“I hardly think that will be of any difficulty,” the gentleman told him, once his laughter had died away. “You are usually a very easy fellow to find. All I need to do is look to where the ladies are pulling their daughters away from you as you meander around the ballroom!”
This was said with yet another raucous laugh at the end of it, but Phillip did not even attempt to muster a smile. Those words stung and, despite the fact they were somewhat true, he did not much like hearing them.
“Perhaps I should not ask what causes you so much mirth.”
Phillip turned his head at the voice, to find Lord Marchmont, and was filled with relief that his friend was coming to join them for, in doing so, he was saving Phillip from lingering in conversation with Lord Anderton for much longer.
“No, no. Nothing at all.” Lord Anderton waved a hand, making it quite clear that he had no intention of speaking of what he and Phillip had discussed. “I will remove myself now, for our conversation is at an end. Good evening, Lord Marchmont, Lord Brookmire.”
He rose from the table and left Phillip and Lord Marchmont to speak together, with Phillip letting out a long breath and then turning with a smile to Lord Marchmont. His friend, however, was frowning.
“I do not much like that fellow.”
Surprised, Phillip arched an eyebrow.
“It is not like you to be so openly disparaging.”
Lord Marchmont chuckled, although his eyes did not light with humor.
“I am not being disparaging. I am being truthful, for I am quite certain that Lord Anderton is not all he appears to be.”
“Lord Anderton ispreciselywho he appears to be,” Phillip retorted, firmly, “which is why I have accepted his offer of a wager.”
The moment he said those words, however, he regretted having done so, for Lord Marchmont’s frown darkened all the more, his gaze shot to Phillip and he immediately began to shake his head.
“No, you ought not to have done. That is most unwise.”
“And yet I have done so,” Phillip interrupted, not wanting another lecture from Lord Marchmont about what he ought or ought not to do. “I have no doubt that you will tell me my reputation is already damaged and I should not do more to mortify myself, but I care nothing for that. I intend to enjoy my time here in London, as I have said, and taking on a few wagers is a part of that.”
Again, Lord Marchmont shook his head but this time his lip curled.
“No doubt you will not listen to me regardless,” he said slowly. “But I say such things not to make you feel small and insignificant as regards your character, but only because I am concerned. As I have said, Lord Anderton is not a gentleman I trust, and I do not think it wise for you to accept his company either. To take on a wager against him is unwise in the extreme. Have you not heard about Lord Belfast?” He rubbed one hand over his chin. “I am sure you have not, else you would not have taken on such a wager so quickly.”
Phillip frowned.
“Lord Belfast?” Something tied itself tightly in his stomach. “I know of him, of course, but he is not in London this Season.”
Lord Marchmont rolled his eyes.
“And no doubt, so wrapped up were you in your own sense of contentment and enjoyment last Season, you neither saw nor noticed the plight of others.” Phillip opened his mouth to protest, but Lord Marchmont continued firmly. “Lord Belfast took on a wager against Lord Anderton – it was Lord Anderton’s suggestion, of course, and was to do with a race between himself and Lord Anderton. Everyone was quite certain that Lord Belfast would win, for his phaeton was of higher quality and his greys much superior to Lord Anderton’s. Indeed, Lord Anderton was known to make ridiculous wagers and to lose a good many of them but, in this case, he offered a ridiculously large sum as his bet and every gentleman in London encouraged Lord Belfast to accept.” Phillip listened carefully, his heart quickening and all too aware that he had just done the very same thing. Lord Anderton had made a foolishly large bet and Phillip, believing that he was more than likely to be victorious, had quickly and easily accepted. “I do not know precisely what happened.” Lord Marchmont’s expression was grave, his gaze sticking fast to Phillip’s. “I was not myself present, but everyone was talking about it in the days and weeks thereafter.”
Taking a breath, Phillip frowned.
“You mean to say that Lord Anderton won this wager? His phaeton and horses were not as low in quality as was believed?”
Lord, Marchmont shook his head.
“That is not to say that Lord Anderton did not win. Yes, he did, but it was only because one of the wheels to Lord Belfast’s phaeton began to wobble as the gentleman was racing. It grew worse and worse and, just as Lord Anderton crossed the finish line – well before Lord Belfast, I might add - Lord Belfast was thrown from the phaeton and the wheel came off entirely.”
A knot formed in Phillip’s stomach, but he tried to chase it away by merely shrugging one shoulder.
“That could very easily have been a defect in the phaeton, and it does not state firmly that Lord Anderton was to blame for it.”
Lord Marchmont’s closed his eyes as he let out an exasperated sigh.
“What gentleman would not have checked his phaeton thoroughly before such a race? Lord Belfast, once he was recovered enough to speak, informed some of his friends that his staff had thoroughly repaired, cleaned, and gone over the phaeton before the race. There is no explanation for the wheel simply removing itself… unless it is, of course, that Lord Anderton sent someone to make sure that it would do so.” Clearing his throat, he shook his head to himself. “You stated that Lord Belfast is not present at the London Season. That is true. It is because he is too unwell to return to London. His injuries from the fall were severe.”
Still trying to chase his doubts away, Phillip shook his head.
