Lady Sidmouth waved him off. “It’s quite all right. As far as I’m concerned, he should always be allowed to call here.”
With a couple of long strides, Graham was at Diana’s side, wrapping his arm around her. Evan approached Marina.
“What has happened? Why is the magistrate here?” Evan asked. She noted the relief in his expression when she caught his gaze.
“He was just about to tell us. Something about a carriage accident,” Marina said.
Everyone in the room shifted focus to the magistrate, whose wide eyes indicated alarm for the party staring a hole into him.
“Right,” the man said, steeling himself. “I’m sorry to say that the earl did not survive the incident.”
Gasps rang out around the room. Marina stiffened, and her blood ran cold before Evan took her hand in his and gave it a soft squeeze.
“How did this happen?” Arthur asked.
“His carriage was going quite fast and broke an axle. He was thrown from the carriage and trampled by the horse of a passing rider.”
Lady Sidmouth sank into her chair, tears streaming down her red cheeks. “I can’t believe this.”
Arthur rushed to her side.
Marina watched the situation unfold, still unable to move. She was unhappy with her father, but she hadn’t wanted him to die. Tears formed in the corners of her eyes and escaped in streams down her face.
“I am sorry to be the bearer of such awful news. I give my condolences,” the magistrate said. “But I must be on my way. I have another family to notify.”
“Another family?” Diana asked. “Was someone else involved in the accident?”
“Er…yes. There is another deceased.”
“Who? And was it because of the accident?” Evan asked.
The man shifted on his feet. “I should notify the family first.”
Marina found her voice. “Please tell us, sir. We must understand what has occurred.”
“Very well. The man was walking down the street when the event occurred and was hit by the carriage. It was Viscount Gordon.”
The gasps that broke out around the room were with a much stronger reaction than the news of Sidmouth’s passing. It was unfathomable to think that her friend, Juliana, was now a widow from this tragic chain of events.
“Edward? You are telling us that Edward is dead?” Diana asked, her voice cracking.
Graham spoke up. “We must let you leave so you can inform his wife. She is a dear friend of ours.”
The magistrate nodded. “I will update you if we learn anything else about the incident. Good day,” he added, but the words rang hollow in the silence of the room.
Graham encouraged Diana to sit as she had already begun to sob. The tears flowed much faster down Marina’s cheeks and her shoulders shook. Evan turned her to face him and pulled her into a tight embrace. He whispered in her ear, “All will be well, love.”
She buried her face in his neck. She hated for anyone to see her cry and if she could have held it in, she would have until she could hide in the privacy of her room. Her shoulders shook as he rubbed her back.
Her mother spoke to her brother. “You are the earl now, Arthur.”
Marina calmed herself, dried her tears, and turned toward her brother, offering him a small smile. “You will be a wonderful earl, brother.”
“I will have much to learn,” Arthur said.
“I can relate,” Graham said. “As I am sure Evan does, too. We can help you as you figure things out.”
“Thank you. That would be appreciated.”
