Always Have Hope (Emerson Book 3)

by Maureen Driscoll

  “Doing a favor for Simon Chilcott, the next Earl of Layton.”

  “And in the process angering the current Earl of Layton, the Earl of Ridgeway and the Marquess of Grayson, not to mention the Kellington family. Not a wise move, Sir Wilfred. You made some powerful enemies.”

  Now Sir Wilfred looked like he was about to be sick. “I’ll get the charges withdrawn by the end of the week.”

  “You’ll do it tomorrow morning because by noon the broadsheets will either be spreading the news of Lady Winifred’s exoneration or the evidence of your past misdeeds. It’s up to you.”

  Sir Wilfred looked like he wanted to protest, but must have known the futility of it. Instead, he snorted. “No one will care about a wrongly accused widow.”

  “She’s a young, beautiful, rich widow and I expect that’ll get some attention.”

  “How do I know you’ll keep your word about what’s in the ledger?”

  “I guess you’ll just have to trust me. But know this….if you go after Lady Win again, this ledger will be laid bare for everyone’s perusal.”

  “I wouldn’t do that. I imagine there are some very powerful men in there.”

  Alex shrugged. “Yet, the only one you need worry about is you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve had quite enough of your company tonight.”

  He took the ledger with him as Sir Wilfred downed yet another glass of whisky.

  Alex began his journey down the dark corridor when he suddenly realized he wasn’t alone. He reached for the knife in his boot as he tried to make out the features of the man who was leaning against the wall near Sir Wilfred’s door.

  “Relax,” said Grayson as he stepped out of the shadows. “I’m relieved to know you carry a weapon, though I’d keep it closer at hand, especially if you’re spreading it about you’re in possession of Pierce’s ledger. How’d you know Sir Wilfred was in it?”

  “I didn’t.”

  Grayson looked surprised and impressed. “You were bluffing.”

  “Yes. I’ve had quite a bit of experience at it as a barrister, though I prefer to have the facts whenever possible. Sir Wilfred assigned his worst barrister to Lady Win’s defense and, if I may be so bold, his best for the prosecution. That alone told me something was amiss. I figured he had to be in the ledgers, either as a person being blackmailed or one being bribed. He had too many items of worth for the former, so I figured it must be the latter.”

  “It could be very dangerous for you if word gets out the ledger is in your possession. Sir Wilfred might tell.”

  “And risk having others know he’s in there? He won’t risk it. And I don’t care what happens to me. I just want Win to be safe.”

  Grayson nodded his head slightly. “You’re in love with her.” It was a statement, not a question.

  “I can’t see how that’s any of your concern,” said Alex, wishing his feelings weren’t so obvious.

  “I’m like a brother to her.”

  “As long as it’s just like a brother.”

  Grayson laughed. “Don’t underestimate her brothers. They’re a fearsome lot.”

  “And they wouldn’t want a bastard for a brother-in-law.” He knew he’d be warned off sooner or later.

  “I’m quite certain they wouldn’t give a damn about your parentage. They simply want Win happy, safe and well.”

  “I would like to have the chance to make her all those things.”

  “Then we’d best solve this business and find Pierce’s killer because I suspect whoever it is will be very interested in that ledger. After all, you can’t marry Win if you’re dead.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  The Lynwood House knocker was in almost constant use from the moment the broadsheets proclaimed the news that a young, rich widow was about to be released into the ton – after a suitable period of mourning, of course.

  Matrons came to express their condolences and, presumably, to extoll the virtues of sons unencumbered by either fortunes or professions. Fortunately, Heskiss denied entrance to everyone except family and Lady Win’s legal advisors.

  But somehow Mr. Peyton slipped through. Heskiss had been torn on whether to admit him, but the barrister had informed the butler he had news of great importance to impart upon her ladyship.

  When Heskiss reluctantly showed him to the sitting room where Lady Winifred was visiting with the other ladies of the Emerson family, Peyton immediately made himself at home.

