Page 38 of Never Beguile a Duke

Doctor Barnes bowed. “Then, I shall leave you to your errands and speak with you later this evening.”

As they exited the office, Silas asked, “Aside from the prison, where else are we traveling today?”

“To Mrs. Webb’s residence,” Roxburghe replied, lowering his voice. “She has a reputation for telling falsehoods. Therefore, we should inspect the house to confirm the validity of her story.”

“Do you suspect she lied?” Silas opened the door and stepped into the chilly mid-morning sun.

“Those injuries appeared quite serious,” Roxburghe said, ambling toward his waiting coach. “Someone had to bestow them upon her.”

“Would you prefer to head there first?” Silas stopped beside the metal step and waited for Mr. Dunn, Roxburghe’s driver, to open the coach door.

“We shouldn’t leave Mr. Hollingsworth in prison while we conduct our investigation,” Roxburghe replied, nodding to Mr. Dunn. “He’s suffered enough.”

“Our destination is the prison?” Mr. Dunn asked, the driver’s flat voice concealing his thoughts regarding Roxburghe’s request.

“There’s an innocent man currently housed there,” Roxburghe replied, placing his foot on the metal step. “And we’re going to free him.”

As Mr. Dunn closed the door, his muttered statement slipped into the coach. “That seems a frequent occurrence.”

Roxburghe caught Silas’ eye and shrugged. “He’s not wrong. I assisted with the release of Miss Webb and her sister.”

“Did you face any difficulties while rescuing them?” Silas asked as the coach jerked forward.

“Miss Fernsby-Webb’s liberation was easier than her sister’s.” Roxburghe’s gaze slid to the window. “Her mother wrote a retraction of the accusation against her daughter, claiming she’d been mistaken in believing Miss Fernsby-Webb was involved in the theft.”

Pursing his lips, Roxburghe fell silent. An unsettling atmosphere settled in the coach.

Silas, eyes narrowing, kept his attention on Roxburghe. “What aren’t you sharing with me?”

“In her letter to the magistrate, Mrs. Webb declared that her daughter’s fiancé was solely responsible for stealing the items from her home.” Roxburghe shifted his gaze back to Silas. “Prior to her arrival at your residence, she altered her statement again, reporting that an unknown man robbed her, and she assumed the thief was Mr. Hollingsworth.”

Issuing a low curse, Silas pulled a fob watch from his pocket, checking the time. “The magistrate didn’t accept a third version of the truth, did he?”

“He did not,” Roxburghe replied, grimacing. “Apparently, his words were quite unkind when he dismissed her.”

The coach slowed to a crawl, then stopped.

“This isn’t the prison,” said Roxburghe, glancing at the window.

Mr. Dunn’s face appeared in the glass, and he yanked the door open. “The street’s clogged. I can’t move closer to the prison without injuring someone.”

“We’ll walk,” Roxburghe said, climbing from the cabin. “Move the coach as soon as it’s safe to do so.”

Silas followed, and they flagged down a gentleman passing on the walkway whom they recognized from their club.

“Mr. Garrick!” Silas saluted him. “A pleasure to see you this late morning. Pray, what is occurring today that so many people have gathered in this location?”

“Good morning, Your Grace,” Mr. Garrick bowed, his exuberance nearly toppling him over. “I’m surprised you hadn’t heard. It’s quite the spectacle. A quadruple hanging!”

Silas’ chest constricted, and he glanced at Roxburghe, whose pale face reflected Silas’ fears.

“Please excuse me, Your Grace, I’d like to secure myself an excellent viewing position.” He bowed again, then hastened down the street.

“Do you know the names of the prisoners?” Silas asked, chasing after Mr. Garrick.

“I do not,” he replied, maintaining his quick pace. “However, I heard one of the condemned is the man responsible for the theft at Mrs. Webb’s residence.”

Roxburghe’s hand slammed into Silas’ back. “Run!”