November 1814 "Are you telling the court that Mr. Fuller called on you to take tea?" Darius Grantley elevated his brows, an expression of incredulity gracing his handsome face. "Nothing more sinister than that?" "Well, he does enjoy a nice biscuit an' all." "No money changed hands in return for the supposed services you provide in the establishment where you reside?" "Ain't no supposed about it," muttered some wit in the public gallery. "Been there meself so I know about what I speak." Laughter erupted and was as quickly extinguished when the judge banged his gavel, a mask of impatience and considerable ill-humour flitting across his countenance. Flick suppressed a smile. She and her sister-in-law were observing the proceedings from the public gallery. "I don't think the judge approves of Miss Adams," she whispered to Beth. "I shall clear the courtroom if there are any more interruptions," his lordship boomed. "Pray, continue, Mr. Grantley." "I'm obliged to your lordship." Darius Grantley, barrister at law, straightened his shoulders and turned his attention to the woman in the dock. "Please answer the question, Miss Adams." "What was the question again, sir? What with all the excitement, it clear went out of my head." "Did you do it for money, love?" the same heckler yelled out. "Absolutely not!" Miss Adams's hand fluttered against her breast. "The very idea. I'm a respectable woman, and that's the truth." "He's good, isn't he?" Flick said. "He seems to know what he's doing," Beth conceded. "But why is he defending a woman of...well, a woman of such questionable morals?" "Darius believes that everyone is equal in the eyes of the law," Flick responded loftily. "He's very liberally minded that way." Darius Grantley's star was very much in the ascendancy at the Old Bailey since he'd chosen to defend wretched creatures often forced by desperation into committing crimes. The great and good in the legal profession generally agreed that his talents were wasted on, and went largely unappreciated by, his motley collection of clients. Perhaps that was true, but Darius appeared determined to serve them regardless of the fact that principles and conscience alone singularly failed to pay the rent. "From the evidence already presented, it seems his client is as guilty as sin, in spite of your Darius's best efforts to confuse the jury," Beth said. "Shush!" Flick pressed a finger to her lips. "This is very interesting. I don't want to miss anything." "Not much chance of that," Beth whispered back. "Your eyes have barely left Mr. Grantley's person since we got here." The object of Flick's affections grasped the edges of his black flowing robe and affected an air of astonishment. "Are you asking the court to believe that the gentleman who complained about being overcharged was a personal acquaintance who stopped by for a cup of tea and stimulating...er, conversation?" "That's right, ducks. He's a sprightly old gent. He can still manage to get it--" "Thank you, Miss Adams," the judge intervened, much to Flick's irritation. She'd very much like to know what it was that old Mr. Fuller could still manage to do. With three overprotective brothers to contend with, her education in that respect was woefully incomplete. "Confine yourself to answering counsel's questions." Excerpted from Beguiling the Barrister by Wendy Soliman All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
