Page 70 of A Kiss Of Lies

Simpson’s face colored further. “With you, my lady?”

Looking down her nose, she sighed. “Are you questioning my word?”

Simpson looked as if he’d like the floor to open and swallow him. “Absolutely not, your ladyship. It’s just . . . well, I don’t think you understand the timing of the incident. It was around three in the morning and a man fitting Lord Markham’s description was seen fleeing the scene.”

“I understand the timing completely. I, unlike you it seems, am not stupid. It is as I have stated. Lord Markham,Christian, was with me.”

Christian tried to hide his smile as the implications of her statement began to dawn on Simpson.

“I see you understand the delicate nature of this situation. I could not keep quiet and see an innocent man charged. I am counting on your discretion. I’m sure you wouldn’t like to have to explain to my father, the Duke of Hastings, how his daughter’s name became fodder for society gossip.”

Simpson at last had grasped the situation. “Of course, Lady Serena. I will be the soul of discretion. If Lord Markham was with you, my lady, then that is adequate proof of his innocence. However, just one question: from what time last evening was Lord Markham with you?”

“From around eleven-thirty, when he got home from the opera. He left the opera during the interval, so desperate was he to see me.” She turned a seductive smile Christian’s way. “Isn’t that right, darling?”

“I am always desperate to see you, my love. And yes, Simpson, Hadley here has already vouched for my movements at the opera.” Though Simpson did not believe Lord Fullerton, no doubt he would not be so boorish as to refute a lady’s claims.

Hadley smiled smugly while Simpson shuffled papers on his desk. “It would seem I owe you an apology. But you must understand that I needed to thoroughly investigate such a serious crime, given what Mr. Farnham divulged in connection with the Penfold girl.”

Christian nodded. “And I hope you continue to investigate this crime as well as the Penfold rape, as it is obvious that—”

The door to the office flew open and a young lady entered, seemingly in a great deal of distress. “Where is he? I’ve been a coward for too long, and now he’s been allowed to hurt another woman. I should have spoken out before, no matter what the cost was to my reputation.”

“Calm down, Harriet. This is not the way to deal with this matter,” said her brother Simon, who tried to enter the crowded office behind her.

It was none other than Harriet Penfold, the Duke of Barforte’s daughter.

“Where is he?” she screeched, eyes wide as she looked around the tiny room, scanning every male face there. “I know he’s here, Simon told me. I want to confront him. Where is Lord Markham?”

With one final sob, she collapsed into her brother’s arms. Serena hurried forward and offered her the only chair. Harriet sat down, utterly defeated. “He’s not here. Fled like the coward he truly is.”

Christian stepped forward, trying to keep the anger from his voice. “I am Christian Trent, the Earl of Markham. I assure you—”

Harriet’s eyes screwed up and her lips firmed in anger. She turned to her brother. “What nonsense is this? How dare they mock me?”

Simon crouched next to his sister. “Harriet, thisisLord Markham.”

She shook her head. “You are not Lord Markham. Lord Markham’s scars were on his forehead and scalp, where the burns were at their worst; his scalp on the right side had no hair.” She shuddered, remembering. “He was hideous. This is not him.”

Relief flooded through Christian, and he immediately sought out Serena’s gaze. Her hands were clasped in front of her, and her face was alight with a smile of relief. Still looking at him, she crouched on the other side of Harriet and took her hand.

“Do you know who I am, my dear?”

Harriet nodded. “Lady Serena Castleton.”

“Then believe me when I tell you this man is indeed Lord Markham, Harriet. Why did you think the man who hurt you was Lord Markham?”

Harriet closed her eyes and a tear slipped from under her lashes. “Because he told me over and over again to remember that he was Lord Markham.” Her eyes flashed open. “But if he was not you, why would he say that he was?” She began crying again.

Serena hugged her. “Because he wanted to ensure Lord Markham was blamed for this heinous crime against you. It’s not your fault, Harriet. You are the victim in all of this. Someone has used you, playing a truly evil game with you in order to discredit the Earl.”

Christian crouched down in front of Harriet and took her hand. “Don’t cry, my lady. I promise you that I’ll do everything in my power to bring the man to justice. I want to catch this evil creature as badly as you do.”

Harriet’s sobs halted and she opened her eyes. There was such pain in their depths that Christian realized Harriet had been hurt far worse than he had ever been. She reached out and tentatively touched Christian’s face. “I’m sorry for accusing you, and for all your trouble, for everything you’ve suffered on my account.”

He pressed a kiss to her palm. “Don’t be. It is I who should be apologizing to you. I believe you are an innocent victim in a plot to tarnish my name and destroy me. I swear I’ll find out who did this and ensure he’s punished severely.”

He stood and shook Simon’s proffered hand. “I suggest we escort the ladies home and reconvene in the morning to determine our next step. I won’t rest until he is caught. The man’s dangerous. He’s not only hurt Harriet, he’s also killed Carla and Susan Potts. You must watch over your sister,” he softly said to Simon.

---