“And one that I can well understand,” Lord Wiltsham replied. “But you are not alone in this. Lord Foster may not be present, given that he and Miss Lawrence have now left town to make final arrangements for their wedding, but I am here at least. Perhaps I could accompany you to the East End.”
Considering, Gideon did not say either yes or no, choosing to remain silent for the moment and consider what he might do instead. His intention had always been to remain in London solely to speak with his solicitors with regard to the dreadful state of his affairs, do whatever he could to ameliorate that, and then return to his estate. Now, however, he found himself staying in London for the Season, perhaps hoping beyond all hope that he would find some way to regain what had once been his – even though hehad, in fact, signed the contract that had taken that fortune away from him.
“You must not take on any burden of guilt either.” Lord Wiltsham spoke a little more gently as if he had been able to see exactly what was in Gideon’s mind. “There is nothing that any of us did that deserved such treatment at the hands of others. Do not allow yourself to believe that for a single moment.”
A scowl tugged at Gideon’s mouth.
“I fear that you know my heart a good deal better than I know it myself.”
Lord Wiltsham chuckled.
“No, but I know my own, and I know what I myself thought. It is a burden, certainly but you must not take on any responsibility for losing your fortune, nor for your injury. Might I ask how your arm is at the moment?”
The scowl on Gideon’s face only darkened.
“I wake up every day in the expectant hope that it will be a little more improved, only to discover that it is precisely as stiff and as painful as the day before.” Shaking his head, he gestured with his other hand. “And what is worse, it is very apparent to those around me.”
“Very apparent?” Lord Wiltsham repeated, frowning. “What do you mean?”
“Thatiswhat I mean. I was walking in town yesterday and thought to stop at a bookshop. You can imagine my surprise to overhear my name being spoken.” When Lord Wiltsham’s eyebrows lifted, Gideon sighed and rolled his eyes. “Lady Sara was speaking about me with her friend. It is foolish to allow myself to be so frustrated by her interest, but to hear her discussing my arm and how I could have sustained such an injury was a little irritating.”
“I can well understand that,” Lord Wiltsham admitted. “But you are mentioning your arm to those in theton?”
“No, not in any great detail. I simply stated that my arm had been a little injured of late and I hoped it would not impede our dance in any way. At the time, I did not think that Lady Sara even paid me the smallest attention! But now, it seems, she is far too eager to discuss what I said and find out what has happened to cause me such pain.
Lord Wiltsham frowned.
“Did you speak to her about what you had overheard?”
Gideon shrugged.
“We conversed a little. She did apologize to me for speaking so freely but all the same, I find myself a little frustrated that my injuries are nothing more than a discussion.”
“But you know that thetonis very much inclined towards such things. I would not take the matter seriously.”
“I shall have to find something to say as regards my injury. I have no wish to tell the truth, of course, but –”
Lord Wiltsham chuckled, interrupting him.
“Why do you not state that you injured your arm in response to saving the reputation of a particular young lady, whom you simply cannot mention due to propriety. You struck out at the gentleman seeking to take advantage of her and caused the pain in your shoulder and subsequently, your arm. That shall make certain that thetonthink incredibly highly of you.”
Gideon could not help but laugh.
“Indeed, but it would also be a complete fabrication.”
“In these circumstances, I hardly think that matters,” Lord Wiltsham replied with a grin.
“I suppose it would make me a little more contented with the situation.”
“Then there is no reason not to do so, is there?” Lord Wiltsham smiled but caught sight of someone across the room. Lifting his glass in their direction, arising from his chair, he gestured towards Gideon. “Pray excuse me. I will only be a moment.”
Gideon shook his head.
“Do not hesitate on my account. I may find myself back in the ballroom after all.”
Lord Wiltsham lifted his eyebrows and chuckled.
“Then if you do so, might I wish you all the good fortune that an evening like this can bring. And remember, you are injured because of the young lady whose honor you saved,” he reminded him, as Gideon nodded. “Enjoy the rest of the evening, my friend.”
