Secret Brides [3] Secrets of a Scandalous Marriage

by Valerie Bowman

  I want to pet a puppy. The memory of what she’d said to Lord Medford when he’d made her his offer in the Tower came floating back to her. He hadn’t mentioned that he had a dog.

  She smiled brightly. “Oh, but she’s adorable. I love dogs! I haven’t seen a dog since I lived at home with Mother and Father.” A wave of homesickness hit her and she pressed her lips together tightly.

  Lord Medford had looked up from his papers and was watching her. “Would you like to pet her?” he asked with a smile that made Kate’s heart flutter.

  She nodded. “Yes, very much.”

  Lord Medford gave a short whistle and the dog bounded forward. She stopped in front of Kate and sat politely, wiggling and putting up one paw that Kate took and shook. Kate laughed. “Well, well. Someone has extraordinary manners. What’s her name?”

  “Themis.” Lord Medford stood up and walked around the side of the desk. He rested a hip against it and smiled at the scene in front of him. “I’ve enjoyed training her,” he said. “Though sometimes I think I may have gone a bit too far.” He laughed.

  “Themis.” Kate put a finger to her jaw. “Why do I know that name?” She tapped her fingertip to her face. “Ah yes, the goddess of custom and order.”

  “You know her?” Was that a look of admiration in his green eyes? “Themis isn’t one of the more popular goddesses.”

  “She’s the goddess of divine justice,” Kate murmured. “Perhaps that’s why I know her. I need to call upon her now.”

  His eyes shifted back toward the dog and he gave a little laugh, perhaps to lighten the mood. “Well, here she is.”

  Kate bent down and patted the dog’s head. “Themis,” she said. “You and I shall become fast friends.” Themis stamped a paw on the floor and breathed out through her snout.

  Kate smiled at Lord Medford. “I’ve never seen such manners. What else can she do?”

  Lord Medford issued commands for the dog to sit, lie, roll over, and bring him the paper, all of which Themis did without hesitation. She obviously loved her master.

  Kate clapped her hands. “Amazing, truly. How long have you had her?”

  Lord Medford sighed. “She was a stray, actually. My friend Lily, Lady Colton, she and her sister have made it a habit to rescue animals in need. This poor girl was not long for the world, I’m afraid. She had no one to take her in.”

  Kate watched him carefully. “So you agreed?”

  “Yes, and I must admit I never thought myself one for owning a dog until I met Themis.”

  Kate ducked her head to hide her smile. How wonderful. The man had saved a dog out of the kindness of his heart. And he obviously loved the animal. She could tell just by watching them together.

  “I used to have a dog that looked very much like Themis,” Kate said, her voice trailing off softly.

  Lord Medford braced his palms on the desktop on either side of his hips. “Did you? What happened to him?”

  “I couldn’t take him with me when I married. My parents kept him. Eventually he … he died of old age just before my parents did.”

  “What happened to your parents?” Lord Medford asked softly.

  Kate glanced up at him and it struck her then. Lord Medford had kind eyes. Very kind. “They both had the fever,” she murmured, swallowing.

  Lord Medford nodded. “I’m sorry.”

  Kate cleared her throat and straightened her shoulders. She pinched the delicate skin on the inside of her arm. Why had she told him about her dog and her parents? No doubt Lord Medford wasn’t interested in such drivel. She had a job to do. A pamphlet to write. “Shall we get started?” she asked, schooling her features into the most professional manner she could muster. “Discussing the pamphlet?”

  “By all means.” He stood and moved back around to his seat behind the desk, gesturing for Kate to sit in one of the facing chairs. Themis trotted away and curled up on the rug in front of the fire again and closed her eyes.

  “Before we discuss the pamphlet,” Lord Medford said. “I wanted to speak to you about your defense. I’ve sent for Mr. Abernathy. He’s the most experienced barrister in town.”

  Bracing her hands on the arms of the chair, Kate sat up straight and blinked. “Mr. Abernathy?”

