Page 46 of A Duchess of Mystery

She shook her head at him and stepped away.

The man grabbed her arm as though he thought she might try to flee.

She shook him off. “Unhand me. I am offering no resistance.” She shot an icy stare at the two ladies. “Satisfied, my ladies?”

Lady Dangerfield’s cruel mouth curved in a triumphant smile. “Not quite yet. I shall only be satisfied when I see you hang for what you did to Marcus.”

Lady Brocklebank’s piggy eyes were cold. “I always said he was making a huge mistake in marrying her for her money. Class will out, and this proves that she has none.”

Richard held up his hand. “Wait. On whose authority are you here?” His voice rang out across the garden. He had fixed the ratty man with a furious glare.

The ratty man quailed just a little. “On the authority of Mr. Theodore Dawes, Justice of the Peace.” He held out a piece of paper. “See. I have here the warrant for the duchess’s arrest in black and white.”

Isabella raised her eyes to meet Richard’s. “Please leave it. I will go with them willingly. There’s no need to make a fuss.”

That he wanted to say something was obvious, but he remained silent, only his eyes fixed on hers trying to give her some kind of message. What it was, she had no idea.

“Come along-a-me then,” the ratty man said, reaching out for her again. “We’d best get going.”

Isabella turned away from Richard and Atkins and stepped towards the house without a backward glance, head held high. Let no one say she did not leave with dignity.

Behind her, Richard called out, fury edging his voice. “I will put a stop to this ridiculous accusation. You’re all making a mistake, and I’m going to make sure you regret it.”

“The mistake is yours,” Lady Dangerfield snapped, “in being taken in by a tradesman’s daughter with a murderous heart. You will thank us for your lucky escape when she goes to the gallows.”

Isabella shut them out of her head, concentrating on setting one foot ahead of the other, and keeping her back ramrod straight, for if she didn’t, she would surely faint from fear.