The Detective and the Baroness (The Duke’s Bastards #1)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

C orrine had to admit she felt apprehensive on the journey to the solicitor’s office, and Mitchell must have sensed it as he took her gloved hand, laced his fingers through hers, and held it, squeezing it gently and assuredly along the way. Mr. Chambers was to meet them at the office.

All she wanted to do was to put this entire Addington marriage debacle behind her. How it ended—with Travis’s murder—was still difficult to comprehend. After introductions, Corrine and Mitchell sat at the round table in the conference room, and Mr. Chambers sat on her right. She cast a glance at the new baron. He was quite handsome, with the same shade of golden-brown hair as Travis’s. He and Mr. Dobson sat in front of piles of legal-looking papers.

“How was your journey, my lord?” Corrine asked politely. There was no harm in starting this off on the right foot.

“Tiring, I must say. But swift. I have been in this office since nine this morning. There was quite a lot to hash out. I am still not used to the ‘my lord’ business. That will take time to adjust to as well. My late father mentioned once we had peerage relations in London, but I thought no more of it, for he stated there was no chance we would ever inherit. Now, here I am.”

Corrine could hear a slight Irish lilt to his speech. “Have you lived in Ireland your whole life, my lord?”

“On and off. My mother is from Ireland. We had no dealings with the Addingtons in London. None at all. What is the connection again, Mr. Dobson?”

The solicitor consulted his papers. “Through your paternal great-grandfather, my lord.”

“Right. Anyway, here we are. My bride’s parents are over the moon to have a baron for a son-in-law, at any rate.”

“Before we delve into matters,” Mr. Chambers interjected. “We want to inform you of a loan the late Travis Addington made to her ladyship’s father right before his death.” Mr. Chambers explained about the loan, Corrine’s unreliable, reckless father, and how Mitchell had recovered most of it. He slid a paper across to Mr. Dobson. “A promissory note, not worth the paper it is written on.”

She and Mitchell had met with Mr. Chambers yesterday, and he concurred it was time to mention the loan.

Mr. Dobson read it, then handed it to the baron.

“The loan was to be paid back in full if you divorced? How extraordinary,” the baron murmured.

Mr. Chambers held nothing back. He told the baron of the dire situation that had prompted her to accept the marriage proposal and the marriage settlement and how most of it had paid her father’s considerable debts, and the rest propped up the viscountcy. Corrine had asked Mr. Chambers not to mention Travis’s loathsome heir proposal. It had no bearing on the legal matters.

But something was bothering her. She turned to Mr. Dobson. “I have a question. After paying my father’s debts and giving the viscountcy a stipend, some of the marriage settlement remains. Mr. Chambers said it was mine. Is that true?” Corrine held her breath as she waited for the reply.

Mr. Dobson folded his hands on the desk. “I recently took on all of Baron Addington’s legal work, not just his will. I have seen the marriage settlement agreement, and yes, the money is yours.”

Corrine exhaled in relief. “At the end, we were estranged. And the loan to my father—complicated matters. We have eighteen thousand pounds in our friend, Doctor Hornsby’s safe. As for the rest of the loan, my younger brother is trying to collect the remaining funds from my father. I truly had no idea about the loan.”

“Thank you, my lady, for telling us. You could have kept the money and not said a word,” the baron said. He gave her a warm smile.

“Speaking of Danaher,” Mitchell said. “He confronted Corrine a few days ago.” Mitchell gave them a condensed version of the events.

“My God!” Mr. Dobson exclaimed. “Mahone sent word the criminal had been arrested, but I had no idea of your involvement. I’m relieved you are both safe.”

“As am I,” the baron said. “Mr. Dobson informed me about Danaher this morning. I am doubly relieved he is in custody.”

“Thanks to Mitchell.” Corrine took his hand. “We are to be married on the morning of the thirty-first.”

Mr. Dobson raised an eyebrow but remained silent.

“May I offer my congratulations to you both?” The baron smiled. “That makes what I proposed to Mr. Dobson all the more relevant and timelier. Mr. Dobson?”

“Right.” The solicitor rifled through his papers. “First, with your marriage, that means legally, the monthly stipend will cease.”

“I assumed it would,” Corrine replied.

“You will no longer be a dowager baroness, but you are permitted to use the honorary ‘lady.’ As in ‘Lady Corrine Simpson.’ I believe Baron Addington would agree.”

The baron nodded. “I do.”

“I will allow the baron to address the loan shortly. The residence on Carol Street is not entailed, and the baron and his wife do not need it. He wishes to offer the property to you, with all the furnishings for—”

The baron held up his hand to silence the solicitor. “For nothing. We agreed on a low figure, but after hearing about what you have endured, allow me to gift the property to you. Mr. Dobson said it had not belonged to Travis Addington for very long. He paid the mortgage in full less than two years ago. Mr. Dobson tells me it is well-appointed and respectable. If you would rather sell it and live elsewhere, you can. Regardless, the house is yours, along with the contents.”

Corrine and Mitchell exchanged astonished looks.

“We accept,” Mr. Chambers said quickly.

“Will you live at Wimpole Street, my lord?” Corrine asked.

“No. I will not bring my bride to a house where a murder took place. Mr. Dobson says I can lease it until I manage to remove the property from the entailment. The case must appear before the Court of Chancery, which may take some time. Meanwhile, I will locate and purchase another residence within London. I imagine we will also stay at the country estate in Aldershot.”

“Thank you, my lord, for the residence. We truly appreciate it,” Corrine smiled. It was more than generous. It was thoughtful and kind. Would they live there? That was a discussion for another time.

“As to the loan,” the baron stated. “Return the money from the safe, and I will forgive the remainder of the credit. Whatever your brother recovers, he may keep to boost the viscountcy’s finances. Mr. Dobson will craft the legal papers and confer with Mr. Chambers. I would politely suggest your brother invest that money and build the coffers. Mr. Dobson has some ideas on further adding to one’s financial legacy. You may wish to consider it as well, my lady. If I am not overstepping the bounds.”

“Not at all. I will inform Jeffery. Thank you again, my lord.”

“I believe that is all we must deliberate over for now. Is that correct, Mr. Dobson?” the baron stated.

“It is. Mr. Chambers and I will work together to craft the legal papers needed as soon as possible.”

“I will stay for a while,” Mr. Chambers said. “No time like the present to get started.”

The baron stood, as did Corrine and Mitchell. Mitchell held out his hand. “Thank you, my lord, for your kind and just consideration.”

“Well met,” the baron replied, shaking Mitchell’s hand. “And Lady Corrine, when my wife arrives, will you visit us, along with Sergeant Simpson? I know no one in London and would like us all to become acquainted.”

“We are going on a month-long honeymoon journey to the south coast, but yes, when we return, I would be pleased for us to become acquainted. I will contact Mr. Dobson once we are back in London.”

Once outside the office, Corrine exhaled shakily. “I cannot believe what just happened.”

“Nor can I,” Mitchell replied. “The late baron’s house? Have you ever been inside it?”

“No. Can we live there? We have the next month to discuss it.”

“In bed, of course. I’m hoping we are snowed in for the duration.”

Corrine laughed, then slipped her arm through Mitchell’s as they headed toward the Hornsby carriage. “I said all would work out.”

“That you did, Lady Corrine. It appears the Addington barony is in good hands. At last.”

After assisting each other into the carriage, Corrine settled into Mitchell’s warm embrace. It was over. And wherever she settled with Mitchell, she’d be home.