Lord Stoneleigh shook his head.
“I am afraid that I have no particular interest in the latter. I have come to see my solicitors. There are matters that I must discuss with them which could not be put off any longer.”
Benjamin poured them both a small brandy and set one down beside Lord Stoneleigh, who had taken a chair in the corner of the room.
“You must try your utmost to sort this matter out. I did not believe that it would be possible at first, but Lord Foster has managed to regain his fortune, and I am already beginning down the path back towards mine. I amcertainof it, and I say such a thing only to encourage you also.”
He waited for the light to grow steadily in Lord Stoneleigh’s eyes, but there was none.
“We cannot all have the same good fortune as Lord Foster.”
Eager to encourage his friend, Benjamin sat forward in his chair.
“I do not think it good fortune, but rather strength of mind.” Picking up his brandy, he took a sip. “It is because of him that I am now quite certain that I will find whoever has taken my fortune from me - although quite how I am to regain it, I cannot yet say!”
“That is assuming you find them in the first place.” Lord Stoneleigh shrugged his shoulders. “I come with a specific request, my old friend. It is something that I am ashamed to ask of you, but I have no other choice.”
Benjamin sat forward in his chair.
“Of course. What is it?”
“Might I… reside here while I am in London?” Lord Stoneleigh could not seem to look at him. “It will not be for long.”
Benjamin spread his hands.
“You may stay with me for as long as you wish. You have no need even to ask! All you need to do is turn up with your things and–”
“That is precisely what I have done.” Lord Stoneleigh gave him a small but rather sad smile. “My own townhouse has been let to another upper-class family, who have only just come into their title but have, as yet, no townhouse of their own. Something about their great uncle having sold it some years ago.” He waved a hand dismissively. “Regardless, I am now in London without an abode, but I must be here if I am to speak to my solicitor.”
“That I quite understand, you must stay with me for as long as you wish, although pray do not think that I am somehow in any better situation than yourself. This is all because of Lord Foster.” Picking up his brandy, he shrugged one shoulder. “The man is quite insistent that he will give me whatever he can to aid me in my present circumstances, until I regain my fortune. He is most generous, but I have every intention of paying back every single penny.”
A flicker of a smile crossed Lord Stoneleigh’s face.
“Mayhap I ought to say the same as you, even though I have very little hope of regaining what is lost.”
“But a little is hope enough.” Benjamin replied, smiling. “Even a small amount will suffice.”
“Perhaps.”
Understanding fully the despondency Lord Stoneleigh felt at present, Benjamin chose to leave the conversation at present.
“I will have the footman place your things in one of my guest bedchambers. You are to be as much at home here as you would be in your own townhouse.”
At the mention of this, Miss Carshaw immediately came to mind, and Benjamin could not help but smile. He had been rather pleased to surprise the young lady in much the same way she had surprised him when he had found her in his house.
“I am grateful to you for your generosity.” Taking a sip of his brandy, Lord Stoneleigh let out a small sigh and closed his eyes. “Tell me then. Have you discovered much?”
“About…?”
“About your lost fortune.”
A little surprised that Lord Stoneleigh wished to talk about this once more, Benjamin nodded fervently.
“Yes, a little.”
“Tell me what you have discovered”
Benjamin shook his head.
