“The ball was a little overcrowded for my liking.”
“And you found yourself somewhat disappointed that the young lady you have been searching for, the one who fulfills all that you require, did not make herself known to you?”
Seeing the grin on his friend’s face, Henry accepted the light-hearted comment in good grace, shrugging and waving to the footman to bring them all a glass of brandy.
“I met one or two young ladies whom I intend to call upon.”
“Oh?” Lord Knoxbridge lifted his eyebrows. “Might I enquire as to who they were?”
“Why?” Henry tilted his head. “Are you seeking a bride also?”
Lord Knoxbridge nodded, no hint of a smile on his face, and Henry smiled, relieved that he was not about to be mocked for his intentions. Lord Falconer was doing quite enough of that.
“I was introduced to Lady Isabella,” he said, frowning as he recalled how overbearing her mother had been, “and to a Miss Hereford.”
Nodding, Lord Knoxbridge took the glass from the footman.
“Her father is Viscount Gilmanton?”
“Yes, the very one.”
With a slight curve of his lips, Lord Knoxbridge shook his head.
“Then I would advise you to avoid that particular young lady unless you wish to have an impoverished father-in-law seeking you out to ask you to clear his debts.”
“Oh?” Henry’s spirits immediately dropped. “Though that is not particularly fair on the young lady. I am sure she cannot help her father’s circumstances, and to marry such a young lady might bring heroutof such difficulties rather than force her to linger within them.”
“I would be very cautious in that regard.” Lord Falconer, appearing quite serious, sat forward in his chair, a sharp look in his eyes. “To be wed to a young lady is one thing, but you are also tying your families together. There can be a lot of influence brought to bear and, should your wife’s father tell her of the distress he is in, I have no doubt that she would then go andspeak to you without hesitation! And one can find it very difficult to refuse one’s wife… or so I hear.”
A little surprised at the vehemence in his friend’s voice, Henry held Lord Falconer’s gaze for a few minutes, only for his friend to shrug and sit back in his chair.
“My own good father was in such a situation,” came the short reply. “It has taken me quite a few years to bring our finances back into a stable position, simply because of how much he was encouraged to give. I do not want the same for you.”
“I appreciate your concern. All the same, I will not set her aside, not as yet anyway.” Gesturing with one hand, Henry tried to smile, ignoring the twisting worries in his heart. “And I have Lady Isabella to think of also, though her mother is much too domineering.”
“And she is daughter to an Earl,” Lord Mallory remarked, a scowl forming. “Earls like to have their daughters wed to those of equal title.”
“All the same, I must have a little hope!”
Henry tried to laugh, only for the sound to catch in his throat as he realized his hand no longer bore the one thing that he considered precious.
His father’s talisman ring.
“Whatever is the matter?” Clearly aware of the change in Henry’s demeanor, Lord Falconer sat forward again, eyeing Henry carefully. “You have gone very pale indeed!”
“My ring… my father’s talisman.” Choking the words out, Henry turned his hand over and back again as though, somehow, that might bring it back to his hand. “It is gone.”
“Gone?” Lord Falconer frowned. “What do you mean?”
“It is no longer on my hand.” Setting down his glass, Henry rose to his feet and began to look all about him. “Mayhap it slipped from my finger and–”
“You think it might be somewhere here?” Standing, Lord Falconer began to help Henry with his search, as did the other two gentlemen. “I did not think it was particularly loose on your finger.”
Henry ran one hand through his hair, his breathing quick.
“It does not slip off, but nor is it too difficult to remove. I do not understand what has happened to it!”
“Could it be that you lost it at the ball, perhaps when you were dancing?” Lord Mallory asked, shaking his head as he looked all around the floor. “I do not think it is here.”
