Graham looked to the ladies. “I will stop here, if any of you find this information too distressing. What happened next was not customary.”
“I, for one, am fascinated,” Lady Orson declared.
“There is the bloodthirsty woman I know and love,” Orson declared with a laugh.
His wife playfully swatted Richard’s arm with the back of her hand. “You knew I was curious and stubborn and thankful the rest of the world is crazier than my life, when you accepted my proposal, sir.”
A smile claimed Richard’s lips. “I did, my lady, and I am blessed by your interest in the world. All women should be thus.”
Alexander knew he and Theodora were not yet to the same point as the Orsons, but he hoped to be so soon.
“Continue, Aaran,” Duncan ordered.
“It is not a pretty tale,” Graham warned again. “The drop was deployed, but the rope slipped from the top of the ‘T.’ Booth fell from the gallows upon the platform and remained motionlessfor several minutes while the crowd stood stunned. Those from the government attending the execution removed Booth’s rope, and, surprisingly, the man turned to the clergyman and again asked for forgiveness for his ‘supposed’ transgressions. Booth begged for God’s forgiveness of all his offenses.
“Then the man asked the hangman to secure his hands again and once more he climbed the steps to the platform. When everything was set a second time, Booth called for the drop himself, but it did not fall on this second attempt either. Finally, on the third toss of the handkerchief, the drop fell, and Booth died without struggle.
“In my opinion, I have never seen so much dignity carried on the shoulders of any man, though I understand Booth made no formal confession whatsoever. It was almost like watching a repeat of Bellingham’s hanging for killing the Prime Minister.”
“Where are my uncle and cousin housed?” Annalise asked tentatively. “I have purposely avoided reading the newsprints,” she admitted.
Thompson explained, “As Aaran has explained, more than forty men and women have already been arrested, many are at Newgate, for it is one of the more secure facilities. Another dozen or more are being sought. Thanks to Lionel’s initial recognition of Margaret Childers, we knew where to look. Reportedly, though, this information comes from many of the anti-Irish elements of the government, for a large number of those arrested were Irish. Ironically, so is Honfleur, whose real name proved to be Jackson Moran.”
“I thought I knew all there was to know of the man,” Alexander admitted, “but not his real name or nationality.”
Thompson continued, “Moran is currently being held at Bridewell at Tothill Fields.”
“Moran deserves the same jail fever and filth as Booth knew,” Alexander grumbled.
Annalise observed, “The man I once considered my uncle always seemed to pull out the proverbial ‘silver spoon’ when he was chased by authorities. And the fate of Caroline?” she asked.
“Like many of the ‘underlings’ involved, Caroline Moran was placed at New Prison in Clerkwell, for it houses both male and female detainees in separate quarters. Some initially arrested at the Oakley Arms proved to be simply patrons of the inn and released. Many detained are awaiting disposition, but, as Aaran explained, Caroline Moran is to be deported.”
“Are you prepared,my ladies?” They were to attend Lord and Lady Beleward’s ball this evening as a newly married couple and the first official introduction of his sister to theton.
Annalise had returned to Dutton Hall on Sunday, and, though he had hoped for further bonding between his sister and Theodora, such had not occurred. They were not antagonistic to each other, but, from what Alexander had observed, Theodora was too unsure of her own skills to assist Annalise in becoming competent in the role of mistress of her own home. Alexander was angry with himself for not noticing prior to the three of them attempting to form a family. He had always admired how Theodora managed her father’s affairs and meetings and such. Somehow he had failed to see how unsure his wife was when it came to organizing and overseeing a house and its staff. In many ways, Annalise excelled in that manner. The real solution would be if the two women in his life could come to an understanding and assist each other, but it was not proving to be so.
Perhaps he should have left his sister under Duncan’s care. Mrs. Chester could have taught Annalise something of being a lady of society with meal planning and the like. Though, in truth, Theodora had used Mrs. Chester’s strengths to cover her ownweaknesses. Theodora was not without expertise, but she had never planned a meal or a party, and though he thought Annalise could excel in such matters, she was too afraid of upsetting him to offer.
He supposed it was good fortune that he had not decided to bring Annalise out in Society until the spring so he supposed there was still time for both the women in his life to learn what must be done. He suspected the fault rested with Dora, for his wife was nearly two years Annalise’s junior, and Annalise would soon reach her majority.
“Nervous,” Annalise admitted while Theodora turned to claim her gloves and shawl from a side table.
Alexander playfully tweaked her nose. “You are quite breathtakingly beautiful. There is no reason for any of us to hide away. I could not be prouder of both you and Theodora. You two are not merely survivors: You are conquerors.”
“What if someone asks me about Moreau?” she pleaded.
“Respond. Do not respond. Whichever you choose, I will support you. None of what has happened to Moreau or Moran, or whatever he wishes to call himself, or the man’s daughter, for that matter, is your fault. I love you without restrictions or qualifications. You can do no wrong in my opinion.”
His sentiment brought tears rushing to Annalise’s eyes, but she offered him a gentle tease, “Such is excellent to know, for I was considering eloping with a complete stranger.”
He settled the shawl on her shoulders before he responded. “You must wait until I fetch my dueling pistols if such is your plan.”
She giggled, which proved to be a delightful sound to his ears. “I adore it when your serious remark comes across as a bit of fun.” Annalise rose upon her toes to kiss his cheek. “No more brooding, Axe. We are together. All the world is right once again. Soon we will be in our family home—you and me andTheodora. I have a brother and a sister,” she declared as the butler appeared at their side and Theodora rejoined them.
“Pardon, my lord,” Mr. Glenstorm said with a bow. “Your carriage awaits you at the curb.”
“Thank you, Glenstorm,” Alexander said as he extended his arm first to Theodora and the other to his sister. “May I have the honor, my ladies?”
