“Even someone such as Lady Yardley?” Lord Harrogate lifted his eyebrows. “I find it very surprising indeed that you would even suggest such a thing! Lady Yardley is well respected and known to take great care in all she hears and considers, especially given that she writes ‘The London Ledger’. I think her very well-reasoned in everything.”
“Ah, but–”
“I have something I can tell you about Lord Anderton also.”
Turning his head, Phillip smiled in relief as Lord Marchmont approached, interrupting Lord Anderton. It was not only he, however, but six other gentlemen and one lady who walked with him.
“You are not coming to speak against me, are you?” Lord Anderton threw up his hands. “It was you who told me of this conversation and–”
Lord Marchmont ignored Lord Anderton entirely, looking straight at Lord Harrogate.
“I am afraid that it is as Lord Brookmire has said. No doubt Lady Yardley has told you that Lord Anderton is a cruel sort, and I am here to concur with her in that. He will do whatever he wishes to gain whatever he can for himself. I was witness to one such scheme last year, during the Season. An unfortunate gentleman who attempted to take part in a race was grievously injured – and Lord Anderton demanded his payment while the man was still on his sickbed.”
Several gentlemen murmured their agreement at this, and Lord Harrogate’s eyes flew wide.
“Lord Anderton has been forcing me to do his bidding, but it was he who cheated me out of a great amount of coin. As yet, I have not been able to repay it, for he continued to add more debt to it – and he also threatens to expose my ruination to all should I say a word.”
It was a grey-haired gentleman who had spoken clearly and, as Phillip watched, another gentleman stepped forward also.
“He did the same to me. I discovered later that he had placed something in my whisky which made me greatly confused. However, since I could not prove such a thing and, given that I now owe him a great deal, he has forced me to do as he requires.”
“And he has attempted to ruin my sister.” A gentleman Phillip recognized as Lord Stonefield jabbed one finger in Lord Anderton’s direction, his face almost purple with obvious fury. “He states that she was in a particular situation - a situation my darling sister denies, begging me to believe her – but Lord Anderton ignores this. Instead, he tells me that he will inform her betrothed of what he has heard about her unless I do as he asks.”
A sense of relief began to fill Phillip’s heart, and he closed his eyes briefly before turning his attention to Lord Anderton. No longer was he a man filled with confidence. Instead, his eyes were wide and, after rubbing them hard with one hand, he blinked slowly, as if hardly able to accept that this was the situation in which he found himself. It was clear that he had always expected that these gentlemen - Phillip included - would do as they were bid, and never say a single word to anyone. The fact that they had now banded together to speak the truth was something entirely unexpected and as such, Lord Anderton had very little idea what he ought to do. At this expression, Phillip found himself smiling.
Surely, it must be over.
Lord Harrogate’s gruff cough caught everyone’s attention. Miss Madeley’s hand found Phillip’s and he held it tightly in his own, certain that the same tension which ran through him also flew through her. What was Lord Harrogate’s judgment to be?
“There can be no doubt.” Lord Harrogate’s voice gathered those not involved in the conversation to him, with many other guests from the ball now intrigued by what was to be said. Phillip held his breath, his chest tight, his heart pounding… and Lord Harrogate caught his eye. “I believe every word that Lady Yardley has said. These gentlemen make it clear to me that Lord Anderton has behaved despicably, and not in the way expected of a gentleman.”
Phillip closed his eyes tightly, hearing Miss Madeley’s ragged gasps and wishing desperately that he could pull her into his arms. The judgment had fallen – and it had fallen in Phillip’s favor.
“You ought to be hounded out of London, Lord Anderton.”
The rasping anger in Lord Harrogate’s voice had Lord Anderton beginning to back away, his hands raised in a weak attempt to defend himself, a plea upon his lips, a whiteness beginning to push color away from his face, but no one was listening to him.
“How dare you attempt to smear the name of my daughter?” Lord Harrogate continued, now thunderous in his anger. “How dare you attempt to use her in such an underhanded manner? And even worse, you have attempted to steal the honor of each of these gentlemen, simply for your own gain!” His jaw worked furiously. “Something must be done about you.”
“If I may?” As Lord Anderton continued to splutter beside him, Phillip gestured to Lady Yardley. “I believe that Lady Yardley does an excellent job as regards ‘The London Ledger’. It is a trusted publication in London. Might it be that any gentleman or lady who has been so treated by Lord Anderton might speak to Lady Yardley, to express what has taken place?”
“So that she might, in turn, report of these circumstances in the Ledger,” Lord Harrogate finished, clearly catching upon the idea with great speed as Lord Anderton let out a low groan of dismay, one hand now over his eyes as though shutting out the sight of those who condemned him would save him. “Yes, I think that is an excellent suggestion.”
The Marquess smiled briefly but then turned his fierce gaze back to Lord Anderton, who wilted like a plant which had seen no rain in some time. Phillip slowly stepped back, Miss Madeley’s hand still in his as they moved away. There was nothing left for him to say, nothing more he wished to discuss, nothing more he had to mention. The only person he wished to speak with now was Miss Madeley.
“Good gracious! Whatever has taken place here? And were you a part of it?”
The voice of Lady Prescott broke between them, and Phillip caught the fact that her eyes immediately went to where her daughter’s hand was wrapped around his. Quickly disentangling himself, Phillip took a step away from Miss Madeley and bowed quickly.
“Forgive me, Lady Prescott. I am sure that your daughter will tell you all, but I shall excuse myself for the remainder of the evening.” Seeing Miss Madeley’s longing look, he smiled softly. “Mayhap I might call upon you tomorrow, Miss Madeley?”
She nodded, her eyes never leaving his.
“I am already counting the moments until your arrival.”
Her soft words made his heart leap, and he bowed low again, feeling himself unworthy of her, but overwhelmingly grateful at the same time.
“I will not be tardy, not even by a single second.”
