Page 36 of A Wicked Earl's Widow
Pendle Place
“The Justiceof the Peace has arrived, my lord,” announced the butler.
“Show him in, please. And inform Lady Eliza I will meet her in the library in one hour.” Nathaniel ran a hand through his hair and let out a long breath. “I’d like to keep the women out of this if possible.”
Maxwell nodded. “It’s fortunate the good doctor here was able to take care of the autopsy. Hopefully we can close this investigation today.”
The JP entered the room. All three men rose to greet him. “Sit, gentlemen, sit. I am sorry to see all of you under such grim circumstances. Let’s dispense with the niceties and get right to the matter, shall we?” The elderly man set his satchel on his lap after he settled into a chair. He pulled out some papers, adjusted his spectacles, and raised a wrinkled face to his audience.
“The body is in the carriage house, and we can bring you to the scene of the crime if necessary. It’s a small woodcutter’s shed on my property.”
“We’ll see after I hear the testimony,” he said, pale brown eyes focusing on Nathaniel. “You may begin.”
Nate explained the background, Landonshire’s abuse, attempts to coerce his daughter into marriage, and then the kidnapping. “When I arrived at the cabin, he had a knife raised in the air ready to strike Lady Eliza and scratches down his face. It seemed she had fought him at one point and he was retaliating. When he saw me, I gauged by the crazed look in his eye that he would not see reason, though we tried.”
“So you feel the marquess would have harmed his daughter?” asked the JP as he dipped his pen in the ink bottle and scratched more notes. “You felt the need to intervene in the defense of another?”
“Yes, the brute was out of control. When he aimed the blade for Lady Eliza, I shot him.” Nate gave Maxwell a side-glance. “Twice.”
Dr. Goodman agreed. “Yes, the body had one shot to the chest and another to the head.”
“So you had to shoot him more than once?” asked the man, adjusting his glasses as he looked up at Nathaniel.
“He was…a difficult man to stop, large of build and in excellent shape for his age.”
“I understand. And the weapon type?”
“One of Manton’s tube lock double-barreled pistols. I picked it up in London last year.”
The little man itched his bald pate with the tip of his pen and looked to the physician for confirmation. The doctor nodded his agreement.
“And the ladies? May I get a statement from them?”
Nathaniel glanced at Maxwell before speaking. “I would prefer we handle this without involving the women. Unless you wouldn’t mind waiting another week or so? They are recuperating from the tragedy and Lady Landonshire is in a great deal of pain.”
Dr. Goodman added to this sentiment. “The marchioness has punctures in both thighs, a concussion at best, and is extremely weak at this point.”
The JP shook his head. “No, I think with your testimony and Dr. Goodman being so kind to step in as coroner, this should be sufficient. Mr. Maxwell, do you agree with Lord Pendleton’s summary of events?”
“I do.”
“Then I’d like to finish up this nasty business as soon as possible.” He collected his notes, placed them in his worn leather satchel, and rose. “Please give my condolences to the ladies. I will be in touch, but I see no reason for a formal hearing.”
***
Nathaniel pacedup and down the Axminster carpet, anxious to begin his new life.Theirnew life. Eliza entered, bruised and beautiful, in his favorite blue gown marked with tiny purple flowers and pink satin ribbons. The colors matched her swollen eye. He smiled as she dipped her head, trying to hide the injury. Her blonde hair was pulled up into a bun but waves of golden tresses caressed her skin and were somewhat effective at covering a cut on her cheek. Long white gloves hid the scratches on her forearms and the raw skin around her wrists.
“You are lovely regardless of any physical mark”—he held out his arms and she stepped into them—“or invisible one.”
She looked up, long pale lashes creating shadowed crescents upon her cheek, and gave him a bittersweet smile. “I may sound melancholy, but I wish this could have ended well. So much violence, so many regrets…”
“I have spoken with the Justice of the Peace and he is satisfied. There will be no need for you or your mother to endure a trial. I killed the Marquess of Landonshire in defense of you and your mother.”
“But my mother—”
“Is recuperating and neither of you deserve the trauma of reliving the sordid details.” He pulled her close and kissed the top of her head, taking in that. “Now, what did the letter from Grace say?”
“My relatives would welcome the chance to get know Althea and me. I am to write them at my convenience with my plans.” She spoke into his chest, her words muffled.
