Lord Marchmont sent a broad smile towards Phillip, who then winced as his friend’s jovial tone grated against the angst which ran through him.
“I should have listened to you, Marchmont.” Continuing his pacing, Phillip looked first at his friend and then dropped his gaze again, ashamed of the foolishness of his own heart, and of the weight of his pride. “I ought to have listened to you from the very beginning. Yes, I am a scoundrel, but I do not wish to be. Not any longer. I should have heeded your warnings from the start. I ought to have realized that the consequences of my actions would come upon me eventually – and now they have done, much to my eternal shame.” He took a breath. “Perhaps it is true that I deserve such consequences but, despite that, I seek a way to remove myself from the cords which currently tie themselves around me.”
Lord Marchmont’s smile slid from his face.
“This is to do with Lord Anderton?”
It was not truly a question, but rather a statement and Phillip found himself nodding, raking his hand through his hair yet again, no doubt sending it in all directions and making him look most unkempt, but he did not much care about his appearance at present.
“I have asked Lady Yardley for help via the voice of Miss Madeley,” he told his friend, only daring to glance at him now and again. “I want very much to find a way out of this situation without injuring the young lady in question.”
Lord Marchmont’s eyes flared.
“A young lady?” he repeated. “I did not think that Lady Allanthorpe would be considered particularly youthful, not since she has already wed and has now been widowed.”
That remark had Phillip closing his eyes as he stopped his pacing, his head dropping forward, his eyes refusing to turn towards his friend.
“Yes, you are correct. Lady Allanthorpe is not a young lady in her first Season or the like,” he said softly. “But then again, it was not Lady Allanthorpe I took into my arms some three nights ago.” At this, Lord Marchmont’s eyes opened wide and Phillip let out a rasping breath of both embarrassment and frustration. The gentleman was just as shocked as he had been upon being told the truth. “You were right.” he said softly. “As much as I do not want to admit it, everything you said about Lord Anderton has been proven correct. He isnotthe sort of gentleman I ought ever to have taken a wager with. Indeed, he is a cruel fellow and I wish I was not evenacquaintedwith him, given that he is a villain and I…”
His head fell forward as he trailed to a stop. After all, what could he throw at Lord Anderton that he himself was not also guilty of? He was a scoundrel, was he not? Yes, he did not cheat, lie, and deceive in the same manner as Lord Anderton, but he took his pleasure where he wanted and cared nothing for the opinions and considerations of others. In that regard, was he not very similar to Lord Anderton?
“I shall say nothing to add any further weight to your already heavy shoulders.” Lord Marchmont shook his head. “I only ask you what it is that I can do to be of aid.”
“I do not know.” Phillip let out a long, slow breath, passing one hand over his forehead and then looking towards Lady Yardley and Miss Madeley. “You may think that it is foolish of me, but I have spoken to Miss Madeley and asked her to speak to Lady Yardley on my behalf. I am not myself acquainted with Lady Yardley, but I know of her reputation.”
“An excellent reputation.”
Nodding, Phillip resumed his pacing.
“She is a woman of great integrity. I understand that she writes ‘The London Ledger’, but yet is very careful about what she places within it. I know that she does not think well of gossip, but I am certain that a good deal must come to her regardless! I am hopeful that, with such a reputation as this, she is then able to be of assistance to me as I face Lord Anderton and what he has done.”
His friend nodded slowly, although there was no look of hope lifting his expression. It was as if he were somewhat afraid that there would be no hope for Phillip and the circumstances in which he now found himself and, as Lord Marchmont looked away, a deep darkness seemed to sink into Phillip’s soul.
“She approaches.”
Lord Marchmont’s quiet murmur had Phillip lifting his head and looking directly into the face of Miss Madeley as she came towards him, her friend by her side once more.
There was no smile on her face but, then again, he could not expect there to be, given what she knew of him. She considered him a rogue, and he had been far too inclined to accept that name, though now it no longer held any sort of delight for him. Instead, he was beginning to feel a deep sense of shame and that sensation had him lowering his gaze as she approached.
“Miss Madeley.”
Lord Marchmont murmured the same and, as Phillip glanced at her, he saw how she inclined her head towards Lord Marchmont with a small smile on her lips. That smile fell away as she turned her attention towards Phillip, not turning her eyes away as she had done before, but looking directly at him. Phillip’s breath caught in his chest, a swirl of nervousness in his stomach as he waited for her to speak. This was the only avenue he had to take, the only path where he thought he might have a little hope. Would it be snatched away from him before he had even begun to walk it?
“Lord Brookmire.” Miss Madeley lifted her chin a notch. “Lady Yardley will speak with you.”
She said nothing more. There was no smile in her voice, no sympathy lingering in her expression - but what more could he expect? He could not think that he would be offered any genuine concern from her. He had already done so much to cause insult, that it was foolishness to think she might be anything other than cold.
Closing his eyes, he put one hand to his heart.
“Thank you.” Lifting his head, he looked directly at her. “Would you be kind enough to make the introductions, then?”
“You ask a great deal of Miss Madeley.”
Lord Marchmont lifted an eyebrow and cleared his throat as Miss Madeley shot a glance toward him. Much to Phillip’s surprise, she then went on to smile, although it was not at him, but directed to Lord Marchmont instead.
“He does, does he not?” She shook her head, tutting lightly. “I am glad to see that a gentleman such as yourself is aware of it, Lord Marchmont.”
Lord Marchmont chuckled.
