The Reluctant Earl (22 page)

“Not to the prince.”

The flash of dimple filled Julian with pleasure. Pain. Possibilities? “But it would seem the piece returned to its rightful owner shortly after Lady Caroline discovered it. Your mention of Fleming prompted another memory. I saw Miss Godwin wearing it in Fleming’s chamber, immediately after his death.”

“Are you certain?”

“It wasn’t a day I am likely to forget.” Darkness swallowed the green in her eyes, leaving only a shadowy brown that obscured his ability to read his future therein. “I noticed Miss Godwin fidgeting with the pendant when the dowager chastised her for suggesting they leave the room.”

They rode past the insular buildings that comprised the hamlet of Norford. Julian felt the suspicious stares that peeked at them from behind shuttered windows. “So Miss Godwin possessed the locket on the day Fleming arrived. The next time we can account for the piece was when Caro found it in Fleming’s room. And yet Miss Godwin had resumed wearing it by the time of Fleming’s death.”

“If Fleming had taken it from her during a...”

“Miss Godwin had a strong motive for wishing the man dead.”

“Along with half the women in the Sotherton household. Given my experiences with the magistrate after Fleming’s death, I would need more evidence than possible revenge for an attack that might have happened.”

Regret lodged in Julian’s throat for the part he had played in her distress by withholding the knowledge of her innocence. “But Miss Godwin’s involvement in Caro’s disappearance also points to criminal intent.”

“Speaking of your sister, how is she?”

Julian glanced at Caro’s limp head that rested against his arm. “Sleeping. Do you think she will long suffer from the repercussions of her ordeal?”

Leah twisted her head to study the woman slumbering in his arms. The variegated greens and browns of Leah’s eyes softened like the promise of spring. “I don’t doubt she will experience some ill effects. She’ll probably fear being spirited away again for some time. At least she doesn’t seem to have suffered any abuse at the asylum.”

For that Julian offered a silent prayer of gratitude.

They crested a knoll, and the fields of the Sotherton estate stretched before them, the Abbey sitting in their midst like a ruby pinned to a snowy cravat.

“Caro?” Julian nudged her awake. “We’re almost to Elizabeth’s house.”

“Hungry.”

“We’ll see you get a meal.”

“I like Molly.”

“Yes, Molly is very kind.” He’d have to ask the maid if she would consider employment in Somerset—especially since Leah wouldn’t be working for him.

“But not lady with gold.”

Julian fought to maintain nonchalance. “What did she do?”

“Take me away.”

“Do you know why?”

Caro said nothing, as she often did when she either tired of the conversation or no longer understood the questions.

“I suspect Lady Caroline saw Miss Godwin with the locket after the murder, just as I did.” The dark ribbon of Leah’s new bonnet fluttered in the breeze. “But the only time she’d seen it before was in Fleming’s chamber.”

“And Caro said something that indicated she had seen the necklace in the drawer, which made Miss Godwin fear her secret would be discovered.” Julian rested his cheek on the top of Caro’s head.

“Miss Godwin spends most of her time with the dowager, leaving her limited contact with Lady Caroline. She wouldn’t know her capabilities.”

“Thus, she decided she must remove Caro from Rowan Abbey before I returned.” Anger and disgust clawed at Julian’s gut. “I’ll contact the magistrate when we arrive and let him know we discovered Fleming’s—”

“My lord, I think it important to remember Miss Godwin didn’t harm Lady Caroline. Not physically.”

“Like Fleming, you mean.”

“But that’s it. We don’t know she killed Fleming. Her dealings with Lady Caroline indicate planning—distracting the maid, obtaining a cart, transporting her to the asylum—but not hostility. Perhaps she slipped into Fleming’s chamber undetected to reclaim the locket, just as Caro did.”

“Or perhaps her murder of Fleming was more opportunity than premeditation. Either way, she needs to be held to account for Caro’s abduction.”

As they reached the house, Wetherel himself came to greet them. “My lord, we didn’t— You found her!”

“The credit belongs to Miss Vance.” Julian slipped off the horse, feeling every bit of the discomfort of sharing the saddle with Caro. He reached up to assist her while Wetherel held the bridle. “Has everyone else returned?”

“Indeed.”

“Good. Send a couple grooms to fetch Mr. Mason. And pass along my gratitude to those who participated in the search.” He’d send a more tangible expression of his thanks later.

