Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Mason's dining table was filled with papers and documents. He and Ethan scoured the papers for any kind of evidence they could find. It was overwhelming, but Ethan's logical methods helped keep them on track.

Finally, a tray of tea arrived to momentarily give them a rest from all the work.

"I have a guard posted outside Miss Owen's home," Mason said. "He's disguised as a street sweeper with strict orders to let me know as soon as something happens."

"I'm glad to hear it," Ethan said. "The more we find out, the more concerned I become for their safety and ours."

Mason nodded. "I know. This runs deeper than I could ever have imagined."

"I fear it's only going to get worse, too," Ethan said, rubbing his eyes. "What have we gotten ourselves into?"

It had all started with just a moment. Mason had been at that park at the wrong time and was sucked into it all.

"You've been going over the finances," he said. "What have you uncovered so far?"

Ethan leaned over and reached for a book he'd been scribbling in all morning. There were pages of lists that he'd written down. He flipped through them a moment before preparing to explain.

"I've been through the letters, as you know," Ethan started. "What I've noticed is that small increments of money are being paid out of Lord Elmstone's accounts to a small group of people."

"Is there a pattern to the payments?" Mason asked.

"Twice a week," Ethan asked. "And the recipients rotate."

"Who are the recipients?"

"A list of nobles, a few thugs, Roderick Finch included," Ethan said. "While each individual payment is a smaller amount, these totals are large."

Mason liked what he was hearing. While the result of the information was bad, he knew that it was good evidence. The kind of evidence they needed to put the nail in the coffin of the Phoenix Society.

"This is a breadcrumb trail that leads back to Lord Elmstone," Ethan said. "If it wasn't for the letters from Lord Mortimer, these payments might never have been noticed. It also proves that he's been avoiding tax payments."

While Lord Mortimer had been part of the conspiracy, Mason hoped he was somewhere safe. Once the first arrests were made, someone would be looking for him.

"He was supposed to burn the letters after reading," Mason explained. "I'm glad he didn't. He must have felt guilt for some time in order to keep that kind of evidence around."

"It's horrifying," Ethan said. "This list of payments shows that there are people out there happy to profit from the duke's murder. These are people we rely on as citizens. These are people we invite into our homes for tea and parties."

"You need to separate yourself from that thought," Mason responded. "If we're going to do this right, we need to remain calm. I need you to keep clear-headed. Focus only on the information."

"I'll do my best," Ethan said with a nod.

Mason took a sip of his tea. "Now, we need to cross-reference those payments with the information in the letters."

"Let's get to it then. I'd like to get this all over with as quickly as possible," Ethan said.

"I don't want to rush this."

Ethan sighed. "In a matter of weeks, you've been led into two traps and had to run for safety twice," he said. "They're only going to get more desperate to stop you. I don't think you have as much time as you think."

"This is going to be quite the scandal," Mason argued. "I want to make sure that all the information we have is proven and accurate. If we're going to cause this much chaos, then we better be right."

"We have more proof than just this, too," Ethan said. "I was hoping to keep Miss Harper as far away from this as possible, but I think it's important."

Mason stopped what he was doing. "If you have something to add to this investigation I urge you to let me know about it. Now is not the time for secrets, Ethan."

"Miss Harper has been speaking to other housemaids that work for some of the nobles on this list," Ethan said.

"Did Miss Owen put her up to it?"

Ethan shook his head. "She feels similarly to me. Miss Harper wants this all to end, and she's doing what she can to help."

"What did she learn?"

Mason was frustrated that Ethan had kept that information from him. He should have said something immediately. Then again, when he thought about it clearly, he might have done the same thing for Miss Owen.

"She has a group of maids willing to testify that they've seen groups of people, whose names are on this list, gathering at the homes of their employers," Ethan said. "Regular meetings."

"They're not afraid to talk?" Mason asked.

Ethan shook his head. "Miss Harper has a way of gaining trust. She's assured me of their honesty. One maid has seen Roderick Finch attend a few of these meetings."

Mason smiled widely. "That's brilliant! Remind me to thank her for this when it's all over."

Their case was coming together really well. The rest of the afternoon, Mason and Ethan worked tirelessly to build timelines and cross-reference evidence to build a clear image of what had been happening.

It was difficult to concentrate. Mason wished Miss Owen was there to help them. But he knew that she was safer within the walls of her own home.

It wasn't long before they had an extensive case built against Lord Elmstone and all those who had been helping him with his plot to have the duke assassinated.

They worked through the night, making sure that they had checked every angle and every possibility and made sure that there had been no mistakes.

"How much time do you think we have before we're too late with all of this?" Ethan asked.

