Stranger in My Arms(84)

“You forbid it?” Arthur asked incredulously, while Janet laughed nastily. “Remember, niece, that you are no longer the lady of the manor. You have no right to remark on any of my decisions, much less to forbid anything.”

“Nevertheless, I do,” Lara said, her eyes narrowing. “And if you cross me in this, you will not have my testimony against Hunter. I will withdraw my help, and swear to the heavens that he is and always has been my husband… unless you promise me here and now to keep Lonsdale away from my sister.”

“For how long?” Arthur asked, staring at her as if she were a madwoman.

“Indefinitely.”

He exploded with disbelieving laughter. “Keep a husband away from his own wife ~ndefinitely... I’m afraid you ask too much, my dear.”

“He is a violent, abusive husband. Rachel nearly died from his last beating. You have only to ask Dr. Slade.”

“I’m sure you exaggerate,” Arthur countered.

“I’ve always found Lonsdale to be a likable fellow,” Janet remarked.

“Besides, if he did strike Rachel, she may have deserved it.”

Lara shook her head slowly as she stared at Janet.

“For such a remark to come from another woman…” she started, but her voice trailed away as she realized that Janet was too callous to be reasoned with.

She returned her attention to Lord Arthur. “Your promise, sir, in exchange for my testimony.”

“You’re asking me to do something that’s not only immoral but illegaL” Arthur protested.

“I’m sure that shouldn’t trouble you too greatly,” Lara said coolly.

“You won’t have my support any other way. And I expect your word to be upheld even after the trial. I only hope that you’re enough of a gentleman to keep it.”

“You stubborn, irrational, insulting-” Arthur said, his lean face coloring with rage, but Janet interrupted him with a touch of feline enjoyment.

“Remember, darling… we need her testimony.”

Arthur closed his mouth, the muscles of his face twitching and contorting as he labored to control his wrath. “All right,” he snapped, glaring at Lara. “Enjoy this small victory. I vow it shall be your last.” He stormed away with Janet at his heels.

Lara’s alarmed fury took a long time to fade. She sat down again, her knees trembling, and buried her face in her hands. Tears leaked from her eyes and through her fingers, and she let out a shaking sigh.

“Oh, Hunter,” she whispered miserably. “Why couldn’t you have been real?”

From then on, events passed with bewildering speed.

Although Hunter had apparently refused legal assistance, Mr. Young had ignored his instructions. He engaged the family solicitor, Mr. Eliot, His Majesty’s attorney at King’s Bench and Common Pleas, who in turn had hired a barrister, Serjeant Wilcox.

Correspondingly, Lord and Lady Arthur had hired a lawyer to conduct the prosecution, although there was little that he or Serjeant Wilcox were required to do. The lord chancellor had sent a pair of clerks to Market Hill to collect depositions from anyone who had valid testimony to offer. The clerks were kept frantically busy for two days, copying down statements and opinions from what seemed to be nearly everyone in the county. Lara was almost grateful for the way Lord Arthur sheltered her from the flood of callers. He managed to keep everyone at bay, informing all acquaintances that Lara was too distraught to receive visitors.

However, Lara did consent to visit with Mr. Young, the estate agent, when he returned from London. She knew he had seen Hunter, and in spite of her efforts to be indifferent, she longed for some news of him.

Young appeared to be haggard from a lack of sleep. His gentle brown eyes were bloodshot and troubled. Lara welcomed him into the family parlor and closed the door, mindful of Janet’s habit of eavesdropping.

Here they had at least a chance of privacy “How is he?” Lara asked without preamble, seating herself and gesturing for him to join her.

Young perched on the edge of the sofa beside her, his bony knees and elbows making sharp points against his rumpled clothes. “His health is good,” he replied somberly, “but as to his emotional condition, I couldn’t say. He speaks very little, and he shows neither anger nor fear. He seems peculiarly indifferent to the entire process, actually.”

“Does he need anything?” Lara asked, her throat tight. She had the terrible urge to go to Hunter, to offer him her comfort and support.

“If you do not mind, my lady, I should like to bring him some fresh clothes and a few personal items when I return to London tomorrow.”

Lara nodded. “Please see that he has whatever he wants.”

“Lady Hawksworth,” the estate agent said tentatively, “I assure you, Dr. Slade and I would never have brought Lord Hawksworth to you in the first place were we not absolutely convinced of his identity” “We all wanted to believe in him,” Lara murmured. “He knew that, and he made use of it.”

“My lady, you know that I have the deepest respect for your judgment…

but I can’t help believing that you’re acting under the influence of your uncle.

It is not too late to change your mind.” The urgency of his tone deepened as he continued. “Do you understand what will happen to your husband if you do not retract your accusations?”