Chapter Forty-One

T he Right Honorable Miss Bernice Namath

My nerves were at the breaking point and Moran’s arrogant comment put me over the edge. “Unbelievable! You were given a gift whether you think it a gift or not. You told me that you would fight the Browns of this world. The only way to do that is from a position of power. If you don’t realize that it is power that makes change, then you are indeed the prat Ash proclaims you to be.”

“That is completely unfair. I am only one man. I cannot save the world.” Moran began to pace, his shoulders bunching beneath the well-fitted greatcoat. When he sent me away, I thought I would never see him again. Then he showed up at my door, and against my will, my heart could not stop swelling at the sight of him.

“That’s the part you’re not grasping.” Goosebumps broke out on my arms just thinking about the two officers. Staying still was a struggle, and I didn’t realize I was rocking back and forth so intensely until I nearly stumbled. “You can help save the world. As a duke, you will be a member of Parliament and have the ear of the Queen. Brown got attention from the Metropolitan Police Department because he was friends with your uncle. Your uncle had the power to sway an entire department on a whim and now Brown wields that power simply by association.”

“Well said, Birdie.” Ash laid his hand on my elbow, a steady rock in a stormy emotional sea. His gentle touch helped calm my inner turmoil. “But I want to go back to my earlier proposition. I think you should marry him.”

“I told you my reasons.” As far as I knew, he was still courting Mrs. Engel. I would be no man’s second choice.

“My uncle is gone and so is his patronage. Brown can’t survive without it.” Moran jutted his jaw out, staring down his long nose at me. He looked every inch the aristocratic duke. “Since I am not accepting the title, she would still face charges for bilking the earl out of a small fortune even if she married me.”

“All the more reason for you to keep the title.” Ash narrowed his eyes, just as determined as Moran. “If she becomes your duchess, all of this goes away. If Birdie goes to jail, there is a good chance her sisters will be sent to the poor house. Eloise won’t be able to work and see to the girls, you said so yourself.”

I shuddered just thinking about it. “Moran has promised me six months’ worth of wages.”

“And in six months, you will be out on the streets,” Ash argued.

Moran’s mouth turned down, consternation troubling his brow. He was adamant about not wanting the title and I didn’t want to push him into doing something against his wishes.

However, I thought it was a waste to give up something that could make such change in the world. “I will find a way to support them,” I said.

“Behind bars?” Moran lowered his head, his hand working more intensely on the muscles of his neck.

“It won’t come to that. Once I finish gathering the most important belongings, I will fetch my sisters and we will disappear. They can’t arrest me if they can’t find me.” It was a bold statement to make, but I was desperate. Perhaps I could board a ship to the United States and start a new life there. Except, my life was here, and I balked at leaving my home country.

Moran snapped his head up, and winced. “You can’t leave.”

“I can do whatever I want.” The longer we stood here talking, the less time I had to finalize my plans.

“I did promise you six months’ worth of wages but it will take time to get that money for you.”

Ash slid his arm from my elbow to my wrist, his mere presence grounding me against the ever growing panic. “Running away will not solve your issue. There’s a good chance that you’d be caught leaving the country. There are safeguards in place to check passenger manifests for suspects.”

My knees nearly buckled but I forced myself to stay upright. “You’re just saying that to keep me here.”

“There is another solution than running away. You can marry Moran.” Ash linked his fingers through mine and continued to try to manipulate us with his words. “You like each other. You desire each other. Both of you are part of the aristocracy. Isn’t that something that’s important to people in your position?”

“Yes, that’s important to the aristocracy. But I don’t wish to marry someone who feels obligated to do so.” Despite loving Moran with all my heart, I would not accept his hand without knowing that he loved me. From the way he continued to glower, that wasn’t the case. Desire wasn’t enough. I wanted more.

A loud commotion sounded on the landing and we all looked at the door when it was slammed from outside. “Open up Miss Namath,” a man called.

I stepped back, my pulse thundering. “It’s him.”

“Let me handle this.” Ash released my hand and went to the door and opened it. “I am Inspector Ashton. What is the nature of your business?”

“I am Inspector Diggory and this is Jinx. We are here by order of the chief superintendent to place Miss Namath under arrest for murder.”

“You bloody well aren’t.” Moran glared at the men, his face flushed with fury. I was at once horrified and warmed by his defense of me. Underlying it all was fear for my family and for myself. Of course Brown was behind this, and I would pay the price for my deception.

“Step aside, my lord,” Diggory said to Moran.

He knew who Moran was. While he outweighed Moran, he would be no match for him in a physical fight, I was certain of it.

“She didn’t kill her father. This can all be cleared up in a trice.” Ash sounded much cooler but the clipped quality to his tone spoke of a simmering rage. “Birdie, do you have the death certificate?”

“It is registered with the magistrate.” I never bothered to hide it because I hadn’t thought it mattered. What had been a white lie might be the catalyst to send me to jail.

“You know the law. She must come with us.” Diggory’s smirk sparked even more fear in me.

“Then I will go with her. Moran, find the death certificate and meet us at the station.” Ash got the station’s address from Jinx and gave it to Moran.

Just a few days before, he had been arrested and now it was my turn. I suppressed a bitter laugh at the sheer irony of it all.

Jinx held out metal restraints in my direction. I backed away, horrified and terrified when I wanted to be brave.

“Is that necessary?” Ash asked in a voice laced with ice.

“I suppose not.” Jinx swallowed and glanced to Diggory for guidance. Of the two, he was the more cautious. When the other man said nothing, he turned back to me. “Let’s go Miss Namath.”

“It will be all right. I will get you out in a trice,” Moran said low enough for our ears alone. “I will keep the title and obtain a special license. We will marry as soon as possible.”

“No, absolutely not. Do not keep the title on my account. I don’t wish for you to marry me out of misguided obligation.” I didn’t want the others to hear our conversation but I had to get my point across. He’d made his decision and I’d made mine.

“You two stop yammering. Come, I ain’t got all day.” Diggory continued to glower and took a menacing step forward. His unsteady character showed in his impatience.

“Go, we will talk later.” Jaw clenched, Moran stared down his nose at Diggory, every inch the duke, whether he wished it or not. “If you touch a hair on her head, there will be consequences.”

Diggory narrowed his eyes at Moran but stopped walking nonetheless. “Is that a threat? Because I am an officer of the law.”

“And I am the Duke of Moreland.” The simple statement said it all. Pride for him swelled my chest and I longed to agree to his proposal. Except he didn’t love me and no matter how much I wished to say yes, I wouldn’t settle for less.

Diggory didn’t look happy.

I cringed, wanting to twist away at Jinx’s clammy hand on my wrist. His grip was solid and I forced myself to relax, knowing Ash was with me and Moran would try to clear my name.I might not want to marry him out of obligation but I would accept his help as a friend since I had helped him. He was simply returning the favor. I just prayed he was successful. My freedom depended on it.