From the warm smile on Lady Nora’s face, Sara did not think that she had any knowledge of who she was, in relation to Lord Coatbridge. In many ways, she felt rather sorry for the young lady, if she did not know of their connection, nor the tension that swirled between them now. Had she truly been naïve enough to believe that Lord Coatbridge’s interest was genuine in its swiftness? Had she not heard that Lord Coatbridge had been courting Sara for these last few weeks? Perhaps she had not been in society for very long.
“Good evening, Lady Sara.” Lady Nora smiled, her eyes bright. “You are well acquainted with Lord Coatbridge, I hear?”
There was a gentleness to her tone which had Sara wincing inwardly. Did this creature truly believe that there was only an acquaintance between herself and Lord Coatbridge? Was that what she had been told?
“Yes, we areverywell acquainted.” Glancing away from the young lady, she looked towards Lord Coatbridge, a little surprised to see him drop his head. Was he embarrassed over what he had done? Ashamed, mayhap? Or was it more likely that he simply wished to keep Lady Nora from knowing the truth? “In fact, Lord Coatbridge and I were courting for a short while.”
Lord Coatbridge lifted his head sharply, his eyes meeting hers. The red in his cheeks slowly changed to white as he stared at her, but Sara did not care. The injury he had caused her had been so great that she had no willingness now to remain silent and permit him to merely enjoy the happiness which came with being Lady Nora’s betrothed. Nor did she want Lady Nora to believe that there was nothing of significance between herself and Lord Coatbridge. The young lady deserved to know the truth, she decided.
“You… You were courting.” Lady Nora blinked, then forced a smile that did nothing to take the shadows from her eyes. “That must have been some time ago.”
Sara opened her mouth to say that it had been only yesterday and up until today, she had believed they were still courting, only for a gentle nudge to catch her attention.
“That is something I believe Lord Coatbridge can discuss with you. Now is neither the time nor the place to be having such discussions.” Miss Cartwright spoke quickly, irritating Sara with her determination to move the conversation on. “My heartfelt congratulations, Lady Nora. Pray excuse me. Excuseus.”
So saying, she slipped one hand through Sara’s arm again and half dragged her away from Lord Coatbridge and Lady Nora. Anger built like a wave within Sara’s chest as she turned furious eyes upon her friend.
“Whatever did you do that for? I had a good deal more to say.”
“But you would have been cruel to do so, and you are never cruel, Sara. At least, I believe you are not.”
When they reached the other side of the room, Miss Cartwright turned so that they were facing Lady Nora and Lord Coatbridge and Sara followed her gaze. Lady Nora had pulled herself back from Lord Coatbridge and was standing with folded arms, looking up at him with an angry tilt to her chin.
“I understand that you are angry, and you have every right to be so, but it would not be like you to cause another pain. Do not allow your upset to bring viciousness to your actions.”
Sara drew in a deep breath, and her shoulders dropped as her anger faded away.
“You are right, Hannah.” She was not callous, and yet had been about to declare all to Lady Nora in the middle of the ballroom, knowing the damage it would have done and the scandal it would have caused. Lady Nora would have been gravely injured by what Sara would have said, and she would never have been able to recover from that. “My anger is directed towards Lord Coatbridge, not Lady Nora,” she murmured as Hannah nodded. “You are right, my dear friend. I ought not to say anything which would injure the lady, although I do believe that she should know the truth. Thank you for pulling me away.”
“I am just glad that I do not also have to face your wrath!” Miss Cartwright chuckled, making Sara laugh softly in return. “Come now, attempt to enjoy the ball this evening as best as you can. I believe Lord Coatbridge will have a less than pleasant time of it.”
Sara smiled darkly.
“Which is precisely what he deserves.”
Chapter Two
“Perhaps it is just as well that I came to London.”
“I certainly can recommend it,” Lord Wiltsham chuckled, and Gideon grinned as his friend slipped one hand around his betrothed’s waist. It was good to see Lord Wiltsham so happy.
“If we have managed to give you a little hope, then yes, it is very good that you came,” Lord Foster added, handing a brandy around to everyone. “That is two of us who have regained our fortunes now. You shall be the third, I am sure.”
Gideon shook his head.
“I am not yet convinced to stay in London, however, although I am glad that I was here to be of assistance to you, Wiltsham. I do not think there is as much hope for me. I already signed the contract and am now a Marquess without fortune. That much I can recall, at least.”
“I did the very same and now here I stand, with my fortune returned.” Lord Wiltsham put out one hand towards him. “There is no reason that you cannot do as we have done, and we are here to be of aid to you.”
“Although I am soon to make my way back to my estate in preparation for my marriage,” Lord Foster reminded them both. “But I would agree with Lord Wiltsham. You should stay here, Stoneleigh. I am sure that there will be much for you to discover.”
“But I have very little to move forward with,” Gideon protested. “I only vaguely remember what happened, and I have my ongoing difficulties with my arm to prove it.”
He lifted his right arm as high as it would go, turning his wrist over left to right. There was a stiffness there that never left him now, ever since the evening of the injury. He was doing all he could to restore it to its full strength, but everything he tried seemed to bring him either pain or a lack of success, which irritated him all the more.
“All the same, I believe that you should remain here. Go back to where you recall being that evening. Search for clues if you must. I will do whatever I can to be of assistance to you, just as Lord Foster was to me. And you are to reside with me for as long as you require it. I would offer to return you to your own townhouse, but given that it is currently let out to another family…”
Lord Wiltsham swung one hand then dropped it to his side.
