19. Chapter 19

Chapter 19

T he tension in the air was palpable as Lady Rosalind stood beside Evelyn in the grand hall of the Duke of Somerton's London house. Though she was bleary-eyed from lack of sleep, Rosalind was resolute and determined as she waited for Lady Evelyn to finish her preparations. Alex stood next to her, with Richard on his far side. She steadfastly resisted the urge to look at Alex, as they weren't alone.

Evelyn at last descended the stairs, and she was a woman transformed. Gone were the elegant dresses and jewels, carefully packed away in her valise. Instead, she wore a plain wool travelling dress in muted grey with a partlet of organdy at the neckline. Her thick, iconic chestnut hair had been braided and pinned up, hidden beneath a plain white cotton cap. She held a plain straw bonnet in her hands, which were hidden in fingerless mitts. She looked, in a word, every bit a lady's maid–no one would ever assume that she was really the fashionable and beautiful Lady Evelyn Banfield. She kept her eyes down, her hands holding tightly to the brim of her bonnet.

Rosalind could feel the nervousness practically radiating off of her, so she gently clasped Evelyn's hands in her own, offering a silent gesture of support and understanding.

Evelyn's eyes met Rosalind's and she offered a small smile of thanks. "Are you ready?" Rosalind asked gently.

Clearly still worried, but refusing to give in to her doubts, Evelyn nodded. She put her hand in the Duke's, her face awash with gratitude. "I don't know how to repay you," she said quietly, but sincerely. "I...I had never hoped–" She paused, clearly overwhelmed by feelings of gratitude. "Thank you for believing that I was worth saving."

"My Lady," Alex said sincerely, covering her hand with his own, "even if I had not known you at all, it would have been enough to know that my brother loved you–that is all I needed to know about you."

Evelyn's lips trembled, a single tear escaping down her cheek. "I cannot begin to express my gratitude, Rosalind. You, and the Duke, all of you– you have given me a chance at a life I never dared to dream of."

Rosalind embraced Evelyn, holding her close as the weight of their shared emotions filled the room. "You deserve this chance, Evelyn. You deserve to be free, to live a life filled with love, respect, and happiness."

Evelyn listened intently, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. She gave him a last brief smile, and then was standing in front of Richard. They simply stared at each other for a moment, with much passing between them silently. It was an end of things, and though it was about as happy of an ending as they might have hoped for, it did not make their parting easy. At last, Richard took her gently by the shoulders, and looked at her gravely.

"Be happy," he ordered.

"Be sensible," she responded, and the two chuckled. They clasped their hands together one last time, and then parted. Rosalind took Evelyn's arm, and with a last, lingering look at Alex, they left the Duke's house. The same plain carriage was waiting for them, along with a pair of outriders that would keep them safe on the journey north.

It wasn't until they were settled in and the carriage door closed firmly behind them that Rosalind heard Evelyn exhale, as if she had been holding her breath the whole time they had been preparing to leave. Rosalind reached across the space between them and squeezed her fingers. Evelyn smiled at her, and though it was tinged with sadness and there were tears in her eyes, it was the first time that Rosalind had ever seen her look hopeful. She turned to look out the window, watching London roll by, and Rosalind followed suit.

As the miles passed slowly by, the buildings of London disappeared, as did the paved and cobbled streets. Fields and trees took their place, full of green and the delights of early summer. This was when the reality of her situation hit Rosalind, and she was full of a whirling, jumbled mass of emotions. There was the relief, of course, both that she hadn't been discovered and that Evelyn had been spirited away from London safely. There was also a thrill of exhilaration that always came with doing something forbidden.

That wasn't the only thing that was making her heart race, however. The memory of last night's kiss warmed her cheeks, and she hoped that Evelyn would put it down to the excitement of their escapade. Undercutting all of this was an edge of anxiety: She knew that Alex meant to confront the Judge with their findings in the coming days, once Evelyn was well on her way north. She didn't doubt that he was perfectly capable of handling himself, but the Judge's reputation for cruelty–which Rosalind had witnessed the results of firsthand–weighed heavily on her.

There would be no way for Alex to send word as to how their tête-à-tête had gone. It could be weeks before she heard any news, and this realisation unsettled her stomach more than the carriage bumping along the ruts in the road.

***

A lex and Richard gazed up at the facade of the gentlemen's club, squinting a bit in the warm rain. They wore twin expressions of determination, jaws and shoulders squared.

"Are you ready?" Alex asked Richard, who answered with a sharp nod. As one, they pushed through the doors, past the bowing attendants who greeted them.