“Immediately, sir.” Wetherel led the horses away while Julian helped Caro to the house.

“Lady Caroline!” Hawkesworth’s face lost its requisite severity in a rare smile. “We were so worried. We’re glad to have you home.”

Julian helped Caro slip the cloak off her shoulders. “Hawkesworth, please see Miss Godwin is confined to her room, with a footman posted at the door. And notify me when Mr. Mason arrives.”

“I shall see to it, my lord.”

“I’ll be with Lady Caroline in—”

“Caro!” Teresa sprinted into the entrance hall and wrapped her arms around her aunt.

Teresa’s mother approached more slowly, hesitantly, warily—a woman of uncertain welcome in her own home. Her hands fluttered as if expressing an unconscious desire to join the embrace, and yet fear and ignorance restrained her. “G-good afternoon, Caro. I’m relieved you are well—and home. Are you hungry? Cook prepared a meal for Julian’s return. Perhaps you would like to join the family in the dining room.”

Caro tilted her quizzical expression toward Julian. “Hungry.”

Emotion clogged his throat at this, Elizabeth’s first attempt to include her youngest sister in her family. Julian squeezed her hand like he used to do all those years ago when he was a boy and Elizabeth a doting older sister. “I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but after her ordeal, I think Caro will feel more comfortable in the schoolroom this afternoon. It is familiar to her. Would you please see her lunch is sent there? And then perhaps you and Teresa would care to join her...”

“I—I should like that. I shall have the entire meal transported to the room. That is, if you think it...”

“It is very appropriate.” He snagged Leah’s sleeve while Elizabeth and Teresa conveyed Caro to the schoolroom with promises of the delightful treats to come. “I’ll stay with Caro for a few minutes, but I have to confer with the magistrate as soon as he arrives. Would you remain with her this afternoon? She needs the comfort of familiar faces, and no doubt I’ll be occupied for some time.”

“But won’t you want my testimony about the times I saw Miss Godwin wearing the locket?”

Perhaps not if the woman confessed. “I’ll send for you if we have need of you.”

* * *

“Mr. Mason. How good of you to come again so precipitously.” Julian shook the magistrate’s hand, then gestured to Elizabeth. “I thought that in the absence of Lord Sotherton, my sister should attend this discussion about Lady Caroline’s disappearance since it concerns a member of her staff.”

“My lady, I trust you are well now that your sister is returned to you.” The magistrate offered Elizabeth a bow before he lowered his bulk onto a delicate chair. “You have identified Lady Caroline’s abductor, my lord?”

“And possibly Fleming’s murderer. Hawkesworth has gone to fetch her.”

“Her? Another woman, then.”

And not so different in circumstances from the last one—a reminder to use caution in their accusations.

“My lord?” Miss Godwin entered, flanked on either side by a footman-turned-sentry. Resignation dimmed her eyes like the faded beauty that languished on her face. “You wished to see me?”

“You’ll be happy to know I recovered an article belonging to you this morning.” Julian withdrew the locket from his pocket and waited. The gold chain twinkled in the midday sunlight that streamed through the drawing room’s tall windows. “I believe this is yours.”

“Yes, it is mine.” She offered no excuses or lies, but stood calmly before him.

Julian’s respect, even sympathy, rose another notch. “I assume you know where I stumbled upon this—and my sister. Would you tell the magistrate? Or should I?” The unspoken threat hung in the room.

“May I?” She extended her hand. Julian deposited the necklace in her palm. She wrapped her fingers around the piece as if to draw strength from its presence. “My late fiancé gave me this as a betrothal gift. I wore it ever afterward, until...”

“Fleming took it from you.”

“And more.” The mention of Fleming’s name at last elicited emotion. The dark eyes flashed with loathing above lips that twisted with unforgettable horror.

“Reggie?” Elizabeth’s voice wavered with uncertainty. “But he was...”

“A fiend.”

“Miss Godwin, you needn’t disclose personal details which distress you.” Julian shared a look with the magistrate. “I’m certain we all comprehend your predicament.”

“After he was laid low from the assault, I resolved to retrieve my property. When I saw William administer a dose of laudanum and depart to make ready for dinner, I thought I could recover my locket with none the wiser. Except Fleming wasn’t insensible as I’d supposed.”

“He was conscious enough to recognize you?”