  “I have done the impossible, Lady Winifred. I had all charges withdrawn, though you certainly would have hanged had I not done so.”

  “But were you not in charge of my defense, Mr. Peyton?” asked Win.

  “And quite ably so. But the evidence was stacked against you. You had not one chance of acquittal, even with my defense.”

  “Then what did you do to convince them to withdraw the charges?” Rose asked, knowing fully well Peyton had nothing to do with Win’s good fortune.

  That flummoxed Peyton, who couldn’t put into words the myriad thoughts that seemed to be meandering through the portion of his body that should encase a brain. So, he changed the subject, instead. “Have you given any thought to your future, my lady?”

  “I am still trying to get used to the fact that I am no longer accused of murder.”

  “And you should have no fear that I’d ever remind you that were it not for my efforts, you surely would have hanged, dear Winifred.”

  “I believe you forget yourself, Mr. Peyton,” said Ava. “It is improper to call Lady Winifred by her Christian name.”

  “Under normal circumstances, yes. But I am the one who saved her.”

  “And how did you do that, again?” asked Irene.

  “My dear Winifred,” said Peyton as he dropped to one knee, then wobbled so much he had to put a hand on the ground to steady himself. “I am overcome with the vehemence of my feelings toward you. Feelings I had even when I was certain you’d killed your husband. They have only grown stronger since learning you are indeed not a murderess. Do be so good as to be my wife. I have a partiality to warm climates and good wine. I am ready to leave chambers as soon as we are wed in order to devote myself to your every wish. Might I kiss your hand?” He reached for her hand and bent his head perilously close to it.

  “No, Mr. Peyton, you may not,” said Win, as she withdrew her hand from his damp grasp. “You should also rise since I fear this business is damaging your knees if those creaking sounds are any indication. I am not interested in marrying you. And I am most surprised to learn you are the cause of my release as I believe you were wholly convinced of my guilt.”

  “I am quite surprised, as well,” said Alex from the door.

  At the sound of his voice, Win looked up She also cursed herself for not taking more care with her hair that morning, but it had been rather a shock to learn she was no longer an accused murderess. It had been wonderful, but a shock nonetheless.

  “Lewis!” cried a disappointed Peyton, who wobbled and nearly fell over. “What the devil are you doing here?”

  “Language, Peyton. You should also come up from there.”

  “I am down here for a particular reason, not that it’s any concern of yours. Now, where was I?”

  “I believe, Mr. Peyton, you may wish to rise,” said Win. “There can be no reason for you to be in that position.”

  “But I was just proposing!”

  “Yet, I distinctly remember your saying terrible things about my lovely niece.”

  “But that’s how much I wish to marry you! I could even abide having her as a relation, though I do hope they would have the decency to keep her in Wiltshire.”

  “Mr. Peyton!” said Win. “I told you I would not allow you to speak disrespectfully of my family. You must leave, now!”

  As if on cue, Heskiss entered. “Mr. Peyton, I will show you the door.”

  “But I’m not finished.”

  “Yes, you are, Peyton,” said Lewis.

  If only Alex would get down on one knee, thought Win, o
nce again cursing herself for spending so little time with her brush that morning. There definitely would have been no need to call for Heskiss if he’d proposed.

  Peyton struggled in vain to stand. “If you change your mind, Winifred…”

  “It’s Lady Winifred to you, Peyton,” said Alex as he watched him struggle.

  The extremely efficient Heskiss made no motion to assist, either.

  Perhaps wishing him gone with no further delay, Alex finally extended a hand and all but pulled Peyton off his feet. “Good day, Peyton.”

  “I suppose I should leave,” grumbled Peyton, looking one more time at Win in hopes of a reprieve.

  “Let me help you to the door,” said Heskiss, as he took Peyton’s arm, escorting him from the room with some force.

  “Dear me,” said Ava, as she rose. “I quite forgot that I promised Rosalind I would help her with some things.”

