Chapter Forty-Three

T he Right Honorable Miss Bernice Namath

I tried to keep my leg from shaking. Having Moran and Ash with me helped, but from the increasing tension in the air, the extent of my troubles seemed amplified.

“I assure you, she didn’t kill her father, and I brought proof.” Moran pulled a document from his inner pocket and presented it to Stark before returning to his seat. The death certificate with my father’s name on it screamed out to me. The tears that had been threatening to fall returned, and I willed myself not to cry in front of these men.

Stark handed the document to Melville while casting a speculative glance at me. His eyes gave nothing away, which added to my nervousness. “I am afraid I am here for another reason,” he said.

“Surely you aren’t going to charge her with impersonation?” Ash glanced from me to Stark, outrage dotting his cheeks. He had been my champion from the first day he’d walked me home, and I loved him for his loyalty.

With a slight twist to his lips, Stark shook his head. “This isn’t only about Miss Namath. Brown has been arrested for murder.”

I gasped, my hand flying to my throat. Exhaustion and fear had been my companion for the last day and now disbelief overcame everything. “Murder? He killed someone?”

“Yes, several women.” Stark looked to CS Rogers, a stiffness in his jaw that wasn’t there a moment ago. Melville remained silent, allowing Stark to take the reins. “In addition to murder, he is charged with blackmail and bribery.”

“He tried to blackmail me.” I fisted my hands, glad when Moran put his warmer one over mine. That fateful day had been one of the worst I could remember and I shuddered to think where I would be now if not for Moran’s protection.

“As well as others in this room.” Stark turned his narrow-eyed stare to CS Rogers. Dislike had crept into his voice. “Brown seemed very keen on sharing names.”

“Brown is a zealot and a liar who will say anything to discredit decent, honest men.” CS Rogers stepped back, eyes wide with panic. Ash had said Brown had friends high up in the department. CS Rogers must have been one of those men. Moran continued to hold my hand and Ash stood protectively behind my chair. Gratitude for their nearness warmed my chest.

“Be that as it may, I must take his allegations seriously.” Melville motioned for Rogers to follow him. “Given the circumstances, you will need to come with me to headquarters.”

The wind left Rogers’ proverbial sails and he did as instructed, dread shining in his gaze. While he had no compunction about putting me in jail, I felt sorry for him. The night spent locked up hadn’t been pleasant and when I wasn’t worrying about my sisters, I thought about Moran and the way we had left things. He was torn about his title, which was understandable. However, I couldn’t help being resentful about my own situation. I was the first born, I should have inherited my father’s title.

Stark ran a hand through his hair the moment the door closed and plopped down in a chair. I had spoken to him when I was seeing to Moran and found him to be agreeable. Handsome in a rugged sort of way, I would have never thought he was related to Brown. I shuddered just thinking about the man.

“You broke open a hornet’s nest.” Ash laid his hand on my shoulder for support.

“It would appear so. Brown has been arrested for murdering the Anderson woman and several others. As you probably guessed, the department will be investigating Rogers and has leveled several bribery charges against him,” Stark said.

“Does that mean my client is free to go?” Humphrey asked.

The little man had been invaluable since our first meeting, but he wasn’t omnipotent. My heart hammering a mad beat, I sat forward in my seat, anxious to find out the answer.

Stark shook his head, true regret in his stare. “I am afraid not.”

Worrying my hands in my skirt, I shook my head, dread settling deeper into the pit of my stomach. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

Stark cocked one brow, a hint of amusement curling his mouth, but said nothing.

A flush rushed into my cheeks at being caught in a lie. He was sharp and I reminded myself to never underestimate him. What I had done benefited my sisters and if I were able to go back, I wouldn’t do anything differently on that score.

“I think we can clear this up quickly.” With a squeeze of my hand, Moran linked his fingers through mine and handed another document to Stark. “Her cousin, the earl has agreed not to press charges and has given you permission to contact him. As the letter says, his concern is more with his cousins’ welfare than any monetary compensation.”

My jaw dropped open before I pressed my lips together. Not only was I shocked by the turn of events, the kind words Moran paraphrased shamed me. I had thought the worst of the earl without having met him. All this time, I had been terrified that once he found out, the earl would seek revenge. Instead, he had forgiven me when he had no obligation to do so. Once this nightmare ended, I would seek him out to thank him.

“Her father’s death was also properly recorded,” Ash pointed out.

