“I take it the marriage is not going to be dissolved.”
“No. Not even if it could.” His tone sounded gruffer than he intended, and he grimaced.
Talbot chuckled. “We did not think so.” He smiled at his uncle’s obvious look of pleasure.
“What of Avery Rudman?” he asked changing the subject.
“He has been stripped of his commission and is under house arrest until he can be taken before Judge Townsend. I believe they will plead dire emotional distress and he will be spared the noose, but it will be some time before he will be allowed his freedom. And as for Hicks and his cohorts, they are already residing in the very jail they guarded.”
“Had Rudman chosen someone more intelligent and less intent on brutality he may have succeeded in seeing me dead.”
“Let us be grateful that he didn’t.” Talbot paused. “If everything works out as we hope, you know that it will probably take some time to settle the Leighton estate. You will have to bring Katherine back in order for her to claim whatever inheritance the court awards her.”
“Yes, I know. When next we come to England, Emily will travel with us so you may see her.”
“Indeed and your brothers as well, if you can manage to persuade them to join us.”
“I will.” His gaze settled on Talbot. “I can’t begin to thank you for all you have done for me. After all that has happened—”
Talbot slapped him on the back. “We are family. We stand together.”
“Yes, we do.” He cleared his throat against the emotional obstruction that caused his voice to sound husky.
The two settled before the fireplace to sip their brandy.
“Harcourt knows what time to be here?” Matthew asked.
“Yes. He knows what to do. He said the men have decided to be cooperative in exchange for a few comforts until their trial.”
They lapsed into silence for a time then Talbot commented,” It has a chance to work. In any case Edward will get the scare of his life, even if his nerve holds.” He nodded. “And if we don’t get him for murder, there’s at least a possibility of charging him with fraud and forgery.”
“Indeed.”
Matthew set aside his glass and rose to his feet.
“Katherine will be becoming more anxious by the moment, and acting as though she isn’t. I’m going up to join her.”
“Your aunt said something interesting last night just before you arrived home. She said she knew the two of you were going to be fine together on the coach ride to Willingham’s from the church.”
His brows rose. “We didn’t know ourselves, Talbot.” Talbot shrugged. “She said it was the way the two of
you were already banding together to care for one another before we ever reached the house.” He paused in thought. “I suppose she was right.” Matthew dwelt on his aunt’s observation all the way upstairs. Hannah was fastening the last few buttons along the back of Katherine’s gown when he entered the room. Her deep auburn hair was swept up, leaving bare her neck and shoulders. He studied the contrast of the deep wine colored velvet against her flawless skin. The color seemed to darken her eyes and make the pale rose of her lips and cheeks appear redder.
Her beauty fired his desire and passion, but her inner beauty nurtured and sustained it. The way she looked at him with love and caring, filled the hungry emptiness Caroline’s death had left behind. Clarisse was right. Love had come to him in the damp, dingy prison cell and taken root in his heart. And for the life of him he couldn’t think why he had been so afraid of it.
Katherine turned to face Matthew. He stared so intently at her she thought perhaps something was amiss with his uncle. “Is Talbot well, Matthew?” He smiled. “Yes. All is well.” He stepped forward to stand before her and take her hands in his. “You look beautiful, Katherine. I shall be the envy of every man here tonight. Don’t you agree, Hannah?”
“Yes, Cap’ain Hamilton.” Hannah’s smiled and pressed a stray auburn curl in place. “There are some things Lady Willingham wished me to do.” Katherine watched her maid as she slipped out of the room. Hannah was pulling away from her, putting distance between them in order to make the parting easier, but it only made Katherine more aware of how much she would miss her.
“She hasn’t changed her mind about sailing with us?” he asked.
She shook her head and bit her lip. “Your aunt has offered to give her a position here.”
“She’ll be safe here.”
“Yes, I know. It is just difficult to think of her being so far away.”
Matthew squeezed her hands. His desire to comfort her was easy to read in his expression. “She may change
her mind.”
She shook her head. “She says it is time for me to stretch the ties of one family in order to have another.”
“That is all you’ll be doing, Katherine, stretching them, not severing them completely.” His hand lingered against her cheek. “And you’ll be back to see her, possibly within the year.”
“Do you think so?”
“With Rudman in jail, there will be no reason why we can’t return for a visit, whenever we wish.” She remembered Hannah saying that her mother had wished for her a kind and generous husband. She thought Matthew might even surpass her mother’s expectations.
“I have something for you.” He removed the small bag from his inner coat pocket. “I purchased these for you some time ago and missed the opportunity to give them to you. I thought to give them to you at Christmas, but the gown you are wearing would display them as perfectly, as it does you.”
She caught her breath as he pulled the necklace from the pouch. The fragile collar of pearls supported a teardrop shaped pearl much larger than the rest. As he fastened the band about her neck, the large pearl came to rest in the hollow of her throat.
She looked in the dressing table mirror at the necklace, amazed at the gift. She had owned few pieces of jewelry and certainly nothing like this. “It is truly beautiful, Matthew.” Her fingers touched the dangling pearl as she turned to look up at him. Her throat felt tight with emotion and it took an effort to suppress her tears.
