“What was it she said to you?” Lord Wiltsham’s interest was obvious as he sat forward, clasping his hands together. “Was it of any importance?”
“I was entirely unsure during the conversation, but upon realizing my fate, I understood what she was trying to say. She was warning me.” James shrugged his shoulders, seeing his friends exchange a glance. “She begged me to remove myself from that establishment, speaking with concern and perhaps a little conviction at her part in this scheme. Yes, she used my title and yes, there was more for her to say, but before she could do so, she was forced out of the room, commanded by that dark and shadowy voice who I no doubt now believe was the gentleman behind all that has taken place. However, if I return to that place and find her again, perhaps I can persuade her to speak openly. I have her pendant after all.”
Again, there came a short silence and James’ heart began to turn over with concern as his friends both frowned.
“That pendant does look very expensive. Might I have a closer look?” Holding out one hand, Lord Stoneleigh rose and made his way across the room to James, who quickly obliged him. Lord Stoneleigh nodded slowly as he looked over the pendant. “I believe this is, in fact, a real sapphire. A most unusual item for a lady in that sort of establishment to own.”
“And yet that was what I took from her neck,” James murmured in confusion. “I do not understand what you are suggesting.”
“I am suggesting that this lady, whoever she was, may not be found at this establishment. It may be that she was part of this scheme in a way that we have not considered thus far.”
Still a little confused, James’ frown grew.
“You mean to say that she is not a wench?”
“I would suggest it unlikely, although it may well still be as you have stated.” Lord Stoneleigh shrugged. “All that you have said makes me think that she might be involved in the scheme in a more obvious way than we have first thought. These gentlemen have shown themselves to be worthy of almost any wickedness to gain our fortunes from us. It would not surprise me if they were to use some unwilling sister, daughter, wife, or niece to their own advantage.”
“You truly believe they would do such a thing?”
Lord Wiltsham grimaced but nodded.
“Yes, of course. They are cowards at heart. The gentleman responsible for Lord Foster’s downfall fled to the continent, and the guilty fellow who stolemyfortune is saying nothing and it is only for the love of his sister that I cannot bear to pursue him any further. The third, the one that has only just been discovered by Lord Stoneleigh, has fled back to his own estate. Pursuing him will do very little, for he can easily have us thrown from his house – although society has shunned him already. None of them are willing to say anything more. Their shame is so great that they cannot bear it. The sooner I can wed Miss Carshaw and take her to my estate, the better, for then I will never have to see her brother again, and that will be a great relief to us both.”
Blowing out a long breath, James passed one hand over his eyes, his courage failing suddenly. What hope did he have? If this young lady was not as he had thought, if she was not at the establishment, then what else was there for him to do?
“You must discover that truth first,” Lord Stoneleigh stated as if he had understood everything James had been thinking. “Continue on as you have planned. Make your way back and search for the young lady. Use the pendant if you must, but do not be surprised if she is no longer there.”
James nodded slowly, his jaw tight.
“And what do I do if she is not? I have nothing further to go on.”
“We will consider that, should it happen,” Lord Wiltsham said, firmly. “One step at a time. In this strange darkness, that is all we can do.”
Chapter Four
“We are going to be late!” Tara threw up her hands, as her sister continued to pull items out of drawers in search of a pair of grey gloves that she simplyhadto wear that evening. “Father will be most frustrated if we are tardy.”
“Father will not care a jot.” Her sister threw back at her as she continued to search. “You know that as well as I. He will be quite contented sitting in the drawing room with a book waiting for our arrival before we make our way to the ball. Thereafter, he will make his way straight to the gentlemen’s rooms and will sit there to converse with his friends whilst you chaperone me, even though you are of eligible age.”
A little surprised at her sister’s vehemence, Tara sat down on the edge of her sister’s bed.
“Are you truly this upset about your gloves? I am certain that I have a pair that I could lend to you.”
“It is not just about the gloves.” Whirling around, Mary fixed Tara with a slightly narrowed gaze. “It is frustration with our father. It is the fact that you are having to chaperone me when you ought to be enjoying the Season as much as I. I find the disparity deeply unsettling. Of course, I will admit that I have been foolish and that you have helped me recover - and I am all too aware of everything that you have been forced to give me because of it. But I am also aware that Father is not doing his duty as regards you. Nor I, for that matter. But you have set yourself in his place for me and while I am grateful for that, there is no one to set themselves in his place for you.”
Having had no expectation that her sister would speak so, Tara merely shrugged.
“But I have never given you any cause for concern. I have not cried over my own situation. I assure you I am content.”
“And yet I know that you are notfullycontent.” Her sister flung up her hands again. “I know that you have been forced to spend your own pin money on these gloves since Father has quite forgotten to give me any,eventhough I have approached him. And once more, you are forced to step in.”
“I would not say that I was forced,” Tara began, but her sister was not quite finished.
“You give, and you give, and yougiveof yourself, and I am the one who will find happiness, not you. That does not seem fair, Tara. That is not right in my eyes, and I am not sure that I can continue to be so satisfied.”
A little confused, Tara frowned as her sister finally found the pair of gloves she had been searching for, holding them aloft, almost triumphant.
“What is it that you intend to do? I have told you that there is nothing you need to do as regards my situation. Is there something more that I can say which will help alleviate your doubts?”