“There is still the matter of impersonation.” Stark exhaled a long breath and began to tap his thumb on his thigh. “It is a very serious matter and comes with heavy consequences.”

Ash’s hand on my shoulder flexed, giving away his agitation with the entire affair. “If her cousin isn’t pressing charges, why should we?”

“That isn’t up to me to decide but a judge.”

Moran released a growl of frustration. “Fine, when will she see the judge?”

“I will inquire of the clerk.” Humphrey took the documents Moran provided before leaving the room.

“I will go with you to straighten this out.” Stark paused in the doorway and looked at me over his shoulder. With a slight tilt to his mouth, he nodded in Moran’s direction. “Hypothetically speaking, if Miss Natham were to become the Duchess of Moreland, this would all go away.”

“That’s what I keep telling her,” Moran and Ash said at the same time.

“Listen to your friends, Miss Natham, they are offering you sound advice.” Stark left the room, closing the door behind him.

“And I have told you both that I have no intentions of marrying.” I tore my hand from Moran’s and crossed my arms over my chest. My stubborn side refused to accept the proposal on principle.

Ash rested his head against mine, his beard smooth next to my cheek. One arm draped around my neck, he pressed a kiss to my temple. “You are letting your vanity get in the way of your common sense.”

“If I were a man, you wouldn’t be saying that.” Pride kept me from agreeing. I cast a glance at Moran whose frustration showed in the cold cast of his stare. I would say yes if he loved me, but his many proposals rose from obligation, not a real desire to be with me. “I will be nobody’s obligation.”

“Do you want to stay in jail?” Moran twisted in his chair, his patience with me at an end.

“Losing your temper won’t convince her otherwise,” Ash said, standing upright once more. “Birdie has her options. If she chooses not to accept our proposal, there is nothing you can do about it.”

“She is just being stubborn.” Moran shook his head, his stark regard full of desperation. “If you marry me, all of this would disappear.”

“You said you aren’t taking the title,” I pointed out. “Marriage is predicated on the premise that you will take the title, which, by your own words, you are abdicating.”

“I will take the title if it means helping you,” he said in a gentler tone.

“I don’t want your pity any more than I want your obligation.” I balled my hands into fists, exasperated by the entire affair. My love for him warred with my pride. For the sake of my heart, I wanted this all over with. Yet I had a sense I would never get over him.

“Moran, tell her everything.” Ash moved from behind my chair to stand beside me. The three of us formed a circle, an invisible bond that tied us to one another.

“What now?” I didn’t think I could take any more surprises. “Did you propose to Mrs. Engel?”

Even the thought of the other woman raised my hackles.

“Bloody hell, Birdie!” Moran hopped to his feet, knocking the chair over. I craned my neck to meet his exasperated stare. “I don’t pity you and I am not asking you to marry me out of obligation. I love you.”

Those three words hung between us. My heart thudded with such force it was difficult to catch my breath. “You love me?”

“Is that a question or a statement?” He palmed the back of his neck, restless energy spilling off him. If he were in his office, he’d be at the boxing bag.

“It is a...” words failed me and I caught Ash’s delighted grin. My own lips turned up and hysterical laughter burst forth. “It is both, I suppose.”

“I don’t see what is so funny,” Moran grumbled.

“Neither do I.” Standing, I clasped his wrists, unable to stop the joy from blooming inside my chest. I threw myself into his arms, the hardness of his torso a welcome anchor. “I love you as well.”

He cupped the back of my head, his fingers sifting into my hair. The tension left his frame and relief softened his features. “I am sorry. I should have told you sooner. Except you said you never wished to marry any man.”

“I didn’t wish to marry just any man for the sake of marrying.” I pulled back, caressing his cheek. “ You aren’t just any man.”

His flashing smile warmed more than my heart. It cut right into my soul. Head tilting, he swept his mouth across mine, his arms tightening around my waist. I wanted to hold him like this forever.

“I will fetch the pastor. The sooner the wedding takes place, the better.” Ash patted my back, a teasing lilt to his voice.

I broke the kiss and turned to look at my beloved friend. He had taken my sisters into his care and helped me out of the kindness of his heart. He was a special man and Suzette was a fool to have let him go. “Beg pardon?” I asked.

“I brought a pastor to marry us.” Moran offered me a sheepish smile.

