Page 76 of Her Impeccable Scoundrel
Jarrow ignored her insulting tone and went on. “Did you see Lord Vernon or Sir Morris the day of the signing?” He asked, his voice gentle.
Like a gentle hound mouthing his prey before chomping down on it. He would be a far more formidable magistrate than his father had been.
“I was told that Lord Vernon had left the day before, and that Sir Morris had been there and departed before I arrived. So no, I spoke with neither man.”
“So, you did not see Sir Morris’s accident?”
“No.”
She hadn’t seen the curricle as it toppled. That was true enough.
“I returned to Bluebelle Lodge. It was snowing quite heavily and I wanted to get home. We received news of the accident later.”
Graeme held tightly onto her hand, though he itched to set his arm around her shoulders and pull her close. She’d begun, unawares, to tremble under the weight of trying to respond without outright lying. He knew what she was about, and in truth, he was impressed.
“I’ll go and visit this woman,” Jarrow said. “You are right, Lady Chilcombe, that she’ll probably offer it to Diddenton. The gossips might make much of him paying for a stolen will, but it still might hold up in the consistory court.”
A knock at the door brought Adwick, before one of the Runners rushed past him and a boy followed behind ; Blythe’s errand boy.
“What is it, Burrows?” Morley asked.
“Bobby,” Blythe cried.
The Runner had the lad by the collar. “This lad?—”
“Lord V,” Bobby cried. “Just saw him on Bridie Lane.”
Graeme stood, pulling Blythe up beside him. “Adwick, send someone for a hack.”
They all moved to the hall while servants brought their hats. Morley told the Runner to remain at Chilcombe House and keep watch on the ladies and children.
“I’m going as well,” Blythe said, accepting the bonnet and spencer that Radley had come running with.
Graeme opened his mouth to protest but thought better of it. He ushered her out of the door and they all squeezed into the hired carriage.
* * *
They had the driver set them down outside the narrow alley that was Bridie Lane. Blythe stepped out briskly for number thirteen before Graeme pulled her back.
“I should go in first,” she said. “I’ll be expected.”
The thought of her walking in on that cur and the vile woman set his blood boiling. “No, we’ll go together.”
“I have a better idea,” Jarrow said. “Let’s see if we can listen to their conversation. He might say or do something incriminating.”
“There’s a way in through the back,” Bobby said. “I can climb up and?—”
“I’ll go with Bobby,” Morley said. “The three of you go in through the front door. Lady Chilcombe is right, she may be allowed in faster than the men. See if you can provoke Lord Vernon, my lady. Chilcombe and Jarrow can both be nearby.”
She nodded and set off again.
“Damn you, Morley,” Graeme muttered, hurrying after her with Jarrow close behind.
The door creaked as Blythe opened it and advanced toward the ground floor door off the hall where the yellow haired woman had appeared.
Graeme pulled her back and framed her face with his hands. “Do nothing rash,” he said. “I can’t lose you again.”
Her mouth dropped open and she quickly closed it, nodded, and then reached for the doorknob.
