Page 59 of Suddenly a Bride
Even with that warning, she was unprepared for the dreadful stench and the poorly lit cells with filthy straw covering the floor. She was certain that the straw was moving as things scurried beneath. Each door had bars for a window. When the constable stopped at her cousin’s cell, all she could see was the corner of a rickety pallet.
Edmund felt himself getting angry as he neared Harold Langston. He didn’t like the whole situation, especially Gwyneth being there. If he’d come alone, he would have left Langston to rot, but now he had to worry about her feminine sensibilities.
When Langston jumped to his feet and gripped the bars, his lank yellow hair fell into his eyes. “Are you releasing me?” When he saw Edmund, his jaw sagged for a moment before fury twisted his features. “Why didn’t you just send money, you bastard? That’s all I wanted from you.”
Edmund folded his arms across his chest. “Have a care with your words, man. My wife is present.”
Langston looked disdainfully at Gwyneth. “So you found a wench to marry you after you killed my sister.”
Edmund was able to ignore the constable’s sudden interested look, but Gwyneth didn’t.
“Harold, what foolishness! Edmund did not kill your sister.”
“And you believe everything he says?” Langston said with a sneer.
“I was there when she died. I am your cousin, Gwyneth Hall—now Blackwell. We met in London.”
His gaze narrowed as he studied her. “I might have seen you before.”
“I was your sister’s companion, and I found her body. It was an accidental death, as your father must have told you, but regardless, Edmund was in France when it happened.”
Edmund wasn’t sure how he felt about Gwyneth defending him. He took her hand and pulled her back to his side. “Gwyneth, allow me to handle this.”
She nodded, although she didn’t release his hand.
“Langston, the constable has told me of your crimes and your punishment. There is the matter of the fine before you can be released from jail.”
“It will take weeks to contact my parents and have money brought here,” Langston said sulkily, his face pressed against the bars.
“Aye, it will. IfIpay the fine, you’ll have to return to Castle Wintering to work off what you owe me.” And Edmund could keep close guard over him.
“Work off—” He stopped and spat into the straw. “I’m not working for you, Blackwell.”
“Harold,” Gwyneth began in a reasonable voice, “I do not see that you have much choice. Edmund treats his servants fairly, and he would treat you the same.”
Unlike the earl, Edmund thought, remembering how downtrodden the village had been when he’d first arrived with Elizabeth as his bride. “Langston, I certainly do not want you at the castle, and it suits me fine to leave you here. Enjoy the accommodations.”
“All right, all right!” Langston yelled, when they headed to the door. “So pay it and release me.”
Constable Bayler opened the door. “You have one more day of your sentence, Langston. You better hope Sir Edmund decides to come back for you on the morrow.”
As they left the jail cell, Edmund could hear Langston cursing and thought the pallet might have hit the door.
“Beggin’ your pardon, Lady Blackwell,” the constable said. “ ’Tis a shame ye had to see such a thing.”
Gwyneth shook her head. “I come from London, Constable. There are whole streets much worse than your jail.”
She turned to look at Edmund, and he could see the excitement she was trying to repress. “Is there a nearby inn where we can spend the night?”
So that was it, he realized with dismay. He was going to be subjected to another attempt at a seduction he had to refuse, something that was getting more and more difficult. Pretending to give her a chance was making his life hell. He made arrangements to bring the money in the morning, then escorted Gwyneth outside.
She took a deep breath that ended with a relieved sigh.
Edmund gave a reluctant smile. “It is good to get away from the stench.”
“I fear it is clinging to my garments.”
He leaned down very near her ear and inhaled the scent of her hair. “I think you’re safe.”