“Thank you.” She slipped her arms around his neck and tiptoed to press herself close against him and brush her lips against his cheek.
He turned his lips to hers, and she gave herself up to the warmth and pleasure of his kiss. She drew a breath to steady herself as he grazed her cheek then her forehead with his lips.
“No matter what happens tonight, know that I will stand with you against whoever tries to hurt you.”
“I know, Matthew.” She drew back to look up at him.
“It will ease the need for you to stand against so many, if
Edward confesses.”
“If that doesn’t happen, it won’t change the way I feel, Katherine.” He touched the necklace. “I purchased this the night the doctor stitched my arm. I knew then I would never be able to leave you.” Her gaze settled on his face. Something in his expression set her heart to flight. “I have always known you were a man of honor, Matthew, and that you would not do that willingly.”
“Honor be damned, Katherine.” He made an impatient gesture with his hand. His pale blue eyes focused on her face with an intensity that turned her limbs to jelly and brought a smile to her lips. Hope suffused her, a waiting tension keeping her from drawing a full breath. He was going to say the words.
A knock sounded at the door. Katherine wanted to groan aloud her disappointment. Matthew quick scowl and whispered oath reflected that as well. He released her and strode to the door.
Hampton stood on the threshold. “Lord Harcourt has arrived and requests you and Mrs. Hamilton join him and Lord Willingham in the library, sir. It seems very important.”
“Thank you, Hampton. We’ll come down right away.” Katherine joined him at the door. She smiled for he looked quite ferocious with his dark brows drawn together and his lips compressed. “I love the necklace, Matthew.” His expression softened. “After this
evening is over, no matter the outcome, you and I are going to lock ourselves away from everyone so we might speak without interruption.”
She laughed. “I shall make myself available to you whenever you wish, my lord.”
He smiled. The look in his eyes held a rakish charm that brought heat to her cheeks. “I shall remember you said that, sweetheart.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
As she and Matthew entered the library, Katherine’s attention went to Lord Harcourt and Talbot where they stood before the fireplace. As she viewed their expressions, a sinking feeling struck the pit of her stomach. “What has happened?”
“Two of the highwaymen, a man named Brock and another named Jones have been killed. Another inmate stabbed them to death with a broken spoon handle. Since none of the men admit to being the leader, we are concerned someone may have paid the man to commit the murders.”
“Two men are dead in the two days that have passed since their arrest. It seems too coincidental to be a horrible run of bad luck,” Talbot said.
“I don’t believe in luck,” Matthew said. “Too many things have happened in the last few weeks for me to have faith in random events.”
“The other men who were captured, is there a way they could be moved to a section of the prison and guarded by your men until their trial?” Katherine asked.
“Just in case.”
Harcourt smiled and inclined his head. “That has already been done, Mrs. Hamilton.”
“And Mr. Badger?” she asked.
“He has sworn to do his part. He recognized the drawing you did of your uncle and agrees with your account of that night.”
She nodded, her throat growing tight with emotion.
Matthew’s hand rested against the small of her back in silent support.
“What of Mr. St. John?” she asked.
“We have as yet been unable to locate him. My investigation into how he was handling his office has uncovered several cases, much like your husband’s, Mrs.
Hamilton. It would seem St. John would arrest whoever
Rudman had a grudge against, and evidence would be presented against them by Lord Rudman. After studying the evidence presented, most of the men have been freed.” Harcourt turned his attention to Matthew. ”The evidence in your own case, Captain Hamilton, has been reviewed and deemed fraudulent.”
Harcourt gathered the cloak that lay across one of the chairs before the desk. “There is much to be done before Mr. Badger is to make his appearance. I shall see you later in the evening.”
She offered her hand. He was quick to take it.
“Thank you for all you have done and all you are doing.”
“It is my duty and my pleasure, Mrs. Hamilton.” A smile flitted across his thin lips. “Talbot, Captain, I’ll be back shortly.” Harcourt strode purposely out the door.
“I must go see how Clarisse is faring. The guests have already begun to arrive.” Talbot gave Katherine’s hand a brief pat and slapped Matthew on the shoulder in passing.
Silence settled between them, with his exit.
The fresh bandages she had applied to Matthew’s hand looked snowy white against the black of his long coat. His blue satin waistcoat hugged his torso and emphasized the long lean line of his body. He turned to look at her. His hair shined with bluish highlights.
Gazing into his pale blue eyes made her feel as though her heart might beat its way free of her chest.
“How are your hands feeling?” Her voice sounded husky, and she cleared her throat.
“A little stiff since the blisters are healing.” He folded his hands behind him and braced a foot upon the hearth.
“And your ankles?”
“They are nearly healed.”
His attention focused on her face. “I know it will be difficult for you to face Edward.”
“Yes, it will.” She drew a deep breath to steady herself.
He guided her hand through his arm. “Remember what I said. We’ll stand together as a family. It will be all right, no matter the outcome.”
Conversation paused as they entered the drawing
room and Katherine became aware of every eye focused on them as she and Matthew stood at the door. Some of the couples Katherine recognized and some she did not.
