Chapter Thirty-One #2
“Well, if you catch him quickly enough, I’d be obliged if you’d bring him back here for a visit.” Julian shrugged. “I’ve never met the fellow and I’d like an opportunity to introduce myself before I leave on my honeymoon.”
Taggart grinned. “Understood, sir. Where would we hold him?”
“There’s an unused room in the gatehouse,” Julian replied. “It has no window and a door that bolts from the outside. Put him in there.”
The man gave a nod and opened the door. “Right Lloyd, let’s go catch a rat.”
As the door closed, Aldous gave Julian a slow smile. “Gloves off, son?”
Julian tutted. “I’m a gentleman, Papa.”
“Yes, of course. I’ve no doubt you’ll assert yourself accordingly.” Aldous continued to smile and patted Julian’s shoulder. “Let’s get back to the party before we’re missed.”
When they returned, they found Annie in the company of his grandmother, the dowager countess. “Grandmama.” Julian dropped a kiss on her cheek. “Did you enjoy the ceremony?”
“I did indeed,” she replied. “As I was just telling Annabelle, there’s a lot to be said for simplicity.”
Aldous turned his head and cleared his throat. Julian suppressed a smile. “It was what we wanted, Grandmama.”
“Oh, don’t misunderstand,” the dowager replied. “Truth be told, I’ve always found those grand affairs to be rather tiring. This smaller celebration is far more pleasurable. I hope it becomes a trend.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself, Mother,” Aldous said.
“I am. You know I’ve always loved this house.” She tapped her fan on the lapel of his jacket. “I must also assume, since those two police officers have left, that the reason for their presence no longer exists. And please, do not attempt to gainsay me.”
Annie gasped softly and Julian exchanged an amused glance with his father. “How did you know they were police officers, Grandmama?”
“I overheard them mention ‘the Yard’ while they were ploughing their way through the buffet.” She frowned.
“It was also obvious they were not the sort who’d normally be included on the invitee list, though I don’t really care about that.
I’m just wondering why they were invited.
Were you expecting trouble? Is everything all right? ”
“Everything is fine, Mother,” Aldous replied. “The expectation, such as it was, no longer exists, and it was never a grave concern to begin with. There’s nothing to worry about at all.”
“Glad to hear it.” She regarded Julian. “And it must be about time for you to leave.”
Julian barely managed to keep a straight face. “We’ll be leaving in about an hour, Grandmama.”
“An hour?” She turned to Annie. “Then you’d better think about getting ready, my dear. It doesn’t do to dawdle.”
*
Julian had almost given up hope of confronting Leopold De Witte.
Indeed, he was just about to excuse himself and prepare for his and Annie’s departure when Barnes approached him.
“Been asked to give you this, sir,” he said, handing Julian a folded paper.
Julian opened it and read the one-word message.
Gatehouse.
Which is where he now found himself, gazing upon the scarred face of Taggart’s handcuffed prisoner. The musty air carried the faint odor of sweat and unwashed skin, though the man’s general appearance was less slovenly than Julian had expected.
“I’ll leave you to it,” Taggart said, “but I’ll be right outside the door.”
Julian waited till the door creaked shut before speaking.
“Leopold De Witte, I assume,” he said, raking a gaze over the fellow, his focus resting on the scarred cheek for a moment.
“Due to your recent surveillance efforts, I must assume you know who I am. It’s a displeasure to make your acquaintance. I was hoping you’d left the country.”
De Witte responded with a cavalier tilt to his chin and a smirk on his face. “I confess to being wrong about you, Northcott,” he said. “I felt sure you’d abandon the chit when you found out she was born on the wrong side of the blanket.”
“Happy to disappoint you.” Julian grimaced.
“You know, there’s something repugnant about a man who’s responsible for fathering an illegitimate child yet vilifies illegitimacy.
You’re an arrogant fool, De Witte. I fail to understand why you persist with these absurd little games.
You should have left England while you had the chance. ”
“My absurd little games amuse me. They ensure I’ll not be forgotten that easily. As for leaving England,” he shrugged. “I considered it but changed my mind. Why should I leave? Which laws have I broken? I know nothing of Hoffman’s fate, nor do I accept responsibility for his sister’s bastard.”
Julian narrowed his eyes. “Where did you get that scar?”
