“There is only one small concern,” Lord Stoneleigh interrupted, pressing her hand as if in apology. “This all may be very well – although I still have my concerns – but what if he has seen our closeness of late?” His dark eyes turned to hers. “Then he might be a little more suspicious if you ask to speak with him.”
At this, both Sara and Miss Cartwright let out a quiet laugh, clearly surprising both Lord Stoneleigh and Lord Wiltsham, given the way their eyebrows lifted.
“There is one thing about Lord Coatbridge that cannot be hidden, my dear Lord Stoneleigh,” Sara told him softly, “and that is that he is a gentleman caught up solely with his own endeavors. Have these circumstances not proven that to us? I can promise you that he has not paid me a single bit of attention since he betrothed himself to Lady Nora, beyond his rudeness at Lord Symonds’ dinner. He will not be aware of which gentleman I speak with, dance with, or am close to. That is something I can promise you.”
Lord Stoneleigh considered this for a few moments, but eventually nodded, a small smile darting across his lips.
“Very well. It seems that we have no other course of action available, and I know that you are quite determined.”
She smiled at him, wishing she could step into his arms but, given the situation, she contented herself with a press of his fingers.
“I shall have to think about what I must say to him,” Sara admitted. “In one regard, my inquisitive nature may be of great help to this matter. Not every young lady might be aware of such things, but given that I am known to be a good deal more inquisitive than I ought, mayhap Lord Coatbridge will not struggle to believe that I have discovered the truth.”
Miss Cartwright chuckled softly.
“Perhaps this adventure will be enough for your inquiring nature, my dear friend,” she remarked, as Sara laughed softly despite the circumstances. “But in this regard, yes, I am glad that you will be able to use it to aid you in this matter.”
Lord Stoneleigh nodded.
“As am I. Indeed, had it not been for your curiosity, my dear, then I do not think that we would have ever made our way to this point. I am, in fact, quite grateful to you.”
Sara looked up into his face and had it not been for her friend standing beside her, was quite certain that she would have reached up to kiss him. That desire was an entirely new one, for she had never experienced such a sensation before, but it was there, nonetheless. A little concerned that her thoughts would be evident in her face, she dropped her gaze and looked away
“There are still a few details we must consider, but for the moment at least, it seems that we have a plan going forward,” Lord Wiltsham said, a little briskly. “Let us hope you are successful, Lady Sara.”
Lord Stoneleigh nodded.
“I pray that also. I should like to see this fellow no longer able to continue in his lies, and I should like to be able, as a gentleman in society, to stand up and reveal myself to be just as honorable and just as suitable a candidate for marriage as any other gentleman.”
This last sentence was said solely for Sara’s benefit, for he turned to look into her eyes as he finished. Her heart turned over on itself and she could not speak, her mouth was dry, and her heart beating at a frantic rhythm. There was something profound growing between them and once this matter with Lord Coatbridge was settled, Sara could hardly wait to see what lay in their future together.
“Come. We must return home,” Miss Cartwright to murmured, pulling Sara away from her distracted thoughts. “I regret having to do so, but our mothers will be wondering where we have gone.”
“I quite understand.” Reluctantly, Lord Stoneleigh released Sara’s hand, his smile soft and his eyes glowing with such a warmth that Sara wanted to cling to him forever. “We shall see each other very soon, I am sure,” Lord Stoneleigh murmured as she nodded, still not trusting her voice. “I am more than grateful to you, Lady Sara. Once this is over, we shall have time to speak of matters of the heart.”
“I shall make it my priority,” she found herself saying as Lord Stoneleigh grinned. “I look forward to seeing you again very soon, Lord Stoneleigh.”
He gave her a small bow.
“As do I you, Lady Sara.”
Chapter Twelve
“Are you quite certain about this?” Miss Cartwright glanced at her as Sara nodded fervently. “This is not an insignificant task.”
“But it is one that I am quite determined to do,” Sara replied firmly. “If I have no success, then at least Lord Stoneleigh will know that I have tried. He will be able to hear Lord Coatbridge’s excuses and consider what they are next to do in the light of that.”
Her friend nodded but said nothing in response, clearly caught up in great anxiety about what would occur. There could be nothing said for certain, Sara realized, and it was that which caused her own worries to build.
“What are you going to do? You recall where the room is, yes?”
“Yes.” Sara set her shoulders. “I am going to walk directly to him. I am going to tell him that we need to speak at once and I am going to make my way to this room next,” she declared as her friend’s eyes widened slightly. Aware that she sounded more confident than she felt, Sara smiled. “I am very uncertain, but I must appear determined.”
“I quite understand. I will be with you whenever you are ready.”
Aware that Lord Stoneleigh was watching her, ready to make his way from the room whenever she made her first steps towards Lord Coatbridge. Sara set her shoulders, her eyes fixed upon the latter, seeing that he was speaking quietly to someone else. When that person smiled and turned away, Sara reached for her opportunity.
“Now, Hannah,” she stated. “We must go now.” Sara began to make her way towards Lord Coatbridge without even the smallest of hesitations, whilst Miss Cartwright let out a small squeak and then hurried after her. Lord Coatbridge was ambling to his left, smiling at nobody in particular, but when he turned to face her, that smile immediately disappeared
