When she finished, she handed the constable her statement. “This is everything.”
“Thank you, my lady.”
“I believe I’m the only one left.” Frits took his place in the chair, wrote his brief account of what he’d witnessed, and handed it to the officer. “You have the full account now.”
The officer read what he’d written, and nodded his head twice. “Thank you very much, my lord. I believe this will make everything right.” Bowing, he left with the butler.
Once the constable had gone, Adeline turned to him. “What did you put in your statement that made him so happy?”
“The truth. Although you punched the blackguard and he started to fall, if Maximus hadn’t jumped on him, he wouldn’t have gone down as heavily as he did.” Frits took her hands in his. “Sweetheart, his death was not your fault.”
“Oh.” Adeline seemed stunned for a moment. “I am glad to know that I was not the actual cause of his death. Yet I cannot but feel that he will not be missed by many.”
Eugénie entered the room a few moments later. “What is wrong? Abney said a constable was here.”
As Adeline explained what had occurred, Lady Wivenly’s expression became increasingly stony. “You may rest assured that the overseer deserved to die. Mrs. Rymer, she confided in some of my staff about the overseer. His name is Davies and he is responsible for several deaths.”
“Why was he not prosecuted?” It was amazing to him how the man got away with it. “I know for a fact that at least one slave owner was charged and convicted of the death of a slave.”
“That is true, but first one must have a witness who will speak up.” Lady Wivenly explained. “Davies preys—preyed on young women and children, and he was careful that no one was nearby to see his actions. Do not be sorry for him.”
Adeline’s jaw had firmed. “I have never heard of such perfidy. The man was a monster.”
Frits agreed. If Max hadn’t seen to it, he would have ensured the overseer never made it back to the West Indies alive.
Abney knocked on the door. “My ladies, my lord, luncheon is served.”
“Thank you, Abney.” Frits tucked her hand in the crook of his arm.
“I believe this has ended as he deserved.” Eugénie rose.
Adeline glanced at him and her sister-in-law. “Thank you both for your help. I had not thought I needed to hear all you had to say, but I did.”
“Before we go into luncheon,” Lady Watford rose from the sofa, “Adeline, are you certain you are able to travel this afternoon?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Very well, then. I shall see you in the small dining room.”
Frits held his other arm out to Lady Wivenly, but she smiled and shook her head. “I shall go ahead.”
He liked the way Adeline leaned on him a little as they made their way up the corridor to the small dining room. He pulled out a chair for her and sat beside her, making sure she had a sufficient amount to eat. After all, she was still recovering.
Her father had still not arrived by the time they had eaten luncheon. Lady Watford glanced at her pin watch. “We cannot wait for him any longer.”
“Annis,” his mother said, “If you and Adeline travel with us, you can leave your coach for your husband.”
Frits stifled a groan. He had hoped that his mother would travel with the Watfords, leaving Adeline to ride in the carriage with him.
“That will settle the problem of how he gets there. Now I just have to resolve the difficulty of making sure he gets in the coach to go down.”
“Will and I are traveling to you in the morning,” Lady Wivenly said.
“I’ll take care of that part,” Wivenly offered. “I’ll come by here and get him in the carriage, then instruct Joseph Coachman not to make any detours.”
“That will be extremely helpful, my dear.” Her mother nodded approvingly. “You might want to explain to him that he would not wish to miss the wedding.”
Wivenly frowned. “When is the ceremony?”
