Page 80 of When He Was a Duke
“I’ve taken it upon myself to take care of a few details,” Stephens said, his fingers working the brim of his hat. “I hope I’ve not overstepped.”
She clasped her hands tightly in her lap. “Any help is welcome, Constable. I’m quite overwhelmed. Please, go on.”
He met her gaze steadily. “Baron White has been transferred to London. He’ll stand trial there for his crimes.”
A shiver went through her. He was truly gone from her life now, locked away where he could no longer hurt anyone. The relief was so sudden and overwhelming that her vision blurred for a moment.
“How long?” Rose managed.
“Hard to say. Could be months before trial, then…” Stephens shook his head. “Given what we’ve uncovered, he’ll likely never see freedom again.”
Rose exhaled slowly, her shoulders sagging as tension she’d carried for months began to ease. He had no more power over her life.
“There is another matter that must be addressed, my lady.” The constable’s tone grew more serious.
She straightened, wariness creeping back. “Yes?”
He seemed to choose his words carefully. “The investigation into your father’s smuggling operation has uncovered the full extent of his crimes. The scale of it is far larger than we suspected.”
Rose’s stomach dropped. “How much larger?”
Stephens rubbed his jaw, looking suddenly older. “French brandy, arms dealing, counterfeit coinage. The docks down in Hastings have been running shipments for him for years, but we’ve now identified smaller operations stretching as far as Liverpool and Bristol. He wasn’t only smuggling goods but arranging for stolen cargo to be ‘laundered’ through legitimate businesses.”
Her knuckles went white where she gripped the sofa’s arm. Each revelation felt like another blow. “What does this mean for the estate?”
The constable’s pause stretched too long. When he finally spoke, his voice was gentle but firm. “That depends. If it’s discovered that your father funneled his criminal earnings into the estate—if the manor itself was bought or maintained with tainted funds—the Crown could seize portions of it.”
The words hit her like a physical force. Rose felt the blood drain from her face, the room tilting sickeningly around her. “Seized?” The word came out as barely a whisper.
“If there’s proof that his wealth was gained illegally, yes. But it will take time for the courts to determine. Months, perhaps years. And even then, they may not seek to claim the estate itself—only the profits from it.”
Rose pressed a hand to her chest, her breathing shallow. Everything, the only home she’d ever known, her mother’s memory embedded in every room, could all be stripped away. She forced herself to focus on the constable’s weathered face, using it as an anchor against the panic threatening to pull her under.
“My lady,” he said, his voice gentler now. “I tell you this not to frighten you, but to prepare you. There are men who profited from his schemes, men who may yet come forward to try and claim what they believe is theirs.”
Rose closed her eyes briefly, summoning what remained of her courage. When she opened them again, her voice was steadier. “So what must be done?”
“For now, you must be cautious. The law will take its course, and those involved in the smuggling operation will be held accountable. But in the meantime, you should have someone you trust overseeing the estate’s affairs.”
“Mr. Hale has my full trust.”
“He’s a good man and will do well by you. It was a brave thing—coming to me as he did.”
Rose nodded, her throat tight. “You are correct. He will always have a place with me.” She paused, the qualifier catching in her throat. “If I have a place, that is.”
The constable leaned forward slightly. “I’m sorry it took such a long time for justice, my lady.”
She sat quietly for a moment, letting the implications settle over her like dust after an explosion. Then, almost afraid to hope, she asked, “What will happen to Sebastian Ashford? Do you have any idea?”
“It depends on the mercy of the Crown, but I suspect his title will be restored and perhaps some of the wealth. Though it’s hard to say for certain.” Stephens studied her face. “He means a great deal to you, doesn’t he?”
Rose felt heat rise in her cheeks. “He does. Despite how we came together.”
“Don’t let your father take him from you, my lady. He mustn’t win from the grave.”
“Thank you for your counsel.”
“Indeed. And I must tell you—after asking around and speakingwith your servants about the late Lord Ashford—by all accounts, he was a truly noble and benevolent man. Sebastian seems to have inherited the same qualities. All of which bodes well for the Ashford’s good name and the restoration of their wealth.”
