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CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT
By the time Edwina returned to her father’s house, she felt as though she needed a bath. She shuddered, thinking of Fergus sitting in the dank filth. However, as soon as she stepped into the foyer, she was greeted by Simon and Lizbeth.
“We came as soon as we could, Your Grace,” Simon said. “The messenger arrived early this morning, and we packed up what we could, assuming you would want to stay in the city for now.”
“Yes, thank you,” Edwina breathed, taking off her bonnet. Lizbeth immediately moved to help her. Her fingers trembled with exhaustion and worry. “We have a lot to do. Let us go to the breakfast table. Can you find some paper and a pen, Simon?”
“Yes, Your Grace,” he said with a bow. The butler waved for Simon to follow him down the hall to Edwina’s father’s study.
“Are you sure you do not want to rest for a bit?” Lizbeth asked. “You look like you are about to fall asleep standing up.”
“I have no time to rest,” Edwina tried to explain, wringing her hands together. “I have made so many house calls today. I visited His Grace in prison. Yet, I feel no closer to getting him released than I did last night when he was captured.”
“Such a horrible thing,” Lizbeth breathed. She followed Edwina into the breakfast parlor. “A horrible way to treat someone just because they look different than everyone else.”
“Exactly!” Edwina cried. She sat down heavily in a chair at the breakfast table and put her head in her hands for a moment. “I never imagined high society would be like this. Everyone is hateful and cruel at worst and disinterested and careless at best.”
“Not you, though, Your Grace,” Lizbeth protested. “And you are a part of society, now. You can make a difference with your influence. You are a duchess. Remember that.”
Edwina smiled gratefully at Lizbeth as Simon returned to the room, pen, and paper in hand. He sat down next to Lizbeth and turned his attention to Edwina. She shifted uncomfortably.
“Well, first of all, I think we should call for His Grace’s solicitor and get some advice about the potential trial,” Edwina said. “I would think we need to gather proof of Fergus’ innocence.”
“Did he tell you where he had been on the nights of the attacks?” Simon asked. “At least, recently?”
“Yes, he was at an inn about twenty miles west of the city,” she replied, “which is good since we should have witnesses that can prove he was not in the City.”
“But what about the attacks prior to the past month?” Simon asked. “There have been at least a half dozen prior to the past month.”
“Do you have any records of where His Grace was prior?” Edwina asked, tapping her fingers on her chin.
“He mostly stayed home. I could bring the staff in to verify, but I worry that someone might accuse us of paying them off. The same they could say about anyone found in an inn.”
“You think that the judge may not believe the witnesses unless they are members of high society?” Edwina gasped.
“You mentioned that one of the ladies that had been attacked said she saw a scarred man. It would be her word against an innkeeper or a barkeep.”
Edwina’s felt her shoulders droop. She had been so convinced that with just a few witnesses, they could prove Fergus’ innocence. They might still be able to, but she could not bear to leave any chance to the judge for Fergus’ fate.
“We must come up with another plan,” Edwina mumbled into the fingers she pressed over her lips.
“What if the monster strikes again while His Grace is imprisoned?” Lizbeth asked.
Edwina looked up quickly. “Yes! That is it! If he attacks again, then they would know for sure that they did not catch the right man.”
“If the monster heard about the arrests, though, why would he jeopardize himself by attacking?” Simon asked.
“Perhaps he cannot help it,” Edwina considered, leaning forward. “Whoever it is, he is a sick man. He may not be able to control his impulses.”
Lizbeth shuddered. “I would not want to see another woman hurt or killed. Too many have been attacked so far.”
“For all we know, he has only attacked women of high birth,” Edwina continued, gripping the table. “Perhaps we could lure him out.”
“Lure him out how?” Simon asked skeptically.
“If this monster were to see an unsuspecting woman, then he may attack,” Edwina explained excitedly.
“This sounds terrible!” Lizbeth cried. At that time, a footman brought in a breakfast tray, and Edwina’s father followed behind him.
