“Very well.”
Leaning a little closer to her, Miss Whitford’s eyes danced.
“He has not only secured us lodgings – of which we are to bear no expense – but he has also given my uncle a great deal of coin, so that I might have new gowns and the like. He has reimbursed my uncle for every penny he spent on taking me to London and indeed, offered him more for himself also. My uncle, I think, is a little unwilling to take it, given that he feels as though it may be charity. But I hope that he will do so. He has so very little and lives carefully with what he has.” Her smile dropped. “It is not an easy life.”
The thrill her heart sent through her was so enlivening, Elizabeth had to gasp. Was Lord Winterbrook truly so generous? Just how much of his character did he truly hide?
“That must be very trying for your uncle,” she managed to say, still somewhat overcome by how generous Lord Winterbrook was being to two complete strangers. “And you say that he has no connection to you whatsoever?”
“None.” Miss Whitford shook her head. “The only thing I know is that he is acquainted with my stepbrother, Lord Ruthven. I do not think he was particularly pleased to hear of my stepbrother’s actions. Indeed, I confess he appeared rather angry. I felt right then that he was a gentleman of good character.”
“If you are speaking of your stepbrother, Miss Whitford, let me disagree with you and state that, to my mind, he certainly doesnothave a good character.” Lord Winterbrook came to join them, his deep voice sending a jolt of happiness through Elizabeth’s heart. “Forgive me for the interruption, but your uncle wishes to return home. I believe he is a little fatigued.”
“But of course.” A note of concern entered Miss Whitford’s voice as she stopped, turning to face Elizabeth while her eyes went to her uncle. “Thank you, Lord Winterbrook.” Curtseying to Elizabeth, she smiled warmly. “I hope to see you again soon.”
“Come to take tea with me tomorrow afternoon, if you can. I will introduce you to some of my friends and Lady Yardley. She is the one who writes ‘The London Ledger’ and is most highly regarded.”
Miss Whitford’s eyes rounded, clearly all too aware of ‘The London Ledger’, making Elizabeth consider that mayhap, Lord Winterbrook had informed her about what was to be placed within it as regarded her stepbrother.
“That is very kind of you, Lady Elizabeth. I should like that very much.”
“Then I shall send you a note with the details, later today.”
Miss Whitford dropped into a curtsey again.
“Thank you. I look forward to it.”
With a smile, Elizabeth watched as the young lady walked away, before allowing her gaze to drift to Lord Winterbrook. He too was looking after Miss Whitford and, much to her surprise, Elizabeth’s jealousy began to burn. Frowning, she blew it out to embers, forcing her gaze elsewhere.
“That young lady has been very poorly treated indeed.” With a scowl, Lord Winterbrook shook his head. “A most displeasing situation, I think.”
“The situation where I hear you have been more than generous.” Catching Lord Winterbrook’s sharp look, she shrugged. “Miss Whitford was eager to inform me of your good character.”
“Which she has no need to do,” came the quick reply. “I am sure that it is just as any gentleman would do.”
“And I am certain that it isnot.” When he offered his arm, Elizabeth took it without hesitation. “I do not think any gentleman needs to be generous to strangers, but yet you have decided to be so.”
“I am acquainted with Lord Ruthven.”
The tightness of his jaw stated precisely what it was he felt about the gentleman and Elizabeth let out a small sigh.
“He will receive a little comeuppance, I think. The Ledger will be printed this afternoon from what I understand, and itwillcontain an article about Lord Ruthven and what he has done… as well as a little about the highwaymen who have taken on so many carriages of late.”
Lord Winterbrook started in evident surprise, twisting his head so quickly that she thought he might have pained it.
“The highwaymen?”
She nodded.
“Yes, that is so. It must have been something of a shock to hear that a highwayman was the one who told Miss Whitford and her uncle to go to you.”
Lord Winterbrook cleared his throat, his eyes a little narrowed of focus.
“Oh. Yes, of course.” He turned his eyes away again. “Yes, I suppose it was. However, I am glad that he did. After hearing the stories Miss Whitford has told me, I am greatly disturbed by her stepbrother’s treatment of her. I do hope that she can make an appropriate match, so long as itcan be encouraged.”
Elizabeth, who had been about to ask whether Lord Winterbrook had ever thought about which of his acquaintances might be pretending to be a highwayman, now became fixed upon his last statement.
“I beg your pardon?”
