Henry did not hesitate.
Running towards him, he pushed forward with all of his might, his heart pounding furiously. He threw himself on top of the attacker, shoving him back from Colbridge. Something cracked across his cheek and another blow was hit to his stomach as he swiftly realized that the first attacker had been joined by another. Both himself and Lord Stoneleigh fought valiantly, and after some minutes, the two men, strong as they were, were dispersed. Henry rubbed furiously at his stinging face, taking heaving, gasping breaths into his lungs which were sore, while his heart was pounding with both energy and pain.
“Are you quite alright?”
Managing to speak through rasping breaths, he turned his head to Colbridge, just as Lady Emma came hurrying towards him with Lady Fullerton by her side.
“Good gracious!”
Lady Emma placed her hand on his shoulder as if to make certain that he was well, and Henry pulled her into him, needing her closeness as Lady Fullerton spoke to the young man.
Colbridge was doubled over, gasping heavily. There was a cut above his eyebrow, and blood was trickling down towards his eye, but otherwise, he did not appear to be severely injured.
“I am all right.”
His voice was weak, and his face was pale, but Henry allowed himself a small breath of relief. It did not look as though Colbridge was about to succumb to injury any time soon.
“Who were those men?” Lord Stoneleigh clapped one hand over Colbridge’s back and the young man winced before straightening. “Whatever they were about, they clearly had some negative intentions towards you.”
“Obviously, I have been discovered.” Finally straightening, Colbridge shook his head, then turned one foot at the ankle, testing it for damage. “My uncle’s spies must have found me. They will be determined to keep me from you, Lord Thornbridge. I thought I would be safe, and had no reason to believe that they knew I was in London. It seems that I have underestimated my uncle, however.”
Remembering the fellow who had watched them so carefully last evening, Henry let out a slow breath.
“I believe you are right, Colbridge. Your courage in this matter is outstanding.”
“Indeed,” Lord Stoneleigh murmured as Colbridge managed a weak smile.
“You said to me last evening that there was more you had to say. Will you speak it now, before further trouble approaches?”
A squeeze of his hand from Lady Emma had him looking down at her. A gentle flicker in her eyes spoke of her concern for Colbridge, and Henry found himself nodding.
“Although perhaps here is not the best place, Thornbridge?”
Her soft question had him smiling at her, grateful once more for her consideration.
“Yes, you are right.” Turning his attention back to Colbridge, he took in the young man’s pale face. “You have already done a great deal for me, even though you had no true need to do so. I am not your family. I am not even your friend, and yet you have risked your family’s wrath to do what is right. Whatever you require, you will have it from me – and now, I believe, you require safety. Let us speak at my townhouse and arrangements can be made from there.”
The young man let out a breath of relief, his face suddenly ashen, and Henry’s stomach turned over as he recalled what the proprietor had said. Viscount Warrington, Colbridge’s uncle, seemed to be the most venomous of gentlemen. Perhaps it was that he had threatened his own flesh and blood to keep him silent. What sort of fellow would do that?
The sort of man who has nothing but cruelty within his heart.
A swell of protectiveness suddenly filled Henry. This young man had shown a great deal of courage, and certainly more integrity than anyone else in the Warrington line. Henry would do all he could to protect him.
“Yes, let us not stay in St James’s Park,” Lord Stoneleigh murmured as Henry nodded his agreement. “Colbridge, come to my carriage. Might I suggest that we go to my townhouse, instead of yours, Thornbridge? There may be men watching you since they are obviously aware of Colbridge’s intention to speak with you.”
Murmurs of agreement came from every side and, with relief, Henry guided Lady Emma and her cousin towards the carriages, glancing all around them as they walked to make certain that there would be no other attacks. Within a short while, he would know everything about what had taken place the night that he had lost his fortune, but what he was to do thereafter was still to be determined. Glancing at the young man as he limped down the path, Henry swore to himself that he would not only protect Colbridge, but he would never allow Lady Emma to be in any sort of danger because of his present situation. She was the only thing of value in his life and mattered to him a good deal more than any fortune ever could. In looking for his fortune, he had discovered something even more precious. Even if it meant giving up what he had lost, nothing was worth losing her. She was the only thing that mattered in his life, and he would do anything he had to do protect her.
* * *
“Thank you.”
Under the watchful eye of Lord Stoneleigh, the young man sipped at his brandy, and it was with relief that Henry noted the color coming back into his face. It had been a somewhat tense journey home, with Colbridge looking out of the carriage window, evidently afraid that someone would soon overtake them, someone who might prevent him from being taken to safety. But they had managed to reach Lord Stoneleigh’s townhouse without interruption, and it was only now that the young fellow was beginning to relax.
“We owe you a great deal,” Lord Stoneleigh murmured softly as Henry nodded. “What is it that you fear your uncle will do?”
Colbridge shook his head and shrugged, but there was a shifting of his eyes that told Henry he was still very much afraid.
“My uncle cares nothing for his family. The little he has means nothing to him. I believe he would be willing to give us all up if it meant that he could have a little more coin.” He laughed, but the sound was rough and broken. “My father was the next in line to take on the title, but he passed away some years ago, leaving myself, my sister, and my mother. My sister has married well, and my mother currently resides with her. For my own part, I believe that it is the best place for her at present, given all that has taken place. My uncle did not know that I was in London, but neither did he seem to care. I had written to ask if I might stay with him for the Season but received no reply. Therefore, I chose to simply arrive, in the hope that I would be given a welcome - and it was there that I overheard my uncle’s nefarious scheming with Lord Montague.”