"I don't know," Mason answered. "I just don't want to make any mistakes."

***

Ethan had another note to pass along. He waited outside the bakery for Miss Harper to finish buying her cakes. Ethan felt nervous at the prospect of seeing her again. It was an excited kind of nervous. A conflicting feeling within him that he had a hard time pushing aside.

When she stepped out of the bakery and saw him, her face broke into a wide smile and it canceled out any nervous feeling he had before.

"It's good to see you, Mr. Langley," she said kindly. "Shall we go for a walk?"

That was what they did every time that they saw each other. The passing of a note or information only took a matter of moments. Then they would spend half an hour walking with each other and enjoying each other's company.

"Thank you for gathering the evidence," he said when they were farther out of the crowd. "It's been incredibly useful to piece it all together."

Eliza smiled. "I just want it to be over," she said.

"Me too." Ethan cast her a sideways glance. He didn't know what would happen when the investigation came to an end, and he was no longer required to pass notes along. Would she still be interested in seeing him?

An urge to be honest with her washed over him then. He didn't know if he'd get another chance to do so.

"I have a question for you, if I may?" he said.

"Please do."

"You're the most elegant and cleverest woman I've ever met," he said. "What are you doing working as a lady's maid? It isn't that I look down on what you do, please don't get me wrong," he quickly explained. "I guess I'm just trying to understand you better."

"Please, don't worry about it," she said with a smile. "My life wasn't always this way. Our fathers are cousins, you see. They grew up closely together."

"I hadn't realized," he said.

"You'd have no way to," she quickly said. "We don't look very similar, but Miss Owen and I are related. We've known each other since we were children. We've always gotten along really well."

Ethan was glad that he asked. It seemed that every time he saw Miss Harper, they got to know each other better. He wanted to know everything there was to know about her.

"My father faced hardship," she continued. "My mother and sister became governesses and Sir Brian offered for me to be Miss Owen's lady's maid. It wasn't exactly an offer I could refuse. It means I can spend every day with my best friend."

"That's wonderful," Ethan said.

Miss Harper nodded. "I don't see her as an employer," she explained. "She is a friend, and the entire Owen family treats me with such kindness that I feel I'm part of the family."

Ethan liked to hear what she was saying. It changed his opinion of her and where she was placed in the world. He didn't mind that she was a lady's maid, but the family he came from would be bothered by it.

Now, he was learning that she was from a family of nobles. She was the victim of some financial misfortune, sure, but she was still part of Owen's family.

"All of us are grateful to the Owens," she said. "They're as good as they come. It scares me to think that someone might want to harm them."

"Bad people are out there," Ethan agreed. "They seem to be nearer than we thought, and it is scary. I worry about Miss Owen and Mr. Alton. I worry about you, too."

"Me?"

"You've stuck your neck out to help this investigation. I don't think anybody involved is entirely safe from danger."

Miss Harper let out a loud sigh. "I hadn't thought about it that way."

"I didn't mean to scare you. I just want you to be careful," he said.

"You didn't scare me," she said. "Miss Owen had shown me that a woman should have less fear. We're stronger than we're told."

"She's right, you know," he agreed.

Knowing that she was part of an important family, that she was a relative of the Owens meant that she was someone he could potentially marry. It made the prospect of courting her more possible.

"How is Mr. Alton doing? It's quite the night they had the other night," Miss Harper said.

"He's determined," Ethan said. "We're at a slight disagreement about the pace. I want him to move quicker and he wants to take his time to mull over the details."

Miss Harper chuckled. "I'd prefer if things were sped up a little, I'll be honest."

All of his arguments with Mason or concerns seemed so far away from him when he walked at her side. It was as if her presence blanketed any stressful thought or emotion he had.

"The duke is hosting a party," Miss Harper said. "Mr. Alton will be invited. I must admit, I am worried about it."

"Do you think there will be danger?" he asked.

"It has crossed my mind," Miss Harper said. "They've already been led into two traps. The Society seems to be getting bolder in their attempts. Any member invited to that party could be part of the Society."

"I know," Ethan said. "I think it is dangerous for the duke to be hosting parties at all."

"We should warn him, don't you think?"

"Mr. Alton is worried that if we speak too soon, we'll tip off some of the people in the Society and they'll act quicker to murder the duke."

"This is all too stressful," Miss Harper confessed.

He wanted to reach out and comfort her. Ethan wanted to promise her that she would be safe and everybody would be all right. But he didn't know if she wanted that from him.

"It will be over soon, I'm sure of it," he said. "Until then, we just need to be careful."

Chapter 27

"I hope you understand how important this night can be," her mother said. "The duke isn't going to wait for you forever, you know. Neither are your father and I."