The opulent surroundings of the club, with its rich mahogany panelling and plush leather armchairs, stood in stark contrast to the grim purpose of their visit. As they navigated the maze of rooms, Alex's mind drifted to Rosalind. He knew that he had to remain focused on the task at hand, but he could not help but fear for her. There was no telling how the Judge might react, and it wouldn't take long for any riders he sent after them to catch up.

Richard, as if sensing his brother's unease, placed a reassuring hand on Alex's shoulder. "Fear not, dear brother," he said, his voice low and steady. "Lady Rosalind is a woman of remarkable strength and courage. She will see this through, just as we will."

Alex nodded, drawing strength from his brother's calm confidence. "I know," he replied, not bothering to try and hide his admiration. "She is unlike any woman I have ever known."

With a sidelong grin, Richard said, "She's a firecracker, that one–I've no doubt that she's more than up to the task of putting up with you for a few decades." Alex gave him a playful shove on the shoulder, a gesture from their boyhood. Richard laughed, but turned serious. "I mean it, Alex," he said, catching the Duke by the wrist. "She could be a true partner, Alex," he said, his eyes shining with admiration. "A woman who will fight for what is right, even in the face of adversity–she's nothing like Mary."

The mention of Mary's name sent a pang of old hurt through Alex's heart, but it was quickly overshadowed by the warmth and affection he felt for Rosalind. She had proven herself to be a woman of substance, a true equal in every sense of the word.

"Rosalind is a rare gem," Alex agreed, his voice filled with quiet reverence. "I am fortunate to have her by my side, and I will do everything in my power to protect her and ensure the success of our plan." At the mention of their true purpose in being there, both brothers sobered.

As they approached the room where they knew Judge Banfield would be holding court, Alex squared his shoulders and took a deep breath. He knew that the confrontation ahead would be difficult. With Richard's support, though, and the knowledge of Rosalind's love and trust, he felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

With a final nod to his brother, Alex pushed open the door, ready to confront the Judge and set in motion the events that would change the course of their lives forever. The room fell silent as Alex and Richard entered, the eyes of the assembled gentlemen turning to regard them with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

The Judge, imperiously holding court in the middle of the room, was indolently lounging in one of the club's overstuffed chairs, swirling a glass of brandy. He, too, turned to look at the new arrivals, his brow quirking a little in surprise and unease. Alex was not a member of this particular club, but a duke's coronet made many things possible.

Alex stepped forward, his bearing regal and his voice steady as he addressed the room. "Gentlemen, do forgive us for the interruption, but we come before you today to expose a grave injustice and to hold accountable a man who has abused his position and betrayed the trust of those he was sworn to serve."

A murmur rippled through the gathered men, their careful expression of gentility slipping a bit. One of them stood, gesturing with a glass of port. "What's this all about then, Somerton?" he demanded, his drink nearly sloshing out.

Alex turned and levelled an unflinching gaze directly at the Judge, who reacted only with the slightest tightening of his mouth. "Perhaps," Alex said, "Judge Banfield would prefer to answer that question." Everyone's heads swivelled now to stare at the Judge. The Judge's expression faltered for a moment, a flicker of unease crossing his features before he schooled his face into a mask of indignation.

"How dare you come here and make such baseless accusations!" the judge blustered, rising to his feet. "I am a respected member of the judiciary, and I will not stand for such slander!"

Richard stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "We have evidence, Your Honour," he said, holding up a stack of documents. "Evidence of your blackmail, your corrupt dealings, and your abuse of power. The truth will be heard, and justice will be served."

Alex watched as the judge's face contorted with rage, his eyes narrowing to slits as he glared at Richard. The room had fallen deathly silent, the tension palpable as the gathered gentlemen waited with bated breath for the Judge's response.

"You have no right to come here and make such wild accusations," the Judge seethed, his voice trembling with barely contained fury. His eyes fixed on Richard, and he nearly spat as he said, "I am a man of the law, and my reputation is beyond reproach. You, on the other hand, are nothing more than a feckless libertine, a disgrace to your family name."

Richard met the judge's gaze unflinchingly, his voice steady as he replied, "Your reputation, Your Honour, is built on a foundation of lies and deceit. You have used your position to prey upon the vulnerable, to line your own pockets at the expense of others. But no more. Today, the truth will be revealed, and you will answer for your crimes."

The Judge scoffed, his lips curling into a sneer. "And what proof do you have of these alleged crimes? The word of a scoundrel and his equally disreputable brother? I think not. Surely we are above the base accusations of this sort." A low muttering went through the gentlemen, some nodding, some looking troubled. Alex could see the room dividing into two camps quickly.

