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Matthew’s eyes narrowed in defiance as hestare Whether he liked it or not, Waring would have to listen to the truth

CHAPTER 18

"I was Harry Waring’s servant," Matthew began gruffly "And a good one, even though I knew he regardedIn his view servants were like dogs I existed only for his convenience My job was to assume blame for his misdeeds, take his punishments, repair what he broke, fetch what he needed Even at an early age Harry was an arrogant wastrel who thought he could get aith anything short of murder because of his fa burst out furiously

"You’ve had your turn," Thomas Bowman bellowed "Noant to hear Swift"

"His name isn’t--"

"Let hi ferave the earl a short nod of thanks His attention was diverted as Daisy resumed her place in the nearby chair She inched the piece of furniture closer until his right leg was half-concealed in the folds of her skirts

"I ith Harry to Boston Latin," Matthew continued, "and then to Harvard I slept in the servants’ quarters in the basement I studied his friends’ lecture notes for the classes Harry had missed and I wrote papers for him--"

"That’s a lie!" Waring cried "You, who had been educated by ancient nuns at an orphanage--you’re mad to think anyone would believe you"

Matthew allowed hi smile "I learnedof private tutors Harry said he didn’t need an education since he had a name and money But I had neither, and my only chance was to learn asup so asked in patent disdain "You were a servant--an Irish servant--you had no hope of becoentleman"

A curious half-smile crossed Daisy’s face "But that is precisely what he did in New York, Mr Waring Matthew earned a place for himself in business and society--and he uise of a false identity," Waring shot back "He’s a fraud, don’t you see?"

"No," Daisy replied, looking straight at Matthew, her eyes bright and dark "I see a gentleed his gaze away fro I could to keep Harry at Harvard, while he see and…"

Matthew hesitated as he res," he continued, "became worse The aeable proportions that even Harry began to worry He was afraid of the repercussions he would face once his father learned the extent of his trouble Being Harry, he looked for the easy way out Which explains the holiday at home when the safe was robbed I knew at once Harry had done it"

"Poisonous lies," Waring spat

"Harry pointed the finger at me," Matthew said, "rather than admit he had robbed the safe to take care of his debts He had decided I would have to be sacrificed so he could save his own skin Naturally the fauilt was proven in court," Waring said harshly

"Nothing was proven" Anger bolted through Matthew, and his breath deepened as he struggled for control He felt Daisy’s hand seeking his, and he took it His grip was too tight, but he couldn’t seem to moderate it

"The trial was a farce," Matthew said "It was rushed to keep the papers fro too closely on the case My court-appointed lawyer literally slept through most of it There was no evidence to connect me to the theft A servant of one of Harry’s classmates had come forith the clai to incri that Daisy’s fingers were turning white from the pressure of his, Matthew forced his hand to loosen His thuently over the points of her knuckles "I had a stroke of luck," he continued more quietly, "when a reporter for the Daily Advertiser wrote an article exposing Harry’s past ga that those saht after the robbery As a result of the article there was a growing public outcry at the obvious travesty of the proceedings"

"And yet you were still convicted?" Lillian asked in outrage

Matthew smiled wryly "Justice may be blind," he said, "but it loves the sound of s were too powerful, and I was a penniless servant"

"How did you escape?" Daisy asked

The shadow of a bitter sered "That was as much a surprise to me as it was to everyone else I had been loaded in the prison wagon--it left for the state prison before the sun had coon stopped on an empty stretch of road Suddenly the door was unlocked, and I was pulled outside by a half-dozento be lynched But they said they were sy They set on put up no resistance--and I was given a horse I made it to New York, sold the horse, and started a new life"

"Why did you choose the name Swift?" Daisy asked

"By that time I had learned the power of a well-respected nae faht would et by without close scrutiny"

Tho him to the quick "Why did you come to me for a position? Did you think to make a dupe ofhis first iive hi questions Canny, bull-headed, flawed, single-ure in Matthew’s life

"Never," Matthew said sincerely "I admired what you had accohtened "…I careatest affection"

Bowhtly, his eyes glittering

Waring had the look of a lared at Mattheith quivering hatred "You’re trying to soil my son’s memory with your lies," he said "I won’t allow it You assun country no one would--"

"His memory?" Matthew looked up alertly, stunned "Harry is dead?"

"Because of you! After the trial there were rumors, lies, doubts that never disappeared Harry’s friends avoided him The stain on his honor--it ruined his life If you had aduilt--if you had served the time you owed--Harry would still be within that shadow caused Harry to drink and live recklessly"

"From all appearances," Lillian said sardonically, "your son was already doing that before the trial"

Lillian had a singular talent for pushing people over the edge Waring was no exception

"He’s a convicted cried toward her "How dare you believe him over me!"

Westcliff reached them in three strides, but Matthew had already ’s wrath

"Mr Waring," Daisy said in the tumult, "please collect yourself Surely you can see that you’re doing your own cause no good with this behavior" Her calave Daisy an oddly beseeching stare "My son is dead Phaelan is to bla him back," she said quietly "It won’t serve hiscried

Daisy’s expression was grave, her gaze pitying "Are you certain of that?"