  “Yes. I promised you the best and I’ll deliver.” He winked at her and Kate’s insides felt funny again. “I must admit I was quite surprised to hear you didn’t already have someone employed. Abernathy was working on another case, but I … persuaded him to put his work on hold.”

  Kate settled back into the chair and expelled her breath. “Thank you, my lord. I’m going to need the best. But I’ve seen enough of how the aristocracy works to not trust the House of Lords, to be honest. I doubt even Mr. Abernathy will stand much of a chance against the charges I face.”

  Lord Medford cleared his throat. “Abernathy will do everything he can. He’ll be here at one o’clock.”

  She took a deep breath. “I look forward to meeting him. In the meantime, perhaps you should tell me what exactly you have in mind for the pamphlet.”

  He leaned his elbow on the arm of his chair and propped his chin on his fist. “I ask nothing more than that you tell your story, in your own words.”

  Her gaze snapped to his face. “Truly? You don’t want the salacious details? I thought surely—”

  “Trust me. The ton will be interested in whatever you have to say.”

  Kate shook her head. Trust me, he had said. That made her stop. She didn’t trust him. Didn’t even know him. True, he’d been kind to her so far, but he wanted something from her. Though he had surprised her by giving her free rein to write the pamphlet. And seeing to her defense. But there had to be a catch … somewhere.

  He leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers in front of his chest. “What is it that you want to tell people?”

  “That I’m innocent,” she said in a loud, strong voice, quite sure her eyes were flashing with all the passion she felt on the subject. “Though I expect most won’t believe it,” she finished more softly.

  His eyes narrowed on her face. “May I ask you a question?”

  She smiled. “I believe I cannot say no to that.”

  He leaned back in his chair. “You might have an easier time of it if you had friends in the aristocracy. Why is it that you were in the country for so long? Why did you never come to London? Never meet anyone? Make friends?”

  She swallowed and glanced away. “What does any of it matter?”

  “It matters to your defense.”

  Kate bit her lip. “Very well.” She paused, expelling her breath. “After we were married, my husband and I … we soon realized we didn’t suit. He wanted to pursue his … pleasures in London, and he didn’t want me there, reminding him of what an awful choice of wife he’d made.”

  Lord Medford pursed his lips. “Awful choice?”

  She stared at her hands that were folded in her lap. “You must have heard about me, Lord Medford. My past. It’s been in all the papers.”

  He nodded. “If you mean that your father was a gentleman landowner, not a peer, then yes. But how does that make you an awful choice?”

  She raised her head and gave him a skeptical look. “You know how vast the divide is. I was never a part of my husband’s world. Despite the fairy tales, one does not go from a farm to a ducal estate. Not successfully at least.”

  “You didn’t enjoy your new position?”

  She looked up at the ceiling and searched her memory, trying to locate the right words. “I tried. I truly did. I tried everything to fit it, to be a good wife. But I just couldn’t, and I wasn’t. I was miserable and George was even more so. We’d made a terrible mistake.”

  Lord Medford’s brow remained furrowed. He shrugged. “Many couples find they aren’t a love match. It’s not uncommon.”

  She glanced away, her face heating fiercely. She should stop talking. She’d already said too much. “There were other … reasons.” She cleared her throat and shook her head.
“But none of that matters now. None of it changes … anything. Including the reason why we’re here.” Oh God. Why was it seemingly so easy to talk to this man? He was a stranger. Did she have to remind herself of that again? And here she was sharing the intimate details of her life with him.

  He nodded. “I understand. And all I ask of you is that you write your story, your grace. And that you write the truth.”

  CHAPTER 8

  When Mr. Abernathy was ushered into the study, Lord Medford invited the man to sit. Lord Medford pulled out the other chair in front of his desk for Kate. She walked toward her seat slowly while Lord Medford nodded to the butler asking him to bring tea.

  Kate swallowed convulsively but kept her eyes trained on the barrister. “Thank you very much for agreeing to represent me.”

