“Lord Anderton?” the Marquess replied, frowning. “I do not know the gentleman particularly well. What has he done to my daughter? And why would he do anything to injure her – if that is what you imply?”
“It is not what he has done, but what he threatens.” Lady Yardley shook her head sorrowfully, then put out a hand towards Phillip. “As unpleasant as this is to hear, Lord Anderton has been threatening your daughter’s reputation, albeit without her knowledge.” In an instant, Lord Harrogate sucked in a breath, his shoulders tensing a little. Phillip cleared his throat, going to speak, but Lady Yardley’s small shake of her head silenced him. “I shall explain.” Lady Yardley again gestured towards Phillip, who felt Miss Madeley’s hand curve more tightly around his arm. Whether it came from a sense of solidarity, or from anxiety, he was not certain, but he appreciated her nearness all the same. “Lord Brookmire, as you may know, has recently determined to reform himself. He is a gentleman who has something of a poor reputation at present and he will admit to that.”
“Yes.”
Nodding fervently, Phillip had again opened his mouth but only managed that one word before snapping it closed as Lady Yardley continued.
“Lord Anderton, however, took an opportunity to create a situation in which he might blackmail Lord Brookmire. In knowing Lord Brookmire’s reputation, he stated that one of the ladies whom Lord Brookmire embracedbeforehe decided to change his ways was, in fact, your daughter, Lady Gwendoline.” Heat began to billow across the Marquess’ face. His jaw tightened, his jaw clenched, and he shot a narrowed gaze toward Phillip. But again, Lady Yardley put a hand on his arm. “Understand that Lord Anderton likes to blackmail and deceive.” Lady Yardley stayed away from stating outright that Phillip had, in fact, kissed Lord Harrogate’s daughter and, given the situation, doing so seemed very wise indeed. What she had said was enough for Lord Harrogate to understand, without putting even a spot of shame upon his daughter’s reputation.
“I assure you that I have never willingly sought out your daughter.” At this juncture, Phillip could not help but speak, choosing truth where he could find it. “Lord Anderton, however, stated that it wasyourdaughter whom I embraced one evening and, though I tried to argue with him, he stated, quite clearly, that if I did not do as he required, he would inform thetonof it. He was more than willing to ruin not only my reputation but also the reputation of your daughter.”
Lord Harrogate sucked in a breath, his face paling.
“Is this true?” He looked at Lady Yardley, then Lord Yardley before setting a steely gaze on Phillip again. “Why would he do such a thing?”
“Because he is not the gentleman he seems.” It was Miss Madeley who spoke now, sounding as firm as Lady Yardley had done. “Lord Anderton appears to be a jovial, mirthful gentleman, but in truth, he has injured many. He keeps a tight hold over those he wishes to control, and he does so rather successfully.”
Something ticked in Lord Harrogate’s cheek and, much to Phillip’s relief, he did not immediately demand retribution, as he had feared might be the case. Instead, he took in a long, steadying breath, briefly closed his eyes, and then spoke again.
“You attest to this, Lord Yardley?”
Lord Yardley nodded.
“I do indeed. I was forced to come to the aid of Lord Brookmire for, in becoming aware of his difficulties with Lord Anderton, I sought to help him, alongside Lord Sherbourne, who will tell you the same. We did not wish for any of Lord Anderton’s endeavors to be successful.”
Lord Harrogate folded his arms.
“I see.”
Phillip spoke up again, a growing desperation within him to have Lord Harrogate believe him.
“I do not shy away from the fact that I was a scoundrel. I can understand why you might be unwilling to believe that I have changed my character, but that is the truth of it. I will hold to the truth that I cared little for others and did only as I pleased, but now, a good many things have happened which have altered me. I am not the gentleman I wish to be, and I have no desire to cling to the reputation I own. I have been endeavoring to change and, in doing so, have found a happiness I never anticipated might be offered to me. I have found kindness, compassion, and even affection.” A glance at Miss Madeley sent a warm smile spreading across her cheeks, and it took a moment for Phillip to regain himself. With another breath, he looked back at Lord Harrogate, holding himself tall. “Lord Anderton has been attempting to injure not only myself, but others also, simply for the pleasure of doing so. He even set me against my friend, and had it not been for Lord Yardley and Lord Sherbourne, he might have succeeded. This evening he sought to injure Miss Madeley and again, thanks to the endeavor of my friends, and the trust she has in me, he has failed.”
“But we cannot permit him to continue in such a way.” Lady Yardley held out both hands. “This is why we pray that you believe us, and will set your face against Lord Anderton.”
Lord Harrogate cleared his throat, shrugged, and then threw out his hands.
“I have no cause to doubt you, Lady Yardley.” His brow furrowed as he looked at Phillip. “You, however, I do not trust.”
“And I do not hold that against you,” Phillip answered, honestly. “Why should anyone such as yourself trust me? Do not accept my words but, in listening to Lady Yardley, Lord Yardley, and Miss Madeley, I pray that their words say something about my change in character being genuine.”
Lord Harrogate’s frown lifted a little.
“It is Lord Anderton who is the rogue here,” Miss Madeley murmured, quietly. “If he can use this situation to his own advantage, then he will act upon it. If he can lie, then the words will be spoken without a moment’s thought. If he can cheat, then he shall and if he can blackmail, he will not even hesitate.”
“Whatever is this?” Lord Anderton suddenly blustered into the group surrounding Lord Harrogate, glaring hard at Phillip before he turned his attention to the Marquess. “I am afraid, Lord Harrogate, I have something of the greatest concern to tell you. Lord Brookmire is, no doubt, attempting to explain himself away but–”
“Lord Anderton.” Miss Madeley interrupted his monologue, her hands going to her hips. “It has already been explained and there is no need for you to say anything more. Lord Harrogate is already aware of your cruelties.”
Lord Anderton dismissed her with a snort and a wave of his hand.
“I am afraid that Miss Madeley is rather overcome by Lord Brookmire’s presence. No doubt she thinks him more than eager for her company but, alas, she will soon find out the truth about his character.” Heaving a sigh, he sent her a cold look. “No doubt, in a short while, Lord Brookmire will dismiss her and then she will wonder why she ever believed a single word that he said to her.”
Miss Madeley let out an exclamation of fury, but Lord Harrogate was the one to speak.
“You are a little dismissive of Miss Madeley, I think.” Tilting his head, he gestured to Lord and Lady Yardley. “Will you dismiss Lord and Lady Yardley’s remarks about you also?”
“Given that I do not know what has been said, I find that I cannot say whether or not I…” He was a little uncertain of himself, trying to smile as his eyes danced from Lord Yardley to Lady Yardley and back again. “However, I should remind you, Lord Harrogate, that Lord Brookmire is a gentleman well known to be able to twist people into doing whatever he wishes.”
