An Earl of her Own (Saints and Sinners 3)
“I didn’t,” she said with a sly wink to him. “It is a gift from the woman who brought us together.”
Barclay sighed and Rebecca seethed.
She was betrayed yet again by people she trusted. She had considered Barclay an upstanding gentleman but clearly marriage had changed him and not for the better.
Sir John jerked his head toward the couple urgently.
Rebecca closed her eyes briefly and then pushed open the door, aware that Adam followed close behind. She stepped out into the shop and glared.
Mr. Barclay was paid well enough not to need to steal from his clients. She was furious and did not bother to hide her feelings from anyone in the establishment.
Barclay paled when he noticed Rebecca and made a grab for Charlotte’s hand. He started to pull the woman toward the door, but the magistrate’s men were there to block his path.
Rebecca approached the pair and shook her head. “What did I ever do to either of you to treat me so poorly? I introduced you.”
Charlotte was the first to recover her composure. “Becca, dear. It is not what you think.”
“I heard you assume my identity to buy this man, your husband I presume, a pretty trinket to add to his collection of ugly snuffboxes.”
Barclay colored. “I have never encouraged her.”
“You never stopped her, though, did you?” She shook her head. “Shame on you both for stealing from me.”
“But you have so much,” Charlotte protested. “We were desperate to marry but without a fortune of my own I had no choice.”
“By my calculation I had just enough to last my life time,” Rebecca argued. “But there was never any room for extravagance.”
The magistrate stepped between them and Rebecca was glad. Charlotte couldn’t be allowed the chance to talk Rebecca out of having her prosecuted.
“You are both under arrest for the wrongful impersonation of the Duke of Stapleton’s daughter, thievery by deception, knowingly misappropriating funds belonging to Mrs. Rebecca Warner, and others and for bringing the legal profession into disrepute,” Sir John warned. “Take them into custody.”
Barclay struggled but he was no match for the men Sir John had brought with him. Charlotte went more quietly.
The shopkeeper joined Rebecca. “It is hard to pretend innocence when caught in the act.” “Indeed.” Rebecca hugged herself. “This will be hardest for Charlotte’s family.”
“Don’t you dare feel sorry for anyone,” Adam warned, putting his arm around her shoulders. “They deserve every embarrassment for the pain they’ve put you through.”
“They do indeed,” she said as she drew Rafferty even closer.
Rebecca sighed but looked to the grinning magistrate. “I heard Barclay say they’ve been shopping today. Would your men please try to find their carriage and question the driver about where their journey today has taken them? Those bills will need to be paid—but from the appropriate accounts this time.”
“I had planned to do just that,” Sir John said before bowing. “It will take time to assess the depths of their thievery but I will let you know the outcome. By all accounts so far, Barclay has been skimming from a number of accounts.”
Adam cleared his throat. “I paid a call to Peter Warner after I left you last night and encouraged him to call upon Sir John as early as possible and share his concerns too.”
“I’m grateful you did because he was not the only one.” Sir John bowed to her. “It’s been a pleasure, madam, and I hope to see much more of you soon. I’m not sure Rafferty deserves you though.”
“Go away, man,” Adam said as he gestured to the door. “You’ve more criminals to catch out there.”
Rebecca watched the magistrate go. Mr. Garrick hurried back behind his counter as soon as they were gone. Rebecca turned in Adam’s arms slowly. He’d kept his word and hadn’t taken over. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“Are you happy now?”
“I am content.” Almost. There was one other concern she had but trusted that after today’s events Adam would eventually bring the matter up.
“I’m glad.” He collected his pair of canes from Mr. Garrick and tucked them under his arm. “Shall we go home?”