Lord Stoneleigh smiled, but he did not laugh.
“You seemed most intent on speaking with her after you danced the polka,” he reminded James. “Forgive me, I did not mean to watch you both, but it was only that you were nearby, and both Lord Wiltsham and myself were concerned about the ball and your presence there. We kept a rather close eye on the situation!”
“Oh, I have no concerns in that regard,” James replied quickly, aware that he could not hide the truth from his friend for a great deal of time. “Yes, I do remember Miss Shaw. And yes, I did speak to her after our dance. It was only that…” Shaking his head, he twisted his lips to one side, his jaw jutting forward as he considered how best to explain himself. “I had the distinct impression that I had met her somewhere before. I asked her about this, but she said to me that we had never been introduced until last night. I must be mistaking her for someone else, but no matter how much I have tried, I cannot bring to mind who that person might be. It is most infuriating!”
“I can imagine,” Lord Stoneleigh grinned, the light back in his eyes now that he realized the conversation between James and Miss Shaw had not been a difficult one. “I do not know a great deal about the Misses Shaw, but I know that one of them is a little quiet. I say that as a gentleman who has not always been inclined towards society’s company, so I certainly do not hold such a thing against her.
“Nor do I,” James admitted as Lord Stoneleigh grinned.
“Yes, I believe the eldest is something akin to a wallflower, whereas her sister seems a good deal more vivacious.”
James found himself speaking up, as if in defense of the lady.
“Miss Mary Shaw stated that her sister is so out of her own sense of duty, which is an admirable quality. I assume that their mother is not present for her to be encouraged into the position of supporting her younger sister, however?”
“I believe the mother passed away some years ago,” Lord Stoneleigh told him. “It is understandable that the elder feels responsible for the younger, although it must be a little difficult for her if she is of eligible age also.”
“She must have a very unselfish character,” James murmured, thinking aloud as his gaze slid away from his friend. “It is not every young lady who would behave so.”
“Certainly, it is not,” came Lord Stoneleigh’s reply. “You think well of her then? You think her handsome?”
He wiggled his eyebrows a little and grinned, but James only laughed and waved one hand as if dismissing the remark.
“I think her handsome, yes, but I think that of many a young lady,” he replied, ignoring the fact that his interest was already piqued by what Lord Stoneleigh had told him about her. “In fact, my mind is not taken up by thoughts of the lady, but rather of my situation. I have been wondering what it is I ought to do next and encouraging myself to move forward rather than linger here. In fact, I was just about to make my way back to the East End of London before your arrival.”
Lord Stoneleigh immediately rose out of the chair.
“Then allow me to come with you. My betrothed is busy putting her trousseau together and thus I am quite at liberty.” Seeing James about to protest, he slapped one hand down on his shoulder. “Trust me, these things are a good deal better done with company.”
James let out a slightly frustrated breath but nodded, even though he would have much preferred to make his way there alone.
“Very well.”
“Capital.” Lord Stoneleigh grinned and then went towards the door. “There is nothing that you need to feel ashamed of, recall. I am here to support you as your friend.”
Taking a deep breath, James nodded slowly.
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
“And as your friend, might I suggest to you that we hail a cab, rather than taking your carriage,” Lord Stoneleigh said as he walked from the study. “I have visited the East End already and I can assure you it is much preferable to take a cab and remain as unobtrusive as possible.”
James paused, then nodded agreement to his friend’s idea.
“Allow me just a few minutes to gather up my coat, and tell my staff that I am going out, taking a cab, and I will join you.”
“Of course.”
Ten minutes later, they stepped out onto the street, and James turned to Lord Stoneleigh, even as the gentleman hailed a passing cab.
“Mayhap you can tell me about what you discovered, as we make our way there.” Lord Stoneleigh nodded. “I should be very glad to hear of everything that you discovered before you secured your fortune once more. It may give me a little more hope for my own circumstances.”
* * *
“This is where we were first.”
Lord Stoneleigh gestured to the red door, and immediately James found himself nodding, remembering it.
“We came here with Lord Gillespie as our guide,” he said aloud, as Lord Stoneleigh nodded. “He promised us an evening of success as far as I recall.”
