“In truth, I have not given it much thought.” Seeing his friend’s eyebrows shoot upwards, Benjamin shrugged. “It has only been two days since I have returned to my townhouse, and I have had another matter capture my thoughts.”
“Surely it cannot be more important than to find out who has stolen your fortune!”
At this Benjamin winced.
“Yes, you are quite correct. I have allowed myself to become distracted.”
“It is just as well, then, that I have found something to aid you.”
Lord Foster plucked something from his pocket and handed it with a flourish to Benjamin.
“What is it?”
Unfolding it, Benjamin scrutinized the words.
“It is a list. I had my man of business look into Lord Montague’s affairs. These men are all closely acquainted with him.”
Benjamin’s heart skipped with a surge of anticipation.
“That is very good of you, Foster. You cannot know how much this means to me.”
Lord Foster chuckled, but it was not a sound of mirth.
“Believe me, my friend, I know all too well your circumstances at present. It is as though you are grappling in the dark, searching for even the smallest light of illumination; struggling against a lack of hope that burns against your skin a little more with every single hour that passes you by. I can only pray that this will bring you a little encouragement.”
“It will do more than that, I can assure you.” Benjamin glanced at the six names on the paper. “This is a beginning where I had none.”
“Excellent. Might I suggest that you look into whether or not any of them have spent time in the East End where we went that night.”
Benjamin nodded.
“And mayhap I shall also see if they were acquainted with Lord Gillespie, God rest his soul.”
A frown immediately pulled at Lord Foster’s face at the mention of Lord Gillespie, the man who had sent them to the East End of London on the night that Benjamin - as well as the other five men – had lost his entire fortune.
“That would be a wise consideration.” Lord Foster tilted his head for a second, his eyes suddenly flickering. “What is it that you remember about that night?”
Benjamin shook his head.
“Very little. I recall that we were all in great spirits, looking forward to an evening of entertainment and joviality. Lord Gillespie suggested that we went to the copper hells in the East End of London, given that we had never been there before, and implied that we might do particularly well. Since many of us were already a little in our cups, we found ourselves there, although Lord Gillespie did not join us, from what I recall.
“He led us there,” Lord Foster reminded him, “but did not linger. I can remember very little after that.”
“Nor can I.” Benjamin rubbed one hand over his forehead. “I wrote down a few details after I woke the morning after that night and what I wrote is only a little helpful. I wrote that there was something which left my brandy tasting a little sour and that, try as I might, I could not seem to finish it. I also noted that I thought it an excellent establishment. I have vague recollections of sitting down with a few others to play a game of cards, but thereafter I remember no great detail. My last memory comes much later in the evening, from when I found myself being poked and prodded by another gentleman – I do not recognize his face – who had me sent to my carriage. On returning to my house, I discovered my servants in uproar in the early hours of the morning. News had reached them that I had handed over my entire fortune to another gentleman. I was quite sure it was nothing short of preposterous. But my solicitor confirmed it to be true. Apparently, a contract was signed at the gambling table.”
“And do you have a copy of that contract?”
“I do – my solicitor made a copy, for our records, when the original was presented to him. Of course, it is in his clerk’s hand, so it is of little help to us in finding the gentleman who wrote the original. But through that contract, I have signed my fortune over to a Baron March. However, a quick search of the latest edition of Debrett’s by my solicitors, and a few well-placed questions to the best gossips in London, indicates that there is no such fellow. Not that it matters. The man now has my funds, and I highly doubt he will be returning them.” His shoulders lifted. “I confess myself to be lost in uncertainty, and struggling against a noose of hopelessness. I do not think that I will ever be able to regain my fortune, given that the fellow who has stolen it is not truly as he appeared.”
“Do not give up hope. I believe Lord Montague is the fellow who arranged much of what happened that evening, and the one who has pushed everything forward - although he has other gentlemen involved, I am sure. This ‘Baron March’ will not be far from London. I have no doubt that these nefarious gentlemen have every intention of continuing on as they are, taking whatever fortunes they can from other unfortunate souls who are foolish enough to take themselves to the East End of London solely on one man’s recommendation.”
“We did not do anything wrong.” Refusing to allow any sort of guilt to edge over his soul, Benjamin swiped the air between them. “We were foolish, yes, but we did not go there with the intention of being swindled. You are right that I ought not to give up hope. I have very little of it, but I have some, and that must be enough for the present.”
Lord Foster nodded and gripped Benjamin’s arm for a moment.
“You will not find yourself struggling in poverty regardless. You know that I am here to support you, now that I have regained my wealth.”
“Something I very much appreciate.” Setting his shoulders, Benjamin took a deep breath. I am determined to regain my fortune, one way or the other, just as you have regained yours. This list has given me great encouragement.”
