Earl of Kinross by Meara Platt

Author:Meara Platt
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical
Publisher: Meara Platt
Published: 2019-09-20T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

“YOU ARE LORD Brixham’s sister?” Queen Charlotte intoned, staring down at Lara from her throne. It was more of a tall chair, really. This was the queen’s private quarters and rarely used for receiving anyone other than friends, family, and the occasional special guest.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” She and Marcus were invited to sit, yet another unexpected honor, for Lara had been certain the queen would have her tossed out on her ear for appearing unannounced. Apparently, Marcus held more sway with the royal family than he’d let on. The queen made no comment, merely motioned for her to take a seat.

The queen directed her next questions to Marcus. “You’ve been asking after Lord Governor Montvey. Tell me why.”

Marcus quickly explained the intrigue surrounding Hugh’s conviction and his escape for the purpose of bringing Montvey to justice. “Then you believe Lady Lara’s brother is innocent of the charges?”

“Yes,” Lara said vehemently, then shrank back, realizing she’d overstepped and responded to a question addressed to Marcus.

“Hugh is an honorable man, Ma’am,” Marcus said, picking up the response with far more dignity than she had managed. “The man he was accused of murdering, Captain Richard Harlan, was our best friend. The three of us were inseparable during our school days. We would have walked through fire for each other. I believe our friendship is the reason Captain Harlan was targeted for murder by Lord Governor Montvey.”

He paused a moment, obviously intending the weight of his words to sink in before continuing. “It was a purposely cruel blow, meant to inflict maximum damage on Lady Lara’s brother. We have reason to believe the affidavits taken from Captain Harlan’s crew immediately after the crime occurred fully exonerated Lord Brixham. However, those affidavits were destroyed either by Lord Montvey or Lord Dunning and never presented at trial. We know Lord Dunning was paid to tamper with the evidence.”

“That is a serious accusation, Kinross.”

“I stand behind it.”

The queen pursed her lips in thought. “Then you would vouch for Lady Lara’s brother?”

Marcus nodded. “I’d stake my earldom on his innocence.”

The queen appeared relieved. Lara wanted to ask her about her interest in Hugh, but didn’t dare. Thankfully, Marcus asked. “This seems of importance to you. May we know why? It may help us gathering the necessary proof to bring down these villains.”

The queen did not seem inclined to acknowledge the question, but to Lara’s relief, she finally deigned to respond. “When Lord Brixham escaped from Portsmouth Prison, he took a young lady with him. That young lady was my dear cousin, Emma Langdon.”

Lara gasped.

The queen and Marcus immediately turned their gazes on her. “I’ve never met her,” Lara hurried to explain, “but I know of her. You see, my brother was in love with Lady Emma. He meant to propose to her the very night our father was placed under arrest and accused of treason. Before he could tell her of his feelings, he received news of our father and rushed home.”

“Serious charges,” the queen remarked.

“That’s when our nightmare began.

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