The Formidable Earl (Diamonds in the Rough #6) - Sophie Barnes Page 0,107

how bleak things might seem at the moment.

A door opened and footsteps sounded. Ida straightened, blinked a few times and stood. Perhaps this was him right now? She stepped toward the bars and waited. A stern-faced guard, different from the one who’d brought her breakfast, came into view. Ida’s heart sank.

“Time to go,” he said as he unlocked the gate. It swung open with a creak. “Your trial will begin soon.”

“My trial?”

“The courts are fully booked for the next two weeks, so the judge overseeing your case has asked that you be delivered to the Old Bailey early so you’ll not be kept waiting.” The guard reached inside the cell, grabbed her by her arm, and pulled her into the hallway. “You should count yourself lucky, Miss Strong. Most people in your position are taken to Newgate to await their trial. They end up infested with lice and contract all manner of diseases. And that’s without having to worry about the stench from the other prisoners.”

“But I’ve not even spoken with a barrister yet.”

The guard snorted. “I suppose you imagined you would?”

“Yes! I know nothing about the law myself. You cannot honestly expect me to argue my own case.”

“That is what most common citizens do, and as long as you’re innocent of the charges made against you and you tell the truth, the judge will be sure to rule in your favor. Fear not.”

Something wasn’t right. Ida could feel it. She began dragging her feet in a pointless attempt to stall for time. “Has Lord Fielding been notified of this?”

“I am sure the clerk has sent him a missive.” The guard directed Ida through a doorway and into another hallway that took them toward the back of the building. “This way, if you please. We must be at the Old Bailey by eight o’clock.”

“But—”

“The accusations against you are most severe, Miss Strong.” He opened an outer door and led her toward an awaiting carriage.

“They are false, sir.”

“I’m sure they are.” He helped her into the carriage, then climbed in himself and locked the door before tapping the roof for the driver.

“I was only trying to defend myself,” Ida whispered. Everything was happening too fast. It was just as it had been four years ago with her father. His trial had been rushed as well. Two days after he’d dropped her off at Amourette’s, he’d been hanged. There had been no chance for anyone to prevent it, no time for a legal team to launch a proper defense, or even to hear his side of the story.

The guard met her gaze. “Then I’m sure justice will be on your side.”

Ida swallowed. She wasn’t sure she believed that. But at least if Simon would learn what had happened, he’d be able to come to her aid. Closing her eyes, she cursed herself for firing that pistol. By shooting Mr. Nugent she’d provided him with the perfect means by which to rid himself of her.

How pitifully ironic.

“Please have this man locked away until further notice,” the chief magistrate informed one of the constables when he and Simon arrived at the Bow Street office with Mr. St. John. He approached the front desk while Mr. St. John was led away. “I need a release form.”

The clerk handed him one and Simon watched with increased excitement while the chief magistrate filled it out. He handed it back to the clerk once he’d signed his name.

The clerk studied it. His eyebrows dipped in the middle. He cleared his throat and looked up with the sort of expression that made Simon’s skin prick all over. His stomach tightened with wary foreboding.

“Miss Strong was removed to the Old Bailey almost six hours ago. Her trial was at eight.” The clerk leafed through a pile of papers, pulled a sheet free and gave it to Simon. “She’s been sentenced to fourteen years of transportation to the colonies and—”

Whatever else the man said became a painful ringing in Simon’s ears. His vision blurred and for a moment he felt like he might fall over. “No.”

“With the charges against her dropped,” the chief magistrate said, “we can appeal the ruling.”

Simon grunted. “Forgive me, but my faith in the legal system has taken a serious dive this past month. I wouldn’t be surprised if Miss Strong is shipped off tonight and forced to endure a harsh voyage she doesn’t deserve, not to mention what comes after. Good God.” He stared at the chief magistrate in desperation. “She’s going to be my wife,