Page 124 of A Much Maligned Miss

Then she remembered Sophy. Poor, murdered Sophy, buried somewhere in an unmarked grave, unmourned, her family never knowing what had become of her. She simply could not do it. Sophy’s untimely death demanded justice. Goring and Sidney Price could not go unpunished for their role in the murderous proceedings.

Drawing herself up, she said aloud, “We must now make our way to Scotland Yard without delay.”

52

“Gervaise,” Caroline began once the carriage was in motion. “I need you to believe that I am so very sorry for what is about to happen. No doubt you will find it all very shocking, and the truth of the matter is that I should never have allowed you to commit yourself to me before exposing the truth. But you see—”

“Are you about to be arrested?” he interrupted her bluntly. “I know you said no questions but if I need to prepare myself for such a contingency, then I need to know now.”

“Arrested?” Caroline echoed. “Oh, no!” Then she hesitated and he saw a look of terrible doubt wash over her. “That is—I suppose it was my fault that… Well, that Mama…” She turned very pale and lifted a hand to cover her mouth.

“I don’t see why we have to involve the law at all,” Reg complained from his seat in the corner. “We dealt wiv it, Miss Caroline. All’s well that ends well, that’s what they say.”

Gervaise fought down the overwhelming impulse to demand to know what the hell was going on. Switching seats, he sat down beside Caroline, wrapping a comforting arm about her shoulders. “I am content to abide by your conditions and ask no questions,” he began carefully. “But as your husband, might I suggest we seek first an audience with my solicitor? He can advise us how best to proceed with the authorities.”

“It turns out I actually have my own solicitor,” she said in a strangely flat voice.

“And are they apprised of the facts of this situation?” he asked calmly.

Her shoulders slumped. “No,” she admitted in a voice that cracked. She wet her dry lips with her tongue. “I’m afraid it is something truly dreadful, Gervaise,” she sobbed, and he felt her whole body begin to tremble. “When you know of it, you—you will not want me for a wife anymore.” Tears were rolling down her cheeks. “Perhaps…perhaps it would be for the best if you sought an annulment.”

“Right, that’s it!” Gervaise snapped. “I’ve had enough. Cabbie!” he shouted up. “We’ve changed our mind. Take us to The Citadel in Gerwyn Street.” He turned a deaf ear to Caroline’s protests and by the time they reached the gin palace, she was fighting back tears and Reg was looking belligerent.

He grabbed hold of Gervaise’s arm as they disembarked. “Why ain’t you taking her to that posh ’ouse, now she’s your wife?” he growled. “Don’t seem right, it don’t!”

“As always, we are of the same mind, Reg,” Gervaise assured him, instead of demanding he unhand him at once. Whatever ordeal Caroline had undergone that day, Reg had been her rescuer, he reminded himself when he felt his patience wearing thin. “I will expect you to join your voice to mine in persuading her later but for now, I think she needs familiar surroundings and as much comfort as I can provide.”

Reg relaxed. “You mean the cats?” he said, nodding. “Yeah, they might make her feel better.”

Gervaise took a hold of Caroline’s elbow. “This calls for a warm fire, the cats, and a stiff drink,” he pronounced. “Then maybe I can unravel this tangle. What do you say?”

Caroline looked doubtful but Reg nodded, apparently satisfied with this plan. Gervaise rapped on the door, unsure of the current location of his key. Effie and her fierce friend wrenched it open.

“’Ere, what’s ’appened?” the blonde fired up, seeing Caroline’s face.

“It’s nothing Vi, don’t worry—” Caroline began.

“I’ve forced Caroline to finally see sense and marry me,” Gervaise interjected. “She will appreciate the necessity with time.”

“And you not even a real earl!” Violet responded hotly before Effie restrained and shushed her.

“Course ’e’s a real earl,” Reg interrupted scathingly. “’E’s got a butler and everythin’. You’d think folk would know better than to set store on the ramblings of a man when he’s drunk!” He turned to Gervaise. “You didn’t ought to joke about such things, milord,” he said sternly. “Only some folks can be a bit naïve.”

“Not you though, eh, Reg?” Gervaise responded.

“Nah. I know the real thing when I see it. I’ll go and light the fires for you upstairs,” he said, heading toward the scullery.

Gervaise made to follow him, but Effie seized hold of Caroline’s hand with a squawk. “Look at that emerald, Vi!”

“Never mind the emerald, look at them diamonds!” her friend gasped, giving Gervaise a keenly assessing look. “Turns out Reg ain’t as daft as he looks.”

“If you will excuse us, ladies,” Gervaise said firmly, detaching Caroline and steering her through the bar area. “My wife and I are in desperate need of a tête-à-tête and some privacy.”

“Right you are, milord,” Effie called after them cheerfully. “I’ll bring up a pot of tea, by and by.”

Neither of them spoke again until Reg had the fire going and Gervaise had fetched a blanket to wrap around Caroline’s legs. The cats settled either side of her as he poured them both a brandy and sat down on the opposite sofa.

“Now, start with when you woke up this morning and then talk me through your day until you arrived at my uncle’s house, if you please.”