  “We shall help, as well,” said Irene.

  “We must find some way to repay her for her generous hospitality,” said Rose, as she joined the two women in quickly vacating the room. She paused just long enough to whisper to Alex, “Good luck, Mr. Lewis.”

  Then the three Emerson ladies left and shut the door behind them, leaving Win and Alex quite improperly alone.

  *

  Alex had known a moment of panic as he’d entered the room and seen Peyton on his knees. He knew Win would have too much sense to marry the fool, but it had forcibly reminded him that Win would soon be on the receiving end of any number of proposals. Even if that number dwindled when the truth of her financial situation came out, he had no doubt there would be any number of men in the ton who’d be all too anxious to marry her. One or two might even almost deserve her.

  He wanted to find those one or two men and have them thrown in Newgate.

  He also had the mad impulse to get down on one knee and beg her to be his wife. Though he knew the proper thing to do would be to ask her brother or – more accurately – brothers for permission to court her.

  And they bloody well wouldn’t grant it, no matter what Grayson thought.

  At any rate, he shouldn’t be entertaining thoughts like that when there were more important matters at hand. Win was no longer at risk of hanging, but that didn’t mean she was out of danger. Someone had already killed twice and neatly framed her. He didn’t think the villain would give up easily, especially since she would no longer be residing at the well-guarded Lynwood House.

  He realized Win was staring at him. “Is there something I can help you with, Lady Win?”

  “I was about to ask the same of you, sir. After all, you came to see me.” She adjusted a tendril of her hair for the third time since he’d entered the room. He wished he could touch her hair – or any other part of her.

  He had to clear his head. “Are you certain you want to go through with this?” he asked her.

  “I cannot say I’m not frightened, though I have faith that you and my brothers will keep me from harm.”

  Alex would die trying to protect her, but he reckoned he would only frighten her more if he voiced that aloud. His fierce desire to keep her safe frightened even him.

  Win continued. “And I feel like I owe it to both Pierce and Tawny to at least try to bring their killer to justice. I would also like to go on with my life without fear the killer would target me once again. Or, even worse, my family. So, I am at your service, Alex. Pray tell me the next step.”

  She’d called him Alex. It wasn’t the first time, but he savored the sound of it. He wanted to tell her the next step would involve being in his arms and on the receiving end of more than a few kisses. Instead, he said, “It is time we met with your wretched in-laws.”

  “I believe I would rather meet the killer.”

  “You could be doing both.”

  “You truly think one of Pierce’s relations killed him? They are not pleasant people, but I cannot believe one is a murderer.”

  “I do not know, but I believe it is likely. Sergeant Fisk and his friends have been scouring London’s docks and underworld. Many people hated your husband, but no one is claiming credit for his death. Nor can they find a credible informant. If someone from the underworld had done it, it would have been much easier to kill him on the docks near his office than sneak into your home unnoticed.”

  “But what about Sir Wilfred or one of the men in that ledger?”

  “It could very well be one of them and we are hampered by not having been able to break the code. We do not know all the names in the ledger. But, again, it is highly unlikely that one of them could have broken into your house unnoticed. I believe the more likely possibility is that someone familiar with the house – and the passageways – killed Pierce, perhaps working with one of the men in the ledger.”

  “So, it’s Clive or Horace.”

  “Why not Mrs. Warren? You said you thought you heard a woman calling out to you when you were arising from your stupor. She could have killed Pierce – he certainly wouldn’t have expected her to do it, then lured you downstairs just in time to be caught by the staff.”

  “But why kill Tawny?”

  “Because she likely witnessed the murder from inside the passageway. She then tried to blackmail the villain – or villainess – then was later killed in the rendezvous room.”

  “So if I tell them you’re in possession of the ledger, you believe one of them will come after you?”

  “Exactly. And when they do, we’ll have him.”

  “I think a better plan would be to tell them I am in possession of the ledger.”

  “Absolutely not!”

