Page 91 of The Vagabond Viscount
The judge cleared his throat. “Lord Bramshaw, you have been acquitted of the charge of murder by a jury of your peers.” He motioned to the clerk. “Please arrange to have the earl’s personal possessions returned to him. I don’t expect he wishes to return to the Tower of London this afternoon.”
I have no intention of ever setting foot through any gate which leads into the Tower of London again in this life or the next.
He had spent the better part of a month in the Beauchamp Tower, and as far as he was concerned, that was more than enough for several lifetimes.
“Lord Bramshaw, you are free to go.”
Flynn’s shoulders sagged with relief. It was over. He could leave the House of Lords a free man. Take his wife and go home.
It took a few minutes of paperwork and talking to his lawyer before Flynn finally bowed to the judge and the jury. He turned and headed for the door, determined not to spend one minute longer in the court than was necessary. He caught the eye of one of the guards and shook his head. He wasn’t interested in stopping to discuss possible arrangements to have his things returned from the Tower of London. He just wanted to get out.
I need to breathe fresh air.
Augusta and the Duke of Mowbray were waiting outside in the hall, along with a good many of his friends and family by the time Flynn left the court. He caught sight of Charles and Christopher Cadnam. His teary-eyed uncle gave him a wave, to which he shyly smiled back. He bowed to his cousin, grateful for his honest testimony. He couldn’t talk to them, as words were still a struggle.
His wife stepped into his arms, and as Flynn wrapped her up in his embrace, the rest of the gathering disappeared from his thoughts. Augusta, all that mattered was her and their unborn child. Flynn closed his eyes and let the knowledge that he was a free man wash over him.
I am free. For the first time in my life, I am actually free. I wish my mother was here to see this day.
The rest of the well-wishers politely kept their distance, and he was grateful that they did. He needed this moment. No one else in the room, apart from Augusta, knew what he had been through. What the death of the earl had really meant. The end of years of pain and misery.
There would be time for handshakes and happy congratulations, but now all he wanted was to hold the one person who had never stopped believing in him. Who had always fought for their future.
He brushed a kiss on the top of her hair, and Augusta looked up. Her beautiful face was tear-stained, but a smile sat on her lips. Lips he’d feared he might never be able to kiss again if things had not gone his way in court today.
“Not guilty. Those would have to be the two most wonderful words I have ever heard,” she whispered.
Flynn silently nodded. It was all still sinking in. He expected that there would be some difficult days ahead. Taking over an entire estate and London house when he had been given no training or insight into its management would bring with it a new set of challenges.
If I can survive the past year and a half, I can do anything. As long as Augusta is by my side.
“Did you want to go and find somewhere to celebrate?” asked Augusta.
Flynn shook his head. He really ought to spend time with his many supporters, but he was emotionally wrung out, incapable of small talk. Not today. His friends and family would have to understand his need to be alone with Augusta, and for the reality of the verdict to sink in.
Slipping his arm about her waist, he turned so that they both faced the group which had gathered. What he had to say was on behalf of himself and Augusta. “Friends. Family. Today has been nothing short of surreal. As you no doubt must appreciate, it will take a little time for my wife and I to come to terms with the events of the past month. With that in mind, I must beg your indulgence in allowing us to spend the rest of today alone.”
The Duke of Mowbray stepped forward. “Of course. And when you are ready to share your good fortune with us, my wife and I would be honored to have all of you good people to a special reception at Mowbray House.”
He met his father-in-law’s gaze and gave him a small smile. He owed a great deal to the duke for all that he had done. For his unwavering support. The first chance he got to speak to him in private, he would let Clifford know how grateful he was for everything.
Hand in hand, Flynn and Augusta made their way out of the Palace of Westminster and into the mid-August sunshine. “What do you think of nipping over to the Red Lion for a spot of food or a tankard of English ale?” suggested Augusta.
“That sounds wonderful. But I have somewhere else I want to go before I look to fill my belly. My solicitors. I want Bramshaw House on the market before the end of the day. If I can sell the house and settle my father’s debts, then we can start a new life together.”
She gave him a quizzical look, and Flynn guessed what his wife was thinking. He was now Earl Bramshaw, and he had every right to live in his family home. But the thought of never going back to the Tower of London had stirred another idea in his mind.
“I once swore I would never set foot in that place ever again, and I should have kept that vow. Bramshaw House has been nothing but a place of abject misery and torture for me. Once we have sold it, we can buy another house.”
His time in Europe and Rome had taught Flynn that he didn’t need a large house. He had rattled around Matteo’s private palace for weeks and never felt settled.
Augusta rubbed her hand gently over the small swell of her belly. It was a particular habit of hers that Flynn found endearing.
“We need a home of our own by the time this baby arrives. I love my mother dearly, but I don’t want to be living under the same roof as her when I give birth.”
Flynn chuckled softly. He could just imagine the duchess giving orders as to how her grandchild was to be nursed and raised. Augusta deserved her own home, a place where she could be the lady of the house. He rested his hand over hers and bent to kiss her. “I promise we will be settled in our new home long before then.”
They had gone but a few feet more when Augusta stopped and turned to him. “I want us to go to Bramshaw House. While I never managed to make it inside whenever I called on the other Earl Bramshaw, today I want to be able to visit it with my Earl Bramshaw.”
