Fallen Hero (A New Adventure Begins - Star Elite 3)

“Yes, you have,” Aaron argued.

“Prove it. Prove I was trying to break in here.” Frederick’s tone became belligerent.

“Well, Elspeth here has no good reason to try to break into her own home. You were not legitimately owner of thi

s property at the time that you were caught, by five of us here, trying to force your way through the conservatory door, the proof of which lies in the fresh scratch marks you gouged into the wood beside the lock. You were therefore trespassing onto the property and attempting to break in to a house you do not presently own.” Aaron turned to look at Elspeth. “Did you give him permission to be here?”

“No,” Elspeth protested. “He has been a few times to inform me that he is rightful owner now that Thomas has gone, and that I am to leave, but I have been waiting to hear from the solicitor that I am to move out. Until then, I don’t see why I should not stay.”

“Me neither,” Oliver added.

“Any good, respectable, family member would do the dutiful thing and allow a young woman such as yourself to reside in a property until such a time they can make alternative arrangements,” Niall offered. “I take it he isn’t a dutiful kind of person then?”

Elspeth didn’t even try to hide her dislike of her cousin, who sat glaring malevolently at her. “He is selfish, greedy and has always been a bully. Since Thomas has gone, he has made it clear that I can stay but only if I marry him.”

Aaron lifted his brows at her in astonishment. “Would you?”

Elspeth snorted. “I would rather die,” she retorted flatly.

Frederick muttered something like ‘that can be arranged’ but masked it with a cough.

“I had no idea you were already entertaining a lover, but I shouldn’t be surprised really,” Frederick sniffed disparagingly.

“Well, you should know that if Elspeth marries anybody it will be me,” Aaron informed Frederick flatly. “Now that you know she is not facing this world alone, and has me to protect her, you will have to make sure that everything you do is done legally from now on. If you have anything you wish to say to her do it through your solicitor but stay away, do you understand? Meantime, if I hear of you making any further threats toward her, or you try to force access to this house again, I shall hand you over to the magistrate and ensure you are put behind bars for a very long time.”

Frederick raked him with a scornful look. “How dare you barge your way in here and start to threaten me? Just who in the Hell do you think you are?” He turned evil eyes on Elspeth. “I suggest you call your thug off because I shall not tolerate this, Elspeth. Given Thomas is no longer here to see to your guardianship, I will dutifully take over the mantle as it were. I therefore do not give you permission to be in any kind of contact with this – fiend, who seems to enjoy tying people up!”

Elspeth’s cousin was positively trembling with rage by the time he had finished yelling.

“I, sir, am from the War Office,” Aaron smirked. “I can assure you that I have some very good connections in very high places. I intend to use every one of them to ensure you face justice for the crimes you have committed tonight should I ever see you at this door again until you rightfully own it. Until I have spoken with the solicitor, which I shall do first thing in the morning, and I am able to ascertain who owns the house, do not be presumptuous enough to assume you own the property. I know from experience that life can be unpredictable, and nothing can be guaranteed, even in law. It is arrogant, high-handed, and illegal for you to take matters into your own hands without any legal recourse to do so, and I, for one, shall make sure you face the full weight of the law.”

He nodded to Jasper, who made his presence felt by stepping out of the shadows behind Frederick’s shoulder. Frederick, who hadn’t even noticed him there, emitted a small squeak of surprise. Unfortunately, his fear did little to dent his arrogant condemnation of them all.

“Then I shall return with the necessary paperwork,” Frederick snapped. “Meantime, I shall report you to the magistrate for restraining me against my will.”

“Why are you here, by the way?” Elspeth demanded.

“Pardon?” Frederick’s eyes turned shifty.

“Well, there must have been a reason why you were trying to break in here,” Elspeth replied with an air of thoughtful consideration that made Frederick decidedly uncomfortable. “I mean, you can hardly legitimately take ownership of a property at ten o’clock at night.”

“I didn’t hear him knocking,” Aaron added. “And I was in the house.”

“Me neither.”

The men, each in turn, shook their heads.

“Now, why didn’t you knock then, Frederick?” Aaron mused.

“It is Mr Miniver to you,” Frederick replied.

“Well, Frederick, maybe you would like to answer the lady, and current rightful owner, then?” Oliver prompted when Frederick didn’t seem inclined to indulge them by providing an excuse.

“I tried to knock but there was no answer. I tried the doors because I was worried for her safety,” he muttered eventually.

“At ten o’clock at night? It is a little late to be making a social call, isn’t it?” Jasper snorted in disbelief.

“I was passing and thought I would pop in,” Frederick replied blandly.