“Better than I expected,” Thomas said.
“Oh?”
“I was right, wasn’t I? She still has feelings for me, doesn’t she?”
“She does,” Duncan agreed. “I don’t think there can be any question about that anymore. Still, you heard what she said—”
“I did,” Thomas said. “What she said was that the problem was all to do with my circumstances. Well, circumstances can change. That happens all the time. I simply need to take care of my debts, and then everything will be fine.”
Duncan thought his friend was being extremely optimistic. Debts such as his would be difficult to resolve. He knew Thomas didn’t have the money.
Still, he had promised to help. He would stand by Thomas.
“All right,” he said. “We’ve spoken to Valeria. I know that was only the first part of your plan. What did you mean to do next?”
“We should wait and discuss the matter with Henry as well,” Thomas said. “He promised to come along.”
“Come along? Are we going somewhere?”
“Well, I am,” Thomas said. “I won’t hold it against you if, once you’ve heard my plan, you decide you want no part of it. It may turn out to be more than you bargained for.”
“I’m your friend, Thomas,” Duncan said. “I promised to help you, didn’t I? I’m not going to change my mind. Besides, a journey sounds rather nice. We never go any farther than the pub!”
“To tell you the truth, I’m extremely glad to hear you say it,” Thomas said. “I worried about how I would find my way without your assistance.”
“Find your way where? Are we going somewhere you haven’t been before?”
“I still think we ought to wait for Henry.”
“Oh, go on,” Duncan urged, suddenly excited to hear his friend’s scheme. “We can explain it all to Henry when we see him next. But tell me now. I’m impossibly eager to hear it.”
“Oh, very well,” Thomas said. “My plan is to speak to your cousin, Richard.”
“Richard?” Duncan asked, stunned.
“That’s right.”
“But he’s—well—”
“He’s been arrested,” Thomas said. “I know. I plan to persuade the local constables to allow me a visit.”
“Do you think they will?”
“I think it’s much more likely if I’ve got you with me,” Thomas said. “You’re a Viscount, after all, and his cousin to boot. Of course they’ll let you in.”
Duncan pondered. Thomas was probably right about that much—they probably would let him in to see Richard.
“What do you hope to gain from seeing Richard?” he asked. “He’s never brought any benefit to anyone’s life before.”
“Maybe he hasn’t,” Thomas said. “But he’s been in a situation not unlike the one I’m in now.”
“You don’t think he could give you advice, do you?” Duncan asked. “Because it didn’t end very well for him, you know.”
“I’m not looking for advice,” Thomas said. “I’m just looking for some answers.”
Duncan half wished he hadn’t already agreed to the plan. Visiting Richard sounded awful. And he knew that Valeria would feel betrayed if she knew he had gone.
But it’s for her own good.
