“May I help you?” he asked.
“Are you Mr. Plauser?”
Wariness filled the man’s eyes. “Yes, I am. Who are you?”
“I am Michael Rycroft, Duke of Ryewood. May I speak with you?”
Mr. Plauser’s eyes went wide. “Your Grace, of course. Come in, come in!”
Michael let himself be ushered into the small foyer and then to a sitting room to the left. It was small and quaint, but there was not much room for Michael’s long legs as he claimed the sofa. Mr. Plauser, now flustered, sat on the opposite armchair.
“Oh, I should offer you tea!” Mr. Plauser said suddenly, shooting to his feet.
“There’s no need,” Michael said quickly. “I shan’t be long. I only wished to ask you a few questions, so I hope you will be kind enough to indulge me.”
“Of course, Your Grace.”
Michael pulled out the sheet of paper he had brought with him. When he’d first received it four years ago, a list of higher servants who worked for those who had testified against his father. In passing, he’d received a few for Lord Grovington but had dismissed it as unnecessary. After all, Lord Grovington had not testified nor had there been any indication that he was involved at all. Michael had been so focused on Lord Suthenshire that he hadn’t remembered that he’d received the information of Lord Grovington’s former clerk.
“I believe you worked for the Marquess of Grovington in the past, haven’t you?” Michael began. “What can you tell me about him?”
Mr. Plauser frowned. “May I ask what this is about, Your Grace?”
“I shall be frank with you, Mr. Plauser. The former Duke of Ryewood was wrongfully convicted for treason four years ago and I have been searching for evidence to prove it. Now, I have reason to believe that Lord Grovington may have been involved, though I cannot pinpoint how.”
“Oh. Yes. The late Duke of Ryewood. I do recall his trial, as speedy as it was.”
There was something in the man’s tone that made Michael sit up straighter. “Were you interested in the trial, Mr. Plauser?”
Mr. Plauser fidgeted with his hands, his brow sweaty. “I was. I was given little choice considering the fact that Lord Grovington used me to gather information on the outcome of the trial.”
“Why wouldn’t he do so himself? He was a part of the House of Lords and so no one would find it suspicious.”
“He wanted to remove himself from the matter completely.” With shaky fingers, Mr. Plauser reached into his waistcoat and fished out a handkerchief, dabbing his forehead. “I knew this day would come.”
“Do you know something, Mr. Plauser?”
“I know far too much,” he sputtered. “Lord Grovington gave me a hefty sum to make sure I was quiet but the guilt was too much for me, so I resigned. Had I known that my involvement would have led to the conviction of an innocent man and his death, I would never have let him use me.”
Michael gripped the armrest to keep his emotions at bay, blood roaring in his ears. “Please tell me what you know, Mr. Plauser.”
Mr. Plauser licked his lips. And then he broke. He told him everything, every sordid detail, every missing piece that now made the puzzle whole. By the time he was finished, Michael was filled with hatred for the marquess and anger at himself for not realising his involvement sooner. But there was still time to set things right.
“Thank you, Mr. Plauser.” Michael stood. “Your honesty will help liberate an innocent man’s name.”
Mr. Plauser shot to his feet. “Forgive me, Your Grace. Had I known the implications of my actions, I never would have done it. I swear to you.”
“I am not angry with you,” Michael assured him. “It is Lord Grovington I have my qualms with.”
Mr. Plauser did not seem convinced by that and followed Michael to the door sputtering his apology. Michael was barely able to convince him that he did not have any intention of acting against him. His attention was on one person.
Elaine lingered in the back of his head. Before coming to London, he’d wanted the truth for the sake of him and his family. Now, he needed the truth for her as well. To finally put aside the insane need to bring justice to light and give himself to her. And when he brought the truth to her, he would do so completely.
Another hour and two important stops later, Michael learned that the Marquess of Grovington was in his office and would see him shortly. So he was ushered to wait for him in the grand drawing room that betrayed the marquess’ overwhelming wealth. Bitterness bled through Michael as he took in his surroundings, wondering just how much of this had been earned by his father’s downfall.
“Your Grace!” Lady Isabella swept into the room with a broad grin and her lady’s maiden on her heels. “How lovely of you to visit!”
“I am not here to see you, my lady,” he stated curtly. “It is your father I wish to speak with.”
