“And what if the person I spoke with told me that they could prove it?” The gentleman’s voice had dropped low, and a sudden sense of foreboding ran straight through Jonathan’s frame. “What if I had already said the very thing to them that you have just stated? Then, Lord Sherbourne, what should you do?”
“I should still think it to be absurd, and that the person telling you such rumors must have made a mistake.” Lady Cassandra spoke before Jonathan himself could respond. “As I have told you, Lord Sherbourne, I have never believed a single word of this. In fact, I told Lord Alderton the very same thing. Not a word of it can be believed, even if it cansupposedlybe proven, I am still not inclined to believe it.”
“Very well.” Lord Alderton shrugged. “Then, Lord Sherbourne, I assume that you do not possess a diamond bracelet? One where the clasp is broken, one that has such great monetary value that it is very rarely worn outside of the home for fear of its loss? Will you stand here and tell both myself, Lady Cassandra, and Lady Yardley that you do not have that item in your possession?”
Everything within Jonathan began to burn in one single moment. His entire body was on fire, every muscle tense as his anger began to blow away like smoke. Somehow, Lord Alderton had found out about the situation with the bracelet and he was now using it to his advantage. Jonathan closed his eyes briefly, as the image of Lord Knoxbridge’s face entered his mind. There was no doubt that his friend was the one responsible for this, for he was the only one he had spoken to - but that was not the issue at present. How was he to prove himself? Should he state that he had absolutely no knowledge of what Lord Alderton spoke of? Or should he confess the truth to Lady Cassandra and explain himself thereafter?
“Lord Sherbourne?”
There was a slight quiver to Lady Cassandra’s voice as she spoke his name. Jonathan looked towards her, his heart quickening into a fast, furious pace. He did not know what to say; the choice laid out starkly before him.
“Cassandra, I–”
“I should like to know the name of the person you have been speaking with, Lord Alderton.” It was Lady Yardley’s voice that interrupted the quiet, giving Jonathan a few moments to collect himself. “And why has this person not come to speak to Lord Sherbourne directly?”
“That is a private matter.”
Lord Alderton’s response confirmed to Jonathan that the person he had spoken to was none other than Lord Knoxbridge.
“Then it is all just hearsay,” Lady Yardley continued, sharply. “You have no proof of what you have said – and therefore, it is unfair of you to demand anything from Lord Sherbourne.” There was a hardness in her tone, her features almost carved into stone. “Rather, you should have come to speak gently, informing Lord Sherbourne of this rumor, instead of insisting that he prove himself one way or the other.”
“I speak only out of concern for Lady Cassandra.” Lord Alderton sent sharp eyes toward Jonathan, who simply continued to watch the interplay, still battling with feelings of anger, concern, and confusion. “I speak as someone who does not want her reputation to be damaged in any way.”
“Which is very kind of you, but that responsibility ultimately falls to me.” Lady Yardley rose from her chair, her strength obvious in her stance and flashing eyes. “As a gentleman who has not proven himself to be anything more than an acquaintance to my cousin, albeit one who seeks out her company, I find your concern rather… misplaced.”
Rather than respond with any apology, Lord Alderton’s eyes narrowed a little.
“You speak of what has been written in ‘The London Ledger’,” he shot back, his sharp tone now matching that of Lady Yardley’s. “First of all, I should state that I do not read publications such as that, but it was mentioned to me that my name was within it. The Ledger states that several young ladies are interested in my company and I in them. The first part of the statement may well be true, but why that should make you question my concern for Lady Cassandra is a little confusing, Lady Yardley.”
Lady Yardley took a breath, her hands going to her hips but it was Jonathan who responded first, no longer able to remain silent.
“It is mentioned because you have never made any commitment to Lady Cassandra, even though your acquaintance is a strong one.” He shrugged as Lord Alderton scowled. “You do appear to be very eager for her company, and I cannot blame you for your interest - but if there are many young ladies interested in your company also, many young ladies to whom you are offering your attentions, then one might question why you have never taken your acquaintance with Lady Cassandra any further, if you are in any way serious. Those words in ‘The London Ledger’ simply seem to prove that you are a gentleman willing to give your interest to many a young lady, but to make your commitment to none.”
Lord Alderton lifted his chin.
“Then I shall prove myself immediately.” Turning to Lady Cassandra, he inclined his head for a moment. “Lady Cassandra, I very much enjoy your company. I find you an excellent young lady with an amiable heart and think you most beautiful. I should very much like to ask you to take walk with me, come the morrow. In fact, I invite you to take tea with me first and then perhaps, take a drive in the phaeton to Hyde Park, so that we might walk about the park during the fashionable hour.” His sidelong gaze caught Jonathan’s. “Perhaps that will be enough to prove my seriousness in this matter not only to you, but also to Lord Sherbourne.”
Jonathan’s stomach dropped. This was not what he had expected to hear from Lord Alderton. Lady Cassandra, however, was looking from Jonathan to Lord Alderton and back again, her face pale, and confusion in her eyes.
“I - I do not know what to say.” Her hand pressed to her eyes for a moment. “Of course, I am grateful for your invitation, Lord Alderton, but at the same time, I cannot allow my thoughts on Lord Sherbourne’s character to be so confused. I do not think that I could be contented in walking with you, knowing that you think so little of him. Lord Sherbourne has done nothing but prove himself to me over and over again, so I know him to be a gentleman of the highest order. This evident disdain for him, this concern over his character, and your belief that he is a thief, does not align with my own opinion. Therefore, as much as I would like to accept, I–”
“There is no need to do such a thing, Lady Cassandra.” Jonathan spoke quickly, desiring the situation to come to an end, but at the same time aware that he could not permit Lady Cassandra to push herself away from what could be the sort of match she was looking for. As much as he disliked Lord Alderton, as much as he believed him wrong to have brought up such an accusation, it did not mean that he was not the right gentleman for Lady Cassandra.
Even though I wish to be the one for her...
His heart twisted, but he forced himself to continue speaking in the same manner.
“Lord Alderton is speaking in an attempt to protect you, which I understand. It is a little misguided, but that does not mean that he is wrong to do so.” Finding that he could not even look at the gentleman in question, Jonathan kept his gaze fixed only on Cassandra, all too aware of how painfully his heart was beating. It was screaming at him, begging him not to push her towards the other man, and yet, the words continue to flow from his mouth. “Do not hold back from Lord Alderton on my account.”
Lady Cassandra took in a shuddering breath. Her eyes squeezed close, and she shook her head.
“It is not only that, Lord Sherbourne.” She looked at him again, tears beginning to glisten in the edges of her eyes. “There is something –”
“I think that whatyoushould do, Lord Sherbourne, is inform us all whether or not you have that particular bracelet.” Lord Alderton interrupted them all, moving to stand in the center of the room, his hands at his sides, but his eyes fixed in Jonathan’s direction. “And I think that you should confess itbeforeLady Cassandra feels the need to comment further. Perhaps you would do us the honor of being truthful.”
Jonathan blinked rapidly. There was something different in Lord Alderton’s tone this time. Mayhap Lord Alderton wasnota gentleman who was only concerned about Lady Cassandra. Could it be there was something more here? Something deeper, something darker?
“As Lady Yardley has said, it is not right for you to demand anything from me.” He rose from his chair, afraid that, by saying nothing, he was revealing his guilt. “If you think that you can stand there and insist that I am a thief and second of all, demand that I prove it, then you are quite mistaken.”
