“Yes, that is a good idea. I confess that I am very confused at present, and the only thing I can think to do is return to my townhouse and attempt to recall what happened last evening.” He spoke half to himself, and half to his solicitor, but the man nodded sympathetically as if he understood the deep distress which now wrapped tight around Henry’s shoulders. “And if you recall anything else, please inform me of it at once,” Henry continued.
With a wave of his hand, and saying nothing else, he turned on his heel and strode towards the door. His solicitor said something more, but Henry paid no attention. He could not recall what had happened last evening, save for the fact that he was now in some severe amount of pain and his mind was entirely clouded. He had found himself in an unfamiliar situation in the early hours of the morning – sitting in a gambling den with very little idea as to what had happened. Shortly afterward, he had found Lord Stoneleigh injured and, upon trying to hail a hackney to his townhouse, had found Lord Silverton also. Lord Silverton seemed to have been aware of his lack of fortune by some means or another, but their urgency had been with Lord Stoneleigh. By and by, he had found all of his friends, save for Lord Foster, and they were now gone to confirm that the situation they woke to find themselves in was indeed as dark as it appeared.
Now they were all to return to Lord Foster’s residence, in the hope that their friend had returned home – else where else might they find him? Henry’s stomach rolled as he got into his carriage, closing his eyes, silently praying that Lord Fosterhadmanaged to return home.
And what difficulties will lie in wait for me now?
No longer would he be one of the most eligible gentlemen in all of England, not when his fortune was so significantly reduced. He might be able to hide it from society for a time, but it would not be for long.
And nor can I take on a bride.
Closing his eyes tightly, Henry leaned his head back against the squabs. That was of more significance than he had initially considered and, to his astonishment, caused him a great sense of loss. This, combined with the pain in his body, made him feel as though everything in him was about to shatter into nothingness. Everything he was, everything he had built up for so long, was about to be taken away from him.
The carriage reached Lord Foster’s townhouse and drew up at the same time as Lord Wiltsham and Lord Stoneleigh’s conveyances. Henry managed a brief smile as he climbed out of his carriage.
“Is it as bad as you thought?” Lord Wiltsham asked immediately, and it was all Henry could do to nod. His friend’s eyes narrowed. “Then it is as I feared. There has been some wicked scheme that has overtaken us all.” Scowling, he shook his head. “Something has happened. Something very dark indeed. We have all been duped – intentionally, so I believe.”
Henry shook his head.
“I cannot agree with you. This has been my own foolishness, I think.”
Lord Stoneleigh let out a low groan, and Lord Wiltsham immediately jumped to attention.
“My apologies, my friend.”
Remembering that Lord Stoneleigh was injured, Henry reacted immediately, hurrying forward.
“I have already seen a surgeon, but another is coming,” Lord Stoneleigh muttered, managing to cast a weak smile toward Henry. “I will not die, however. That is a relief, at least.”
Henry managed to return the smile with an effort, his eyes going to Lord Wiltsham. His friend was frowning heavily, his eyes shadowed. Was there even the slightest possibility that what Lord Wiltsham had suggested could be true, Henry wondered as they helped Lord Stoneleigh into the house. Could it be that this was some great and nefarious scheme, whereby five gentlemen of thetonwould lose their fortunes to an unscrupulous sort? His heart clattered suddenly, recalling how Lord Gillespie had been the one to encourage them to the East End of London. Had he done so knowing exactly what would happen, should they go there? That was very difficult to believe, for Lord Gillespie was as much a gentleman as the rest of them, and a close friend to some. Besides which, there was no obvious reason for him to have behaved with such cold callousness unless the man had been facing a circumstance that the rest of them knew very little about.
The door opened and the butler admitted them.
“Lord Silverton has arrived already,” the man murmured. “I am to rouse Lord Foster in a moment and will have him join you. The maid will bring you all some refreshment.”
Without a word, Henry continued into the house with Lord Stoneleigh and Lord Wiltsham, making their way to the drawing room and joining Lord Silverton, who let out a murmur of evident relief upon seeing them. Within a few minutes, not only they, but Lord Pottinger had arrived also, leaving them now to await the arrival of Lord Foster.
Henry looked around the room, but took nothing in, finding his heart dropping lower with every moment. Were they all without fortune now? And if that was true, then it could be that what Lord Wiltsham had suggested was possible.
I have been duped.
“I do not think that Lord Foster is aware of what has taken place,” Lord Silverton muttered darkly, breaking the silence. “When I arrived and insisted on staying, his butler informed me that he would have to awaken Lord Foster. I was relieved to know that he was here, but sleep is not something that any of us could do at present. Therefore, it must be that he simply has no knowledge of it.”
“We will have to impart heavy news to him,” Lord Wiltsham murmured, as Henry nodded grimly.
He certainly could not even think about sleep at the present moment. Yes, his head ached, and his body was sore, but he could not allow himself to rest.
“I wonder if he will remember anything. My memory is very faded indeed.”
Seeing the other men nod slowly, Henry closed his eyes. It was of great concern to realize that he had no recollection of what had taken place the previous evening. Yes, he might have been in his cups, but that did not usually mean he had forgotten every detail.
“I am certain that is because some of us were given something to make certain that we didnotremember,” one of the gentlemen muttered, rubbing one hand over his face.
“Then the only way I will be able to regain what has been taken from me is if I can have the gentleman who took it in the first place sign it back to me.” Scowling, he shrugged. “I do not think that I have any great chance of success.”
“You cannot recall the man, I assume?”
Lord Stoneleigh’s eyes were heavy with shadow and pain.
