Ethan offered him a chair. “Roxbury?”
Mr. Purnell nodded. “My commissioner didn’t let me file Lady Roxbury’s complaint.”
“Why?” she asked.
“Lord Roxbury is an earl with an impeccable reputation. The commissioner didn’t think it was a good idea to accuse him of such a serious crime without further proof, so he went to see Lord Roxbury.” His chest heaved. “The commissioner decided not to prosecute your husband for now since Lord Roxbury claimed you hurt him first. You attacked him, grabbed David, and left. He denied having shot you. He claimed the gunshot wound was self-inflicted.”
“Damn.” Ethan paced. “What can we do?”
Mr. Purnell rubbed his forehead. “It’s tricky. Lord Roxbury and his wife are accusing each other of attempted murder, Lady Roxbury is officially nowhere to be found, and none of the servants were present at the moment of the incident.”
“But Cora has been shot,” Ethan said. “That wound can’t be self-inflicted.”
“And Lord Roxbury had his skull cracked open. Listen, if we press the matter with the commissioner, he’ll make a hasty decision, and Lady Roxbury won’t be the one he’ll favour. We’relucky he didn’t force me to reveal where Lady Roxbury is. He’s conflicted. He didn’t believe Lord Roxbury fully, but he won’t cause a scandal either.”
“In other words,” Ethan said, “the commissioner is waiting for the problem to solve itself.”
“I’m sorry,” Mr. Purnell said. “I hoped to bring better news.”
That was it. She had to leave England for good. She should have guessed Jacob would have done something to stop her. His lies would cause her to end up in prison.
“When do you think I can travel?” Cora asked Ethan.
“A couple of weeks.” His expression hardened.
“Two weeks? It’s too much. I’m sure I can endure the trip in a couple of days.”
“Trip to where, if I may ask?” Mr. Purnell said.
“Borrington,” Ethan said at the same time as Cora said, “Brussels.”
“What?” Ethan whipped his head towards her.
“I can’t stay here. Not after this.” Panic caused her to breathe hard. “Jacob will make sure I’m locked up in prison. Besides, he doesn’t know I have a cousin in Brussels. I must leave now while he’s indisposed.”
“You haven’t recovered yet. Hours in a carriage will worsen your condition.” He gave her a piercing look.
“I can take some morphia.”
“You must be joking. Morphia isn’t to be taken lightly. It’s a drug with seriously harmful health effects. Not to mention that you’ll be sleepy and disordered all the time.” The muscles around his mouth tightened. “No, I won’t drug you when you can simply wait two weeks to see the judge in Borrington instead of a suicidal trip to Brussels.” He turned towards his friend. “Lady Kingsley is arranging a meeting with her brother to see if an annulment is possible. But Cora can’t travel at the moment.”
“Lady Roxbury,” Mr. Purnell said in a too-calm tone. “Ethan is right. We know something about travelling while wounded. It’s not easy or simple. Morphia or not, you’ll never make it to Dover. Wait two weeks and go see the judge.”
She trembled. “Anything can happen in two weeks. Jacob can barge here and drag David and me away. Or the commissioner might change his mind and decide to prosecute me.”
Ethan narrowed his gaze. “Have you so little faith in me? Roxbury doesn’t know you’re here. If he comes here, I’ll be able to keep him out of my own house.”
“What if he calls the police?”
“He’s the one who should be arrested.” Ethan paced.
“He’s recovering as you are and doesn’t know you’re here,” Mr. Purnell said. “At the moment, he doesn’t leave his bed. But I can spread the rumour that you’ve been seen heading to Dover. That will keep him busy.”
No, no. She had to move now. Pain or not, she wouldn’t give Jacob time to set up a plan to trap her again. “Ethan, I thank you for everything you’ve done for David and me?—”
“Cora, don’t. I can’t leave London at the moment. I can’t escort you.”
“I can’t stay here. I’m leaving tomorrow.” She stood up, forcing down the pain. “I won’t let Jacob take David.”
