And then he lifted his head, and the moment was gone, leading her back to herself, only to see the same fire burning in his eyes as she felt within herself.
“Come.”
Offering her his arm, Lord Thornbridge waited until she took it before they began walking together, turning to make their way in the vague direction of the watchful fellow. Keeping their steps steady, and without any sense of hurry, Emma let her eyes rove around the shadows, her hand tightening imperceptibly on Lord Thornbridge’s arm.
There.
Her hand squeezed his arm and they turned together – just as a man stepped forward out of the shadows.
“YouareLord Thornbridge.”
He did not move any closer, but kept away, his voice just loud enough for them to hear.
“Yes.”
Clearing his throat, Lord Thornbridge looked towards the man, then glanced at Emma. A slight lift of his eyebrow had her nodding that yes, this was a man she had seen.
“I have only just returned to London, and I have been desperately seeking you,” the young man murmured. “Pray, do not look in my direction. There are those who seek to injure me because of what I wish to say to you. I have been prevented, over and over, from coming near you and I am sorry for it. I know I am too late.”
“You are speaking of the evening I had my fortune stolen, are you not?”
The young man nodded.
“I am. I heard of what was going to happen and did what I could to prevent such a thing from taking place, but I was pulled back at every turn. Indeed, I was even thrown from the establishment that night, once my uncle realized what I was doing.”
“Your uncle?” Emma repeated, aware of the sudden tension in Lord Thornbridge’s frame. “You mean to say that your uncle is behind Lord Thornbridge’s fortune? The theft of it, I mean.”
“Yes, that is it, precisely.” The man glanced around him. “I am not even meant to be in London. My uncle had me sent far from here, under guard, but I have escaped and returned. I am horrified that such disgrace has come upon my family, and I am angry that my uncle would seek to do such a thing as this. I do not know if there is anything that can be done, but I come to you now, in the hope of telling you all, so that you might be able to make some sort of change, to take some action to reverse your loss.”
“What is your name?” Lord Thornbridge asked, his voice low.
He did not look in the young man’s direction as he had asked but instead turned himself slightly towards Emma as though they were sharing a quiet conversation.
“I am Colbridge. My uncle is Viscount Warrington. He has no heir save for myself, given that he has no children of his own, and my father has passed also.” There came a short pause. “My uncle has always been flippant about the wealth that he now possesses, and has cared nothing for the consequences of his frivolity. He has always assumed that he will have more than enough but, of late, the consequences of his indulgent spending became clear. He decided that the only way he could increase his coin was to take wealth from others. His gambling was lacking, and his skill at the card table insufficient, and thus he became involved with Lord Montague.”
Emma had never heard of Lord Montague, but by Lord Thornbridge’s lifted eyebrows, he clearly had.
“Lord Montague is now in the continent.”
“Yes, so I have heard.” The man’s voice had dropped low. “There is more to say, but perhaps now is not the time. As I have said, I am not meant to be in London at present, and I am doing all that I can to avoid those who are, no doubt, looking for me by now.”
“Then when can we speak?”
Emma turned as the young man lifted his face, his eyes clear.
“Tomorrow, St. James Park, noon. Youmustbe there on time, without any delay. And then I will tell you everything.”
Lord Thornbridge nodded and murmured a thank you, but before they could say anything more, the young man disappeared into the shadows and was gone. Emma quickly glanced all around, wondering why he had taken to his heels so quickly, only to see another gentleman looking in their direction. His eyes were slightly narrowed, as though he were attempting to peer into the darkness beyond them, trying to make out the shadows that might be there. Her stomach twisted uncomfortably, and heat ran through her, even though the night air was cool.
“Who is that man?”
Lord Thornbridge looked down at her.
“What man are you speaking of?”
Emma flicked her eyes towards the fellow again who, by this time, had removed his gaze from them both, but Lord Thornbridge was able to make him out.
“I do not know. Why do you ask?”