One gentleman with prodigious whiskers stood, his waistcoat straining for its life against an equally prodigious belly. "Reputation or no, he's still a duke, man–show a bit of respect," he said, lifting his red-tipped nose into the air. "Word of a duke means more than the average man."

Alex stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "We have more than just our word, Your Honour. We have documents, witnesses, and a trail of evidence that leads directly to you. Your days of operating above the law are over." Alex cast a pointed gaze around the room. "I daresay a fair share of these fellows have found themselves at the pointy end of your so-called justice. As it's such an illustrious company," Alex said in the plummiest of tones, "I expect they'll have no difficulty in paying for your prosecution."

The Judge's face paled, his bravado faltering as he realised the gravity of the situation. He looked around the room, seeking support from his fellow gentlemen, but found only stony faces and averted gazes.

"This is preposterous," the Judge blustered, his voice rising in pitch. "I will not stand for such baseless slander. I demand that you leave this club at once, or I shall have you thrown out!"

Richard shook his head, a mirthless smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "You have no power here, Your Honour. Not anymore. They know the truth now–they've seen your real face."

Wordlessly, Alex tossed a folio onto a nearby table. The edges of letters, promissory notes, and other documents spilled out, and several rose to look at them. The Judge watched them, and for the first time, his face showed real fear. The moment was fleeting, and like a rat backed into a corner, he quickly turned to lashing out.

The Judge's face twisted with rage and fear, his hands clenched into fists at his sides as he rose. "You will regret this," he hissed, his voice low and menacing. "You have no idea of the power I wield, the influence I hold. I will destroy you, and everything you hold dear."

Alex met the judge's gaze steadily, his voice unwavering. "Your threats hold no weight here, Banfield. Not anymore."

The Judge looked around the room once more, his eyes wild and desperate, but found no allies among the gathered gentlemen. With a final, impotent snarl, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the room, the door slamming shut behind him with a resounding thud. Richard leaned over to one of the club attendants, who was busy trying to look as if he wasn't blatantly watching and relishing the unfolding drama. Finally. in a stage whisper loud enough for all to hear said, "I expect you'll be wanting to fetch the watch."

The young man cast a glance at one of the gentlemen, who nodded. With that, the young man turned and scampered off. The other gentlemen were all crowded about the table, their fingers pointing at names and sums of money detailed in the documents.

Their quiet indignation was quickly gathering steam, transforming into a righteous fury. There were calls for prosecution which all agreed was the Most Correct way of dealing with things, but there was also a good deal of support for simply calling the Judge to the field of honour at the nearest green by sunup the next morning.

Alex and Richard exchanged a look of triumph, their hearts racing with the knowledge that justice was finally within reach. They had done what they set out to do, exposing the Judge's crimes and setting in motion the events that would lead to his downfall. With a final nod to the assembled gentlemen, Alex and Richard took their leave, the sound of their footsteps echoing through the halls of the gentlemen's club. They emerged into the sunlight, the weight of their victory settling on their shoulders more handsomely than any crown.

It was with great joy and relief that Rosalind found a letter waiting for her when she returned from her hurried journey north. Evelyn had been left at the home of an aunt of Alex's, where she would remain while other arrangements were made. Luckily, that particular aunt had always had a desire to travel, and they would soon be bound for the Americas. All agreed that an ocean between them was enough for Evelyn to feel safe from any repercussions from the aggrieved Judge. The aunt was a kind and adventurous soul, and immediately took to Evelyn.

Palpable relief flooded Rosalind as she tiredly sliced past the Duke's familiar seal. Her weeks of travel had worn her out, and she wanted nothing more than to sink into her own bed and sleep for days. Her eyes, tired and feeling gritty, quickly read over the letter. It was only a few short lines, but it made Rosalind smile nonetheless.

R–

The rooster has been plucked. E can breathe easy.

I, however, won't be able to breathe easy at all until I see your lovely face again–absence and fonder hearts, etc.

–A

Rosalind could feel the Duke's relief and genuine affection positively dripping from the page, and it made her chuckle a little breathlessly. It was like a stone had been lifted from all of them, one they had been unknowingly yoked to for weeks. Though it was short, the letter's simple honesty pleased Rosalind more than a three-page sonnet could have. When at last she got her wish and had divested herself of her travelling dress and bonnet and had flopped into her bed with abandon, she kept the note pressed to her heart. She fell asleep with a little smile dancing over her mouth, the anticipation of seeing Alex again making her heart flutter.