At least… he hoped so.
Chapter 31
The prison was dingy and dirty, and Henry would rather have been anywhere else in the world.
He caught Duncan’s eye behind Thomas’s back and knew that his friend was thinking the same thing. This was an awful place. It was better to pretend that places like this didn’t exist, even though he knew they did.Hewasn’t a criminal, was he? He didn’t like to think about the kind of men who were shut up in here, or the pathetic lives they led.
Hands reached out at him from between bars and he drew away, repulsed.
Thomas strode ahead, clearly unbothered by what was going on all around them. He’d been shockingly single-minded ever since they had departed on this little expedition. He was usually the most quiet and reserved of the three of them, but the appearance of a debt collector in his life seemed to have awoken something within him, something Henry had never suspected had been there.
The constable behind them was being forced to jog along to keep up. “I really can’t allow you to stay long,” he said. “He isn’t meant to have visitors.”
“Half an hour will do just fine,” Thomas said.
“And perhaps it should be just one of you,” the constable said.
“No,” Duncan spoke up. “I wish to have my friends at my side when I visit with my cousin. They’ll make things much easier for me.”
“Oh—well—very well, I suppose,” the constable said. He was obviously flustered, and Henry could see that he was unused to being ordered around in this fashion. “But I’ll need to remain with you while you speak to him.”
“No,” Thomas said.
“I—I’m sorry, Lord—Woodfield, was it?”
“Woodsford”
“It really isn’t optional,” the constable said. “I can’t let you visit with any of my prisoners without supervision.”
“I think we’ve been very accommodating,” Henry spoke up. “We’ve agreed to your terms that the visit should only last half an hour. But Lord Earlington has the right to speak to his cousin without a nosy lawman eavesdropping on his conversation. He’s a very important gentleman, you know.”
“Of course, of course,” the constable said. “I meant no disrespect—”
“And if his credentials aren’t enough to persuade you,” Henry went on, “remember, please, that I am the Marquess of Harlston. Frankly, whatever you have going on in this prison, I doubt it can be more significant than that.”
“There are dangerous men within these walls, Lord Harlston,” the constable said rather feebly.
“But Lord Midford isn’t dangerous,” Henry said. “His crime was selling stolen goods. He’s never been violent.”
Thomas’ shoulders tensed. Henry wasn’t sure why. He was only trying to help, after all.
“Any manner of criminal may become violent, Lord Harlston,” the constable said.
“But he’s behind bars, is he not?” Duncan asked. “So there won’t be anything he can do to us.”
“Yes, but… well, how am I to know that you’re not unsavory characters yourselves? You’re his cousin,” the constable said to Duncan. “Perhaps the real reason for your visit is to smuggle him a weapon, or else some tool that will aid him in an escape!”
Thomas came to a halt where he stood. He turned around slowly. His eyes were blazing.
“You should think carefully, sir,” he said, “before you make baseless accusations.”
“I don’t know what you—”
“These men are wealthy and powerful lords,” Thomas said. “Are you suggesting that they wish to see this scum released back into Society?”
“Well, no—”
“Then there should be no problem with us speaking to him privately.”