“None of your business. Suffice to say, I was the victim.” He assumed a sullen expression. “You misjudge me, Northcott. I am not a violent man.”
“I read the newspaper report, De Witte.”
“Which was misleading.” De Witte sniffed. “Hoffman was the aggressor, not I.”
Julian scoffed. “My wife tells a different story. Which reminds me, allow me to return your paltry offering.” He pulled the little gold ring from his pocket and flicked it at De Witte.
It bounced off the man’s chest and fell to the floor.
The man’s smug expression faltered slightly, then the smirk returned.
“I’m curious, Northcott,” he said. “Did Annie tell you about our little meeting atop that hill?”
Annie’s name on De Witte’s tongue had Julian clenching his fists. “That’s Mrs. Northcott to you, and yes, she did.”
De Witte tilted his chin again and smiled a cold smile. “Well, there’s your proof. I could easily have ravished her that day or thrown her off that ledge and got away with murder, but I merely kissed her instead and let her go.”
Julian’s fragile restraint snapped like a dry twig. With a hiss of fury, he closed the gap between them and landed a bone-crunching uppercut to De Witte’s jaw. The man’s head snapped back, and he crumpled to the floor.
Julian hovered over him. “I hope you hang, De Witte,” he snarled, through gritted teeth. “In fact, I’ll volunteer to pull the lever and watch you drop, you worthless piece of shit.”
From somewhere beyond the rush of blood in Julian’s ears came the sound of the door opening, followed by a familiar voice. “All right, Northcott, you’ve had your fun. Step away.”
“Thought you were a gentleman, Northcott.” Blooded spittle bubbled in the corners of De Witte’s mouth as he tried, and failed, to sit up. “Bad form to hit a shackled man.”
“Yet I feel not the slightest remorse.” Julian stepped back, clenching and unclenching his sore fist. “I want to be the one to tell him, Taggart.”
“Go on, then,” Taggart replied. “I’ll allow that.”
De Witte winced as he waggled his jaw and then managed a smile. “Tell me what?”
“That Karl Hoffman is alive,” Julian said, gratified to see the smile fade from the man’s face. “Alive and talking. We know how you got that scar.”
“Alive, eh?” Wincing again, De Witte propped himself up on an elbow. “Told you I didn’t kill him.”
“Attempted murder is still a hanging offense,” Julian replied.
De Witte huffed. “Not guilty.”
“It’ll be your word against his, you fool. And if asked, I’ll be happy to provide a statement. How you spied on us, threatened my wife more than once, and intruded upon our privacy today. By the time I’m finished, they’ll be throwing you into the hold of a transport ship.”
“Take a breath, Northcott,” Taggart muttered.
“Oh, I’m done here,” Julian replied, straightening. “He’s all yours. I’d appreciate it, however, if you’d keep me posted.”
“Will do.” Taggart cocked an eyebrow. “Feel better?”
“Much. Thank you, Inspector.”
“You’re welcome. Best get back to the party, or they’ll be thinking the groom’s done a runner.” Taggart touched the brim of his hat. “Give my regards to your lady wife.”
De Witte coughed and spat out some bloody phlegm. “And be sure to give her my love.”
Julian tilted his chin and gave the man a cold smile. “Go to Hell, De Witte.
*
Annie looked back as the carriage pulled away from Highfield Hall.
Everyone, including the staff, had come outside to bid them farewell.
Among them were those she had always loved and those she had recently come to love.
And all of them standing in front of the remarkable old house that was now her home.
She’d come to love that as well. It was an image she wanted to commit to memory, for in her mind it symbolized the end of a chapter. The first chapter of her life.
Today marked the beginning of the second one, and she could hardly wait to see where it led.
As the carriage passed beneath the gatehouse, Annie turned and looked forward.
As to their destination, she knew only that it was somewhere in England.
A flutter arose in her stomach as she thought about their first night together.
Of course, she was aware of what would take place.
She wasn’t afraid, though admittedly a little nervous.
She fidgeted. A warm hand covered hers. No words spoken. Just a gentle squeeze, calming. Reassuring. Annie heaved a soft sigh and rested her head against Julian’s shoulder, assured of her place at his side. There was a lot to be said, she thought, for not having any doubts.