Page 23 of The Trouble With Titles
Madeline flinched in surprise at the shrillness of her sister’s voice, impatience skittering through her mind. Based on the tone, Henri was to launch into some sort of lecture about Madeline’s choices.
“Good morning. I was not aware you were here.”
“I returned late last night from Uncle Reggie’s. Have you heard the news about Simon Scott?”
Madeline stared down at her last bite, which was hovering between the plate and her mouth, her appetite deserting her.
She and her sister did not see eye to eye on the subject of the gentleman living next door. Henri disdained his abandonment of her twin, while Madeline did not like what had happened, but she had understood it.
Simon had battled with the heavy burden of guilt, blaming himself for the accident. It had taken weeks for Nicholas to return from his unconscious state, and Simon had suffered each second of his brother’s coma. A fact she had learned when he had reappeared in the garden three months after the incident to inform her that his plans for the future had changed.
She suspected Simon had spent the entire twelve-week period anchored to his brother’s side, willing him to return to the living. It was hard to imagine the strain he must have beenunder, his appearance haggard when she had seen him for the first time.
“There are heirs to the Blackwood title who have been found in Italy.” Madeline put her fork down and prepared to rise.
“Well, yes, but I meant the other news.”
Madeline paused, sinking back in her seat. One aspect of her sister’s work for Uncle Reggie that Madeline did not like was the fountain of gossip. She would brush it off and walk away without hearing it, but if it was about Simon …
“Other news?”
“Home Office is looking into Lord Filminster’s death. Word at Westminster is that Simon is considered the prime suspect in the murder.”
“That is ridiculous! Simon would never kill a man.”Especially not for the Blackwood title, which is the bane of his existence.
“I swear it is true. Uncle Reggie told me that there is some sort of evidence that points to him attempting to hide the late baron’s knowledge of the heir from the Continent. It is a mystery how no one knew of the nephews, but people are saying that Simon must have known.”
“Does that make any sense? Simon was a babe when his older brother died! How in heaven was he to hide such information when he was a child?”
Henri frowned, considering the question. “Perhaps there was no contact with the family. Perhaps Simon did not know until Lord Filminster visited London, and when he learned of it, he acted out of desperation.”
Madeline appreciated that her sister enjoyed her work, but she disliked the rumor trough of Parliament. She found average politicians to be a herd of pompous boars who savored intrigue andon-ditsas if snuffling for truffles in the woods, rooting into reputations for their delicious tidbits of gossip with a gluttonousobsession. It was a distraction from their own shortcomings to pontificate about issues they could not comprehend from their privileged points of view.
Madeline far preferred tradespeople who produced actual work for their living.
“We have known him since we were children. Do you think him capable of such villainy?”
Her sister shrugged. “He has changed. How would I know what he might do to hold on to his position?”
“Simon would not commit a crime.”
Cocking her head, Henri contemplated Madeline with an expression of sympathy. “I hope so, Maddy. Just … prepare yourself. In case.”
Madeline shook her head. It was true that Simon had changed, but not that much. Not enough to kill a man in cold blood. She knew his heart, and there was not a drop of scoundrel in his blood. Not one drop.
“When was the murder?”
“The night of the coronation.”
“Well, then. It is simple—I was with him that night until well past midnight.”
Her sister groaned, dropping into a seat across the table. “Madeline! Say it is not so! If word gets out, your reputation will be destroyed.”
Madeline sank back into her chair in dismay. If Simon needed an alibi, she would not hesitate to provide it, but it was true it would ruin her and likely the manufactory, too. But, more than that, what of his betrothed? Coming forward would create a scandal for Simon and Miss Boyle. The general public would not understand their long-standing friendship. Not to mention, there was a possibility that her testimony as an unmarried tradeswoman could be rejected out of hand. The authoritiesmight think she was a lovesick fool, fibbing on behalf of the object of her infatuation who was far out of her reach!
She nibbled on a fingernail to think. What sort of evidence did Home Office have in their possession?
“Lord Boyle is hereto see you.”
