Page 76 of The Odd Riddle of the Lost Duchess
“I found proof of his duplicity, Ann,” George defended.
“But George,” Ann shook her head with a tight frown in the middle of her forehead, “Don’t you think this revenge is going too far? Don’t you think that this is the farthest thing from what Em would have wanted?”
The Duke felt a little guilt settle in his stomach, “This has nothing to do with what Emmeline would have wanted, Ann. She was blinded by Newberry’s machinations and I had to prove that the man is not what you, my mother, and dearly-departed Emmeline thought him to be.”
Her look enhanced the guilt in George’s chest and, sighing, the Duke framed his beloved’s cheek, “Ann, my love, this is a matter of honor. If Newberry is truly guilty, nothing will stop me from wreaking vengeance on him.”
Ann still looked dismayed. “But–”
“Excuse my interruption, Your Grace.” Hudgins said from the doorway, “but a letter has arrived for you–a special messenger from London.”
Removing his hand and looking up to his manservant, Leverton took the sealed letter and nodded his thanks to the man, who bowed out.
Flipping the letter over, George read over the name–it was from the bank on Threadneedle Street and curious, George opened it. It was short but the words ran a heated lance through George’s core. “My God…I was wrong.”
* * *
Noah arrived at the Newberry Mansion on the downside of ten o’clock the next morning. It was the middle of the day but he still felt drained.
“Good morning Your Grace,” Mr. Cole said as he took the traveling bag from the coachman, “I hope the visit was productive one?”
“In all respects, yes,” Noah replied, “Is my mother here?”
“My apologies, Your Grace, The Duchess, and the Dowager Duchess haven’t returned from their jaunt to London as yet,” the butler replied.
“Very well,” Noah sighed, “Please bring the strongest brew of coffee to my study in an hour.”
Still exhausted, the Duke went about his bookkeeping, met with a visiting magistrate, spoke to his proxy, Mr. Brown, and then when evening was come, forced himself to dine on a meal of choice roasted beef.
His mother and his grandmother had still not returned, but Noah didn’t give much thought to it. Instead, he prayed that Emmeline smiled down upon him from heaven.
“I will join you there, my love,” Noah whispered under his breath as his eyes closed, “Wherever you are, there I will be.”
Chapter 29
Clearing the Air
Waking up to an unwanted summons was not what the Duke of Newbery would have preferred after managing only four hours of sleep. The Duke had no mind to change his dress and decided that if they were affronted by him in his bed clothes it was their problem. The town Magistrate, Mr. Fielding, and the constable, Mr. Stanton, were in his foyer.
Tightening his robe, Noah addressed the two from the landing above the foyer, “May I help you, gentlemen?”
“Good morning Your Grace,” Mr. Fielding greeted. “After months of searching, we have found the man who killed St. Maur. He is from West London, whose family had dealings with the St. Maurs. He confessed to saying your name to throw off every suspicion from himself, as he knows about the enmity between the two of you. The Chief Justice in London is requesting your presence, Your Grace, as he wants to personally apologize for this unfortunate incident.”
“Well, that’s magnanimous of him,” Noah said sourly, “But please inform the Chief Justice that he cannot summon me like a servant. I’ll be at Westminster Hall when it pleases me. Good day, gentlemen.”
Spinning on his heel, Noah went back to his shaded room and sank heavily into his bed. He knew that he wasn’t going to sleep, he just wanted to block out the world for a while.
* * *
It took two days for Noah to get to London, by choice, and by design. By that time word about his innocence would have permeated the city like water through a sieve.
Instead of being shown to the Court of the King’s Bench, Noah was shown to an antechamber of the auspicious chamber. The Chief Justice was wearing his imperious plain-black silk robe but his wig was discarded.
“Your Grace,” Chief Justice Lord Ellenborough greeted, “Thank you for coming.”
“I’m honored to be here, Lord Ellenborough.” Noah’s tone was strictly business.
“I’m sorry for this unfortunate business with St. Maur, but the lawmen have done their job and apprehended the real culprit.” Lord Ellenborough added, “You have been cleared of any and all suspicion, Your Grace. On behalf of my office and the lawmen who investigated this matter, I over my sincere apologies for the shadow it has caused on your name and your honor.”
