Perhaps I did and didn’t know it. If he won’t help me, then I’ll do what I must.
Verity swallowed her fears and used the anger that reigned above to provide Cory with an extra coin. After instructing him toward the kitchens for a meal before he took off, she called for a horse herself to have saddled.
It didn’t take her long to find the magistrate’s office even though she had never been there. She had brought a groom this time to manage her horse as she stepped inside the dimly lit offices.
The young, scabby-faced assistant stood at once to gawk at her through wide eyes. “My lady! Er…”
“The Duchess of Wycliffe,” she introduced herself. “And I’m searching for my brother, the Viscount of Quinley. Is he here?”
“Yes, yes, he is… May I fetch him for you?”
She ignored the squeaking of his voice and nodded. “That would be appreciated, yes. Thank you.”
He was gone before she even finished speaking. That was for the best. Verity was glad to have enough name and pomp to intimidate someone into obeying her in this situation, but she knew it wouldn’t last long. She wasn’t good at being any more than herself; being more than that was too much of a struggle.
Brushing those concerns aside, Verity knew this was the prime opportunity to test her skills of using power to help her. She didn’t believe that titles should be used against the law. But when it came to protecting her brother… She feared she was willing to do whatever it took.
I hardly understand it. I shouldn’t even be here. I would never have let Cassian come here if I had known… If only I had returned an hour earlier, I could have caught him. But at least my siblings won’t have discovered the letter he left behind. I must remedy this. I don’t want him to hurt after all this. I believe Cassian. It hurts, but I don’t think he needs to be punished. I fear I think he has punished himself enough.
As she paced about the small front office, Verity rubbed her hands together. The nerves had returned. Fresh air and sunshine had helped her endure the ride over. Now, she had to worry about what to say.
What could a duchess to convince the law to release her brother?
“Verity.”
Gasping, she whirled around as Dominic stepped out of the door where the assistant had gone. There was a hallway she glimpsed before it disappeared.
“What are you… So this is where you went after my letter when I asked you to come see me?” Verity pieced together.
Dominic gave her a slight nod. “The matter is expedient. If more people get involved, the more likely it is for this situation to get out of control and where all of London could find out.” He hesitated with a slight grimace. “Which is growing less likely by the second.”
Her heartbeat faltered. “What? Whatever for?”
After he glanced back over his shoulder, his gaze met hers. “Your brother wants to come forward. He’s already told the Police Magistrate. The judge and two Bow Street Runners are talking with him right now.”
“What?” Verity cried as she started around him. “No! I can’t let him go to prison.”
But his hand stood in the way of her passing her husband. “No,” Dominic said. His voice was firm but gentle. “This is no place for a lady.”
“I’m not just a lady. I’m his sister.”
“I know.” He dropped his hand and his voice grew softer. “But the fact remains the same. This is no place for you. No one will let you back there.”
Huffing, she shook her head. She couldn’t accept that. “I have to see my brother! What is going back on there that I cannot see?”
Dominic still stood in her way to prevent her from moving anywhere. It was frustrating. She could feel his warmth, scent his cologne, and wanted to push him out of the way. The hammering of her heart could not be controlled. How was she supposed to simply stand around at a time like this and do nothing?
Yet he remained calm all the while. “You’re worried, Verity, and you want to help. I understand that, but it is not the place or time.”
It felt like her eyes could very well fall right out of her head as she said, “How is it not? This is my brother, my family. He has a reputation that will impact my entire family! My sisters are not yet wed, Dominic. And it could affect us as well. I don’t understand why he would do this to us, to himself. What if they want to put him away for murder?”
“A peer of the realm?” Dominic shook his head. “It’s very unlikely. Which is why I am here to facilitate the conversation.”
“You are?”
His brow furrowed. He’d come out wearing a frown and it had remained all the while. Or it had continued to deepen slightly every time he spoke. “I will do what must be done and whatever can be done to help your brother. I should have spoken up sooner, just as he should have.”
Swallowing hard, she backed up a step. “But what if they… You were part of a duel. Those are illegal, Dominic.”
