Page 27 (1/2)

Chapter 1

WINTER, 1885

His voice drew her, and Bertie wanted to hear more of it She leaned forward in the balcony to watch thean open book on a table in front of hiument

The villains Bertie knew called the barrister Basher McBride, because Mr McBride always got a conviction He wore one of the silly wigs, but his face was square and handsoe who sat above hie, both judge and flowers looking weary in the extreme

The case had caught the attention of journalists up and down the country—the sensationalwo her e off with a hundred pounds’ worth of silver

Bertie knew Ruthie hadn’t done it The deed had been done by Jacko Small and his mistress, only they’d set up Ruthie to take the blame for it Bertie had known, had heard Jacko’s plans, but did the police listen to the likes of Roberta Frasier? No

Not that Bertie was in the habit of talking to constables most days She stayed as far away from them as possible, and her dad and Jeffrey, Bertie’s self-styled beau, made sure she did But she’d tried for Ruthie’s sake

Hadn’t mattered They’d arrested Ruthie anyway, and now Ruthie would get hanged for so she didn’t do

The handso the case that Ruthie had done it Ruthie couldn’t afford a defense, so she was here on her own in the dock, thin and s place at the wrong time Bertie could only clench her fists and pray for a miracle

Mr McBride, despite his dire statements, had a delicious Scots accent His voice was deep and rich, rolling over the crowd like an intoxicating wave Even the bored judge couldn’t take his eyes off him

Mr McBride had broad shoulders and a firm back, obvious even in the black robes He was tall, do, bare hands apparent He looked as though he’d be hland hillside, sword in hand as he fended off attackers One glare fro for their lives

His accent wasn’t so thick Bertie couldn’t understand it, but his Rs rolled pleasantly, and his voere long, especially the Us

“If your lordship pleases,” Mr McBride said, his voice warain, “I would like to call Jacko Small back to the witness box”

Bertie sed, nervous Jacko had already given evidence that he’d found the body in the sitting room of the London house, then seen Ruthie down in the kitchen, crying, with blood on her apron The silver had been gone, and no one had found it, so Ruthie must have hidden it soet its location out of her, but of course Ruthie hadn’t known, as she hadn’t stolen the silver in the first place

The judge sighed “Is it relevant, Mr McBride? This witness has already told us his version of events”

“One or two more questions, your lordship,” Mr McBride said without hurry “You will understand my reasons in due time”

In duuui time The vowel came out of his mouth with a round, full sound

Jacko came back in, was reminded he was under oath, and faced Mr McBride with all innocence on his face

“Now, then, Mr Slealee

Noas he up to?