quickly split apart, allowing him room to pass. She hadn’t been aware Lady Bentley had children. Had she been married prior to meeting Lord Bentley?
“Jamie,” Eleanor called out but it was too late, he was already between them almost tripping between their skirts. There would have been more room to go around them, but he was too set on the door.
“I’m sorry,” Eleanor said as she came forward. “Jamie gets to spend so little time playing with his brothers because they are with their tutors most of the day.
“Brothers?” Audrey found herself asking before she closed her mouth. It was rude to ask.
“Jamie is my youngest brother.” She smiled. “I also have two other brothers and a sister. They became my responsibility when my mother died a few years ago.”
“I am sorry.”
“Thank you,” Eleanor smiled sadly. “I miss my mother, but am grateful that Bentley tolerates them enough so they can remain with me.”
“Tolerates?” the gentleman questioned. “Those children have him wrapped around their finger and it will be even worse with his own children.”
Eleanor laughed. “Yes, but a year ago I simply hoped to find a gentleman to marry who would take on my family as well.”
The gentleman’s features softened. “Yet, you ended up with so much more.”
She sighed. “Yes I did.”
Audrey suspected there was more to the story but she wasn’t going to be so rude as to ask. Besides, she wanted to know if there was any news. Before she could voice the question, Eleanor focused on Grace and Audrey. “Is there any news?”
Disappointment settled in at the knowledge that there wasn’t anything new to report.
“No,” Grace responded.
&n
bsp; Eleanor heaved a heavier sigh. “Please, come in and join us for tea.”
As they approached the sitting area, Eleanor introduced them to the gentleman. “This is my good friend of many years, Viscount Acker.”
He bowed before the ladies. “It is an honor to be in the company of such three lovely ladies.”
Eleanor rolled her eyes as they took their seats. Audrey chose a chair at the side of the grouping, wondering if she could manage to sit calmly and take tea.
The footman entered a moment later and placed a new tea set on the table and removed the one previously used by Lord Acker and Lady Bentley. Eleanor poured two cups and handed one to Grace and the other to Audrey before offering cakes. Audrey declined. She could not eat a thing. Besides, eating a piece of cake now would only remind her of kissing Jordan and she was liable to burst into tears.
“I haven’t seen much of you, Drake, since you have come to London,” Eleanor addressed the lord. Apparently Drake was his Christian name.
“I’ve been busy searching these past few days,” he answered before taking a sip of tea.
“For someone or something?” Eleanor prompted.
He smiled and placed his teacup on the table. “A someone, if you must know. A female someone.”
“Oh, are you finally going to seriously think about marriage?”
His eyes met Eleanor’s. “I was serious before.”
“You would have been miserable.”
Who had he proposed to and why had she turned him down. Audrey looked at her future sister-in-law. Had it been Eleanor? One day she hoped to find out, but now was not the time to pry.
“Is it a particular someone or are you still searching?”
He grinned. “I’ve already met her, but I lost her.”
Audrey looked over at him. “How do you lose someone?” It was probably rude of her to ask as she didn’t know him but curiosity had gotten the better of her and it kept her mind occupied.
He glanced at her. Was he angry at the question?
“I am sorry, I shouldn’t have pried.”
“Oh, on the contrary. It is an interesting story and since all three of you are ladies,” he held his hands out, palms up gesturing. “Perhaps you could help me solve the mystery.”
