Page 74 of My Secret Duke
Arnott took his cue. “Despite the lack of evidence, Lieutenant Harrison still went above his remit and insisted on Northam being detained. Now, from what I have learned, this witness has a great many questions toanswer about his own involvement in the smuggling business. And he seems clever enough to have understood this and is now saying very little. Which means there is no reason to hold the duke. Indeed, it would be unlawful to do so.”
Ivo had been listening in amazement. The witness, whoever he was, could not place him at the scene of the crime, and now was not talking at all in case he incriminated himself? It was Mystere, it must be, but who was Mystere?
“What is his name?” he demanded. “This witness of yours, who is he?”
Harrison looked even more uncomfortable. “I believe he goes by a pseudonym…”
“His real name!” Ivo insisted, daring the man to refuse. “I have a right to know. Don’t I?” with a beseeching glance to the others.
Arnott responded. “If this ever came to court, which seems doubtful, the man’s name would need to be given.”
Harrison hesitated and then seemed to cave. “His name is Rendall.”
Ivo sat down heavily. “I know him,” he said shakily. “At least, I did. He has a grudge against me. Nothing he says is true, and I can prove it.”
Could he? He wasn’t entirely sure, but with Bourne’s help, he’d do his best.
Gabriel turned to Harrison with a triumphant smirk. “Well, Lieutenant, what do you say to that? I believe Northam has stayed here long enough and that you are holding him without a shred of evidence. I insist you release him without delay.”
Harrison was struggling to compose himself, clearly embarrassed by his blunder. “It won’t be much longer,and my witness will—” he began, but Freddie stepped in for a quiet word in his ear. Whatever he said seemed to agitate the man even more. He swallowed before straightening up, and turned to Ivo. “You are free to go,” he said, before adding in a threatening tone, as if he had to have the final word, “for now.”
Ivo jumped to his feet, tugged down his waistcoat, and straightened his cuffs. He was still in his formal evening wear, cream breeches and a dark tailcoat, which made the moment feel even stranger than it already was. Had he ever thought the single-minded lieutenant was a reasonable man? He knew now how much he had underestimated the revenue officer’s dedication to duty, and how shortsighted he had been to make a fool of him over a glass of contraband brandy.
“If you wish to speak to me again,” Ivo informed Harrison, “you can do so through Mr. Arnott here.”
Harrison bowed his head as if in deference, but it was obvious he was furious. Feeling a little lightheaded with relief, Ivo followed Gabriel and Arnott from the room. Behind them, he heard Freddie say in a steely voice, “A moment, Harrison,” and then the door closed on them.
Ivo found he did not remember the way out of the place—his mind had been so occupied earlier that he hadn’t noticed—but Gabriel and Arnott did. Finally, they were outside the building.
Ivo could smell the river, because of course the Custom House was beside the Thames. He could see that although the sky was clear and the moon was shining, at some point while he had been held prisoner, it had rained. The surface of the street was dark and shiny.
Gabriel had not spoken until now, but as a coach with the Grantham coat of arms rolled toward them, he said,“Harrison found out that you recently went into partnership with Charles. He knows there is a good chance you are supplying the club with smuggled liquor. I think that is why he acted precipitously tonight, because he believed his case was stronger than it was. Freddie says that until now, he was slated for promotion, and this blot on his record will rein him in. You were lucky, but you may not be as lucky next time.”
Ivo took a deep breath. The air had never been sweeter. “Thank you,” he said with simple sincerity. He still felt shaky. This had not been one of his better nights, and to learn how desperately Harrison wanted him behind bars was sobering.
“My apologies we took so long to get here,” Gabriel went on as they settled into the comfortable seats. “Obviously, I needed Arnott with me.” He leaned his head back against the padded rest and groaned. “I fear the gossips’ tongues will be wagging tomorrow.”
“They cannot blame you for my blunder,” Ivo said wryly.
Gabriel grunted. “And yet once again, it happened at Ashton House.”
He seemed rattled, and Ivo let his thoughts stray to Olivia. He had to ask, even if it brought on another of Gabriel’s frowns. “Is Lady Olivia very upset?”
Gabriel narrowed his eyes. “After seeing you being marched out of the ballroom in front of everyone? I think she was as shocked as anyone there.”
The coach was rumbling down the street, vying for position with various other equipages. Ivo noted they had left the river behind and were closer to Mayfair now. He would soon be home, and what had felt like a bad dream was nearly over. At least for now.
“You said you knew Lieutenant Harrison’s witness?” Arnott asked in his precise manner, turning his curious gaze on Ivo.
Ivo nodded. “He lived in Portside as a boy, but he left years ago. Bourne—my man in the village—tried to trace him when his name came up as a possibility but without success. Can I speak frankly?” He looked to each of them.
Gabriel’s smile was without humor. “If you want our help, then frank is what you need to be. Whatever you have to tell us will not leave this coach. Arnott?”
“No, sir. You have my utter and complete discretion.”
Ivo thought a moment, but there was only one way to say it. “Iama smuggler.”
Gabriel’s brows rose slightly, his dark eyes gleaming with amusement. “I think we already guessed that. You have been supplying my club with wine and spirits through Charles.”
