Page 57 of Married to the Earl

Conor shook his head. “They didn’t have enough to bring charges against me,” he said. “It’s all circumstantial. But I think it’s likely just a matter of time. The constable on the scene ordered me not to leave the area. I think that means he’s planning to come here and question me further, to see if he can get me to reveal my own guilt.”

“But you’re innocent,” Astrid said indignantly. “By focusing on you, they’re ignoring whoever the real killer is.”

“I know that. And I’m glad you believe me, Astrid. But they have no way of knowing that.”

Astrid shook her head. “I don’t justbelieveyou,” she said. “I mean, I certainlywouldbelieve you if I had no evidence of my own. But as it stands, I don’t need to, because I was here with you last night and I know for a fact that you weren’t out killing anyone.”

Conor smiled, but it was a sad smile that did not reach his eyes. “It’s strange to think that we had such a beautiful night together just last night,” he said. “And this morning, everything has gone to hell.”

“But you don’t understand,” Astrid said excitedly.How does he not see it? I have the solution to this problem right here in my hands!“I was with you last night. I was with youall night, and I can vouch for the fact that you weren’t committing any murders. I can talk to the constable.”

Conor shook his head. “No, Astrid.”

“What?” She blinked. “Why on earth not? He’s got his eye on the wrong man, and I know the truth. Of course I’m going to help.”

“I appreciate that,” Conor said. “And of course you should tell the truth if you’re asked. But I don’t think they’re going to ask you, Astrid, and I don’t think they’ll be interested in what you have to say on the matter even if you do approach them and try to volunteer information.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re my wife,” he said simply. “Everyone expects that you would defend me. They expect that you would lie to defend me, if necessary.”

“But—”

“It doesn’t matter if you would or you wouldn’t,” Conor said. “As my wife, you can’t be compelled to testify against me in court. And that also means you can’t testify on my behalf. Your words won’t matter. Tell the constable we were together if you wish—it can’t hurt. But don’t expect it to do us any good, either. I’m sure he’s expecting you to say exactly that.”

“Then there’s nothing I can do?” Astrid whispered, feeling as if the ground had dissolved beneath her.What am I going to do if Conor is arrested and taken away? I can’t live in this big house without him. Will they send me back to my father when I’ve only just started to love my husband?

“I don’t want you to worry,” Conor said. “I’ll find a way out of this. After all, I’m not the one who killed Lord Hayward. There must be evidence out there that points to who the real guilty party is. I just have to hope that the police will find that evidence.”

“But what if they don’t?” Astrid asked. “What if they remain convinced that you’re the murderer?”

“I have money,” Conor said. “I don’t like to think of things in these terms, but money can help a man out of a lot of trouble. I can afford to hire a very good lawyer, someone who can argue my case for me in court and help a judge to see sense.”

“I’m afraid,” Astrid admitted.

He stood, took her hand, and pulled her to her feet, wrapping her in his arms. “I knew I should have kept this from you,” he murmured. “It’s too much.”

“No,” she said quickly. “It isn’t too much, Conor. I’m glad I know. Truly. I just…can’t help being afraid for you. For us. I don’t want to lose you.”

“You won’t lose me,” he said. “I promise you that.”

You can’t promise me anything, she thought fearfully.We have no idea what will happen.

But she wanted to be strong for him. She wanted to be a good partner, a good wife, and she knew that this must have been even more frightening for Conor than it was for her. After all, he was the one at risk of losing everything and ending up in jail. He was the one accused of murder.

It’s so very like him to think that he has to be strong no matter what’s going on,she thought.To think that he can’t betray any emotion. And I don’t want him to feel like that with me.

She had to be brave so that he wouldn’t feel like he had to hide his feelings from her.

So she didn’t argue with his promise, didn’t tell him it was impossible to keep. She swallowed hard and nodded instead.

“What should we do?” she asked. “I suppose we’ll need to be prepared for the arrival of the constables.”

Conor nodded. “We should go about our lives as normal,” he said. “The exception, of course, is that I’m going to want DuBois around at all times now, on the off chance that whoever murdered Lord Hayward should commit another murder. I’ll want someone who isn’t married to me to bear witness to my whereabouts in that event.”

Astrid nodded. “That’s a good idea.”

“You’ve had a shock,” he said gently. “Why don’t you go up to your room and take a few hours of quiet time before supper. I could do with a bit of the same.”

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