Page 55 of The Detective and the Baroness

“Corrine will need a solicitor or barrister to navigate the legal waters regarding Addington’s untimely death. Can you recommend anyone?”

“You may think it forward of me, but when Wright told me what had occurred, I sent word to a school chum of mine—Baxter Chambers. He is a solicitor and will be here at ten in the morning.”

Corrine erupted into tears. As she had predicted, tonight’s happenings suddenly caught up with her, and a rush of emotions burst forth. Mitchell gathered her into his arms. She calmed but still sobbed softly against his coat sleeve. Mitchell smoothed her hair, whispering comforting words.

Drew stood and held out his hand, offering a set of keys to Mitchell. “For the flat upstairs.”

Mitchell took them. “Thank you, Drew. For everything.”

His half-brother gave him a brief smile and left the room. It was the first time Mitchell had thought of Drew in that context. How extraordinary.

Corrine sniffled, then sat upright, laying her head against his shoulder. “I usually do not go to pieces like that. I’m not much of a crier.”

“I feel a little like crying myself,” Mitchell murmured. “It has been a stressful night. And it is not over. There are more hurdles to overcome. Would you like to go to your rooms? Or stay here by the fire?”

“By the fire. With you holding me. Drinking brandy. And just—being together.”

“Then we shall.” Mitchell reached for her glass and handed it to her. Then he retrieved his own. They sat together in quiet contemplation and companionship for two more hours. It was half past three when he finally escorted her to the rear flat.

The next few days would be difficult, but Mitchell would be by her side as long as she needed him. He loved her with his very heart and soul and would do so until he breathed his last.

*

They could not get an early appointment with Mr. Dobson but obtained one at half past one in the afternoon. Mitchell gave the reason for the meeting, although the murder was splashed across the morning papers. It was a good thing Mitchell—with Corrine’s permission—had sent word early in the morning to Thomason to pack a valise with some of her possessions and clothes and bring them to the rear entrance at Gloucester Square. The butler had informed Mitchell that reporters were already gathering on the front walkway, eager to glimpse the grieving widow. The vultures.

Surprisingly, Corrine managed to catch a few hours of restful sleep. When she awoke, she felt as if some of the weight she had been carrying had been lifted off her shoulders. Then, she immediately felt guilty. Travis’s death should not give her a sense of relief—but it did. In a small part, but it was there, nonetheless.

Mr. Chambers arrived promptly at noon, and they gathered in the parlor. After introductions, Drew said, “Bax, take care of my friends. I am off to the clinic.”

Then they were left alone with the solicitor. Mr. Chambers placed his soft leather case on the table and pulled out papers and a pencil. “Now, my lady, Sergeant Simpson. Tell me everything. I’m your solicitor, and everything you relay to me will be kept in the strictest confidence.”

Over the next fifteen minutes, Corrine and Mitchell took turns in the narration. They told the solicitor everything, including about the loan, her thoughtless father, Travis’s horrible proposition, and the hasty marriage itself.

“And did you tell the police all of this?” Mr. Chambers asked.

“No,” Mitchell replied. “Not everything. Nothing personal like the loan or the entire truth of the state of the marriage. Corrine told them that the baron was living at Carol Street to prepare it to be sold. It was the truth.”

“And you have possession of the eighteen thousand pounds?” Mr. Chambers asked.

“Yes. It’s in a safe,” Corrine replied.

“I suggest we allow Mr. Dobson to reveal the will’s contents before deciding anything else. Is there an heir presumptive?”

Corrine shook her head. “Not that I am aware of. But then, Travis and I had not conversed much since the hasty marriage.”

“If no heir exists, the entailed property and money passes to the crown. If the baron did not mention you in his will, there is not much I can do. Such are the laws. I would suggest we not mention the loan unless we have to. I do not recommend keeping it, but we will remain quiet until we know more.”

“Who will the money belong to, legally speaking?” Corrine asked.

“This loan could be a legal muddle. If your father raises a fuss and actually has legal papers to back up the loan, it may have to be returned to him. However, he will still owe the barony, if the terms are stated as such. But we will deal with that when the need arises.”

“About those loan papers… They might not even exist. My father has been known to tell falsehoods over the years, if they served his purposes,” she said.

Mr. Chambers took a few notes. “Noted. We’ll look into that. And how much was the marriage settlement that the baron paid?”

“Twenty-five thousand pounds, and after paying my father’s massive debts and giving him and my brother monthly incomes, there is about ten thousand remaining. As far as I know, Travis put it in a trust that only I can draw on.

“Good. I can safely say that settlement will not be part of the entailed estate. The remaining money is yours, my lady. You have a contract for that money?” Corrine nodded. “Good. Now, we had best head to Mr. Dobson’s office and see what’s what.”