Spittle was now flying from Lord Warrington’s lips, and Emma wrinkled her nose in distaste. She had no concerns about Lord Thornbridge, for Lord Warrington had nothing he could lay on Lord Thornbridge’s shoulders. There was no guilt, no shame, no wrongdoing. The only person who had failed here was himself.
“Again, I have not deceived you.” Opening his arms wide, Lord Thornbridge looked around the room. “I have many gentlemen here, and ladies too, who will be able to assure you of that.”
“But I have only just taken that from you.”
Lord Warrington’s voice was a loud scream and Emma’s eyes shot wide, her heart pulling back into her chest as she realized, with great astonishment and great relief, exactly what it was that Lord Warrington had just admitted to.
Silence fell across the room, the only sound Lord Warrington’s ragged breathing.
Lord Thornbridge took a moment, the quietness going thick as he moved forward into the center of the room. The crowd of guests formed a circle around him as he looked from one person to the other, a question in his eyes. A question that Emma knew the answer to.
“Did you all hear what Lord Warrington just stated?” A quiet murmur of agreement ran around the room. “And can you all listen to what I have to say?” With every eye on him, Lord Thornbridge spread his hands wide. “You have all heard Lord Warrington admit to the fact that he had taken my fortune from me – he did so by deception,” he declared, sounding a good deal more confident now. “I knew that to be true, when I sat down at the table this evening, but I was determined to act with honor. There are many witnesses to prove that I have done so. I offered mercy. It was not accepted by Lord Warrington, and thus he has lost a great part of his fortune. But it is a fortune that was taken from me only some short months ago. I have those around me who will concur with that,” he continued, turning to look back at Lord Warrington, as if making certain that the fellow could not protest.
The silence continued for some moments as Lord Warrington said nothing. His hand curled tighter still, lifting slightly – and then fell to his side.
“My nephew.”
The words were muttered from Lord Warrington’s thick lips and Emma took in a deep breath of relief. He was not about to argue against all that Lord Thornbridge had said. His guilt was plain for all to see.
“Yes, your nephew – a gentleman who is a good deal more honorable than you.” Lord Thornbridge’s voice was low. “He came the evening that you tried – and succeeded – to steal from me. He attempted to stop the man you had hired and, even though you did as you had planned, he soon found me to tell me the truth – despite your threats to his person. Now, however, I will tell everyone here in this room precisely what you have done, so that they will all be safe from your cruelty.” Glancing over her shoulder, Emma looked towards her mother and her father, seeing her mother’s eyes wide, but her father’s gaze burning. Perhaps, Emma realized, her father was acquainted with Lord Warrington, and this was greatly upsetting for him to hear. “Lord Warrington endeavored to drug me. He succeeded, even though he hired another man to do the deed. He did not wish to do it himself, and that is because he is nothing but a coward, a cheat, a fraud, and a deceiver.”
Hearing the murmurings, Emma looked around the room, a little worried that many would not believe Lord Thornbridge, only to see the dark expressions on many a gentleman’s face. Perhaps it was that Lord Thornbridge was not the only one who had been attacked, in some way, by Lord Warrington.
“The following morning, I awoke to discover that I was not only physically injured, but that most of my fortune had been signed over to another man. Apparently, I had signed the document agreeing to this, although I could not remember doing so, nor could I explain the many bruises to my back.”
Lord Warrington snorted, as though such a thing was Lord Thornbridge’s fault.
“If you had not struggled so, then such a thing would not have been required.”
Lord Warrington’s teeth were gritted tight, his words harsh as he spat them towards Lord Thornbridge.
Again, another murmur ran around the room, but this time it was louder than before. Lord Thornbridge cleared his throat, and it slowly began to fade away as everyone turned their attention toward him again.
“I have kept my circumstances from you all, since the day that the loss occurred,” Lord Thornbridge continued, speaking with great honesty. “I have done so because I was determined to regain my fortune. I could not have done it without the help of my friends and Lady Emma.” He extended one hand towards her, clearly aware of where she was standing, and Emma pressed one hand to her heart, holding his gaze steadily. She was aware of others looking at her, but she had nobody in her view apart from him. The tiny smile on his lips took some of his severe expression away, and her heart soared, seeing, now, that justice had been done, and that the relief which came with that knowledge was overwhelming.
“I would urge all of you to stay far from Lord Warrington. He is a man not worthy to be in company with,” Lord Thornbridge continued, dropping his hand. “I would also encourage all of you to make certain that you maintain an acquaintance with Mr. Colbridge. He is Lord Warrington’s heir and is a much finer gentleman than this man could ever hope to be.”
Lord Warrington let out such a scream that Emma jumped visibly, but there was nothing for Lord Warrington to do. He could not attack Lord Thornbridge, given that there were so many of his friends and acquaintances around him, and neither could he do anything about the document which he himself had filled in and signed. Emma watched in grim fascination as Lord Warrington threw up his hands, screaming out exclamation after exclamation, only to then drop his head into his hands and, after a moment, rush through the crowd. It parted for him, and Lord Warrington ran past her, brushing against her as he went. Emma followed him with her eyes, quite certain within herself that this was the last time she would ever see the man.
“Emma.” Her father touched her shoulder. “We must make our way home.”
“Father, I –”
“No.” With great authority, Lord Stanbury held her gaze, his eyebrows settling low and sending shadows into his eyes. “Come. There are many things we must discuss. Perhaps this evening is not the time, given the hour, but it must be before you see Lord Thornbridge again.”
A sudden fear captured Emma’s heart, her hand going to his arm, her fingers tight.
“You would not keep him from me now, Father? Please, I beg of you, you cannot even be considering separating us, not after everything you have just heard!”
A small smile spread across her father’s face and Emma closed her eyes in sheer relief.
“My dear girl, I will not keep you from him, but I must know exactly what has taken place, and just how long you have known of it. Lord Warrington was acquainted with me, a friend, even, or so I thought. To hear such things being said has greatly distressed me.”
Emma nodded, then turned her head to look at Lord Thornbridge. Their eyes caught and he smiled and nodded, seemingly aware that she was to take her leave.
With a great breath of relief, Emma walked from the room, making her way out through the hallway, and thereafter to her father’s carriage. She would speak to her father, and then tomorrow would be back in company with Lord Thornbridge. She could hardly wait to be in his arms again.
* * *
