Brentwood’s booming voice came from next to them. “It is a fine day we are having, is it not?” he asked, his words curt.
It was only then that Greydon realized how close he had been to Lady Enid. He stepped back and turned towards Brentwood. “Yes, it is a fine day.” How had he been so distracted that he had failed to hear his friend approach?
Brentwood watched them both with a stern look on his face. “Dare I ask what has you both so upset?”
Lady Enid’s brow creased in a frown. “It is a trite matter.”
“I doubt that,” Brentwood responded. “Your tense argument suggests otherwise.”
“It is nothing that concerns you, Brother,” Lady Enid said, the slightest hint of a bite to her tone.
Brentwood regarded his sister for a moment before he shifted his gaze to Greydon. “Perhaps you can shed some light on this, Rushcliffe.”
Greydon glanced at Lady Enid and could see the thinning of her lips. He had tapped into her anger, which was fine by him. But if she was going to make his life miserable, he might as well return the favor.
“We were discussing Lady Eugenie,” Greydon said.
Brentwood’s jaw clenched as he addressed his sister. “Yes, I heard that you visited The Brown Bear to visit Lady Eugenie.”
“Mr. Moore told you that?” Lady Enid asked.
“No, Sir David Abbott did when I saw him at the club earlier,” Brentwood replied. “You didn’t think you could keep that a secret, did you?”
Lady Enid shrugged one shoulder. “I would have preferred that Sir David Abbott use a little more discretion.”
Brentwood crossed his arms over his chest. “If it helps, he spoke to me in confidence. He did not want to ruffle any feathers, so to speak, but he said he wouldn’t be so forgiving next time.”
“I understand.”
“You should be grateful that he sought me out and not Father,” Brentwood said. “I think we both can agree that would not have ended well.”
Some of the fight drained out of Lady Enid, but she still held her head high. “I agree.”
Brentwood dropped his arms to his sides as he heaved a sigh. “Why did you go, Enid?” he asked. “A makeshift jail at a public house is no place for a lady.”
“I needed to see Lady Eugenie,” Enid replied.
“But, why?” Brentwood asked. “Has your reputation not suffered enough? Now you want to be associated with a murderer.”
Enid visibly stiffened. “Lady Eugenie is not a murderer.”
“Leave it,” Brentwood encouraged. “Let Mr. Moore do his job. He is a very competent barrister, possibly one of the best in London.”
She opened her mouth but then closed it. When she did speak, it was calm, collected, even, making her words that much more purposeful. “Mr. Moore asked me to go with him again to speak to Lady Eugenie.”
“Absolutely not!” Brentwood exclaimed with a swipe of his hand. “You will never set foot in The Brown Bear again.”
“You do not get to dictate my actions,” Enid said.
Brentwood placed a hand on her shoulder. “I am trying to protect you, Enid,” he responded. “Your tattered reputation cannot take another beating.”
“There are some things more important than what my reputation is.”
“Not for a woman,” Brentwood stated. “You must think about your daughter.”
Greydon didn’t think it was possible, but Brentwood’s words had caused Enid to go quiet. She lowered her gaze and said, “Do not bring Marigold into this.”
“I’m afraid I must,” Brentwood said. “Are you not fighting for her future, as well?”
