The Wedding Night Affair--An Historical Mystery L.C. Sharp (i read books .TXT) 📖

Hawksworth glared down his fine nose at her. “You think I’m so weak as to allow such a mob to overcome me? Your mother will grieve at the loss of her fine china, and some of the furnishings were smashed, but the mob was dealt with. You could have stayed in your room. They did not reach there.”

“So the house is habitable?”

The earl laughed harshly. “Of course! I had the furniture replaced the same day. You are in no more danger. You may prepare to return to us.” He gave Lady Juliana a glance, his eyes cold. “I understand why you are dressed like a peasant, madam, but I have no intention of allowing anyone to see you that way. I’ve brought a cloak and hood for you. It is in the hall with my hat and sword.”

Juliana sat unmoving. The earl addressed Ash. “I appreciate your hospitality.” He sounded as if the words choked him. “However, I will have no more need of your services. Our family lawyer will handle matters from now on. You may render your account to my secretary.” He addressed his daughter, dismissing Ash as if he did not exist. “Thank the man for his hospitality, girl. We will be on our way. I will have the charges against you dismissed and we will put this unfortunate business behind us.”

Ash let his spurt of anger subside before he said anything. The man was exactly the kind of person he did his best to avoid. Sometimes the task became impossible, such as when arrogant peers strode inside his house as if they owned it.

“My lord, I regret that I cannot allow Lady Juliana to leave with you.” He didn’t regret it at all, but he knew how to be polite.

The earl glared at him in obvious astonishment. “What nonsense is this, man?”

“Her ladyship is under arrest, on a charge of murder. She will remain here under my guarantee. The charges will not be dismissed. They have been brought and as matters stand, her ladyship will come to trial. I have expectations of reducing the charge, but until then, she must remain here in my custody, or in a Newgate cell.”

Hawksworth’s face turned a mottled red. Fascinating. “She will do no such thing! If there is paperwork to sign, bring it here.”

“There is none, my lord. I have signed it already. I cannot allow Lady Uppingham to leave this house without my supervision. As for legal representation, she has chosen me to handle her case. If she wishes to change that, she is naturally open to do so.”

The earl put his hand on the arm of the sofa and leaned forward, glaring menacingly at him. “How dare you defy me, sir!” Tiny beads of spittle sprayed the air around him.

Ash suppressed his shudder of revulsion. He leaned back, crossing his legs, ice to the earl’s fire. “I repeat. If you take Lady Uppingham away, which, I should warn you, I will resist, I will be forced to inform the magistrates, who will collect her.” He didn’t look at Juliana, for fear he found her distressed. Her mood affected him more than he wanted it to. “She is safer here for the time being. And more comfortable than she would be in a gaol cell.”

Hawksworth flung a hand out, as if to punch Ash. Ash doubted that gesture was as impulsive as the earl made it appear. It looked too practiced. No doubt he’d intimidated many opponents like that. “I have four sturdy footmen outside, and I will not hesitate to have them carry her out.”

“I should also inform you,” Ash said smoothly, ignoring the bluster, “that on my advice, men from Bow Street have been stationed at the Port of London. If they see Lady Uppingham being taken on board any ship moored there, they will arrest her. You may not take her by water down there, either. If I do not know precisely where she is, we will examine every ship leaving the docks until we find her.”

“What the devil!” the earl spluttered. “What is this nonsense?”

“I merely put myself into your position, my lord. You wish to avoid scandal, and the best way to do that would be to spirit your daughter abroad. That would be against the law, so I cannot allow it. The law will be done, my lord, come what may.”

As the maid came in with the tea tray, his lordship got to his feet and swung around, the heavy skirts of his coat flying. He headed for the window and stared down into the street below, then whipped around to glare at Ash. “What have you done with my carriage?”

“I had it moved to Newcastle House. We do not wish to advertise Lady Uppingham’s presence here.”

Ash was in full flow now, letting his anger out in the precise way he shaped his words. “If you should by any chance be concerned for her safety, let me assure you that I have assigned one of my footmen the sole job of keeping her safe. Nobody will come near her without him knowing.”

Lord Hawksworth stared at him, but Ash had faced worse. He smiled blandly back. “The law will be done, my lord, in this case as in every other.”

“I make the law, man.”

“Not this one.” Ash remained calm. “If you wish to help, I can render an account of the monies we expend on Lady Uppingham’s behalf when this business is done, although she is more than welcome to stay here as long as she wishes as my guest and to live under my guardianship. If you wish to visit your daughter while she is here, please send word in advance and behave discreetly. Do not return in a crested vehicle. We do not want people to know where she is.”

Juliana spoke. “Indeed, sir, it is true. I must stay here, and I must not reveal my