“That is excellent because we need a day or two to put men in place if we proceed with the plan. But … what of Miss Gideon? Abbott is right that the damage to her reputation will be much worse if we fan the flames of rumor doing the rounds.”
Julius did not wish to discuss his intentions. He would take care of Audrey, but the details were undetermined, and she deserved to hear from him before his friends did.
“That is my concern,” he replied.
Abbott scowled, keeping his distance but his ire on display. “That young lady saved your life!”
Being berated did not sit well, but Julius understood he was debating with two men who had recently chosen to do the honorable thing. Brendan had married Abbott’s sister in July under a cloud of controversy because of the drama created by providing him with an alibi, and Abbott had taken his vows just a week ago to abate a similar crisis.
“I am aware … and I will take care of her.”
“Blast this intrigue!” Abbott cursed, his face flushed. “I am not made for underhanded ploys!”
Julius was tempted to mock the younger man, to resort to his customary glibness, but he chose the course of logic instead.
“We have all been through great ordeals these past weeks. The two of you were forced to marry under duress.” Julius grimaced.As I will soon be.“But all we have been through, all the trials we have endured for the sake of justice, will be for naught if this fiend escapes unpunished. All three of the suspects have their own funds and can slip away to never be heard of again, and I will not stand for it.”
Brendan straightened, his expression turning to one of resolve. “I shall discuss the options with the other parties. Mayhap there will be a better plan if we put our heads together.”
“I, for one, vehemently refute any plan that damages Miss Gideon’s reputation any further. She is an innocent young lady and deserves to be considered in this … this … foolishness!”
The inference that Julius was unconcerned about Audrey aggravated him worse than anything Abbott had ever said to him. “It was Miss Gideon’s idea!”
Abbott blinked, his expression dismayed at this revelation.
“Ahem.” The feminine throat clearing made the men flinch in surprise. They turned in unison to find Audrey standing in the doorway. Her dainty slippers had muted the sound of her approach, which was rather galling, considering they were meant to have their wits about them in the event of someone attempting to invade the premises.
“There is too much activity out in the alley. A delivery wagon is blocking the way, and a groom is loitering on the other side. I came to alert you gentlemen that at least one of you must remain in here for a little while yet.”
Julius nodded in acknowledgment. Audrey bobbed her head, turning on her heel to hurry back to her post and leaving all three of them to watch her departure.
“She is lovely,” Brendan finally commented when she was out of earshot. “She seems like quite a catch, Julius. Are you to do the right thing?”
Again with the pressure. Did his friends think him a veritable scoundrel who would desert a gently bred young woman to the feckless judgment of polite society? Did they not trust him to take care of his Audrey?
“Of course I will do the right thing … as soon as I figure out what that is.”
Three heavy sighs ensued, all three of them walking over to slump on a bench against the wall to stretch out their legs.
“This has been a hell of a summer,” Brendan declared, contemplating the work boots of his disguise.
“That it has been,” agreed Abbott. “I am just thankful to have straightened out my botch-up with Gwen. Turns out attempting to unmask a killer has unexpected ramifications and is rather trying on one’s nerves. I confess I may have caused some chaos myself with one or two poorly judged decisions.”
Julius snickered, his mind racing through the recent bedlam the late Lord Filminster had instigated when he had chosen to attend the coronation back in July.
“If the baron only knew that his death would result in new unions. It is rather ironic considering his insistence that Brendan marry this year. He achieved his goal, if not in the way he might have hoped for.”
Abbott scratched around his ear. “Deuce it! The late baron has much to answer for. I am wearing a powdered wig, for the love of heaven!”
They burst out laughing, and Julius acknowledged that if nothing else, he had acquired new chums on his quest to helpBrendan with his troubles. It was a comfort, considering there was much melodrama ahead of them.
“I propose we win the day, gentlemen, and not allow a tragedy to unfold. Much has been sacrificed to uncover the truth, and I want to see this scoundrel brought to justice.”
“Aye,” replied his companions.
Julius’s friends left,and Audrey watched from her post, thinking about what she had overheard. That the idea she had proposed would worsen her own situation. A cloying feeling of dread rose each time she thought of returning to the earl’s home to face the consequences.
The needs of the patient outweigh any other considerations.
