The Barrister's Challenge: Sweet Regency Romance (Heirs of Berkshire Book 2)

by Karen Lynne

  “I’m sorry. We should be figuring out your brother’s murder.”

  He shook his head. “We needed to resolve that issue first.”

  She nodded, and he walked back to the desk. “I will look at the rest of the letters later. Daniel was in charge of the estate. He was expected to marry a wealthy woman to bring money to the estate. With his frivolous spending, he’d especially need a rich wife. I don’t understand his actions.”

  It infuriated Walter that Daniel would throw away his responsibilities for an actress who seemed to have little to no standards, let alone funds needed to secure the estate.

  He felt Patience’s breath on his neck, light and steady. “Do you think there could be a link? Perhaps Daniel had been involved with the wrong woman and someone came after your brother for it?”

  Walter frowned. “I highly doubt a man would kill for an actress,” he said bitterly, thinking of the mess his brother had left behind.

  His mind spun at the implications. From the sound of it, Daniel had been invested in Miss Fox. He had visited her several times. Perhaps she knew something the rest of them didn’t. He turned to Patience. She still stared at him, but this time, he saw joy in her eyes. He held back his smile. “I must go straightaway to London.”

  Patience stood again, and Walter moved to the door. “Perhaps we should look for more clues first.”

  “No. If anyone knows about who might want to harm Daniel, it’s this woman.” He patted his breast pocket containing Daniel's letters. “I must speak to her soon, before the murderer suspects.”

  “Let me come with you,” Patience pleaded.

  Walter gave her a stern glare. “No—” He enunciated the words clearly. “I won’t be gone long, just a day or two. I need to speak with my mentor about the case I’m working on as well.”

  “What would you like me to do while you’re away then? I can’t just sit idly by and do nothing.”

  Walter shook his head. “Stay out of trouble. I don’t want you to get hurt again.”

  “I can take care of myself.” She hesitated, her eyes sweeping over his face. “Is there anyone at all you are suspicious of? I can investigate.”

  He took quick strides to stand by her side again. “Patience, please. Let me take care of this alone. I can’t be worrying over your safety while I’m away.” He looked into her eyes, willing her look of resolve away. She could be a stubborn woman.

  She sighed, and he saw defeat in her eyes. He smiled and couldn’t help pulling her to him one last time. He kissed her softly, never wanting to stop. But he did.

  “I suppose I can take this time to discover why Mama is so against your family,” her eyes cleared, her smile returning.

  His jaw clenched at the mention of her mother. “Yes,” he said. “Do that.”

  The cold, hard truth entered his mind. Daniel had nearly thrown away the security of his family for love.

  Walter knew now that no matter if Patience learned the reason to her mother’s aversion to him, that he could not marry her without the blessing of her parents. The cost to keeping his family secure meant he had to sacrifice love for duty.

  He would need to find a wealthy woman whose parents did not have such an aversion to him. With his growing status in London, he was sure he could make connections. He now had an estate to bolster his value. Why was he still unacceptable in Patience’s parents’ eyes?

  Walter felt sick to his stomach. His eyes locked on Patience—her fair, smooth skin, her auburn curls, the dimple near her mouth. He couldn’t have her. It was final.

  “You must go now,” he said, moving to unlock the door.

  Patience hesitated, sensing his mood had shifted. She was sensitive that way. Another thing he loved about her.

  “Have I done something wrong?” she asked quietly.

  He shook his head. “No.” The word came out breathy, strained.

  She clasped her hands in front of her. “Then I’ll see you when you return?”

  “Undoubtedly.” It wasn’t necessarily a lie. It was likely they would cross paths again. He could no longer entertain the thought they could be together.

  Patience slowly walked to the door. Turning to face him before leaving, she placed her hand on his arm. Her touch put all his senses on edge, nearly undoing his resolve.

  “Be careful,” she whispered.

  He wanted to scoop her into his arms, hold her tight, breathe in her rose scent one last time. But he knew how that would shake his resolve.

  “You too,” he answered instead.

