Chapter 59
59
But come what may, I do adore thee so
That danger shall seem sport, and I will go.
William Shakespeare
Bella climbed into Juliet’s lap, a welcome distraction. “Where’s Da?”
Juliet hugged her close, glad she’d had the twins removed from Ardraigh Hall to Virginia Street for the time being. “He’s away at present, but I pray he shall be home soon.”
On the carpet at their feet, Cole played with his toy soldiers, a veritable wooden army replete with cannons and cavalry. Juliet gave silent thanks he wasn’t old enough to join the military in the escalating colonial conflict. Around them the parlor clock chimed a familiar cadence, and supper smells permeated the small chamber on Virginia Street. None of them had left Glasgow since Leith’s arrest a fortnight before.
Father set aside his paper. “I’m rather cross-eyed with all the news of late. I’ve begun to believe it is more fiction than fact, as there are so many conflicting reports about the colonies and what is happening there.”
Juliet eyed him sympathetically. “I do think you and Zipporah should go on to Bath. Though I treasure your presence here, there is really nothing you can do.”
“Nonsense,” he replied.
“We shan’t leave you till this is finished,” Loveday told her. “What sort of holiday would it be with us forever wondering how you’re faring here?”
“Indeed, Bath can wait.” Zipporah looked up from her embroidery. “All the rain of late makes for frightful travel anyway. With the assizes ready to begin, I’m confident this matter will be resolved soon, and then we shall all be on our way. A delightful prospect!”
The assizes, the formal time when court proceedings got underway, were but four days hence. Zipporah’s cheerfulness in the face of such a calamity encouraged them all, though Juliet worked to mask her own growing dismay.
Zipporah smiled, eyes alight. “I’m particularly excited to take you to Prior Park Gardens overlooking Bath and walk those serpentine paths amidst an astonishing wealth of trees, grottoes, and exotic plants like the passionflower.”
Loveday was at full attention. “I’ve never beheld Passiflora before. How I’d love to meet Mr. Lancelot Brown, who helped design the gardens.”
“Ah, Capability Brown, indeed.” Zipporah shared her love of botany. “For a man appointed master gardener at Hampton Court Palace for His Majesty, he’s done well for himself, though he’s quite aged.”
The conversation continued, but Juliet moved beyond it, dwelling on the window where a late afternoon rain streaked the panes. How often she’d looked for Leith out this very glass, her heart quickening at the sight of him returning from the countinghouse or bank.
For now, only Euan and Niall appeared at the closing of the front door. Abandoning their toys, the twins rushed at Niall, nearly sending him off balance.
His laughter put a dent in her dark thoughts. But Euan seemed a trifle annoyed at their noise, and Juliet was struck by something she’d not given much thought to before. The children always shied away from Leith’s other brother. They seemed fond of Lyrica but not Euan. Why?
A ripple of alarm passed through her. Euan was looking at her now in that dogged way he had, as if admonishing her for trumping him in their last meeting when she’d won the shareholders’ critical vote. Then, in a flash, that coldness melted as he turned to Lyrica. But Juliet’s startling realization remained. Somehow their relationship, never warm, had become a sort of frigid competition that chilled her to the bone.
The brothers took seats by their wives, and a servant brought refreshments. Euan sipped his brandy and once again began to inform them of the legalities as they unfolded. “Given the charge of murder, the trial will be before the High Court. The lord advocate has appointed the prosecutors. Leith has just been served the indictment and the list of witnesses against him, as court protocol requires. One witness is Cochrane’s coachman and another is a disreputable trollop who claims to have found Havilah’s body.”
“Are there no witnesses in his favor, like the magistrate on night watch the eve of Havilah’s death?” Lyrica sounded as indignant as Juliet felt. “Leith went to the authorities immediately after and explained all that had occurred. An investigation ensued and no stone was left unturned.”
Niall looked equally dubious. “I don’t recall mention of any trollop before now.”
“Nor I.” Euan looked at his empty glass. “The courts are going to have a devil of a time silencing the newspapers ahead of the trial. Surely the drivel they print will sway the jury.”
“How many jurors are there?” Zipporah asked.
“Since it’s a criminal trial, there are five special jurors and ten common jurors according to the property they own.”
“Sounds complicated.” Father set aside the book he’d been reading and looked at Juliet. “And very unlike colonial American legalities.”