Page 85 of A Duke's Unwanted Bride
Adele knew in that moment that nothing she could say or do would change her fate. It was her word against his. A managainst a woman, and she knew whose voice would carry more weight.
She closed her eyes, fighting back tears.I will not let him break me.
The door to the chamber swung upon. The smell of sandalwood caught in the air. Several gasps ran through the chamber, and Adele opened her eyes to see Warner striding through the door.
Thirty
“What is the meaning of this?” Queen Charlotte demanded as Warner stormed towards her.
His heart hammered in his chest as his eyes found Adele’s. He took in the rumpled appearance of her clothes, the red marks on her wrist. His uncle stood in front of her, his eyes narrowed, mouth open.
Every part of Warner longed to stride forward, to take his uncle by the scruff of the neck and fling him as far away from Adele as possible, but he knew it would not help matters.
He wanted to put himself between his wife and the man who had killed his own son, but he knew too well how the games of the court would be used to damn them all.I am on thin enough ice as it is.
Warner tore his gaze away and looked up at the Queen. He fell to a knee, his head bowed. “I must beg your forgiveness, Your Majesty. I was not told of this audience until a half hour ago.”
It was a lie. There had been no messenger, and Warner knew why. His Uncle opened his mouth to speak, but Warner continued before the man could get a word out.
“Your Majesty, will you allow me to join this audience? To speak on behalf of my wife as is my right?” His eyes met the Queen’s.
Queen Charlotte’s expression gave away nothing. “You may speak though I do not appreciate the manner of your entry.”
“Of course.” Warner stood. “I have proof that my wife is not the cause of my cousin’s death. In fact, this whole thing is little more than a witch hunt designed to protect the real culprit.”
A murmur ran through the crowd, and Warner forced himself not to look at Adele.
“A bold accusation, Your Grace. I trust you have proof to support such a claim,” Queen Charlotte said. “You hold a life in your hands.”
“I know.” Warner tried not to think of what might happen if his plan failed. It was not the time for doubt.I will burn the world down if I cannot convince them of her innocence.“My wife’s eccentricities are well known, but as many of us will know, grieftakes many forms and not all of them can be predicted. Yet even in the throes of loss, Duchess Adelaide sought justice.”
“So she claims —” his uncle began, but Warner continued as though he had not spoken. “And of course, there are many who would be only too happy to provide testimony to this effect. If I might bring them in?”
Queen Charlotte’s eyes narrowed, but she waved a hand. The doors to the chamber swung upon. Warner let his eyes drift briefly over the people striding in: the widows, his cousin, Adele’s sisters, a nervous looking man with greasy hair, and a hooded figure lurking at the back.
“Lady Cora, would you be so kind as to tell her Majesty what you told me.”
“Of course. Your Majesty, Lady Adelaide is one of the truest friends I have ever known. She is a little unorthodox, but who among us is not from time to time? And in truth, part of her behaviour of late is my own fault. I could see that she was hurting and wanted to take her mind off things. To give her a little distraction.”
Warner studied the Queen’s face as Lady Cora continued to speak. One by one, people gave testimony to Adele’s character, speaking of her generosity and her kindness. They told the Queen of how Adele had wanted to find the killer.
“If I had known she was taking such risks, I would never have let her do so alone!” Lady Rowen shook her head. “She kept herinvestigation a secret because she knew we would accompany her and did not want to risk our safety. That is the kind of person she is — she always puts others ahead of her.”
“This is all well and good — but that does not prove anything except that her loved ones think highly of her,” Duke Erindale interrupted. “It does not absolve her of guilt.”
Warner turned to face his uncle. “No, it does not. But it does tell us of the lengths she was willing to go to to find the real culprit. After all, it was Adele who discovered that the most likely way to procure such an amount of cyanide would be to mix a particular paint pigment with oxygenated water. Prussian Blue, to be precise.”
Warner stepped towards the other Duke, towering above the older man. “The same paint you ordered to use when you redecorated Kidlington house.”
“That is hardly proof of anything; it is a popular colour, and I wanted to spoil my son.”
“It would not be proof on its own, no. But I also happen to have a list provided by a less than savoury chemist of all the people who have bought oxygenated water from him in the last few months.” Warner pulled the list from his pocket and held it up so that everyone could see. “Shortly before the wedding, a Mr. Andrew Purkiss purchased a large amount of oxygenated water. The description of the man matched a servant at my uncle’s estate.”
“And what proof have you of this?” Queen Charlotte asked.
“Mr. Fawcett, you are the one who sold the oxygenated water, were you not?” Warner gestured to the greasy chemist.
“Yes, Your Grace. I only remember him because I struggled to make change for him. I thought maybe he was a thief — what kind of servant has money like that?” Mr. Fawcett wrung his hands.
