Page 54 of Snowbound Surrender

“Well, she sold some jewellery to help me with funds, and she testified that she was with me on certain occasions. That’s what I need to know if I’m to be completely exonerated.”

The silence in the carriage was deafening. Nicholas saw the same horrible understanding dawn on the others’ faces that was now crystallizing in his own mind.

“Mr. Beecham,” Lady Fenton said crisply, “did your sister explain to you why she wed Lord Lushington so unexpectedly?”

James Beecham stared at her before saying slowly, “You’d imagine money was at the heart of it unless you knew how smitten she was with that other fellow she was to marry. That’s what I charged her with. All she said was that Lushington had a hold over her she couldn’t resist.”

Lady Quamby gave an affected gasp. “What do you think that meant, Mr Beecham?” she asked.

James shrugged. “At the time, I thought she meant he’d persuaded her to change allegiance and that was it.”

Nicholas clenched his hands into fists and forced his emotions into abeyance. “What youreallythink she meant, Mr Beecham?” he asked quietly.

James Beecham looked evasive.

“Maybe Lord Lushington discovered…that she’d lied under oath?” Nicholas prompted. “Do you think it possible he used this information to force her into marriage?”

James studied a passing flock of birds. “It was a fine marriage,” he said weakly.

“But an unexpected one,” Nicholas persisted. “And not a love match.”

James shook his head. “No, not a love match,” he agreed softly.

“Young man,” said the Colonel fiercely, “You cannot reopen this case to clear your name. Speaking as a military man, your sister could face charges of perjury. That couldmean transportation or worse. If—as it sounds—she’s already sacrificed so much for you, you can’t do this to her.”

If she’s already sacrificed so much for you…

The words ran round and round Nicholas’s head. So that’s what Arabella had done. Sacrificed her happiness so her brother wouldn’t pay a potentially deadly price for his crimes.

He buried his face in his hands. Arabella had sacrificed her happiness, her freedom, her future—all to save her brother from potentially being transported. The young man was trying to make light of his original crimes, but Nicholas knew how serious they were.

And so did the Colonel.

“On second thoughts,” Nicholas said, “I think it best you don’t go ahead of us while we seek out the magistrate. Not when time is of the essence.” He glanced at Ladies Quamby and Fenton and the Colonel. “I suggest we turn around this moment and save the brave and virtuous Lady Lushington.”

Lady Fenton raised her eyebrows in interested surprise before endorsing the idea with a firm nod.

“But how?” asked Lady Quamby. “If Algernon holds evidence of her crimes?—”

“We need to find that evidence and destroy it,” Nicholas replied grimly. “Clearly, the only crime Lady Lushington is guilty of is wanting to protect a young brother who got himself in over his head.”

CHAPTER 17

Nicholas stoodat the front door of Lushington Hall, his hand poised to knock, steeling himself for what was perhaps the most important performance of his life. Every word he was about to speak would be a lie, every sentiment he expressed the opposite of what he felt. But if it would save Arabella, he would gladly damn himself in her eyes a thousand times over.

The truth James had revealed burned in his chest like a physical wound. Arabella had never betrayed him—she had been coerced, blackmailed, forced to choose between his happiness and her brother’s life. And like the noble, self-sacrificing woman he had always known her to be, she had chosen to save her brother and destroy herself.

He knocked firmly, and within moments, Algernon himself opened the door, his eyebrows rising in surprise.

“Mr Morley! How unexpected. I thought you had departed with the others.”

“I sent them on ahead,” Nicholas said, allowing a note of grim satisfaction to creep into his voice. “I found I couldn’t leave without... settling a matter that has been weighing on my mind.”

“Indeed? Please do come in.” Algernon’s eyes glittered with curiosity as he led Nicholas back to the drawing room. “What matter might that be?”

Nicholas accepted a brandy and took his time settling into his chair, as if choosing his words carefully. “The truth is, Lushington, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about our conversation earlier. About Arabella’s... situation.”

“Ah.” Algernon’s smile was predatory. “And what conclusions have you reached?”