Richards let out a small chuckle.
“Thank you, my Lord. But I don’t know much about being a footman.”
“Well, I have plenty of other possible jobs you could do,” Gideon continued, knowing that he would only be able to employ Richards if he regained his fortune. “Stable hands, gardeners? There are positions that I need filled, but back at my estate, in the country.”
Richards ran one hand over the back of his neck.
“I’ve not been anywhere else other than London.”
“At the very least, consider it. You may find yourself contented here, but there is a different kind of life out in the countryside, one that you might appreciate.” Making his way to the door, Gideon pulled it open, meaning to make his way from the house immediately. “Thank you for speaking with me. Remember, you can linger here for as long as you wish, or indefinitely if you would so choose. Lord Wiltsham is also a most generous gentleman.”
“My Lord.”
Gideon stepped out of the door without another moment of hesitation. His heart was beating furiously, and he felt like making his way directly to Lord Coatbridge’s townhouse, even though he had very little idea as to where it was situated. Taking a deep breath, he strode towards Lord Wiltsham’s drawing room, his hands curling into tight fists as he went. Lady Sara had been correct then. It was not the name Clara that Richards had overheard, but, in fact, the name Sara.
“What shall I do? What shall I do?” Muttering to himself, Gideon paced up and down the drawing room, anger beginning to take hold of him. The man had been so close to him these last few weeks, part of the very same society that Gideon himself enjoyed. No doubt he had wondered how Gideon had managed to return to society, given his lack of fortune, whilst at the same time, Gideon himself had struggled with darkness and doubt, wondering how he was to regain something which had been so quickly taken from him.
“Was he the fellow who injured me then? That stabbed my shoulder?”
Taking another deep breath, Gideon closed his eyes and fought to regain control. He could not do anything at present. He did not even know where Lord Coatbridge resided. The best idea would be to speak with Lord Wiltsham, to determine what Wiltsham thought Gideon ought to do next. To act alone would be foolish.
“And I must speak to Lady Sara,” he murmured aloud, as the anger slowly began to loosen the tightness in his frame. “I have given my word and I will not have her doubting me.”
Giving himself a slight shake, Gideon nodded his head to himself as If in confirmation, then strode directly from the room.
* * *
“You were right.”Sara caught her breath as Lord Stoneleigh rushed towards her, his hands outstretched to meet hers. Blinking furiously as he caught her, she stared up at him in astonishment. “How fortunate I am to have discovered you. I am just now on my way to find Lord Wiltsham – his butler informs me that he is at White’s. I must tell him of what I have discovered and seek to make a plan, as regards Lord Coatbridge and his theft of my fortune.” Sara blinked rapidly, her chest heaving with astonishment. “Do you understand what I am saying?” Lord Stoneleigh squeezed her hands. “You were correct in your suggestion about Lord Coatbridge. He is guilty. He is the one.”
Her eyes flew wide.
“You mean to say that he stole –”
“Yes, that is exactly what I am saying. He stole it. He stole everything. He was the one with the knife which was driven into my shoulder.”
His fingers tightened gently on hers and Sara drew in a shuddering breath.
“How? How can you be so sure?”
“I spoke to a fellow who was present in the same gambling den where I was injured. He has already told me a little of what occurred, but he did not remember the gentleman’s name he had seen taking me into that room. When I mentioned Lord Coatbridge to him, he recognized the name almost immediately.”
It was as if the whole world shifted under her feet. Again, she realized that she had not known Lord Coatbridge at all. He was not the gentleman she had believed him to be, and the good character she had believed he had possessed was now gone completely, left ragged and ripped like a jagged shadow. Not only had he left her in this strange and confusing state by betrothing himself to another, but it also now appeared that he had been crueler than she had ever imagined. He had injured Lord Stoneleigh and stolen what was not his to take.
“Are you quite well, my dear Lady Sara? Without you, I do not think that I would have been able to discover the truth. You have no idea how much I am indebted to you.”
“I am… I am well.”
The words tasted foul on her lips, as though she were speaking in direct contradiction to how she actually felt, but they lingered there, nonetheless.
“This will have come as a great shock, I am sure.” Slowly, his fingers began to release from hers. “We will speak again very soon. I must take my leave. I–”
“Where… Where are you going?”
She did not allow him to loosen his grip, taking a step closer so that their fingers remained joined, her heart still pounding furiously.
“I am to make my way to White’s in search of Lord Wiltsham. I cannot know what to do without his advice.”
“Then I am coming with you.”
