“I see.” Henry frowned. “Then you think that I should go and speak with this fellow?”
“Certainly, although I think you ought to be wise in how you present yourself,” Lord Stoneleigh suggested. “He may be wary of gentlemen from society. Thus, I would make certain that you do not appear to be as highborn a gentleman as you truly are.”
Henry smiled grimly but nodded.
“I am not certain what it will take for him to answer you truthfully. It may be that he is either so afraid or so well paid that he will say very little about the gentlemen who were present that evening, and who have been continuing their endeavors, I believe.”
Blinking, Henry looked back at Lord Stoneleigh.
“You mean to say that those who stole our fortunes are continuing to do so to other gentlemen?”
“We believe that some may be doing so – those who have not yet been revealed by us!” Lord Foster remarked. “I am hopeful that there are fewer and fewer of these fellows behaving in such a disgraceful manner, and with your investigation hopefully leading to fruition, there will be one less.”
A small smile lifted one side of Henry’s mouth.
“I am not certain that I will be successful. I feel as though I have very little to go on.”
“You are not alone,” Lord Wiltsham replied encouragingly. “We will do all that we can to help you, but because the gentleman involved has been a different one for each of us – and not always connected to the others – there is not a great deal we can offer you by way of help. Lord Gillespie is no more – which is most unfortunate, and Lord Montague has fled to the continent.” His brow furrowed. “So that he cannot be pursued any longer.”
“And so he could not tell us anything further either,” Lord Wiltsham added. “Heartless, calculating rogue.” He shook his head. “And a coward also, given that he is less than willing to accept the consequences of his actions.”
“At least he did not get to keep your fortune, Lord Foster.”
“Indeed, he did not,” Lord Foster replied. “And I am grateful for that at least, although it does not aid you or Lord Silverton.”
Henry shrugged.
“The others have managed to achieve success without Lord Montague,” he stated. “I am sure that I shall do the same.”
“I admire your confidence.” Lord Pottinger shifted in his chair. “I could have done with a little more when I began my own inquiries! It would have served me well.”
Henry allowed himself a small smile.
“I must have hope, else I would remain at my estate, lost in pen and ink and papers as I attempted to ensure that everything which I have left will be sufficient for the remainder of my days. Now that I have heard that some of you have had success, I could not go back to my estate, not without ensuring that I have done everything possible to regain my fortune.” His heart twisted as he thought of Lady Emma again, trying to push her from his thoughts once more. “And I shall have no young lady to distract me from that particular intention.”
To his surprise, the other gentleman chuckled, although Henry did not know why. He waited for them to explain and, eventually, Lord Wiltsham explained.
“Be assured, Lord Thornbridge, the rest of us have attempted to be single-minded, but have indeed struggled, given that there have been certain young ladies eager to be a part of our lives and our considerations, whether we wished them to be or not!”
Lord Pottinger chuckled.
“And yet, I find myself grateful that myself, and my beautiful young lady, were flung together in such a manner. I would not have known her otherwise. I would not be as happy as I am at present either.”
“You may be assured that I have no intention of allowinganythingto distract me from my intentions,” Henry answered firmly. “As I have already said, I have ended my connection. There is nothing between us.”
Sitting back in his chair, Lord Stoneleigh picked up his brandy glass, his smile remaining on his lips.
“That is admirable, certainly,” he agreed. “Might I ask if Lady Emma herself has the same firm determination? Or could it be that she is not quite as ready to give up this connection as you?”
“It matters not what she thinks,” Henry replied, making certain to ignore the twisting in his heart. “I have decided that I cannot have any interruption from my current course. Besides which, if I were to continue things with Lady Emma, I could notpossiblyoffer her the life that a young lady such as she requires.” His breath came a little more quickly as he spoke, trying to be as nonchalant as possible, and without a single flicker of emotion whilst his heart felt as though it were slowly being ripped in two. “I am no longer the gentleman I was.”
“You may be surprised to learn that not every young lady is as eager for wealth, fortune, and good standing as you might think,” Lord Pottinger said quietly, as the other gentleman nodded, much to Henry’s surprise. “All of us, I believe, have discovered that the young ladies we considered most dear to our heart were more than willing to accept us just as we were – even with our struggles and our faults.”
“And even with our lack of fortune!” Lord Stoneleigh added. “I myself am betrothed, even though my fortune has not yet been fully restored to me.”
Henry shook his head.
“I doubt that such a thing will be possible for me,” he replied quietly. “I have already set my heart against any further connection between myself and Lady Emma. My heart will have to forget about her.” He spoke with a confidence that was not within his heart, and certainly it was not reflected in the eyes of any of his friends. Taking a breath, he squeezed one hand into a fist. “I intend to give this my all. That means that there cannot be room for Lady Emma any longer, as unfortunate as that may be. I am quite determined.”