  He walked her to the front door and let her go, watching as she left. She turned to look back, smiling. He blew her a kiss as his heart shattered. It could very well be their last farewell. And she didn’t even know it.

  Chapter 10

  Lincoln’s Inn greeted him like a second home, the familiar scents welcoming him into the grand old building. Walter walked straight to Mr. Welch’s office to discuss the Vanderbilt case.

  When he entered the old barrister’s office, Mr. Welch’s wrinkled gray eyes widened in surprise.

  “Mr. Longman! I didn’t expect you so soon.”

  “Only for a day or two,” he said quickly. “I wanted to reaffirm my dedication to the Vanderbilt case. I have received your letters and reviewed every detail, memorizing them. I’ve already hashed out a strategy. But some things aren’t adding up. I need to do some investigation to make sure I’m going down the right path.”

  He didn’t know when he would be able to make time to devote to both cases. He needed to find who murdered Daniel and why, but his ability to provide for his family hinged on solving the Vanderbilt case.

  Mr. Welch held up a hand, and Walter slowed his speech to a stop. His mentor cocked his head in confusion. “You are returning to Wallingford?”

  “Yes, just for another few days.” Walter watched anxiously as Mr. Welch steepled his fingers together.

  “My dear boy, I understand how much this case means to you.”

  “Everything, sir.” He broke in, his mouth going dry. He sensed Mr. Welch’s next words would not be pleasant.

  “The council—myself included—believe you are under too much stress and trauma at this time. They wanted to go ahead and reassign the case to Mr. Bamber, but I convinced them to hold off a few more days. Time is not on your side, Mr. Longman.”

  Walter leaned over Mr. Welch’s desk. His hands splayed over the cool wood. “I swear to you I can handle this case.” His voice was earnest. “I only have a few more matters to wrap up at home, then I’ll be here, devoid of distractions.”

  He pushed the picture of Patience to the back of his mind. He’d already decided about her. All he needed to do was put his plans into action and pray it didn’t take her too long to get over him. He knew it might never happen for him.

  Mr. Welch peered up at Walter, his lips pressed firmly together. Walter held his breath, waiting for the answer he sought. Finally, his mentor let out a long sigh, leaning back in his chair.

  “I trust you, Mr. Longman. I will keep the council at bay for a few days more. But this case can’t wait forever, and it needs England’s sharpest minds devoted to it.”

  “I understand, sir.” Relief rushed through Walter, pierced by some slight anxiety. Small doubts pressed on him as he wondered if he truly was the best person for the case. With everything he was currently dealing with, he was already worn too thin for his liking.

  “Thank you,” Walter said. “I won’t disappoint.” He hoped he would be able to make good on his promise.

  “See that you don’t,” Mr. Welch said. “Your reputation isn’t the only one on the line here. I have vouched for you, knowing you have the capacity to rise to the top. Do not let me regret my choice.”

  Walter gave him a curt nod before leaving the room. On his way out of the building, he passed Mr. Bamber’s office. Unfortunately, his door was open.

  Walter heard the hurried scrape of a chair and the quick steps as Mr. Bamber caught up to him. “Back agai
n?” he asked, falling into step at Walter’s side. “It’s about time. We were starting to wonder if you’d fallen off the face of the earth.”

  Walter clenched his jaw, not slowing his walk. “I haven’t, as you can clearly see,” he said. “I’m not giving up the case, Bamber.”

  “I imagine you’re not.” Mr. Bamber gripped Walter’s shoulder, forcing him to stop. He stiffened at the unwanted contact, staring into Bamber’s long face. “Don’t fool yourself. You are the least suitable person to take on this case, what with the family trauma you’re going through. If Vanderbilt is not found guilty, that’s on you.”

  Walter shook Mr. Bamber off him, knowing full well that the man was just trying to scare him off the case. “I am very capable of handling the case, thank you. Now if you’ll excuse me—”

  He turned on his heel, his coat ruffling past in his haste to get away from the man, and exited the building, feeling the heat build until he felt the thrum of his heartbeat in his head.

