Secrets of a Scandalous Marriage

CHAPTER 5

“How exactly do you plan to carry this one off, Lord Perfect?”

Devon Morgan’s voice snapped James from his thoughts. He was sitting in a wide leather chair at his club and the Marquis of Colton had just arrived.

“Yes, I for one cannot wait to hear this.” There was also no mistaking the voice of Jordan Holloway, the Earl of Ashbourne.

James glanced up at the pair. The two men were the husbands of Lily and Annie, and as such, James had developed something of an unspoken truce with them for the sake of his friends. In fact, Colton and Ashbourne were two of the only peers who knew for certain that James owned a printing press. Otherwise, he kept that fact a secret. He’d had to tell Kate, of course. He could only hope she didn’t disclose it as she’d promised.

He eyed the two other men again. Regardless of their more recent common bonds, the truth remained that the three had been classmates at Eton and Cambridge and they had long been rivals. Prior to their marriages, Colton and Ashbourne were known for their rakishness and serious drinking bouts while Medford had earned the nickname Lord Perfect for his love of order, his stellar reputation, his history of excellent marks, and his inherent tendency to always do the right thing. Today, James needed their assistance. So he’d summoned the marquis and the earl to Brooks’s for an afternoon drink. The perfect invitation with which to lure those two particular chaps from their warm studies on such a blustery day.

“It’s simple,” James replied, offering them both a seat. “I intend to speak with the lord chancellor.”

Colton and Ashbourne took their seats next to him in the large leather chairs near the windows. A fire crackled in the hearth across from them, and the smell of fine cheroots being smoked by a pair of gentlemen on the other side of the room filled the air. The club was nearly deserted this afternoon. It seemed many of London’s finest had decided not to brave the elements in search of their usual afternoon amusements.

Colton settled into his chair. “And you expect the chancellor to just turn her over into your care?”

“Yes. I’m a peer, aren’t I? That’s the law. As long as she’s in my personal care, she can be released from the Tower.”

Colton replied with a skeptical look. “And you want a murderess living under your roof?”

“There’s no proof that she’s a murderess,” James replied simply. “Yet.”

Ashbourne snorted. “And there’s no proof she isn’t.”

James shrugged. “I’m willing to take that chance. All anyone is talking about is this trial. If I have the story straight from the duchess, it will sell thousands of copies.”

“No doubt about it,” Colton replied. “I might even read it myself.”

“I won’t,” Jordan replied. “But something tells me Annie will and she’ll apprise me of every detail.”

Colton laughed. “You’re absolutely right there.”

Somehow Ashbourne had already managed to procure a drink and he tossed it back. “Sure you don’t want one?” he asked, holding his brandy glass in the air toward James.

James rolled his eyes. “No, thank you.”

“Are you certain, Medford? Not even some blue ruin?” Ashbourne replied with a smirk. The two had had an unfortunate incident involving gin at a house party the previous autumn and there was hardly an encounter in which Ashbourne let him forget it.

“What does the duchess’s barrister say?” Colton asked, signaling to a passing footman to bring him a drink.

“She hasn’t got a barrister,” James answered.

Ashbourne nearly spat out his drink. He sat forward in his chair and braced his elbows on both knees. “The devil you say. Hasn’t got a barrister?”

James shook his head. “Not yet at least. I will provide the honorarium for one with the money I’m giving her. She’s requested the best in town.”

“The lady is soon to be on trial for her life.” Ashbourne replied. “She’d best get a barrister and quickly, I’d say. Montgomery or Cartwright—”

“Abernathy. Abernathy is the best,” James interjected.

Ashbourne arched a brow. “Looked into it already, have you?”

“Really, Ashbourne, you should know better. Am I ever unprepared?” James countered.

Colton took the drink from the returning footman and crossed his booted feet at the ankles, waiting for the servant to leave so he wouldn’t overhear their conversation. “Seems to me, the real problem with harboring the duchess will be keeping the public from finding out she’s with you. If anyone breathes a word…”

Ashbourne whistled. “You’d be a dead man yourself. There is a great deal of public condemnation of her already. She’s persona non grata to be sure.”

James nodded. Once. “True. But regardless of their feelings for her, everyone wants to read her story.”

“They might want to read her story, but they won’t take kindly to it if they find out you’re harboring her in one of your properties.” Colton took another sip.

“I understand the dangers,” James replied.

Colton narrowed his eyes on James. He lowered his voice. “What is it, Medford, that makes you care so much about your bloody printing press? It can’t be money, we all know you’re richer than the king.”

“Madder than the king too, I’d say, if you intend to take in a murderess,” Ashbourne added. “I don’t see how you would even get her out of the Tower without a mob following you home.”

James steepled his fingers and eyed the other two men coolly. “Leave that to me. I just need the two of you to back me if the lord chancellor requires additional peers to convince him to allow me to keep her in house arrest.”

Ashbourne gave him a long-suffering stare. “As if the lord chancellor would tell you no. You’re thick as thieves with him and everyone else in Parliament, not to mention more than half of London. You’re Lord Perfect, for Christ’s sake. Need I remind you that’s why we’ve never liked you?” He laughed.

“Oh, was that why?” James replied with a grin. “And here I thought all this time it was because the two of you were total arse—”

“Let’s not start with all that,” Colton said, downing his drink. “Suffice it to say we have faith in you, old chap.” He leaned over and patted James’s shoulder.

Ashbourne snapped his fingers. “Yes. Care to make a wager on whether Lord P here has his wish granted?” He gave Colton a devilish grin.

“Ha,” Colton replied. “I wouldn’t take that bet in a hundred years.”

“Smart man,” Ashbourne replied.

“Yes, well, I’m honored by your belief in me,” James replied, clearing his throat. “And, of course, you must keep all of this silent.”

“No one said we weren’t willing, Medford.” Ashbourne grinned from ear to ear. “Personally, I would love to see you involved in the scandal of the century. And of course you may count upon my discretion.” He flourished his hand in the semblance of a bow.

James fought the urge to roll his eyes. Instead, he nodded. “Thank you.”

“Absolutely, count me in, Medford,” Colton replied. “I want a view from a box seat for this particular escapade.”