Lady Vice by Wendy LaCapra Read Free Book Online Page B

possessed. She stood and faced the door.
    “Lord Montechurch and Mr. Grimley, magistrate,” Sophia’s housekeeper announced.
    The sound of Monte’s name made the blood in her veins slow like icy sludge. She curtsied her welcome while counting each heavy thud of her heartbeat.
    Lady Sophia stepped forward. “Good morning, Lord Montechurch, Mr. Grimley. I am Lady Sophia and I welcome you both to my home. Though I insist you keep your business short. We’ve had terrible news, as I am certain you are aware.”
    “Yes, my lady.” Grimley’s eyes were wide and his tone, obsequious. “I beg your patience.”
    Lavinia forced a brittle smile.
    With a sleight-of-hand that would have impressed a gaming hell dealer, Max touched the base of her spine. She softened her smile. She was not alone.
    “Lord Montechurch, you know Lady Vaile,” Sophia said, “and Her Grace, the duchess of Wynchester. May I present Mr. Harrison?”
    “Pleased to make your acquaintance, Lord Montechurch,” Max said.
    “This is not a social call,” Monte snapped. “We are here on matters of the court. Question her, Grimley.”
    Grimley flushed. “Lady Vaile, let me begin by offering my condolences.”
    “My thanks, Mr. Grimley.” She spoke without a tremor in her voice and oh, how she relished the surprise in Monte’s eyes. You see? I am not the malleable girl I was.
    Grimley cleared his throat. “When, may I ask, was the last time you saw your husband?”
    “I cannot say, exactly. A year, at the very least.” For once, she was glad of a talent she had learned with Vaile. Not knowing what would trigger his rage, she had kept her speech brief, bland, and vague.
    “Grimley,” Monte said, “you did not ask the question properly. You should have asked: where were you last evening, Lavinia?” Monte drew out the syllables of her name. He removed his glasses and stepped close. His breath raised her neck hair. “Tell the magistrate you were not home. Tell him you murdered your poor husband.”
    Bastard. “I did not.”
    “Your wits are rattled, kitten. You yearn for confession’s purification and tire of guilt’s heavy burden.” He touched her cheek. “Did Vaile make you angry again? What did he do to make my little kitten protract her claws? You threatened him, did you not?”
    Her skin shrank in tingling horror, but Lavinia held her ground against the tobacco-sodden stink of his breath. Monte knew she had threatened Vaile. Any answer would make her look guilty.
    Max cleared his throat. “Lady Vaile answered Mr. Grimley’s question truthfully. She has not seen her husband in more than a year.”
    “I addressed my cousin’s wife,” Monte said evenly. “Have you some claim that gives you cause to speak for her? Some reason, perhaps, she wanted her husband gone?”
    Monte might as well have called her Max’s whore. Blood rushed to her cheeks.
    “You have insulted the lady. Apologize,” Max said.
    Monte stepped back and raised his chin. “I will do no such thing. She is a murderess.”
    “I am not a murderess.” Of course, she’d expected the accusation, but to hear it spoken aloud was absurd—a scene from a blighted farce.
    Max turned to Grimley. “Has the coroner’s court convened early and issued a charge?”
    The magistrate shook his head. “The coroner’s court will not convene a jury until this afternoon. The surgeon will provide testimony as well as the servants who were in the home. It could take a day or more for them to issue a charge, if a charge is warranted.”
    “Ah,” Max said. “As you can see, Lady Vaile has nothing to add by way of testimony.”
    “Mr. Harrison is correct,” Lavinia said. “I have nothing to add.”
    “Mr. Harrison, is it?” Grimley asked. “Mr. Harrison formerly of the high court of Calcutta?”
    “Yes.”
    Recognition lit the magistrate’s face.
    Monte curled his fists. “What gives you the right to interfere?”
    Lavinia opened her mouth to speak, but caught her words as