Page 65 of The Seductive Love of a Lady
‘It is no one’s fault but your husband’s. We must remain confident and trust my Uncle Richard to return Andrew to us.’
‘The magistrate did not trust my word. He is going to speak with one of my lady’s maids and ask her to confirm what I said. The whole thing is mortifying. Embarrassing. Then I think of Drew in a cell, alone. He did nothing to deserve this.’
‘I know. And we must have faith that the truth becomes known.’
‘Thank you for helping us, Mary. Drew needed a woman like you.’
‘And I needed a man like him.’ Mary smiled.
A light knock struck the door, which John had left ajar. ‘Come in!’ Mary called.
‘Sorry to interrupt.’ It was Kate. ‘We are serving dinner. Your uncle is staying with us to dine, Mary, and he sent me to fetch you. Will you dine with us, Lady Kilbride?’
Caroline shook her head. ‘May I eat in my room? I am too tired to converse.’
‘Of course,’ Kate said. ‘I will ask for your meal to be sent up.’
‘I shall be there in a moment,’ Mary said, encouraging Kate to leave them alone again.
‘I am sorry,’ Caroline whispered after Kate left. ‘They must think me rude.’
‘John and Kate will not mind if you keep to your room. You must not feel pressed to be in our company and do as you please. If you need to speak to me, send a servant to find me.’
‘Thank you.’
35
Another visitor arrived as day became dusk. Drew stood as the key turned in the lock of the cell’s door.
The door opened.
The Duke of Arundel entered. He did not smile.
The door shut, and locked.
‘Do you have news?’ Drew asked.
‘Not yet.’
Drew sat, because there was too little room for them both to stand. Wiltshire remained on his feet.
‘Lady Kilbride has confirmed everything you said. But the magistrate is conscious it could just be lies that the two of you have made up?—’
‘It is not li?—’
‘I have not finished.’ Wiltshire lifted a staying hand. ‘The magistrate intends to speak with a former lady’s maid, who could provide evidence on whether or not the beatings took place. If she confirms she saw the beatings and bruises, then the magistrate has said he is willing to accept the charge is not true.’
‘Did you see Mary? How is she? How is Caro?’
‘Mary sends her love to you, and your sister is a strong woman, she will cope. We will not see her suffer. Yet she is frightened. She did not want to tell her story, she did so to help you. She is more frightened for you than she is for herself. But I promise you, whatever happens I will not let her be harmed in any way.’
‘Thank you.’
‘I also spoke to your father.’
Drew stood, astonished and instantly irate. His hands curled to fists. ‘You did not speak to my father, Your Grace. That is impossible because I have no idea who the hell he is.’
‘So I discovered,’ Wiltshire answered, not reacting to Drew’s anger, yet not showing regret either. ‘IsLady Kilbride your sister?’