“You were sure I would say yes?” I wasn’t sure if I was amused or annoyed. If he hadn’t confessed his feelings, he would have been wrong.

“You two need some time to talk. I will be right back,” Ash said before leaving us alone. The soft click of the closing door brought home another truth.

“I wasn’t sure of anything except that I love you. I didn’t want to admit it, even to myself.” Consternation furrowed Moran’s forehead. “You claimed to be in love with Frank, the mysterious and fictitious Mr. Worth, and I couldn’t compete with a dead man. Then you said you wouldn’t marry and...” he shrugged. “I can’t stomach the idea of you being in jail a day longer than necessary, especially as this is my fault.”

“It isn’t your fault.” I laid my hands on his chest, unable to stop touching him. “Nor could I stomach you taking the title for the sole purpose of saving me. You might not be in a jail with bars, but you would still be trapped in a life that you didn’t want.”

He entwined his fingers with mine. Earnest amber eyes looked into my soul. “If you marry me, you will be in the same jail.”

“I have always been a lady. It never hindered me. Being a woman hindered me, but being a lady benefited me. I am educated, and having fallen on lean times, I miss the days when I wanted for nothing. Selfish, yes.” I had to be honest with him and with myself. With a trembling smile I said, “Except, something important was missing and I didn’t realize what it was until I met you.”

“I will be honest, your accusations made me think long and hard about the title. I can’t run from my past, and if I do, my indifference will hurt many people. If that makes any sense.” He placed a kiss on the corner of my mouth, his lips warm and gentle.

I closed my eyes, yearning to be closer to him. “It makes perfect sense. Birth blessed you with what most dream of. I, too, fall into that category. No matter how far we run, it will always be a part of who we are.”

“If you say yes, you will be the next Duchess of Moreland.” Moran continued to trail his mouth down my jaw, his hand on my bottom bringing me tight into his groin. “Having been away from that world for longer than you, I will need your skills at organization.”

“That is a given.” I angled my neck, allowing him to continue his seduction. “What of the publishing house?”

“Ash will be taking over for us.” He tugged at my earlobe, taking it into his silky mouth.

“I forgot he quit the Met. I will admit I am relieved. It is a dangerous job, and the more I witnessed here, the more thrilled I am that he is leaving this life behind.”

He lifted his head and traced his thumb along my bottom lip. “I as well.”

“ I as well is not grammatically correct. It is actually I do too or so do I .” I met his grin with one of my own. “I can’t help myself. You know that.”

“Indeed, I do. It is one of the many bossy traits you have.”

I wrinkled my nose at his teasing. “I will miss editing.”

“To avoid more censure, I think my very organized wife will be able to fit in time for us to edit the Ambrosia line ourselves. That will keep Ash from being persecuted.” He nodded at his own statement. “Unfortunately, I can’t marry both of you.”

“No, you can’t.” Marriage to Moran would mean a lifetime commitment not only to him but to Ash. I understood that their special love would forever intertwine the three of us. “However, he might have a thing or two to say about it. He loves Ambrosia as much as you do.”

Moran rolled his hips against mine, lust sparking his eyes, along with love. “Be honest, you are also a convert.”

With a soft chortle at his teasing, I kissed him once more. “I will and gladly. The nights we spent together were the best I can recall, and I want every night moving forward to be memorable.”

“That is a tall order but I am up for the challenge. I love you, Birdie.” His smile fell, the lust replaced by love. “And you were right. I am also in love with Ash. It doesn’t make my love for you any less.”

“I never thought it would. I love Ash as well. He has been an invaluable friend and I don’t know what I would do without him in my life. He is welcome in our home and in our bed if he wishes to be.” While it was unconventional, it worked for us.

“You are very generous. Thank you.”

“I am not generous as much as selfish.” My nipples peaked simply thinking about his very talented mouth. “I like the way he...” I stiffened at the sound of voices in the hallway. When I had been brought into the office, I had expected to be taken back to jail. Instead, Moran had come to my rescue. He might be flawed, but he was my Lord Golden, and I loved him with every fiber of my being.

“Calm down. It’s probably the pastor. The sooner you marry me, the sooner this nightmare will end.” Moran’s calm assurance did much to stop my racing heart. In a few short minutes, I would be the Duchess of Moreland.

It wasn’t the path I thought I would ever take. Except I gladly welcomed the chance to stroll side by side with Moran. I might not be able to save the world, but with my newfound status, I could surely try.