Page 89 of Romancing the Scot
Whatever blood remained in her pale face drained completely away.
“Let me explain to you what we already know.” Hugh pointed at the door. “Just down this hallway, Miss Ware has in her possession a letter containing more than two dozen names of English subjects who provided information and assistance to Napoleon as he pursued his dreams of conquest. The British government plans to ferret out each and every spy whose treasonous efforts cost the lives of our soldiers. Your name is on that list, Mrs. Douglas, as is the name of a gentleman who has traveled here from Brussels, a friend of yours.”
As Hugh looked at her, it occurred to him that if her face had not been painted so carefully, her very features would have fallen to pieces and landed in her lap.
“In my library at this very moment,” he continued, “this friend of yours is providing testimony intended to save his neck from the hangman’s noose. The gentleman has accused you of masterminding the attack in Antwerp that resulted in the murders of Colonel Ware and his servants. By the time you leave here, you will not only be facing charges of high treason, espionage, kidnapping, and assault, but murder, as well. I believe the courts in London will only be sorry they can hang you but once, and the Prince Regent will sign your death warrant himself.”
“This is all a lie,” she gasped. “You cannot do this. It’s a lie.”
Hugh motioned to Branson to go, then pushed to his feet.
“Who?” she demanded, trying to keep the note of panic out of her voice. “Who is inventing such malicious lies?”
“You know who it is,” he replied coolly. “But perhaps you’d prefer to read for yourself Sir Rupert Elliot’s testimony, as recorded by my clerk, Mr. MacKay, and witnessed by his lordship, the honorable Earl of Aytoun.”
* * *
Grace felt her heart drumming a tattoo as she saw Mr. Branson come into the library and move over to stand by Hugh’s other clerk. She prayed their deductions were correct, but there was still a chance that the names of both men were on the list.
With the entrance of the clerk, Sir Rupert stood and stalked to the window, no longer trying to hide his impatience.
“Since you gentlemen are staying in the village, perhaps you heard about the attack on the road to Baronsford last week,” she said.
“No, mistress, we haven’t been here long enough to hear any of the local news,” Rivenhall replied and turned to the earl before she could continue. “M’lord, we appreciate your thoroughness in this matter, but the pardon is quite clear and straightforward.”
“As clear and straightforward as any government document can be, Captain,” Lord Aytoun responded.
“Then are you satisfied with it, m’lord?”
“Yes, this will do,” he said, placing it on the table beside him. He turned his attention to Grace. “You were just speaking about the harrowing attempt to abduct you, Miss Ware.”
Rivenhall’s attention turned back to her. She could feel Sir Rupert’s eyes on her as well.
“You were attackedhere,Miss Ware?” Rivenhall repeated.
If the man’s surprise was pretended, then Grace decided he was the finest actor in Europe.
“That’s correct, Captain. And of course, we now know the reason for the attempted abduction is right here.” She held up the folded document.
Lord Aytoun leaned forward. “And Mrs. Mariah Douglas, wife of the late Cabinet minister, was behind it,” he said with a shake of his head. “Difficult to believe.”
“You’re saying that Mrs. Douglas was working for the French?” Rivenhall asked. “Have the authorities apprehended her?”
“Indeed they have.”
Grace knew the earl’s words were being taken as fact.
“My son was informed of Mrs. Douglas’s desire to cooperate fully. She’s in the viscount’s study with the bailiff right now. I believe you were with them recording her statement, Mr. Branson.”
The clerk nodded, holding up a sheaf of papers.
“She’s admitted her involvement?” Rivenhall exclaimed.
“The timing of your visit here is quite fortuitous, Captain,” Grace said, turning casually to look for Sir Rupert. He was still looking on from the window.
“You’ll have the opportunity to hear the sworn statement Mrs. Douglas has agreed to give in exchange for a pardon for herself,” the earl added. “She’s offering solid evidence as well as the identification of her accomplices.”
“This news is astound—”