  He would not let Mr. Bamber get inside his mind. He would win the case and build credibility and status. He would save his family from their debts by pursuing a wealthy woman whose money would dig them out of the hole they were stuck in. The thought turned his insides. It was easily said, but the practice would be another thing entirely. He pushed those thoughts from his mind and took a hackney to the theater district. It was time to confront Miss Gabriella Fox.

  The Haymarket Theatre looked dark and uninhabited, with tall white pillars resolutely guarding the entrance. Taking a deep breath, he plunged between them, opening the front doors and stepping inside. The Theater’s musty smell mixed with wax and cigar smoke. The scent turned his mind to the candle wax factory from his village, and a dark feeling entered the pit of his stomach.

  Not a soul could be seen at the front, so Walter pressed on, walking deeper into the theater. He thought he heard voices shouting and opened a wide door, exposing a long line of red velvet seats leading up to a stage.

  Walter took in the scene. The theater was nicer than he had imagined for being in the shady part of town where both wealthy gentlemen and poor came to be entertained. He highly doubted women of status were ever found here. Which only deepened the mystery.

  Four people stood on the stage, three men and one woman, dressed in Roman attire, reciting lines. The woman’s sheer dress plunged far below her neckline, revealing more cleavage than was proper. He averted his gaze, sick that his brother would associate himself with the place. Another man stood at the foot of the stage, watching. He suddenly waved his hands, shouting.

  “No! Brutus, you are miserable. Absolutely miserable. Do you want a tomato in your face? Put more feeling into your words.”

  The man—Brutus—scowled in obvious disgust but didn’t argue. The woman looked at both of them in irritation, then lounged across a loveseat, plucking at the armrest.

  Walter took this moment to make himself known. He stepped forward, walking between the rows, all the actors’ eyes turned to him.

  Their director, noticing their gazes, turned, his dark mustache bristling. “Do you mind, sir? We are in the middle of a rehearsal.”

  “Apologies. I must speak to a Gabriella Fox. It is of the utmost importance.”

  The actress rose from the loveseat. “I am she.” She looked down at him under heavily painted eyelids, her now curious eyes taking in all of him.

  “A pleasure,” he said through tight lips. “May I have a word in private?”

  “You cannot speak with her now,” the director whirled on him. “You will have to wait until after the rehearsal is finished.”

  Miss Fox held her hand out to stop the director’s ravings.

  “Marcus, stop your shouting.” She turned her eyes back to Walter. “You may wait in my dressing room.” She pointed toward a side exit. “It’s the third door to the right. I’ll be in shortly.”

  “Thank you,” Walter nodded.

  He left the actors to their work, following Miss Fox’s instructions. He found her room, hesitating outside the closed door. It was improper for him to wait about in a lady’s room, but he needed answers. He opened the door and stepped inside, taking in the lavish decorations.

  The cloying scent of perfume assaulted his senses. Racks of dresses and capes lined one end of the room, a mirror on the other. An assortment of toiletries littered the vanity. Lavish furniture sprawled through the small dressing room, crowding it.

  Coughing from the fumes, Walter sat on a piece of the uncluttered furniture and waited.

  Within ten minutes, the door opened, and Miss Fox floated into the room, her dress trailing behind her. Walter quickly stood, uncomfortable with the whole situation.

  “Forgive me for the wait,” she said, taking a seat at her vanity and unclasping large earrings. “What did you say your name was?”

  Walter winced at the informality. “My name is Walter Longman. I believe you knew my brother, Daniel.”

  Miss Fox froze, slowly lowering her hands, setting the second earring in a jewelry box. “Yes, I believe we’ve met.”

  Walter clenched his jaw at her secretive voice. “I believe you and my brother were having a romantic affair.”

