“He has all of the control.”
Resting her head lightly against the cool glass of the windowpane, Julia closed her eyes. What was a young lady such as herself to do in this situation? Her brother held the purse strings, and he had every opportunity to demand such things of her, knowing that she could do nothing other than either agree or face the consequences of refusing.
Then perhaps I shall have to do something quite extraordinary.
Julia lifted her chin and set her shoulders, refusing to allow any more tears to fall. Yes, her brother had always protested that she was most frustrating when it came to the fact thatshewould do as she thought best rather than pay heed to his own opinion, but now Julia was glad that she had done so. It meant that she had the courage and the fortitude to find her own path, regardless of whatever blocks he put in her way. He would not be successful in this. She would find her own way forward, in one manner or another.
And she would begin this very evening.
Chapter Three
“Good gracious!” Benjamin’s heart was hammering furiously, and he pressed one hand to it as if trying to quieten it somewhat. “That was extraordinary.”
“Quite extraordinary, yes.”
Lord Foster let out a long breath, then reached out one hand towards Miss Lawrence, the young lady who ought not to have been present at this current moment but had been determined to be so. Benjamin could not help but admire her courage.
“You have given us all hope.” Benjamin pressed his friend’s arm. “I believe that I was lost in a great deal of doubt and uncertainty at one time, and did not believe there would be even the smallest rescue for us. But now I see it can be done. Itispossible to regain one’s fortune.”
Lord Foster nodded.
“I believe it is possible for all of us. We were cheated of our fortunes. They were not taken from us with our willing co-operation. If I was cheated of mine, then you have mostcertainlybeen cheated of yours. I must tell the other gentlemen as well, so that they can have the confidence to search for those responsible. There is more than Lord Montague working in this scheme, and if they can find the men responsible in their cases, then happiness such as this can be theirs also.”
Benjamin tried to smile, but his lips refused to do as he asked. He nodded, looking away, realizing that in this happy moment there was also a great struggle. Yes, Lord Foster had recovered his fortune, but his own was still very much out of reach. For Lord Foster, Lord Montague had been the culprit. Lord Gillespie had also been involved, but he, unfortunately, was no longer of this world. Just who was behind the theft ofBenjamin’sfortune?
“You need not struggle, my dear friend.” Lord Foster’s voice was a little quieter. “I will rehire your servants. You will have your carriage and your horses and remain in London to live just as you please. I will give you everything that you need.”
Benjamin’s eyebrows shot towards his hairline, and he shook his head.
“No, you cannot do such a thing. You have your own fortune and in time I will be able to regain mine.”
His friend, however, refused to accept this and, after some argument and deliberation, Benjamin had no other choice but to accept. Overwhelming relief settled on his shoulders, and he dropped his head forward, not wanting to display any singular emotion at this present moment, for fear that he might lose his composure. Living in poverty had been a very great trial indeed, particularly when he had been forced to give up his carriage. It had been put away ever since his return to London, for he had been forced to sell his horses and also no longer had the coachman or the tiger within his staff who would be needed to use it. Now, it seemed, he would be able to have such a thing again.
“I thank you. I shall not refuse your offer. You cannot know how grateful I am to you, Foster.” He spread both hands. “I will be able to hire a valet again!”
His friend laughed.
“Then I shall be very glad to see you well turned out at a ball at my townhouse in four days’ time - and you must continue to reside with me until that time if you so wish. We shall attempt to keep theton’srumors to be nothing more than their imagination. Perhaps when they discover the truth, it will be too late, for your fortune will have been restored to you, and all will be well.”
Benjamin nodded but did not say anything further. In a short while, Lord Foster and Miss Lawrence departed the room, leaving Benjamin to stand there alone.
I am to have my carriage restored to me.
The relief was so overwhelming that for a few moments he could not bring himself to move. Everything he had lost was not yet returned to him, but his friend’s generosity was enough to make it appear so. He would no longer have to eat only half a meal. He would not have to battle with his clothes, trying to make sure that his cravat was correctly tied. He would be able to return to some semblance of normality whilst at the same time, attempting to find out the truth about his fortune and where it had gone.The only thing he was unlikely to regain was his signet ring, which also had disappeared that night.
Perhaps I should take my leave and make my way to my townhouse immediately.
Shaking his head to himself, Benjamin chuckled and followed his friend. He was being a little too hasty. He would wait until the ball was over before he made his way back to his townhouse. That would allow enough time for everything to settle, and for the situation with Lord Foster to resolve itself entirely.
“There is time,” he reminded himself, mumbling quietly as he left the room. “If Lord Foster has managed to achieve success, then I shall too. I must force myself to believe it.”
* * *
“And my cravat?”
“Quite perfect, my Lord.” The valet narrowed his eyes as though searching for fault with his work, only to nod. “It looks quite perfect.”
Benjamin nodded, unable to pretend to himself that he was not nervous about this coming evening. It was to be his first night back in society since a rumor had spread about his lack of fortune. Having had every intention of making his way back to his own townhouse once the evening was over, he had been a little disappointed to be informed that it was not yet ready for his arrival. He was to stay with Lord Foster for a little longer – which his friend did not mind in the least - but Benjamin found himself eager to return to his own house.