  “It shall be my pleasure, your grace,” Mr. Abernathy replied with a precise nod and a matter-of-fact smile. The man was older with a trimmed white beard, a lean, able build, and sharp, discerning eyes. He seemed like the type of man who didn’t miss a thing, and Kate had the awful feeling that she was being closely scrutinized.

  She cleared her throat and straightened her shoulders. “I assume you have … experience with this sort of thing.”

  Mr. Abernathy extracted a pair of silver-rimmed spectacles from his inside coat pocket and placed them on the tip of his nose. He sat up even more straight and regarded her over the rims of the spectacles. Oh excellent, more scrutiny. “I’m experienced, your grace, but the fact is there’s never been a case quite like … with these exact circumstances, and I—”

  “I understand,” she replied, putting up a hand. “You’ll do your best.”

  “I’m quite qualified,” Abernathy replied. “I assure you. I’m enrolled to practice before the House of Lords, which, of course, is where your trial will be held, should it come to that.”

  She furrowed her brow. “Should it come to that?”

  Abernathy bobbed his head in a brisk nod. “Yes, well, we hope for the best, of course, but we must plan for the worst.”

  “I see.” She swallowed. “What can I expect, then?”

  * * *

  James lifted his brows. Impressive, the way Kate was taking charge of the conversation. She seemed even more interested in her defense than he’d expected. Good. He’d been a bit worried that she’d be meek or even worse, act guilty, but the confidence with which she’d said, “I am innocent,” earlier had given him hope. There was definitely a fighter beneath her beautiful surface. One he’d witnessed when she’d demanded that he free her from the Tower. One that he wanted to see more of.

  Mr. Abernathy pulled a large stack of papers from his well-polished leather bag and set them on the desk in front of him. He consulted the stack, flipping through it and pulling out a small group. “In this case, Lord Medford’s solicitor has employed me directly. I will be in charge of your defense, leading the investigation on your behalf, and drawing up the necessary paperwork.”

  Kate shook her head and met James’s eyes. “I don’t understand. Hasn’t there already been an investigation?”

  Mr. Abernathy gave a curt nod. “The magistrate near your husband’s country house has performed his investigation, yes. And there was an inquest over the…” He cleared his throat. “Forgive me for being indelicate, your grace.” He gave her a kindly yet still efficient look.

  Kate’s chin trembled slightly but she nodded. “Go on. I want to hear everything.”

  “There was an inquest over the body,” Abernathy continued.

  She clenched her jaw. “And?”

  “Now I will lead an investigation on your behalf. I shall call the witnesses, record their statements, and take note of anything else relevant to the case.”

  Kate shook her head. “But I’ve already been charged, haven’t I? I wouldn’t have been arrested otherwise.”

  James leaned forward in his chair and met her eyes. “Yes, you’ve been charged. The coroner’s jury named you in their verdict.”

  “And not only that…” Mr. Abernathy’s voice trailed off. “Although it doesn’t exactly matter.”

  Kate snapped her head around to face the barrister. “What? Not only what?”

  Abernathy’s voice was matter-of-fact. “In addition to the coroner’s jury’s verdict, there’s been a warrant sworn against you.”

  Kate’s mouth fell open. “By whom?”

  Abernathy glanced at James. He nodded.

  “By Lady Bettina Swinton,” Abernathy said.

  Kate’s hand flew to her throat. “Lady Bettina swore a warrant against me?”

  “Yes, it seems she’s convinced of your guilt.”

  “Wait. Why was Lady Bettina there?” James asked, shifting forward in his seat.

  Abernathy put up a hand. “We’ll get to that,” he assured James. To Kate, he said, “But Lady Bettina’s oath doesn’t mean there won’t be a full investigation. The lady herself will be questioned.”

  Kate pressed her fingertips to her temples. “What else do I need to know?”

  Abernathy placed a hand on the stack of papers. “The House of Lords has already been notified of the verdict and the warrant, else, as you indicated, you would not have been arrested.”

  She expelled her breath. “So, what’s next?”

  Locke returned with the tea tray then and set about serving the three occupants of the study.

  “The grand jury must indict,” Abernathy said, reaching for his teacup from the butler.

