The Indebted Earl by Erica Vetsch (love letters to the dead TXT) 📕

to their origins. I have here the provenance for that shipment of alcohol. It left the docks in Calais, traveled to Ostend, in Belgium, and was smuggled here aboard the Dutch ship Adelaar June twelfth of this year.”

He sorted through the papers in his satchel, grabbed one, and marched both documents across the small open space, placing them forcefully on the magistrate’s desk. “I also have here my client’s service records. On June twelfth of this year, Captain Charles Wyvern, now Earl of Rothwell, was recovering from wounds suffered in the course of his war service. He was in a hospital in Oporto, Portugal, and nowhere near Gateshead. If you need further proof, Admiral Barrington, his superior officer, is in this meeting room and will testify to these statements.”

Allard paused, turning slowly and looking from face to face, his expression at once stern and outraged at this miscarriage of justice.

“Sir, that concludes the remarks for the defense. I trust you will rule rightly in this matter and dismiss these ridiculous charges, as they should have been from the beginning.”

Charles turned in his chair to search for Sophie. She sat along the back wall with Barrington and Coles flanking her, and he saw hope in her wide eyes. Hope he was beginning to feel himself.

And in only a few moments, the magistrate wilted, whether under the weight of the exculpatory evidence or the scrutiny of Sir Winston. If he had been paid off to find Charles guilty, he couldn’t go through with it under the stern eye of his superior. The magistrate said, “I find there to be no evidence that Charles Wyvern, Earl of Rothwell, colluded in the crimes outlined here today.” He stared hard at Charles. “However, it is clear that crimes have been committed. I’m ordering you to cooperate with the Revenue Office in their efforts to find those responsible.” He rose, and everyone in the room followed suit … except Sir Winston Pierpont, who remained seated.

Marcus clapped Charles on the shoulder, and Charles shook Mr. Allard’s hand. “Thank you. Thank you to both of you. Marcus, I don’t know where you got your information, but I’m glad you did.”

Then Sophie was worming her way through the crowd. Charles barely had time to open his arms before she dove into them. She collided with his chest, and he was forced back a step. “Oh, Charles, it’s over. You’re free.”

He hugged her, pressing her head into his buttons. “I am free, but this is far from over. I have questions. The foremost is, why? Why go through with this trial at all?”

“We’ll answer those when we return to Gateshead,” Marcus said. “For now, there are some very worried people residing at a local inn who will be happy to see you.”

Charles kept his arm around Sophie as they left the assembly room. Sir Winston declined their invitation to join them.

“I believe I will have a short conversation with our friend the magistrate.”

Marcus herded them outside. “I’m glad we arrived in time. When I explained to Sir Winston what was happening in one of his lower courts, he insisted on coming in person to investigate.”

“I have another question.” Charles stopped on the street. “Where is Grayson in all of this? I assumed he would be called to give testimony. Tell me he hasn’t escaped.”

“He’s hiding in the village. I have an idea as to why he needed you in jail for a while.” Marcus shook his head. “We’ll talk further when we get you home.”

Charles nodded. There would be a reckoning. But first he needed to see to his family.

C

HAPTER

15

SOPHIE LEANED HER head against her husband’s shoulder, tired to her very bones. The tension of the last twelve days bled away like wheat from a sack, leaving her slack and drowsy.

Betsy insisted upon sitting on Charles’s lap the entire journey back to the estate. Awkward, since she also insisted upon wearing his hat.

Thea watched everyone in the coach, eyes tight, mouth pinched. Penny wore a lovelorn expression, sorry to be leaving her latest “attachment” behind in Lyme Regis. The girl seemed to change affections like she changed bonnets. Now that things had been resolved at court, Sophie would need to direct her attentions to giving Penny some guidance. Girlish fancies were one thing, but constancy and faithfulness were traits to be cultivated.

“Admiral Barrington will meet us at Gateshead. He’s coming aboard the Revenue cutter and will anchor up the coast out of sight. We’ve some matters to discuss.” Charles smiled. “He invited Marcus to travel with him. They will arrive before our evening meal.”

“It must bring you happiness to have someone from the navy here. You must have missed being able to speak of those things with someone who would understand without explanation.” Sophie braced as the carriage jounced. Charles tightened his hold on Betsy, who giggled as he added an extra bounce with his knees.

“I saw the admiral’s boat.” Thea spoke for the first time. “If it’s coming to Gateshead, can we go aboard?”

Charles shook his head. “I shouldn’t think so. That cutter is an official vessel, not a pleasure craft. You’d need the permission of the captain. I’m not certain he’d want a little girl climbing over every inch of his boat.”

The thin arms crossed, and she sagged into the corner of the seat once more.

“It feels good to be going home.” Mamie sighed. “I never thought I would call anywhere but Primrose home, but Gateshead has become just that. Home is where your family is, and as long as I’m with you and the girls, Sophie, I can be happy anywhere.” Her voice held wonder and realization, as if just coming to accept that fact. “I don’t even worry about Primrose and what might be going on there. I will remember it as it was, and I will keep the memories I made there … at least as long as the Lord lets me.” A little frown crossed her face. “I don’t always