“Threats, no doubt,” Lord Stoneleigh murmured, as Henry let the man’s arm drop. “Come now. Nothing that you tell us now you will put you in any danger, we can assure you of that.”
The man shook his head, then slammed one hand down flat on the counter, making Henry jump.
“You can’t promise me that. You have no idea of this man’s strength,” he shot back, angrily. “I won’t say anything else.” His eyes roved towards Henry. “You’re right, I forgot exactly what it was he threatened, but now that I remember it, I take back everything I said. I shouldn’t have said a single word.” Jerking his chin towards the door, he glowered at them both. “Leave. I don’t want you here.”
Growing a little desperate, Henry tried to say something more, only for Lord Stoneleigh to take his arm, muttering that they ought to do as requested. Filled with frustration more than anything else, Henry pounded one hand down onto the counter, his lips in a tight line – although he said nothing. After a moment, he turned and walked out of the establishment, his chest tight, his heart pounding and anger slowly replacing the frustration.
“We have learned something, at least.” Evidently sensing his mood Lord Stoneleigh shrugged. “You need not look so irritated. It is a good thing we have gained from him!”
“What have we gained?” Aware of the low, angry tone, Henry drew in a long breath. “I cannot see anything good.”
“We have learned that there was one gentleman who thought to stop you from becoming as the rest of us. That is why you were given so much brandy. Do you not understand? This first man the proprietor spoke of – the small, thin one that the proprietor thought to be untrustworthy – I think he is, in fact, an ally.”
“An ally?” Henry laughed coldly. “It seems to me as though he was doing his best to put as much of that laudanum – or whatever it was – into me as he could. No doubt he was working with this other man!”
“That is where you are wrong.” Lord Stoneleigh hurried forward, climbed into the carriage, and sat down. “Do you not see? Yes, he gave you brandy – but toreplacethe brandy you had already been given. He was obviously doing all he could to prevent you from drinking the drugged brandy. He did not want you to take even the smallest mouthful!”
Henry considered this for a few moments and the shadows which had wrapped around his heart slowly began to dissipate as he realized exactly what his friend was saying.
“Yes. I understand what you mean. Perhaps… perhaps there is a little hope yet.”
Lord Stoneleigh nodded.
“You are fortunate. The description we were given was specific.” A wry smile crossed his lips. “You were not told it was some dark-haired, tall English fellow, for that is what I was given and there was no chance at all that I would have been able to single him out!”
Henry’s anger began to fade.
“But if we still have to find this man.”
“Yes, but then this man – someone who clearly was aware of the scheme and doing their best to protect you – could, in turn, lead us to the perpetrator also!”
Hope continued to grow in Henry’s heart, built up by Lord Stoneleigh’s encouragement.
“I can understand what you mean,” he said eventually, allowing the idea to sink into his mind. “Yes, you are right. Perhaps there is a chance. Thank you, my friend. I am a good deal more encouraged than I was when we left that place!”
Lord Stoneleigh grinned.
“I am glad of it. Allow your hope to grow and be glad of what we have gained. This is a great beginning for you – and let us pray that your fortune will soon follow.”
Chapter Eight
“After that hackney!”
Well aware that she was being very foolish indeed, Emma rapped on the roof of her carriage and called to the coachman again. He seemed to understand what she meant for within a few seconds, he had flicked the reins and the horses followed after the hackney which had only just passed them. She had just finished visiting an acquaintance with her mother, but her mother had decided to stay a little longer, telling Emma to return to the house to prepare for this evening. Now, however, Emma was alone, aside from her maid, and therefore had no concerns to keep her from following the hackney.
A casual glance had caught her interest, for she had seen Lord Thornbridge within it, frowning heavily. His hat had been absent, and one hand had thrust itself through his hair as he had spoken with the fellow opposite him - a gentleman whom Emma had not had a moment to recognize. No doubt it was one of his acquaintances, but as yet, Emma found herself quite curious as to where he was going and what they were discussing. It was, of course, ridiculous of her to be doing so, for Lord Thornbridge might simply be discussing the weather for all she knew. However, her actions were quite determined and therefore she found herself in the carriage, following after the hackney to see where it went.
After a few minutes, it stopped just outside Hyde Park. Glad that her maid was with her, Emma quickly instructed the driver to wait before stepping out herself.
“I believe Lady Stanbury asked that we return to the house,” her maid murmured, but Emma barely gave her more than half an ear, having very little interest in what her mother had suggested, given that Lord Thornbridge was now so near her.
“I am well aware of that, but I require a short turn through Hyde Park,” she stated. “I am a little stiff after sitting so long, and the fine weather will do me good.”
“You have no parasol,” the maid murmured as the sun began to reveal itself in all its beautiful glory. “I should–”
“I have my bonnet.”
Tying the ribbons loosely under her chin, she stepped forward into the park, without glancing either to her right or to her left but looking straight ahead. The maid came with her, and Emma continued on directly. She did not want Lord Thornbridge to see that she was following him, or evenlookingat him, but at the same time, wanted very much to be entirely aware of where he was at present and what it was that he was doing.
