Page 90 of The Duke’s Hidden Duchess

Selina returned her attention to Giles.

“My cousin has made two assertions. Both can be answered.”

She did not raise her voice.

“Mr Petherick.”

The solicitor came forward from the edge of the gathering carrying a plain document case. His appearance was so entirely devoid of drama that the room seemed to settle around him.

He bowed to Lady Marwood, then to Selina and Nathaniel.

“For those who do not know him,” Selina said, “Mr Petherick is solicitor to the Duke of Wexford. He has also examined the surviving documents relating to the Merrow estate.”

Petherick opened the case.

“The first question concerns a set of garnet jewellery formerly belonging to the late Countess of Merrow.”

He withdrew a folded document.

“This is a proved copy of the codicil to Her Ladyship’s will. The relevant provision is brief.”

He adjusted his spectacles.

“The garnet necklace, earrings and brooch were bequeathed to Lady Selina Calvert by name as the countess’s personal property. They did not form part of the settled goods of the Merrow estate.”

A different silence followed.

Giles’s face had begun to change.

Petherick continued before he could interrupt.

“I also hold the account of the broker who purchased those jewels from Lady Selina four winters ago. The seller is identified, as are the articles, the date and the sum paid. Since the jewels belonged absolutely to Lady Selina, she was entitled to dispose of them.”

He folded the codicil again.

“On that point, Lord Merrow’s allegation is false.”

Giles found his voice.

“That proves only the jewels. It does not account for the later money.”

“No,” Selina said. “It does not.”

He looked almost relieved.

She let him have the relief for a moment.

“The later money has its own account.”

Petherick placed another set of papers upon the open case.

“These are copies of the accounts kept by Mr Dunmore, through whom Her Grace made the remittances Lord Merrow has described. They begin four years ago, after the administration of the Merrow estate was complete.”

He laid the pages beside the codicil.

“The earliest sums derive from the lawful proceeds of the garnet sale. The later remittances correspond to Her Grace’s own income and personal funds. I have found no payment originating in the Merrow estate and no evidence that Her Grace concealed estate property.”

Giles gave a short laugh.