Isabella nodded as she swallowed down half a glass of water. She felt nervous enough to become slightly ill in her stomach. She didn't know what to do or say.

"You're not getting any younger, either," her father said. "If you can't make a decision, perhaps you should leave that task to me."

She wasn't sure if that was a threat or a joke. Isabella could hardly be sure of anything other than the fact that she no longer felt welcome in her world.

All she wanted was to be with Mr. Alton, traveling the world and experiencing new adventures. She wanted to feel his arms around her each morning and each night. Most of all, she wanted him to never leave her side again.

Knowing that Mr. Alton would be there was the only reason she was excited to go to the party.

"This is going to be a good night!" her mother sang as they walked toward the front door of the duke's manor.

As they entered, Isabella was happy for the warmth inside the party. She looked around for a sign of Mr. Alton, but he wasn't there yet. The room was in full swing as conversations droned on around them.

Her mother ushered her in and hurried her along.

"We must find the duke. You need to spend as much time with him as possible tonight," she said.

"Yes, Mother," Isabella said, knowing well enough that she was going to spend as much time with Mr. Alton as she could as soon he arrived at the party.

As they walked through the crowd, Isabella became aware of eyes on her somewhere in the room. She glanced behind her, and her eyes met the eyes of Lord Elmstone. He was watching her intently. Lady Arabella was standing with him, whispering in his ear.

She turned her face away. She needed to behave as if nothing was wrong. Where was Mr. Alton? Lord Elmstone's presence there made her extremely nervous.

"I didn't realize Lord Elmstone was invited," Isabella said.

"Of course he is," her father said. "He is a great admirer of the duke. He wouldn't miss a single party."

Her stomach churned to think of it. There was a massive betrayal happening under all their noses and Isabella and Eliza were the only two people in the room who knew of it.

"I'm going to get refreshments," Isabella said. "I'll find you and the duke."

"Don't be long," her mother hissed.

Isabella wasn't sure she could keep a straight face if she had to approach the duke after seeing Lord Elmstone.

"This is too much," Eliza said. "I'm nervous about it."

"Me too," Isabella said.

The two of them helped themselves to something to drink as Isabella checked the door for a sign of Mr. Alton.

"We need to keep an eye on him," Eliza said. "I want to know where he is at all times, and who is surrounding him."

Isabella nodded. It was a good idea. "We need to do it in a way that isn't obvious."

"Yes, and if you don't get to the duke soon, your mother might never forgive you," Eliza said.

Isabella glanced up to get a look at them. They had already approached the duke. Her father and the duke were smiling widely. Something about it made Isabella feel off balance.

When her father reached out to shake the duke's hand, her stomach sank into the bottom of the soles of her feet.

"I think my father has just promised my hand to the duke," Isabella said.

"I beg your pardon?"

Isabella stepped closer to Eliza. "I think my father just gave the duke his blessing to marry me."

Her mouth went dry with stress. Both men seemed so happy about the decision in that moment, meanwhile, Isabella was watching the future she truly wanted slip away from her.

When the duke tapped a spoon against his glass to gather everyone's attention, Isabella felt faint. Her mother motioned for her to join them toward the front of the crowd.

Isabella forced a smile and made her way through the crowd. Eliza was right at her side.

"Thank you, everyone, for joining me here tonight," the duke said. "I have much to catch you up on and there is much to celebrate."

There was a murmur through the room. As Isabella approached, the duke smiled and her, and she knew she was right. Her father had given her away to him. She swallowed hard to stop herself from becoming dizzy.

"Over the last few months, I have grown rather close with the Owen family," the duke continued.

Isabella's knees were growing weak. Across the crowd, Lord Elmstone kept his eyes fixed on her still. With a dangerous man there and whatever the duke was about to announce, she felt as if she might shut down completely.

At that point, the doors to the room flew open loudly. Mr. Alton marched in with men at his back.

"Everybody stop," Mr. Alton said loudly. "This is important."

There was a stunned silence in the room. The men who followed him into the room quickly closed the door behind them. Mr. Alton pushed through the group and toward the front of the room.

Mr. Alton marched up to the duke and handed him a stack of documents.

"What is this?" the duke asked.

"That is evidence that the man behind your attempted assassination, and the leader of the Phoenix Society, is right here in the room with you," Mr. Alton announced.

A gasp ricocheted through the space around them.

"Give me a name," the duke demanded.

Mr. Alton's eyes moved to the man in question as he stared him down.

"The Marquess of Elmstone," Mr. Alton said. "Paul Walters, Lord Elmstone.

"How dare you?" Lord Elmstone asked. "You have forgotten your place. How could you accuse someone of my stature in front of all my friends?"

