When bile rose in her throat, Victoria pressed a hand to her mouth. Lady Welgate had flung out the same accusations the night her brother died, but she’d put them down to grief and shock, thinking no sane person could believe that was what happened.
It would appear she’d been wrong.
“Fletcher, if you say another word without my permission, you will live to regret it.” Nicholas pointed to the settee by the bow window. “Sit down over there and get control over yourself. If you cannot, Captain Gilbride will escort you out to the street.”
“I’ll happily do it this moment,” Alec said.
Fletcher’s face mottled with anger, but he gave a stiff nod.
“Thank you.” Nicholas transferred his cool regard to Victoria. “I do not wish to unduly distress you, Victoria, but I need you to explain why Mr. Fletcher would make such a serious allegation. He’s been exceedingly vague about the circumstances of his son’s death.”
She swallowed, her throat so dry she could barely speak. “Very well.”
“Just tell me the basics of what happened that night,” he said.
“First, let me say how sorry I am that you’ve been troubled by this awful situation,” she said. “And, again, how sorry I am that I didn’t tell you.”
“That decision was not your fault, Victoria,” Alec said sharply.
She held Arnprior’s gaze. It seemed difficult to believe this was the same man who’d held her in his arms only a few nights ago, kissing her into ecstasy.
“I should have told him,” she said to Alec. “And I regret that secrecy more than I can say.”
When Fletcher loudly snorted, Nicholas sent another warning glance his way, then looked back at her. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”
His polite reply killed her last bit of hope. Nicholas would never forgive her, nor could he truly protect her, since she would never be his wife. All her hopes now rested with Dominic, Alec, and her brother.
“I told you about some of the problems I experienced in my previous position.” She related the details of that dreadful night, trying to distance herself from the memories as much as possible. When she described Thomas Fletcher’s attack on her, Nicholas looked stunned. Then his gaze heated with stark fury as it fastened on Mr. Fletcher.
“That’s not what happened,” the man protested. “She’s lying.”
“Shut it, man,” Alec growled at him, “or I’ll shut it for you.”
“Victoria, I am exceedingly sorry that you were forced to endure such violence,” Nicholas said quietly as he returned his focus to her. “It’s appalling.”
Her chest was so tight she could barely draw in a breath. “Thank . . . thank you, sir. Shall I continue?”
“If you feel able to.”
As sparingly as she could, she explained the horrible aftermath of Fletcher’s fall down the stairs. Alec then took up the narrative, describing Dominic’s actions and the magistrate’s decision not to open an inquiry or press charges.
“He declared the death accidental,” Alec said. “To spare both Victoria and the man’s family.”
“The magistrate no longer believes that,” Fletcher said hotly. “There’s a witness willing to testify that Miss Knight was trying to seduce my son with the intention of forcing him into marriage.”
Victoria knew it had to be the nursery maid, the one who disliked her from the beginning.
“Bollocks,” Alec said.
“I agree,” Nicholas said. “Miss Knight’s conduct has always been above reproach.”
Fletcher sneered. “Forgive me for saying so, but she appears to have duped you. You are betrothed to the woman, are you not?”
Something that flickered in the earl’s gaze made Victoria’s heart crumble to ash.
“The situation is not at all similar,” Nicholas finally said. “In any event, I do not believe that she murdered anyone.”
“I doubt the magistrate in London will agree with you,” Fletcher said. “I will also add that I have been in touch with the Glasgow Justiciary. It would be best if Miss Knight comes with me now and turns herself over to the authorities.”
