Secrets of a Scandalous Marriage

CHAPTER 26

James stood outside the towering heap of what had once been his town house. The freezing wind whipped along the street front. He pulled his cloak around him more tightly and pushed up his collar. The smell of burned wood and the lingering scent of smoke permeated the air. James expelled his breath. Yes. This mess had once been his home. Now it was half rubble. Lily had been right. The first floor was still relatively intact, but the top floors were burned out. All the windows were shattered and mud and debris had been tossed all over the structure. He stared at the building and shook his head.

His town house. His refuge. The place where every speck of dust mattered. He smiled wryly to himself. None of that mattered now, did it? There was far more than a speck of dirt involved here. He groaned. If someone had told him a fortnight ago that he’d be standing here now, staring at the burned-out remains of his house, why, he’d probably have had an attack of nerves. But now, a strange sense of calm came over him. It was just a house. Kate was facing down a death sentence. He couldn’t imagine that fear. In comparison, the idea of rebuilding his home was barely more than an inconvenience. What did a home matter, compared with one’s life?

Kate. She thought it was her fault that this had happened, but it was actually his. If he’d been more careful that afternoon when they’d returned from the farm, they wouldn’t have been seen. He’d let down his guard, and he had only himself to blame.

He kicked a piece of stone with his booted foot. It skipped off the mud in the roadway and settled with a decisive click on a pile of burned wood. He turned and hoisted himself into his waiting carriage. “Abernathy’s office,” he directed the coachman.

Twenty minutes later, James lowered himself into the seat in front of Mr. Abernathy’s desk.

“Give me some good news,” James said. “I’m exhausted. I traveled through the night to get back to town for this meeting today.”

“Have you seen it yet?” Abernathy asked with a strained look on his face.

“The town house? Yes.” James nodded. “But not to worry, my solicitor has already seen to it. The repairs will begin soon.”

“Glad to hear it.” Abernathy shuffled a mass of papers on his desk and pushed his spectacles up on his nose. “How is her grace?”

“As well as can be expected given the circumstances. What news from Mr. Horton?”

Abernathy frowned. “None, unfortunately. He canceled our meeting Friday, sending a note saying he had to return to Markingham Abbey for a bit more investigation. I hope he’ll have something solid by the time he returns.”

James sat back in his chair and crossed his heel over his knee. “And the court system?”

“The lord chancellor has scheduled the first hearing for just after Twelfth Night.”

James nodded. “What about the court of public opinion?”

“I assume you’ve read the papers. It’s not good, though there are some who’ve staunchly defended you.”

James shrugged. “I expected as much.”

Abernathy cleared his throat uncomfortably. “There’s something else.”

James leaned forward in his seat. “What?”

“I’ve been told a new story is about to run in this evening’s Times. The papers have been investigating you. They’ve discovered you own a printing press. Some are saying you’re a disgrace to the peerage.”

James hung his head. He let out his breath. His reputation, the one he’d spent his whole life building, gone in the blink of an eye. “I see,” he said calmly. “But you say I have some supporters? That’s encouraging.”

“Indeed you do. The lord chancellor is one of them.”

James arched a brow. “The lord chancellor? Really?”

“Yes, he’s firmly in your corner.”

“Glad to hear it. Anyone else of note?”

“If the rumors are to be believed, the Prince Regent himself has weighed in on your behalf. He says he’s anxious to hear the details straight from you and refuses to discuss the matter until he does so.”

This time James whistled. “Now that is high praise indeed. Normally, his royal highness doesn’t shy away from a good bit of gossip.”

Abernathy nodded. “Agreed. It’s a very good sign.”

“And what of Kate’s reputation? Everyone still believes she’s guilty, don’t they?”

“That’s something else I wanted to mention to you, my lord. Many of the details of the case have been leaked to the papers. One wonders who knew so much. Personally, I have my suspicions that it was Lady Bettina, but the fact remains that the evidence, when presented as it has been in the papers, appears extremely damaging.”

James clenched his jaw. “Are you saying there is no hope, Abernathy?”

“I’m saying I believe it’s time that we explored the possibility of alternate defenses.”

James narrowed his eyes on the barrister. “Alternate defenses?”

“Yes. I mentioned them to her grace when we first met. Self-preservation. Provocation.”

James scrubbed his hands across his face. “Kate said no to both of those.”

“Yes, but she does not know the law as I do. The way things stand, I firmly believe those are her best chances for acquittal. They might just save her life.”

James nodded once. “I understand.”

Abernathy’s face wore a decided frown. He pulled on the lapels of his coat. “My lord, I think it’s time you spoke to her grace. Explained to her that it is in her best interest to explore both options as possible defenses. You must ensure she understands.”

“I believe she already knows how dire it is, Abernathy.”

“But I don’t think she understands how very little there is to go on without preparing a vigorous defense.”

James pushed out of the chair and stood to leave. He pressed his lips together. “I’ll speak with her.”

“Good.”

James made his way to the door and pulled on his coat. “Thank you for all of your help, Abernathy. Much obliged.”

Abernathy gave him a stern stare. “Tell me, my lord. Is it worth it?”

James wrinkled his brow. “Worth what?”

“Is the pamphlet worth the loss of your town house?”

James placed his hat atop his head and tipped it forward. “I believe she’s innocent, Abernathy. Now just get your runner to prove it.”