Chapter 16
The carriage had barely cleared the gates of Lushington Hall before Nicholas was leaning forward, his mind already racing with plans and contingencies.
“Steady, old fellow,” Colonel Shankshaft said, clapping him on the shoulder. “You look ready to leap from a moving carriage.”
“Because I am,” Nicholas replied grimly. “We can’t leave her there alone, thinking the worst. Algernon made clear what he intends to do. Regardless of her culpability, she cannot face such a fate.”
“Which is precisely why we’re heading to Magistrate Whitmore’s residence,” Lady Fenton said. “We need legal authority, not heroic gestures that might get us all killed.”
Nicholas nodded. “You’re right. But what if Whitmore isn’t home? Every moment is precious.What if he won’t act on our word alone? ”
“We’ll cross that bridge if we come to it.
While the magistrate may believe our story, we also don’t know if he’s in sympathy with Algernon.
Or in his pocket. We’ll want witnesses, regardless,” Lady Quamby said with surprising practicality.
“There’s the innkeeper who saw Algernon’s suspicious traveling supplies, for one.
And evidence of his crimes. Surely there must be documents at Lushington Hall that prove his theft from Arabella’s estates. ”
“The servants,” Colonel Shankshaft added. “That little maid seemed terrified of him. She might testify to his treatment of Lady Lushington.”
Nicholas nodded. However, whisking Arabella out of her immediate danger would not provide her with the long-term solution she needed.
She needed to be kept safe?—
He stopped his wayward thoughts. Arabella had played with his heart once too many times.
The rhythmic clatter of carriage wheels was suddenly overlaid by the sound of approaching hoofbeats. Glancing through the window, Nicholas could see a lone rider approaching at breakneck speed.
But instead of passing by, the rider slowed, and then drew alongside them, his mount dancing with nervous energy. He was a young man, perhaps five-and-twenty, his clothes travel-stained clothes, an anxious frown creasing his forehead.
“I beg your pardon,” he called out breathlessly, “but might you know the way to Lushington Hall? I’ve been riding since dawn and fear I’ve taken a wrong turn in this confounded snow.”
Nicholas studied the stranger’s face, registering with shock the familiar cast of his features. Yes, he had met the fellow before. He opened the door and leaned out. “What is your business at Lushington Hall?”
“I’m seeking my sister—Lady Lushington. I was told she might be found there.
” The young man’s voice wavered. He looked exhausted.
“My name is James Beecham. Perhaps you know my sister. I believe her home is not far from here and I’m very anxious to see her again.
You see, I’ve only just returned to the country after five years away and?—”
He broke off, and the Colonel leaned forward.
“Five years away?” He hesitated, then said abruptly, “Perhaps you do not know that her late husband’s heir is trying to take control of her finances.
We are this moment on our way to exhort the magistrate to intervene before it’s too late.
But if you hurry in that direction, you can help your sister by ensuring she doesn’t sign her financial future away in the meantime. ”
“Lushington?” The young man grimaced. “I never understood why she broke off her betrothal to marry that man when she was so in love. But then, I left soon afterwards, in disgrace…which I did not deserve.” He pushed out his chest, then added, “Now I want to clear myself of all charges. I have gathered the necessary evidence to prove my innocence. My sister did not need to do what she did because I was not guilty?—”
“Not guilty of what?” Nicholas’s mind churned.
James looked evasive as his horse shifted restlessly beneath him.
“The real culprit was Sergeant Morrison who had been embezzling for months before I even arrived at the regiment.” He pressed his lips together before saying righteously, “I only borrowed a small amount that I was going to pay back but suddenly I was charged with everything—Sergeant Morrison’s theft too.
I told Bella it was a hanging offence, and, Lord knows, she did what she could to help.
But now I’ve run to ground witnesses to Morrison’s crimes and I need to know exactly what my sister told the tribunal when she testified.
” A petulant look crossed his face. “I can’t be staying to protect her when time is of the essence so I can clear my name completely. ”
Nicholas felt his chest tighten. In fact, it took all his effort not to react with sudden violence as the truth hit home. Instead, he asked coldly, “How, exactly, did your sister help you?”
“Well, she sold some jewellery to help me with funds, and she testified that she was with me on certain occasions. That’s what I need to know if I’m to be completely exonerated.”
The silence in the carriage was deafening. Nicholas saw the same horrible understanding dawn on the others’ faces that was now crystallizing in his own mind.
“Mr. Beecham,” Lady Fenton said crisply, “did your sister explain to you why she wed Lord Lushington so unexpectedly?”
James Beecham stared at her before saying slowly, “You’d imagine money was at the heart of it unless you knew how smitten she was with that other fellow she was to marry. That’s what I charged her with. All she said was that Lushington had a hold over her she couldn’t resist.”
Lady Quamby gave an affected gasp. “What do you think that meant, Mr Beecham?” she asked.
James shrugged. “At the time, I thought she meant he’d persuaded her to change allegiance and that was it.”
Nicholas clenched his hands into fists and forced his emotions into abeyance. “What you really think she meant, Mr Beecham?” he asked quietly.
James Beecham looked evasive.
“Maybe Lord Lushington discovered…that she’d lied under oath?” Nicholas prompted. “Do you think it possible he used this information to force her into marriage?”
James studied a passing flock of birds. “It was a fine marriage,” he said weakly.
“But an unexpected one,” Nicholas persisted. “And not a love match.”
James shook his head. “No, not a love match,” he agreed softly.
“Young man,” said the Colonel fiercely, “You cannot reopen this case to clear your name. Speaking as a military man, your sister could face charges of perjury. That could mean transportation or worse. If—as it sounds—she’s already sacrificed so much for you, you can’t do this to her.”
If she’s already sacrificed so much for you…
The words ran round and round Nicholas’s head. So that’s what Arabella had done. Sacrificed her happiness so her brother wouldn’t pay a potentially deadly price for his crimes.
He buried his face in his hands. Arabella had sacrificed her happiness, her freedom, her future—all to save her brother from potentially being transported. The young man was trying to make light of his original crimes, but Nicholas knew how serious they were.
And so did the Colonel.
“On second thoughts,” Nicholas said, “I think it best you don’t go ahead of us while we seek out the magistrate. Not when time is of the essence.” He glanced at Ladies Quamby and Fenton and the Colonel. “I suggest we turn around this moment and save the brave and virtuous Lady Lushington.”
Lady Fenton raised her eyebrows in interested surprise before endorsing the idea with a firm nod.
“But how?” asked Lady Quamby. “If Algernon holds evidence of her crimes?—”
“We need to find that evidence and destroy it,” Nicholas replied grimly. “Clearly, the only crime Lady Lushington is guilty of is wanting to protect a young brother who got himself in over his head.”