Page 99 of The English Wife

The sounds of the people stampeding into the courtroom muted into a distant hum. “Why would you do that?”

Burke lifted his head, his expression rueful. “Because I don’t know how else to prove to you that my intentions are pure.”

“Your intentions were never pure,” said Janie in frustration. “I always knew that you were helping me for your own gain. That didn’t matter. What mattered was—”

What mattered was that she had trusted him. She had trusted him, and he had lied to her.

“Yes?” Burke prompted.

Janie pressed her eyes shut. “That we were working together, for a common end. Truth. You were the one who suggested it, Mr. Burke, not I. I never wanted you to suppress the truth. As long as it was truth you were telling.”

Mr. Burke’s face was pale above his muffler. “You can’t think I would have manipulated the facts for my own vengeance?”

Janie couldn’t keep the hurt from creeping into her voice. “Why not? You lied to me from the first.”

Burke tucked his chin into his muffler. “I didn’t lie, exactly. I only … omitted.” When Janie gave him a look, he said quietly, “I wouldn’t have doctored the evidence. You may not believe it of a mere journalist, but I do take pride in what I do. There’s honor even among thieves. And reporters.”

“There you are.” The silence was shattered by the clack of heels and the swish of several petticoats over the floorboards. Janie turned quickly to face Anne, but not quickly enough to head her off. Anne sailed towards them, still talking. “I was afraid we were going to have another body. And you are?”

“Anne,” said Janie with resignation. “I believe you know Mr. James Burke? Once of Daly’s Theatre.”

“You? But … you’ve changed.” Anne looked her onetime lover up and down. “The last time I saw you, you were in tights and a doublet.”

“Not exactly practical for this weather.” Burke inclined his chin. “Mrs. Newland.”

“So formal, Mr. Burke?”

“It’s a bit late for auld lang syne.” Janie noticed that Burke looked at her as he said it, not Anne.

Anne determined to get his attention back. “Do you still act?”

“Only for private parties,” said Burke shortly. “In a strictly unofficial capacity. Just ask your cousin.”

Anne’s eyes narrowed. She stepped between Janie and Burke. “If you thought to tease my cousin into providing you with a story, you’re wasting your time. Janie has nothing to tell you.”

Janie wasn’t sure whether to feel protected or insulted. With Anne, it might be either.

Burke folded his arms across his chest. “On the contrary. I find Miss Van Duyvil’s conversation most enlightening.” His face softened as he looked at Janie. “I’ve learned a great deal about my own shortcomings.”

Janie shook her head at him, taking Anne by the arm. “We should go back, Anne.”

Anne ignored her. “What did she tell you? Nothing of any note. If you want scandal, you’d do better to talk to me.”

Burke looked at Anne for a long time, but it wasn’t a lover’s gaze. “I had thought you Van Duyvils banded together.”

Anne’s laugh had no humor in it. “You forget. I’m not a Van Duyvil. Aunt Alva is my mother’s sister.” Her face twisted as if she were looking into a distorted mirror. “She ruined my father and stole his house. And my future with it, but who’s keeping count?”

“How can you tell what your future might have been?” Janie demanded with exasperation. “Anything might have happened, good or bad. We can’t presume it would have been better simply because it didn’t happen.”

“The grass is always greener. It’s the human condition to romanticize what we can’t have.” Burke looked at Anne. “Most of which we wouldn’t want if we got it.”

Anne’s lips thinned. “Really, Janie, I would think you would know better to stand out here talking to the press.” Turning, she uttered her parting salvo. “If you don’t care what happened to Bay, I do.”

The sound of her footsteps echoed down the corridor. Even knowing Anne as she did, the words hit Janie hard. It was easy to forget that this was about Bay. He had always been so absent even in his presence, a voice in a distant room.

She had enlisted Burke’s aid to clear Bay’s name, but how long had it been since she had considered Bay? The truth was that she had become swept up in the challenge, in the excitement of it. In Burke.

Janie gathered up her skirts. “I should be getting back.”