  “Think about it, Alex. No one in his right mind would go up against you. You’re too strong, too powerful. But even Emmeline would think she has a chance against me, the woman her brother beat for years. They’ll underestimate me and that’s when we’ll catch our killer.”

  “Do you really think I’d allow you to be in a vulnerable position for even one moment? You’ll never face physical harm again. Not if I have anything to do with it!”

  Win’s eyes widened and Alex cursed himself for being so forward. The last thing he wanted was for her to think he was one of those fortune-hunting lordlings.

  “And will you?” she asked. “Have anything to do with it?”

  She was bewitching him with her dark brown eyes, with just a speck of green in them. He could happily spend the rest of his days gazing into those eyes.

  Now he was even sounding like one of those insipid young lords.

  “Well…” he cleared his throat. “As a barrister – at least as long as I am allowed to remain one – I would not wish to see any lady harmed.”

  “Oh,” she said, in what he hoped was a voice tinged with disappointment. “You have only a professional interest in me.”

  “My interest in you is….complicated. I am officially investigating this crime. It would be improper of me to make advances when I am in a position of authority.”

  “And are you always so proper, Alex?”

  Oh, how he loved hearing her say his name. “Not in my mind, Win. I daresay I’d frighten you with some of the thoughts I’ve had.”

  She took a shaky breath. “Tell me, anyway.”

  He was on the verge of doing just that when her brothers entered.

  “Lewis,” said the Earl of Ridgeway, sticking out his hand. “We cannot thank you enough for what you did for Win.”

  Alex greeted Win’s brothers even as he inwardly cursed their timing. Of course if he’d said what had been on his mind….perhaps it was good they’d entered when they did. “I’m glad the charges have been withdrawn, but she’ll not truly be a free woman until we catch the killer.”

  “I agree,” said Layton. “Which is another reason we’re glad you’re here. We cannot allow you to be the bait. Grayson has volunteered to take the risk.”

  “Actually,” said Win. “I’m the one who’ll take the risk.”

  “Out of the question,” said Ridgeway.

 
“We’ll never allow it,” said Layton.

  “Never,” said Lord James.

  Win sighed. “It could take the villain forever to get up his courage to take on Grayson or Mr. Lewis. But he wouldn’t think twice about doing so with me. And I’m not so foolish as to want to do this alone. We’ll arrange it so one of you is always close.”

  “Out of the question,” said Ridgeway again.

  “Colin, be reasonable. I want nothing more than to put all of this behind me and return to Wiltshire, if you’ll allow me.”

  “You know we want you there more than anything.”

  “Then let me do this. I need to do this. When I think about those many times Pierce struck me and I felt powerless…please.”

  Alex felt like he’d been kicked in the ribs. He’d known she’d been beaten, but to hear her speak of it was terrible. He ached for her. And from the looks on her brothers’ faces, he wasn’t alone in his anguish.

  “All right,” said Ridgeway. “But I’m not happy about this. And you’ll not just have one of us near. You’ll have all of us.”

  “But we don’t want to give ourselves away,” said Win.

  “All of us,” reiterated her brother.

  “Very well,” she said reluctantly. “Thank you. To all of you.”

  She smiled at everyone in the room, but, somehow, when she turned to him, Alex felt like they were alone.

  He had to keep her safe. Then he had to find a way to marry her.

  *

  It had been an eventful day, mused Ava as she snuggled into her husband’s arms. The charges against Win had been withdrawn. There would be no need for them to flee to the continent. They could all go home to Wiltshire once they caught the killer. She was worried about that rather large part of the equation. But for now, huddled close to Colin, all she knew was how much she loved him.

  They were lying on the settee in the sitting room of their suite. The room was more elegant than their chamber at home. The furnishings were more expensive, the fireplace was bigger, the wine which Heskiss always had waiting for them was more refined. But, while Ava was most appreciative of the Kellington hospitality, she missed the quiet simplicity of their home in Wiltshire.