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“Spare me the sanctimonious ramblings, Kenneth. Really? A mere commoner is being accused of murder and you do not suspect foul play?” Leonard raved.
“Keep your voice down,” Kenneth whispered.
He was being cautious not to be heard having this discussion with his valet. Their friendship had to remain a secret. Besides the fact that it was unorthodox, it could also be detrimental to Kenneth’s reputation. Thetonsimply didn’t mix with commoners.
“I apologize.” Leonard responded, his voice reducing in intensity.
“Foul play?” Kenneth remarked. “All right, then. Indulge me, Leonard.” He relented as he walked to the bed and sat at the edge.
“First off, the accused wasn’t a peer. He most certainly could not afford her services. Therefore, it would have been impossible for him to get close to her or even gain entrance into her chambers,” Leonard argued.
“Well, his inability to court the ladybird could very well have left him frustrated, thus driving him over the edge and into the realm of committing such a heinous crime. This won’t be the first time that a combination of unbridled lust and frustration succeeded in driving a man over the edge. And we both know that once over the edge, the impossible doesn’t seem so impossible any longer.”
“Is that your own version of events?” Leonard stammered in shock. Kenneth’s response had obviously caught him by surprise. He’d most likely been expecting Kenneth to agree with him that foul play was involved in the investigation of the Cyprian’s murder but instead, it seemed like he had just heard Kenneth put up a defense for the outcome of the investigation.
“It isn’t my own version of events, Leonard. I have no version of the event, as I was not there. I have no idea what might have transpired between murder victim and murderer. I am just saying that the commoner being the murderer is still a viable possibility and that the accused might in fact have committed the crime.”
“This isn’t your law classroom, Kenneth, neither is this parliament. Yes, I do understand that you are a lawyer, but you are not debating in front of a magistrate or with your peers. You very well know that one of your peers is in fact responsible for this and has somehow used his influence to steer the investigation away from himself, so much so that an innocent man has now been blamed for murder. Why are you then making excuses for whoever it is?”
“But how are you so certain that the explanation you are putting forth is in fact what has occurred? You are well aware that what you are saying is a mere speculation at this point, are you not? I do not know who this person is that you speak of, neither am I trying to make an excuse for said entity simply because he is my peer. I’m only maintaining that you shouldn’t pass your opinions for facts.”
“Blimey!” Leonard swore as he smacked his forehead with his hand in frustration. “For all your tolerance and ideals that you propagate in a bid to benefit the commoner, you sure still rise up in defense of your lot every time,” he accused.
A silence settled between them.
Kenneth didn’t lack a response to Leonard’s statement. He was simply thinking on how best to manage Leonard’s dissatisfaction, without seeming to defend the actions of his peers, or the outcome of this particular investigation. He himself already had his misgivings about the whole situation.
He already figured out what might have happened but Leonard was too far at the other end of the spectrum for him to be admitting out loud that he also had doubts.
“You think I’m being biased with regards to this matter?” he queried.
“Yes!” Leonard exclaimed bluntly.
“And you are convinced that there has been some tampering with this case.”
“Most certainly. The accused is in no way responsible for this murder,” Leonard responded yet again.
“Fine! I’ll look into the facts of the case for myself and see what I can do about it.” Kenneth responded simply, his aim being to calm Leonard down and steer the conversation away from this topic.
His response seemed to have calmed Leonard a bit, with the stern look slowly dissipating from his face as his muscles relaxed.
“So…you need my help?” Leonard said, remembering Kenneth’s earlier remarks, with a smug look plastered on his face.
“You little imp,” Kenneth fired back with a light chuckle.
“Oh, but I can definitely be of help. How may I be of service, My Lord?” Leonard retorted as he retrieved the newspaper from Kenneth and proceeded to tuck it under his arm.
They both shared a laugh as Kenneth proceeded to hint to Leonard what he needed.
It was a brief rendezvous, but Kenneth returned to the study with a little bit more clarity. Leonard had returned with him even though they had both remained silent as they walked through the house and back to the study. Kenneth had entered and walked straight to his seat while Leonard had proceeded to shut the door behind them.
They’d barely settled in to continue their discussion in private when a slight rasp was heard at the door.
The door opened as the butler walked in and announced the arrival of the Duke, Kenneth’s father. The Duke simply walked in and stood in front of Kenneth while clearing his throat. “I do not need an introduction in my own manor,” the Duke announced, his voice laden with authority.
Leonard spun on his feet instantly as he turned to address Kenneth’s father.
“Your Grace!” Leonard blurted out in reverence.
