The Formidable Earl (Diamonds in the Rough #6) - Sophie Barnes Page 0,105

scandal once he was accused and the less likely people would be to look elsewhere. Isn’t that true?”

“Of course not.”

“You took advantage of Society’s biggest flaw – namely the fact that it cannot abide those who rise through its ranks out of nothing. The ton will do all it can to tear such people down if given the chance, which was exactly what you were counting on.”

Mr. St. John was back on his feet, red-faced and practically foaming at the mouth. “This is outrageous. I ought to call you out for defamation of my character.”

“My God,” Elliot murmured. “That’s why you sent me that note.”

“What note?” Simon’s head jerked around so he faced his uncle.

Elliot stared up at him, bewildered. “I told you I received news about Miss Strong from a friend.”

Simon shook his head, unable to recall the mention, perhaps because he’d latched onto something else instead. “You said you had her investigated.”

“And so I did. The note of warning I received about her sticking her nose where it didn’t belong and suggesting I’d played a part in her father’s conviction just confirmed what I’d discovered on my own.”

“I received a note as well,” Elmwood said.

“So did I,” Kirksdale muttered. “I have to say I was quite relieved to hear of her arrest.”

“I know that’s the real reason you chose to press charges,” Simon told Elliot harshly.

Elliot nodded. “You’re right. I got worried and grasped at the chance to stop her. But what I failed to mention because it didn’t seem relevant until now was that the note was written by Mr. St. John.”

“I was merely concerned for my friends’ wellbeing,” Mr. St. John told them.

“You needed a war so your business would prosper,” Simon told him harshly. “The only wellbeing you were concerned for was your own.”

“I think you ought to arrest this man,” Elmwood told the chief magistrate. “I never did think Matthew Strong was a traitor, and knowing he died for a crime you committed, Mr. St. John, makes me want to kill you myself.”

“You ought to know that the forger he used, a former employee of his by the name of Harold Baker, died immediately after he completed the seals,” Simon said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Mr. St. John played a part in that too.”

“I think it’s time we removed ourselves to Bow Street, Mr. St. John,” The chief magistrate said. He took a step in Mr. St. John’s direction.

The man stood firm. “I’m not going anywhere other than to my own house. These accusations are entirely baseless and—”

“I’m happy to escort you to Newgate instead, if you prefer,” the chief magistrate said. He stepped aside and gestured toward the door which Guthrie had opened. “My men are waiting outside so I would suggest you come peacefully.”

“My solicitors will see that all of you pay for this,” Mr. St. John said as he left the room.

“Thank you for bringing Mr. St. John’s transgressions to light,” the chief magistrate said. “I’m just sorry it couldn’t have happened sooner and that an innocent man had to die.”

“I can only hope his daughter, Miss Strong, will be compensated somehow for her loss. Which brings me to another matter – namely the one regarding her recent arrest.” Simon turned to his uncle. “I hope you’re willing to drop the charges you made against her.”

Elliot stared back at Simon. “Nothing we’ve just learned changes the fact that she shot me. I could have died, Simon.”

“Don’t be absurd.”

“She cannot be allowed to walk away unpunished. I won’t allow it.”

Everything inside Simon tightened to the point of snapping. “You won’t allow it?”

Elliot crossed his arms. “I’m not dropping the charges.”

“She was defending herself against you, a man who entered her home uninvited – one of three men she had every right to believe was trying to kill her. You’re lucky she only shot you in the leg. In fact, I’m beginning to wish she’d aimed for your head because then we would not be having this ridiculous discussion.”

“Hold on,” the chief magistrate said before Elliot was able to voice a response, “I was led to believe you had every right to be in that house, Mr. Nugent. According to your statement, it belongs to you and your family, and Miss Strong was the intruder.”

“That’s what you told him?” Simon could only stare at his uncle in dumbfounded amazement. When Elliot simply stared back without answering, Simon turned to the chief magistrate. “The house belongs to me. Miss Strong was my guest.