"Easily," Mr. Alton said.

"This is an outrage," Lady Arabella piped up. "Why would Lord Elmstone, or any of us, want to go up against the duke?"

"Money," Mr. Alton explained. "The duke puts your new business venture at risk, doesn't he?" Mr. Alton was still looking directly at Lord Elmstone. He hadn't taken his eyes off him yet.

"And I'm still getting to you, Lady Arabella," Mr. Alton continued.

The duke was already reading through the evidence; his face paled as realization hit him. In a moment, the entire room burst into chaos. Women clutched their husbands as everyone in the room moved away from Lord Elmstone.

Lord Elmstone took one more look around him before breaking into a run. He elbowed his way through the crowd and toward the door. Mr. Alton didn't hesitate for a moment.

Before Lord Elmstone even made it halfway toward the door, Mr. Alton tackled him. Both men were hurled to the floor and landed with a hard thud.

There was a scream and a cheer through the room at the same time. Isabella raced toward the scene. Her heart was in her throat. Who knew what kind of weapon a man like Lord Elmstone had on him?

By the time she got there, Mr. Alton had Lord Elmstone pinned to the ground.

"Unhand me!" Lord Elmstone cried as he kicked and screamed beneath Mr. Alton's weight.

The duke was there next. He stood over Lord Elmstone and stared down at him with disgust.

"Someone get the authorities," the duke said. "Nobody is leaving here until all accused have been arrested."

The men who had entered with Mr. Alton came to restrain Lord Elmstone. Isabella rushed over.

"Are you all right?" she asked.

"I'm much better now, knowing that everyone is safe," Mr. Alton said with a smile.

What followed was an onslaught of authorities and questions. Everyone in the room was questioned and cross-questioned as those listed in the evidence were taken away in handcuffs.

It was difficult to believe that it was all over.

"I don't know how to thank you," the duke said, joining them as the chaos continued. "I could never have expected the conspiracy to run this deep. I'm in shock, but I'm relieved that this is over."

"There are still many members of the Society to track down and incarcerate," Mr. Alton said. "That's going to take some time."

"You've cut the head off the snake," the duke said with a smile. "The rest will fall apart on its own."

"I couldn't have done it without Miss Owen," Mr. Alton said. "She assisted me on this investigation from the start. She is a brilliant woman."

"That she is," the duke agreed.

For what seemed like the hundredth time that night, her stomach did a flip.

"I'm not afraid to admit that I'm rather taken by her," Mr. Alton said, smiling in her direction. "In fact, I've fallen in love with her."

The duke glanced quickly at Isabella. It was impossible to hide the look on her face. Hearing the words leave Mr. Alton's mouth made her heart flutter.

"She's the kind of wife I thought was impossible to find," Mr. Alton continued.

He reached out and gently took Isabella's hand. She didn't know what to expect from the duke then.

"Well, it has been a rather eventful night, hasn't it?" the duke asked with a kind smile. "I can see that the two of you are happy in each other's company. You have my blessing."

The duke reached out to shake Mr. Alton's hand.

"Thank you," Isabella said.

"I suppose I need to speak with her father, don't I?" Mr. Alton asked.

For the first time since she'd met him, he seemed nervous. There was a quiver in his voice and a nervous tone in his chuckle.

"I'll be sure to put in a good word for you," the duke said. "It's the least I can do. You've saved my life."

"Thank you," Mr. Alton said with a smile.

"I'll leave you to it then," the duke said with another kind smile. "Thank you both again."

Mr. Alton squeezed her hand tightly as the duke left. Isabella let out a quiet sigh of relief. The entire night had been a whirlwind of intense emotions and stress, and it was over in an instant again.

"I don't ever want to do anything without you at my side," Mr. Alton said. "I know that without a shadow of a doubt. No adventure will be the same without you there."

"Every minute that I'm not with you, I think of you. So much that it exhausts me," Isabella said.

"With your father's approval, Miss Owen, would you be my wife?" he asked.

There, in the center of the greatest scandal London had seen for a century, at the peak of the greatest adventure Isabella had ever experienced, he spoke the only words she wanted to hear.

"That would make me the happiest woman in the world," she said. "But I have one condition."

"Name it," he said eagerly.

"Do not slow down your life for me," she said. "Keep at it. Full speed ahead, but keep me at your side along the way. I will not be the wife left at home."

"You have my word," he answered. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Her heart ignited then. She wanted to leap into his arms and drag him out the door so that they could start their lives immediately. She couldn't stop herself from smiling widely then.

"This is going to be so fun," Mr. Alton said with a chuckle.

"I know!" Isabella agreed. "I can't wait for every minute of it."