Page 42 of A Well-Trained Lady

How strange it was, that only moments before, my entire world seemed to have shattered beneath me, yet as Augustus took my hand and placed it on his arm, I somehow felt restored. If only for a brief moment.

Chapter Eleven

Augustus and I sauntered up the pathway from the rose garden in thoughtful silence.

As we approached the house, a part of our previous conversation lodged itself in my mind, unwilling to be overlooked. I glanced at Augustus. “What incentive would the Crown have to have a case ruled as a self-murder?”

“They receive everything, Bella.”

I pulled on his arm, delaying us just before we reached the back door. “Everything?”

“The law states that if someone takes their own life, then all their property and holdings are forfeited to the Crown.”

“But what if they were mistaken?”

“The few suspects in the case all had alibis, and once my uncle’s true nature was brought to light—as well as his poor treatment of my aunt—it seemed the most reasonable cause.”

“So, because of her father’s actions, Ruth is left with nothing?”

“The Court of Chancery must still review the decision. My father put in an appeal directly after my aunt’s and uncle’s deaths. His hope was to attain my aunt’s dowry for Ruth, as that was not my uncle’s property.”

“But it has been eight years. They have not made a ruling yet?”

“It seems the Court has years’ worth of backlogged cases they are just now ruling on. But in one way we are grateful for the delay—Owen, now being a barrister, is able to argue the case before the Chancery. He will attempt to recover the dowry, but he also hopes to make a case for lunacy or melancholy which would overturn the felo de se judgment and allow Ruth to regain her entire inheritance. It isn’t likely they will rule in our favor, but he insists it won’t do any harm to try.”

“So that is why Owen is in London?”

Augustus nodded. “And helping to ready the case was my purpose for visiting.” He paused.

That is why he didn’t speak of his brother, nor his business in London. “And is Owen having any luck gathering evidence for such a thing?”

“Not enough. It seems my uncle’s behavior was not much altered in the days leading up to his death.”

“I’m certain he shall find something. For even a sane man who is intent on such a horrific crime would have altered his behavior.”

Augustus’s gaze grew distant. “Even a sane man,” he repeated, though I could not be certain why.

“Is Ruth aware of it all?”

His focus returned to me. “She knows the case will soon come to trial, but that is all. I know I should not attempt to conceal everything from her, but she has already endured so much. I can’t bear to make her relive even a moment if it is not necessary.”

It was I who stepped closer this time, and I looked up at him. “Despite your dubious beginning, Augustus Brundage, I am quite impressed with the man you have become.”

The smile he returned ignited the internal battle within me with such intensity, I yearned to surrender. Desiring another moment before acknowledging how unsuitable our current proximity was, I reached up and removed my bonnet.

The door swung open, and I stepped away from Augustus.

“There you two are.” Ruth looked between us, and an odd desire to embrace my dear friend consumed me. Yet I had no intention of cueing her to what Augustus had entrusted me with, so I offered a smile in its place. “I saw you walking up the path from the drawing room window and came to retrieve you. Where have the two of you been?”

Augustus and I shared an uncertain glance.

“This is one of your assessments, isn’t it? The two of you walking alone together?” I nodded slowly, and Ruth’s face lit up. “I knew it. I told Sarah that had likely been your intention, considering no one was told where you had gone, but she thought the two of you simply desired to be alone.” She paused and her smile grew. “Or is she correct?”

Augustus laughed, and I shot him a corrective glance. “Not in the least.”

Ruth stepped back to allow us inside. “Well, we shall have to remember to inform Sarah I was correct after our guests leave, for it does not happen often and I should like to bask in it.”

“Did you say there are guests?” I asked, following her inside.