Page 19 of Greystone’s Legacy (To All The Earls I’ve Loved Before #5)
Chapter Ten
Freddie stood among the gathered witnesses at White's Club, his hands clasped behind his back, watching as his uncle Edmund's carefully constructed world began to crumble.
The familiar surroundings, typically a haven of gentlemanly pursuits, now felt charged with an electric tension that made his skin prickle.
The gathering had been called with utmost discretion, yet the club's main salon was filled nearly to capacity.
Freddie noted the presence of several key members of Parliament, and no fewer than three judges of the King's Bench.
His grandfather, the Earl of Greystone, sat in a chair by the fire, looking more alert and healthier than Freddie had seen him in months.
Uncle Edmund and Sebastian stood before the assembled crowd, their expressions carefully schooled to project innocence, though Freddie could see the tell-tale tremor in Edmund's left hand as he gripped the back of a chair.
The morning light filtering through the tall windows cast harsh shadows across their faces.
"My lords, gentlemen," Lord Burrowes began, his voice carrying clearly through the hushed room.
"I have called this gathering to present evidence of a most grievous nature.
Evidence that proves, beyond any doubt, that Lord Edmund Grey and his son Sebastian Grey were responsible for the deaths of my sister, Lady Louise Grey, and her husband Lord Charles, parents to Lord Frederick. "
Freddie's heart thundered in his chest, though he maintained his outward composure.
He had known this was coming, had helped piece together the evidence himself, but hearing it stated so baldly in front of witnesses made it horrifyingly real.
Fury still burned in his chest after the previous day's horrifying attempt on Hester, however.
They could wait no longer. He would not risk Hester's safety another day.
Lord Burrowes proceeded methodically, presenting documented proof of Edmund's gambling debts, of money borrowed against properties he had no right to mortgage, of meetings with unsavoury characters who specialised in tampering with carriages.
With each new revelation, Edmund's face grew paler, while Sebastian's developed an ugly flush.
"This is preposterous," Edmund finally burst out, his voice wavering. "These documents are clearly forgeries. I demand to know who has orchestrated this... this farce!"
"The documents," Lord Burrowes continued smoothly, "have been verified by independent experts. Furthermore, we have sworn statements from multiple witnesses, including your former groom, who observed you meeting with known criminals in the weeks leading up to your brother's tragic accident."
Freddie watched as Sebastian's composure cracked. "This is your doing, isn't it, Freddie? Couldn't bear the thought of someone more capable taking control of the estate?"
"Be silent," the Earl of Greystone commanded, his voice carrying the weight of decades of authority. Though physically frail, his presence dominated the room. "I have heard enough to convince me. Edmund, you have brought shame upon our family name."
The room fell silent as the Earl struggled to his feet, refusing assistance.
His blue eyes, so like Freddie's own, blazed with fury.
"I should have seen it sooner. The way you hovered, waiting for me to decline further.
The doctor you hired, who gave me far too much laudanum to keep my mind clouded!
Even your new attempts to discredit Freddie after his head injury, what utter nonsense!
Anyone can see the lad is in perfect possession of all his wits. "
Freddie felt a surge of warmth as his grandfather continued speaking.
"As for my health, once I returned to London away from your quack of a doctor, things soon began to become clear.
I have those remarkable Wynstanley sisters to thank for the return of my health.
Miss Felicity's herbal remedies are quite remarkable, and I must say that Miss Cecilia's eminently sensible conversation has helped me to clarify my thinking. "
The mention of Hester's aunts caused a ripple of murmurs through the crowd, and Freddie himself stared at his grandfather in surprise. He'd had no idea that Hester's aunts had been visiting his grandfather! God bless the pair.
Edmund's face twisted in fury. "Those interfering spinsters? You would listen to country nobodies over your own son?"
"Those 'nobodies' restored my health when your carefully selected physician kept me in a fog of laudanum and confusion," the Earl retorted.