“I spotted the laudanum bottle beside the bed. All I wanted was to silence him lest the dowager learn of my shame.” Her knuckles tightened around the necklace she yet clenched in her fist. “I offered him a glass of brandy—he had a decanter on the desk—and I added a copious amount of laudanum.”

“Did you mean to kill him?”

“Yes. No.” She shrugged as if the answer was of no importance, as if she no longer cared her response might very well determine whether she lived or died. “I don’t know.”

Elizabeth dropped her chin onto her folded hands, her eyes sealed shut as if to blot out the truth she’d so willfully refused to see, until too late.

The magistrate shifted on the chair. “Tell me about Miss Vance’s comb. I presume you stationed it in Fleming’s bed.”

“After he consumed the brandy, I searched the room for my locket.” Miss Godwin stared at her fist for several long moments, then uncurled her fingers to expose the rose pattern etched into the gold. “I finally located it, along with several other curious items.”

“Including a green ribbon and Miss Vance’s comb.”

Her eyes flickered to Julian before returning to her hand. “You knew about your sister’s discovery.”

“I accompanied her to Fleming’s room to return the item to the armoire. Implicating Miss Vance for murder was unwarranted.” And the action Julian found most difficult to understand.

“By the time I found the locket, I’d concluded I gave him too much laudanum and he was like enough to die.” For the first time her shoulders slumped. “I panicked.”

“Then when you realized Caro knew about Fleming and the locket, you abducted her and conveyed her to an asylum.” The clock on the mantel chimed the hour, reminding Julian he had yet one other task to accomplish. “How did you transport Caro? Where did you get the cart?”

“I borrowed it from a friend.”

“In Norford.” The hamlet where no one would speak to him.

“Please do not hold him responsible for my wrongdoing. Norford was my home once. Long ago.”

But never again. The unspoken words lingered in the air between them. Her admission had sealed her fate—either transportation or execution. And yet...Leah was right on another account. “Wouldn’t it have been easier to kill Caro to cover your earlier crime?”

“No, I couldn’t. She harmed no one.”

“Neither had Miss Vance.”

Mr. Mason rose from his chair. “I think we have what we need, my lord. Miss Godwin, I fear I must arrest you for the murder of Reginald Fleming.”

“Was that an evil deed or a valuable service?” She tilted her dark head and waited until he reached her side. “My lord?”

Julian’s head snapped to meet her gaze one final time.

“I hope you will convey my regrets to Miss Vance. I’d like to believe I wouldn’t have allowed her to hang for my crime.”

Then the two exited the drawing room together.

Julian surged to his feet.

“Julian.” Elizabeth paused before him, her blue eyes troubled. “I’m glad you were here during this ordeal.”

“I’ve missed you, dear sister.” He wrapped his arms around her for the first time in nearly twenty years, marveling at the divine plan that had at last brought healing and reconciliation to his family.

“Would you...would you like me to order tea? You could tell me about your life in the navy.”

Julian found a smile as he tweaked her hair. “I have yarns aplenty I’d love to share, but they’ll have to wait until tomorrow. I have a favor to ask of you and one final damsel to rescue.”

* * *

Leah turned the page and tilted the book more closely to the candle. The shades of sunset shimmering through the window panes colored the schoolroom’s walls with oranges and purples, and cast shadows about the corners. Eyes drooping with fatigue, Caro snuggled closer as Leah began to read again.

“Miss Vance!” Teresa burst into the room, her face glowing with her smile. “You are needed in the entrance hall. I’ll wait here with Caro.”

“We were reading—”

“Yes, yes. I’m certain we’ll be fine.” Leah’s one-time charge hauled the book from her hand and tugged her to her feet. “Now go. They need you.”

To give testimony to the magistrate? According to Lady Sotherton, Mr. Mason had left hours ago. But then, why the need for her now? Leah hiked through the hallway, then paused at the top of the staircase and stared at the commotion below.

Chambelston’s greatcoat swirled with his brisk, efficient movements while he issued orders from the doorway. Then two footmen followed him into the manor, a litter balanced between them. Leah’s heart lurched. Had someone else been injured or even attacked, like that day the same footmen conveyed Fleming’s battered body to his bedchamber?

“Leah!” Chambelston’s exclamation recaptured her attention. He swept off his hat, and the chandelier’s glow gilded his hair and highlighted a hesitant—hopeful?—smile as he strode to the stairs. “We brought someone to see you. Wait there. We’ll bring her up.”