Beautiful Innocence

Contents Title Page Contents Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty Chapter Twenty-One Chapter Twenty-Two Chapter Twenty-Three Chapter Twenty-Four Chapter Twenty-Five Chapter Twenty-Six Chapter Twenty-Seven Chapter Twenty-Eight Chapter Twenty-Nine Chapter Thirty Chapter Thirty-One Chapter Thirty-Two Chapter Thirty-Three About the Author By Beryl Matthews Copyright Beautiful Innocence Beryl Matthews Contents Title Page Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty Chapter Twenty-One Chapter Twenty-Two Chapter Twenty-Three Chapter Twenty-Four Chapter Twenty-Five Chapter Twenty-Six Chapter Twenty-Seven Chapter Twenty-Eight Chapter Twenty-Nine Chapter Thirty Chapter Thirty-One Chapter Thirty-Two Chapter Thirty-Three About the Author By Beryl Matthews Copyright Chapter One London, 1900 ‘Not guilty!’ Hester Stanmore was stunned and watched in disbelief as the courtroom erupted into chaos. How could this happen? The man in the dock was being congratulated as if he was a hero, but she had seen the madness in his eyes as he had attacked her. It was only because she had fought like a tigress that she had stopped him carrying out his evil intent. In a rage he had beaten her senseless and dragged her into some bushes, leaving her there to die. The next thing she knew was when she woke up in hospital, and it had taken her weeks to recover enough from her injuries to bring this case against him. She was still struggling with the severe injuries to her foot and ankle. She gazed around the room, oblivious to the noise and celebration going on. The defence lawyer was looking smug and her own lawyer dared to have a slight smile on his face. He had done an abysmal job for her and hadn’t even objected when Viscount Ardmore’s lawyer had called her a liar and a scheming female. Fury blazed through her as fiery as her red hair. It was true that after regaining consciousness it had been like looking through a mist at the attack, but she had no doubt who it had been. He had been the only one on the terrace with her – of that she was certain. That man in the dock might appear normal on the outside, but she had seen the other side of him. He had enjoyed beating her, and they had just freed him to do the same to some other defenceless girl. And he would, there was not the slightest doubt in her mind. The judge was calling for order, and then the man she had risked her reputation for turned and raised his hand in a salute, laughing at her. She knew she should leave this fiasco of a courtroom but couldn’t seem to move. She could feel every blow, every broken bone and she clenched her hands as the pain, mental and physical, swamped her. She felt her brother sit beside her and take hold of her hands, rubbing them gently until she unclenched them. They sat in silence for a while as she gathered her thoughts. Her attacker was the son of a prominent family and, being a mere female, she hadn’t had a chance, but felt she shouldn’t let him get away with what he’d done. But he had and come out of it looking like a young man who had been falsely accused of assault by some silly girl. Well, this court might try to ignore what he had done, but she wouldn’t. He was a danger to society and needed to be put away somewhere safe. Somehow that beast would pay for his depraved deeds – perhaps not by her hands, but didn’t the good book say you reap what you sow? She stared straight at him, her green eyes glittering with defiance, telling him silently that justice would be meted out to him one day. That realisation gave her strength, and when her brother urged her to her feet she walked out of the courtroom, holding on to his arm for support, ignoring the jeers and rude names being called out to her. The man she had engaged to represent her hurried up to her. ‘The outcome was only to be expected. I did warn you not to go ahead with this, didn’t I?’ ‘Indeed, you did, Mr Ashton, and your half-hearted attempt at prosecution showed in your manner. You, sir, were almost apologetic to be accusing him of a crime!’ Determined to hang on to whatever dignity she had left, she held his gaze steadily. ‘You have much to be ashamed of, as does every man in that court, and you will all come to regret this one day.’ He visibly bristled. ‘I represented you fairly, and not many would have taken on such a doubtful case.’ ‘Doubtful? Tell me Mr Ashton, did you ever believe for a moment that I was attacked by that man, even though you were presented with a full report of my injuries?’ When he didn’t answer she spun away, and after taking a couple of steps she stopped and turned her head. ‘Don’t worry, sir, you will be paid the agreed fee, despite the fact that your representation of me was not fair, as you stated.’ Determined not to let her distress show in public, she made her way out of the building as quickly as possible, her limp more pronounced after such a shock. The courtroom had been stifling and when she stepped outside the fresh air hit her, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. ‘Easy, Sis. I’ve got a carriage waiting around the corner.’ Richard glanced at the laughing crowd streaming out of the building. ‘Let’s get you out of here.’ Reaction began to set in, and she allowed him to