Sebastian made a sudden move toward the door, but found his path blocked by two burly footmen. Freddie watched as his cousin's shoulders slumped in defeat, while Edmund remained rigid with fury.
"The evidence will be presented to the proper authorities," Lord Burrowes announced. "Until then, both Lord Edmund and Mr. Sebastian Grey will remain under house arrest at their London residence, under guard."
As the gathering began to disperse, chattering with the excitement of what they had just witnessed, Freddie caught sight of his grandfather watching him with concern.
He managed a small smile of reassurance, though his mind was whirling with the magnitude of what had just transpired.
The truth was finally out, but he knew this was only the beginning of what promised to be a very public scandal.
The most surprising revelation had been the role of Hester's aunts. Freddie felt a fresh wave of gratitude toward the Wynstanley family, even as his heart ached with thoughts of Hester. He could hardly wait to get back to the Burrowes townhouse and tell her that it was over; they had won.
The crowd had thinned considerably, but those who remained represented the cream of society's legal and political circles.
Freddie stood at his grandfather's right hand as the Earl of Greystone prepared to make the most momentous declaration of his life, one that would reshape the future of their ancient family line.
The earl had refused to sit down again, determined to make his declaration standing, though Freddie could see the slight tremor in his legs that betrayed his fatigue.
"My lords, gentlemen," the earl began, his voice carrying the weight of centuries of nobility, "what we have witnessed today goes beyond mere family scandal. It strikes at the very heart of what we are sworn to uphold: honour, duty, and the sacred trust placed in us by Crown and country."
Freddie watched as his grandfather's words registered with their audience. These were men who understood the gravity of such concepts, who had dedicated their lives to maintaining the delicate balance of power that kept their society functioning.
"Therefore, it is with great sorrow but absolute conviction that I hereby formally disown Edmund Grey and his son Sebastian Grey.
" The earl paused, allowing the gravity of his words to settle over the room.
"Furthermore, I shall petition Parliament to remove them both permanently from the Greystone line of succession, though Montague Grey may retain his rights. "
A low murmur rippled through the assembled witnesses.
Such a move was nearly unprecedented in modern times, and generally reserved for treason against the royal house.
Freddie caught fragments of whispered conversation: "Haven't seen anything like this in years.
.." "Political implications..." "House of Lords will have to consider. .."
"I am fully aware of the gravity of this request," the earl continued.
"The removal of hereditary rights is not a matter to be taken lightly.
However, the evidence presented today proves beyond doubt that Edmund and Sebastian Grey have committed acts that render them unfit to hold any position of trust or authority. "
Lord Burrowes stepped forward. "My lord, speaking as a member of Parliament, I can assure you that your petition will receive full consideration. The proof of their involvement in the deaths of my sister and Lord Grey alone would justify such action."
"To murder one's own brother," someone murmured. "Utterly heinous! Cannot possibly take the risk that Edmund would not continue his attempts to murder Lord Frederick." Heads nodded in agreement around the room.
Freddie felt a curious mixture of emotions as he listened to the formal proceedings that would reshape his family's future. Relief warred with sadness, justice with regret. He had grown up with Sebastian, shared childhood games and lessons. How had it come to this?
"Until Parliament renders its decision," the earl declared, "Lord Frederick Grey remains my heir presumptive, as he has always been. Any attempts to challenge or circumvent this will be met with the full force of law."
Freddie straightened his shoulders, feeling the weight of responsibility settle more firmly upon them.
The gathering began to disperse in earnest now, lords and politicians clustering in small groups to discuss the implications of what they had witnessed.
Freddie overheard snippets of conversation about precedents, legal frameworks, and the potential impact on other noble houses.
"You've borne up well, my boy," the earl said quietly, finally allowing himself to lean slightly on his grandson's arm. "Though I suspect this is not the end of our troubles."
"No, sir," Freddie agreed, his mind already racing ahead to the challenges that awaited them.
The political ramifications would be significant.
Other families might see this as an opportunity to press their own claims or grievances.
The House of Lords would debate every aspect of the petition extensively.