Unveiling Love by Vanessa Riley

hit his gavel against his desk. The elegant sleeves of his court silks billowed with each pound. "Take a moment, jurymen, and consider your verdict."
    Silence fell upon the crowd.
    For once, Barrington wished he could see the crimson color of the robe. From all accounts, the hue spoke of power, and the Lord Justice knew how to use it.
    The man leaned forward toward the jurymen. "What is the verdict?"
    The lead juror leapt up and straightened his waistcoat. "Not guilty, Lord Justice."
    The crowd erupted as the bailiff stepped forward and unchained Barrington's client.  
    "Winner." Hessing tapped his shoulder. "Join me for dinner at my club, Norton. I'd like to discuss a case with you, one dealing with an old crime. It involves murder."
    "There's no time limit on murder." From the corner of his eye, Barrington spied Cynthia Miller waving to him from the gallery. "Sir."
    A chortle bubbled from Hessing. "I see why you've been distracted, Norton. Sly fox." The man leaned forward as his gaze seemed set on the pretty songstress in a tight blue gown. Its bodice was incredibly low. I'll be at my club, if you get your hands free." His mentor chuckled and left the courtroom.  
    Barrington paced up the stairs. He didn't like Hessing thinking of Cynthia as a doxy. Though her choice of outfits needed more thought, she was Gerald's little sister. Someone who needed to be protected in her brother's absence.  
    Cynthia lifted her hand to him, but he avoided clasping it.  
    Instead, he folded his arms. No need to stoke gossip. He was a married man with a spotless reputation. Others might not think too kindly of such a fair woman warming to a mulatto. Barrington knew his limitations in society. "What are you doing here?"
    Cocking back her head, she pouted. Her lips thinned to a child-like frown. "You haven't answered any of my correspondences or come to one of my reviews."
    He leaned back on the knee wall of the gallery. "I've been very busy."  
    With a light stroke, she patted his arm. "You're mad at me. I meant no harm to Mrs. Norton. How was I to know she'd get upset and jump from my carriage?"
    He cut his gaze to her. She leapt backwards as if she bled. "She didn't mention this. What made her upset?"
    She swiveled her long neck and waved to an admiring gentleman or two. "I'd rather not say here."  
    Another of Amora's secrets. Yet, knowing the ladies fought wouldn't change things. He couldn't hold Cynthia responsible for his child's fate. The fault was his, for not being home to calm Amora down. For believing God cared enough to intervene.  
    A huff left his lips. "Come. Follow me to a witness room."  
    Down the stairs and to the right, he led her out of the courtroom through the hall to a small room. Once inside, he shut the door. Pulling off his wig and barrister's collar, he sat on the table's edge. "Miss Miller, I am very busy. Why are you here? I suspect it is not another theater invitation."
    Again with a pout, and this time tears, she approached. "But you've always made time for me."  
    "Things are different. For some reason, you upset my wife. Could you tell me why?"  
    She pivoted and sashayed in front of the window. "What did Amora say?"
    The urge to close the beige curtains to obscure onlookers from viewing the two of them pressed at his gut. He rubbed his brow. "This is my decision. I have to better prioritize my time."
    "No, this is her doing. She hates me, just because I mentioned telling you of her disappearance."
    Cynthia knew of the abduction? Her angelic looking face seemed to harden. Something in her squinting eyes looked vengeful. Why?  
    Barrington took off his court silk and tried to appear aloof. "She didn't mention an incident in your carriage, but why don't you tell me what you know of her disappearance. You seem eager to say."
    Her eyes went wide as if she'd expected a different reaction. She dug into her reticule and pulled out a handkerchief. "I just know of the gossip. That she disappeared for one or