The agony in his head was rather intense. It was if he had been punished for attempting to be a gentleman. Checking his coat, he went to find the coin required for the hackney driver, only for his stomach to twist.
He had no coin.
How could such a thing be? He had made certain there was more than enough when he left the house. Pushing his fingers into another pocket, he clasped around a few coins and pulled them out, his breath catching.
It was not quite enough.
Rapping on the roof, he called the hackney to stop. Climbing out, he grimaced with the pain and then handed the coins up to the driver.
“You’re short.”
“I know. I am sorry. It is all I have. I thought I had more, but I have been stolen from and–” Feeling the need to draw himself up, to make it quite clear that he was not the sort to take advantage of such a person, only to recall that he was not dressed as a gentleman. He opened his mouth in an attempt to find a reasonable explanation, only for something to hit him in the chest. The hackney pulled away and Henry found himself on his back, mud plastered up the back of his coat.
It was dark and there were only a few lanterns lit, but that was enough to see just how filthy he was. The driver had kicked out at him before pulling away, expressing his disgust over his lack of payment.
Groaning, Henry pushed himself up onto his elbows and then, after a moment, got to his knees. His clothes were filthy and no doubt his face would be a little dusty also. Dropping his head, he let out a long breath and crossed the street, ready to make his way home. He was not far from his townhouse.
The small exclamation came as he stepped onto the pavement, having almost walked directly into a young lady, with another behind her.
“Good gracious, do watch where you are going!”
The second young lady’s voice was sharp with irritation. Henry ducked his head again, daring a glance at the first young lady knowing full well that he appeared to be nothing more than a tramp - only for his heart to scream with both astonishment and horror.
“Lord… Thornbridge?” Lady Emma’s eyes went wide with sheer astonishment. “Is that you?”
Chapter Six
Emma couldn’t quite believe what she was seeing. It had been rather difficult to make out the figure crossing the street, but as the man had almost walked into her, she had recognized his strong features. He wore no hat, his jacket was of the most unmentionable sort, and there appeared to be a great deal of dirt about his person. She could not understand why he appeared in such a state, but now that she spoke his name, he could not simply hurry away.
“Lady Emma.”
He did not so much as a glance at Diane, perhaps a little too embarrassed to look at her and, indeed, could not seem to look at Emma directly either, for his gaze went tumbling to the ground.
“Are you… injured in some way?”
Lord Thornbridge cleared his throat, placing his hands behind his back as he pulled his shoulders back. He still appeared quite distinguished in spite of his odd appearance.
“No, I am not injured.”
“Then some disaster has befallen you,” Diane broke in, appearing as shocked as Emma was. Her eyes were wide, her face quite pale, and there was no hint of a smile dancing about her lips. They were only a few steps from home, but it was still astonishing to see him in such a strange situation.
Lord Thornbridge cleared his throat.
“You might say that some poor fortune has overtaken me.” Coughing, he shrugged, obviously trying to make light of his present circumstance. “I should return home. Excuse me.”
Emma caught his arm.
“You are not walking there, are you? Your townhouse is still some distance away and this is very late.”
It was unlikely, but there was still the chance that he might be set upon by some ruffian… although, given that he looked like one of them, the chances were a little less.
“I am, yes.”
There was a hint of difficulty in his words and a tightness about his expression. There was something very strange occurring, she was sure of it and, try as she might, her curiosity would not be sated. What was he doing walking here? First, she had seen those dreadful bruises to his back, then he had ended their close acquaintance without genuine explanation, and then he was back in London. To see him in such a state as this was most extraordinary.
“Perhaps we shall see you tomorrow,” she said as Lord Thornbridge made to walk past them both. “I would be glad to know that you are returned home safely and without further… incident.”
Her hand reached out and caught his just as he melted into the darkness. Their fingers held for just a moment, his head twisted to look at her, and then he dropped her hand and walked away.