Clarisse and Talbot had chosen those attending carefully with thoughts of earning support for Katherine should Edward confess.
Clarisse and Talbot greeted them. “Edward is being fashionably late. He is not here yet,” Clarisse said just above a whisper.
Katherine’s stomach twisted with nerves. If he did not come, it would spoil the affect they were hoping a public admission would have. “What should we do if he does not come?”
Matthew gave her hand a squeeze. “We’ll think of something. We may confront him at his apartments tomorrow. I think I’d prefer a few minutes alone with him anyway.” His expression promised a more physical retribution than planned.
“Lord Leighton and Mr. Drake,” Hampton announced at the door.
Katherine sighed in relief and turned to face her uncle.
Edward greeted the Willinghams then turned to her and Matthew. Bruises from his recently broken nose gave the area around his eyes a yellowish look. He pointedly ignored Matthew and bowed to Katherine. “Greetings, Niece. I am glad you have returned safely from Birmingham.”
She wondered how he could face her so calmly after what he had done to her mother. She had to swallow back the nausea that rose in her throat before she could answer. “We are safe, but I am afraid Summerhaven is not as it was before. Or has Mr. Drake had an opportunity to tell you?”
“Tell me what?” Edward frowned.
“We were attacked by the highwaymen once again, Edward. Summerhaven was set ablaze. The house was nearly burnt to the ground.”
Edward’s jaw went slack with shock. “But—but—” He wheeled about to face Garrett Drake. “Drake did you know of this?” His voice rising in pitch drew the rest of the guests’ attention.
“Yes, Edward. I was in Birmingham staying at the same inn as Captain and Mrs. Hamilton when it happened. I am sorry I did not think to prepare you for the news on the way here.”
Edward’s expression settled into a stilted composure as he tried to gain control of his emotions.
“The house can be rebuilt, Edward,” Matthew said.
“We are hoping the men might yet be captured,” she said. “It might have profited you to be more aggressive in your search for them,” Matthew said.
Edward looked as though he had swallowed something, and it had lodged in his skinny neck. “Perhaps so.” “In any case,” Katherine added, “had it not been for Matthew, I would have been killed. One of the men locked me in a closet and left me to burn to death.” She became aware of how closely their conversation was being observed when there were several gasps. A twittering of voices followed. Fresh gossip was hard to come by, she thought bitterly. How often she had been the brunt of it because of Edward? Her resolve hardened.
“I am sorry you have had to go through another ordeal, Katherine.” Edward said, his eyebrows drawing together in an expression of sincerity.
For a moment, she almost believed him. “It has proven beneficial in some ways, Uncle. I have begun to remember things from that night. I am certain I shall remember it all—eventually.”
Edward’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and he looked a little pasty around the eyes and mouth. She allowed herself a little satisfaction from his discomfort. She felt hungry for revenge and wondered how it might feel to plunge a butter knife into his black, hateful heart. “I am glad you are able to join us tonight. We shall be sailing at the end of the week. This will be our last chance to visit with one another. You must sit with me at dinner.”
“I am certain there are others who would wish the opportunity to enjoy your company, Katherine.”
“Indeed,” Garrett Drake said. “I had hoped to sit beside you, Mrs. Hamilton. I am fascinated by your artistic abilities. I had hoped to discuss with y
ou the
possibility of commissioning a painting for one of my drawing rooms. With your husband’s permission of course.” He gave a slight bow in Matthew’s direction.
She felt both surprised and a little wary of his sudden interest. She found anyone so closely associated with Edward a little suspect. “Since we are due to leave so soon, Mr. Drake, there would not be time for me to complete such a work.”
“There would be no rush. It could be shipped to me, at your discretion, from Charleston.”
“My wife will be too busy settling in once we arrive in Charleston. When we return at a later time, if you still wish to discuss it, I would not mind Katherine taking on the commission, if she desires to.” Drake smiled. “When do you hope to return?”
“We haven’t discussed any long term plans, other than enjoying being a family. It should be within the year, if possible.”
Drake nodded. “I will keep that in mind. Come Edward, we have monopolized enough of Captain and Mrs. Hamilton’s time. There are others who wish to speak with them.” he drew Edward aside.
Katherine watched Drake push a drink into Edward’s hand as the next guests stepped forward to greet them. Katherine felt more than a little frustrated by the man’s intervention. She had hoped to keep Edward close.
“Clarisse has placed Edward beside you at the dinner table. You’ll have time to keep him off balance until Lord Harcourt brings Badger in to identify him,” Matthew said, his lips close to her ear.
Lord and Lady Abington approached with their daughter, Amelia, and her fiancé, Morris.
Katherine dragged her thoughts back to the moment at hand, and turned to smile at them. Lord and Lady Abington passed on after only a few words, but Amelia lingered with Morris, a tall thin young man with a rather prominent nose.
“I have brought you a small token of thanks for what you did the day you visited, Mrs. Hamilton. You truly saved our wedding from disaster,” Amelia said, her voice soft.
“I did not do anything that your mother would not have done eventually. She wants your happiness above all other considerations.”
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