  Miss Fox laughed. “Mr. Longman, I would hardly describe your brother as romantic.” She turned in her seat to face him, her indiscreet gown showing too much of her womanly features. Walter averted his eyes as she continued. “He visited the theater a time or two, presented me with flowers, and said he’d like to court me. Penniless as I am, he was like a prince.” Her eyes narrowed. “But it quickly became clear, those were mere words. He had no real intention of making me comfortable.” She looked back to her mirror.

  Walter frowned. “Are you aware that he’s recently passed away?”

  She pressed her red lips together. “I was not.”

  Frustration blossomed in Walter. “His death may have resulted in foul play. Would you know of anyone who might have wished harm on Daniel?”

  She laughed again, a high staccato trill. “Dear me, I hardly knew the man.”

  “Are there any details you could provide me about your interactions?” Walter pressed.

  “I should not say. Our interactions were private and not for me to disclose.”

  Walter blanched. “Did you—” he stopped, unable to fathom the idea that Daniel would throw his future away for one such as she.

  Her brows raised, looking at him under hooded eyes. “What, sir? You cannot be oblivious of nature,” she stated dryly.

  Walter’s temper flared. The whole situation was beneath him. “Did he pay you for… unsavory services?”

  Her grin stretched, and Walter sickened at her lack of remorse for Daniel’s death. “Not everyone finds them unsavory,” she purred. Then she sobered, her smile disappearing. “No. I’m an actress, not a prostitute. I don’t take money for… unsavory favors.”

  She was trying to put an air of respectability about her, but he was not fooled.

  “Then why meet privately?” he pushed.

  Miss Fox traced her finger along the edge of her jewelry box. “We talked,” she said slowly. “About life. Family. He was caring, something you don’t often find. Too softhearted for my liking. I really think he was smitten with me though.” She cast Walter an unpleasant look. “But he knew his family wouldn’t approve. I suppose I don’t blame you lot.” She stood, her gown rustling. “Are we finished?”

  Walter grappled for more questions. He hadn’t gained any information to bring him closer to finding Daniel’s murderer.

  “Do you care at all?” he finally blurted. “That he’s dead?”

  Her dark brows lifted. “Of course, I do,” she said, though nothing in her tone suggested so. “I’m sorry for your loss. Such a tragic accident.” She gestured to the door. “The exit is on your left.”

  Walter turned to leave, his mind spinning, then froze with his hand on the doorknob, slowly turning back.

  “Accident?” he repeated. “I never told you how he died.”


  For a moment, a look of vulnerability crossed her face, before she quickly recovered. “I assumed he was in some sort of accident. He was a healthy man.”

  Walter’s eyes narrowed.

  Irritation replaced her worry. “I believe you’ve overstayed your welcome, Mr. Longman. If you do not leave, I will have you escorted out.”

  Walter left the dressing room. Everything about this encounter was not right, and he would get to the bottom of it at all cost.

  Even though coming here went against his every natural instinct, their hunch had been right. Miss Fox most definitely had something to do with Daniel’s death. The only question was why. If he could get to the bottom of that answer, he felt he would know everything.

  He pulled in a deep breath of air that wasn’t clotted with perfume and moved down the small hall, ready to be as far away from this place as was humanly possible. He would return this evening. There was more here to discover.

  Chapter 11

  The murmur of the crowd waiting outside the theater buzzed in Walter’s ears. He stood in line at the ticket booth, holding a bunch of flowers as a distraction to blend in. His pulse quickened as he prepared to play his part. The evening was vitally important, though he’d need to get through tonight’s performance. He hoped the information he gleaned would fill in the holes in Miss Fox’s story. His instinct had to be correct. He had nothing else to go on, and his attention needed to get back to his case in London.

  Walter shook his head, watching as well-dressed gentlemen and the working class filtered into the theater, loud and abrasive. How did his brother come to love Miss Fox? Was he truly taken by her beauty, or was there something more to his attraction?

  It wasn’t completely out of the question that Daniel would have attended such an establishment for pleasure. Many of his station had. Daniel carried a lot of pressure on his shoulders. He wished to understand his brother's motivations, but found he couldn’t.

  Cavorting with an actress… that seemed largely out of character and highly irresponsible.