  “And then?” Kate’s hand trembled a bit as she took her cup.

  Abernathy pushed his saucer onto the desk in front of him. “If Parliament is in session, the lord chancellor will request the appointment of a lord high steward. All peers will act as judge and jury.”

  “And if the House is not in session?” Kate replied.

  Abernathy gave a curt not. “Then the trial shall be held at the Court of the Lord High Steward, and he will act as judge and the peers as jury, except, of course, for the bishops.”

  Kate glanced at James. “Why not the bishops?”

  “The bishops may be members of the House of Lords, but they do not take part in any case where the sentence might be death,” James told her.

  “I see,” Kate replied quietly. “And my penalty, if I am found guilty?”

  Abernathy quickly shook his head. “Your grace, I do not think you should worry about that at this time. I—”

  Setting her teacup on the desk, she closed her eyes. She clutched at the arms of the chair until her knuckles went white. “Please, Mr. Abernathy. I need to hear you say it.”

  Abernathy straightened his shoulders. Another curt nod. “As you wish, your grace.” He cleared his throat yet again. He glanced at James. “The penalty is death by burning.”

  A shiver ran through Kate. She hung her head.

  “But there are many options,” Abernathy hastily continued. “We may plead down to manslaughter on provocation … self-preservation.”

  “I wasn’t provoked,” Kate whispered softly. “And there was no self-preservation. I didn’t do it.” She glanced up at Mr. Abernathy and, for the first time, James saw real fear in her pretty blue eyes. His chest felt tight.

  Mr. Abernathy pushed up his spectacles on his nose. “I understand, your grace, and please believe, I shall do everything in my power, absolutely everything, to prove your innocence.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Abernathy. I trust you will. Now.” She lifted her chin. “What do you need from me? To help?”

  Abernathy pulled out another swath of papers from the middle of his stack and grabbed up a quill. “I need you to tell me everything you remember about that day.”

  CHAPTER 9

  Kate took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She’d known this moment would come. The moment when she’d have to relive it all, the horrific details of the morning George had died. She’d dreaded it, yes, but she’d been mentally preparing herself. She’d have to face this again, in court. The first time would be the most difficult, h
owever. She already knew that much. She turned to face Mr. Abernathy and swallowed the lump in her throat. “Very well. I’ll tell you everything.”

  “Including…” Mr. Abernathy glanced away a bit hesitantly. “To be frank, the rumor is that you and your husband had a row that day. If that is indeed true, I must insist upon the details.”

  Kate nodded.

  Lord Medford rose from his seat. “I’ll leave you two.”

  “No, my lord,” Kate replied, looking up at him. “Please stay. You have every right to hear this after the assistance you’ve provided me. Unless, of course, you’d rather not.”

  “Are you certain?” he asked, meeting her eyes.

  She glanced away. A single nod. “Yes.” For some unknown reason his presence comforted her.

  Lord Medford settled back into his seat. He motioned to Mr. Abernathy. “Proceed.”

  The barrister cleared his throat. His hand grasping the quill hovered over the parchment lying on the desktop in front of him. “Your grace? Is it true that you and his grace argued the morning of his death?”

  Kate bit her lip but she returned the older man’s stare. “We did argue. That is true.”

  Abernathy scribbled on the paper. “And the nature of your argument?”

  She paused, opened her mouth, and then closed it again.

  “It’s all right, your grace,” Lord Medford said. “We understand how difficult it must be for you to say these things.”

  Kate felt a bit bolstered by his encouragement. She closed her eyes, trying to remember. She blew out a breath. “The previous evening, my husband had informed me that he refused to grant me a divorce.” She opened her eyes again.

  Abernathy merely nodded, as if a duchess announced every day that she intended to divorce her duke. The man continued busily scribbling. “You had asked his grace for a divorce?”

  “Yes.” She squeezed her clammy hands together in her lap.

  Mr. Abernathy scribbled more. “When had you first mentioned a divorce to his grace?”

  “I’d written to him, the week before. I’d been waiting for George to come to the Abbey and discuss it with me.”