Page 39 of The Detective and the Baroness

“How do I get word to you once I make the preparations for the meeting?”

Jedi thought for a moment. Where indeed? Perhaps it was time to come out of the shadows. “I will send a note to this address when I make arrangements on my end. Listen up, cousin. This had better not be a trap. Call in the coppers or anyone else, and I will pay that visit to your pretty wife. And she won’t be so pretty when I finish with her. You follow?”

“Yes. Your threats are crystalline clear. I do not have as much money as you were led to believe, however. Most of it is tied up in ironclad investments that I cannot withdraw from. I also just lent my father-in-law a large sum. My cash reserves are not endless and I will not allow you to bleed me dry.” The baron crossed his arms defiantly.

Jedi stood. “I won’t ruin you. That’s not to my advantage. I’m the baron’s son, and it’s past time I received my share. See to it. We’re to meet at Wimpole Street, nowhere else. And you will hear from me very soon…Travis.” Jedi laughed as he exited the room and out the front door.

Things were finally looking up. Speaking of illegitimate sons, it was time Jedi visited his own. Cillian, like the rest of London, believed Jedi dead in a pub fire. But he needed his son for his upcoming plans. With a low, raspy whistle, Jedi pulled the hood over his head and strolled down the walkway.

Chapter Fifteen

Since Mitchell received the note from Corrine three days ago, he had been watching the baron’s residence on and off during the day, but not so much at night. The only activity he had noticed was the solicitor paying another visit. What could all the legal visits concern? Making up a will was what that man specialized in. Why now? To keep Corrine from being a beneficiary? Today was Thursday, so she would head toward Hallahan’s place to assist Drew at ten this morning. Should he head there as well?

Since their restrained but emotional parting, he had been thinking of nothing else but Corrine. His fevered mind ran through all sorts of scenarios. Why would the daughter of a viscount and ex-wife of a baron give him—a lowly detective, a bastard son of a notorious duke—the time of day? But Corrine liked him and was attracted to him. She’d said so.

If he were to be honest with himself, he was already falling in love. There. He finally acknowledged and placed a name on the intense emotion. Mitchell’s nighttime dreams were filled with snippets of domestic bliss. The two of them sitting in a parlor, drinking tea, laughing, and talking. But his nocturnal imaginings were also filled with sensual images of them in bed, Corrine riding him, her long auburn hair tumbling about her shoulders, a look of ecstasy on her face. Or him, behind, taking complete possession, wild, unabandoned—Mitchell scrubbed his hand down his face in frustration.

Taking one last glance at Addington’s residence, he flagged a hansom. “Forty Brick Lane, Spitalfields,” he said to the driver.

He climbed in, and the cab turned onto the road. Mitchell sat back and sighed, his cane laying across his lap. The streets passed in a blur, as he was still lost in thought. Would the baron release her? Strictly speaking, and even legally speaking, the marriage stood on dubious grounds since it was not consummated. Or was it? An idea struck him. He could stop by and quickly meet with Rett Wollstonecraft. Hadn’t Oliver mentioned his cousin studied law? Besides, he had to speak to him about the cloak found at the scene. He glanced at his pocket watch and calculated the time it would take to make a slight detour. He could still make it to the East End on time if he was quick. Mitchell took his cane and banged on the trap door on the roof.

“Yes, sir?” the driver questioned.

“A slight detour. Five Hill Street, Mayfair.”

It was not even nine o’clock. Hopefully, Rett was up already.

They arrived in no time at all. Mitchell gingerly exited the cab, then said to the driver. “Wait here, please. I will not be long.”

The driver touched his forelock in reply.

Mitchell pulled on the bell, and the butler, Dalton, opened the door. “Good morning, Sergeant.”

“Good morning. Is Mr. Rett available?”

The butler stepped aside. “He is in the dining room. I shall announce you.”

Mitchell followed Dalton, who, once they reached the threshold, announced imperiously, “Detective Sergeant Simpson to see you, Mr. Rett.”

Rett looked comfortable, reading his paper in his dressing gown. He jumped to his feet and came to Mitchell, holding out his hand. “It is good to see you, Mitchell.” They shook hands. “Have you had breakfast? There is a veritable feast laid out.”

Mitchell had to admit he felt a little peckish as he’d only had a biscuit. “I cannot stay long. I must travel to the East End in less than an hour, so I will keep my coat on. But I will have something, to be sure.”

The butler bowed and left them alone.

Mitchell immediately tucked his cane under his arm and lifted the covers of a few silver chafing dishes. Piling his plate, he selected bacon, scrambled eggs, and roasted potatoes.

As soon as he sat down, Mitchell tucked in. Having toff friends was a decided advantage, especially regarding meals. Once he finished eating, he wiped his mouth with the napkin and laid it across his empty plate. “Sorry about that. I was hungrier than I’d thought. But I appreciate your willingness to speak to me, Rett. Tell me, how much do you know of the law?”

Rett sat back in his chair, nursing his cup of coffee. “It depends. It has been a few years since I studied it, and I have yet to take my Certificate of Laws, but ask away.”

“First, I have a matrimonial question. If a couple does not consummate their marriage, is it null and void?” Mitchell asked between sips of tea.

“Not as such. In decades past, the church annulled marriages for such a reason. Now, it’s done through the courts. This much I remember from my studies. It came about after the Matrimonial Causes Act of 1857. I recall there are three “I’s” that are considered acceptable reasons for annulment: incest, impotence, and imbecility. Fraud is also considered. An annulment is not easy to obtain, and neither is a divorce.”

Mitchell frowned. “In what way?”

“A man can ask for a divorce, claim infidelity by his wife without providing proof, and even name the man in question and sue him for monetary compensation. But if a woman files for divorce for infidelity by her husband, she needs grounds other than adultery. Grounds like cruelty, bigamy, incest, or desertion. That makes it very difficult for a woman to obtain a divorce.”