Page 84 of To Resist a Scandalous Rogue
“Well, I believe Torres has a way to help her,” the duke said.
Finlay’s gaze darted to the Spaniard, hope flaring to life. “Have you found anything?”
The man’s lip curled up. “Oh, there were many skeletons in Townsend’s closet.”
Long minutes later, Finlay stood looking down at the information Torres had managed to collect on Charlotte, her late husband, and his family. So many lies. So much resentment, and for no other reason than Charlotte was Jewish and had married above her reach.
“This should be more than enough to implicate Townsend.” Darington picked up a document, his eyes skimming it while his expression darkened. “Once you reveal what you know, I don’t see why the warden wouldn’t release her.”
“You need to ambush him with the details.” Torres leaned a hip against the desk. “He already knows you have a connection to Mrs. Taylor, so he’ll probably be expecting you. If he thinks you might maneuver to see her released, there’s no guarantee he won’t try to have her moved or even transported. You want him to have his guard down, so when you make your move, he’s vulnerable.”
“How do you propose I do that?” Finlay walked to the sideboard and grabbed a decanter of brandy, pouring himself a glass. He threw back the contents. “Leading Townsend to believe I’m not interested in Charlotte’s well-being would mean waiting. And I refuse to wait while she’s locked in that vile place.”
“I agree. We can’t leave Mrs. Taylor there.” Alethea nodded as if she were the final word. “But there has to be some way to catch Townsend by surprise.”
A knock sounded on the door. The butler appeared.
“Your Grace, a visitor is here looking for Lord Firthwell. A Mr. Duncan Campbell. May I show him in?”
“Yes,” Finlay and Alethea said at the same time.
Lady Flora’s intimidating cousin walked through the door, his eyes immediately alighting on Alethea. “Your Grace, it’s a pleasure to see you again.”
Alethea rushed forward to grasp his hand. “It’s been too long. How have you been? How are the horses?”
“Allie-love,” Darington murmured softly.
Alethea pressed her palms to her cheeks. “Goodness, how easily distracted I am these days.” Turning to Duncan, she said, “You needed to speak with Firthwell?”
“I do, but I’m sure Flo will be relieved when she discovers all of you are here.” He rocked back on his feet. “She’s only now headed to Newgate. Inverray was detained and not able to depart as quickly as Flo had hoped. I was tasked with watching the Townsends. Flora believed you would want to know the instant the man left the party to head to the prison. She seemed to think you would want to be there when he was.”
“I do,” Finlay said. “Hopefully one of us will make it there before him.”
“It will be a close thing. Traffic is bad.”
Alethea clapped her hands together. “I’m assuming Townsend has learned Lord Inverray has gone to see her, and he’s probably rushing back to ensure his prize prisoner is not freed before he can contest it. While he’s there arguing it, you can appear and put this whole matter to rest.”
“Muy bien, Your Grace,” Torres said, nodding in approval. “While Lord Inverray wields a good deal of clout, it’s best to assume the warden is in Townsend’s pocket. His lordship’s presence will grant you time, but you’ll needthisto see her cleared completely from the allegations.” He gestured with his chin to the sheets spread across Darington’s mahogany desk.
Finlay closed his eyes as he played out how the scene would unfold when he arrived at the prison. Not only would he surprise Townsend with his unexpected appearance, but hopefully Charlotte as well. She needed to know he would stand with her. Fight with her. Defend her as much as she allowed him to.
“We don’t have a second to lose.” He had to get there before Townsend. He feared what the man would do if he thought Charlotte was without friends. Finlay turned to Darington. “Will you come?”
The duke didn’t hesitate. “Of course. I’m sure I’ll be superfluous, but one of the perks of being a duke, I’ve found, is any opportunity I have to throw the title around.”
…
Voices in the corridor awoke her.
How the soft murmurs pierced the haze of her troubled sleep she didn’t know, but Charlotte was instantly wary. Without changing her position, she strained to hear the conversation, fear a staccato in her throat.
“She needs to be on the next ship to the Australian colonies.”
“Really, Townsend, you want her transported over a ring your son gifted her? Even for you that’s cruel.”
“If I wanted your opinion, I would ask for it. Now, I expect you to see it done. And fast. She has friends, and I don’t want them to thwart this.”
“Get the transport papers signed all proper like, and I’ll see it done. But if she has powerful friends, there could be trouble. I won’t put myself in front of the firing squad without protection, so the paperwork has to be in order.”
