“If you think you are going to go back to her and claim the ring as your own, then you are quite mistaken.” Henry stepped to one side, though his hands were still in fists. “But very well, go. See if you can find your lady – but be aware that I will speak to her myself, just as soon as I can, and tell her all that you have told me.”
“I care not.” Lord Falconer barged past Henry, one elbow jabbing out towards him as Henry stumbled back, fighting backthe fire in his veins that told him to throw a punch back. “I will find another young lady with an even better dowry and–”
“Do not think that I will stay quiet on this.” Gesturing for the footmen to go after Lord Falconer, they were forced to pause when the gentleman stopped dead, turning around to glare at Henry.
“What do you mean?”
“I am not about to stand silently by and permit everything you have done – or attempted to do – remain between us.”
Lord Falconer scowled, his eyes growing dark.
“You are going to tell the very society you claim is much too condemnatory, much too disapproving, that I have done something you consider wrong?”
“ThatIconsider?” Coming closer, Henry forced his feet to stand still, afraid now that he would suddenly launch himself at his supposed friend if he came any closer. “It is one thing to state that a lady defending her honor and that of her sisters simply by speaking her mind is unworthy of being pushed aside by society but quite another to claim that stealing and deceit is not anything worthy of note. The two are opposite.” Flinging one arm out towards his study, he shook his head. “Not only that, but you also came into my home and injured my butler in your search for something of mine that you wanted for yourself. Believe me, it is for society’s good that I will tell them about what you have done, and what sort of character you have. That way, I can assure you, other young ladies – such as Lady Judith – will be protected from you and your dark intentions. So go, Falconer. Go in the knowledge that you have not only failed in your attempts to steal from me, but also in your desire to keep such actions a secret. All will be revealed and there is nothing you can say or do which will protect you.”
Silence fell and for some minutes, Henry wondered what it was that Lord Falconer was going to do. The man’s shoulderswere lifted, his eyes narrowed, and his face had gone a shade of purple as fury spread into every part of his expression. Henry stood resolute, refusing to be cowed as Lord Falconer took a step forward – and then the footmen moved and stood directly in his path.
“It is time for you to take your leave, Falconer. I assume it is clear enough already, but if it is not, let me state plainly that you are not welcome to set foot in my house – or upon my estate – again.” Flexing his fingers, Henry let out his breath slowly, beginning to regain control of himself completely. “This is the last time I hope to ever speak with you, Lord Falconer. Now leave and do not come near me, or Miss Bosworth, again.”
Lord Falconer let out a loud exclamation, made to start forward but the footmen once more were in his path. With dull eyes, Henry watched him being encouraged from the room and, once the door had closed behind him, fell back onto the couch and closed his eyes as a myriad of emotions swamped him.
Regret, embarrassment, and pain were the three foremost of his feelings and Henry let each one come to take its place. He had never expected his friend to be the one stealing from him, but it seemed that there was more to Lord Falconer and his friendship than there had appeared.
But it is over now.
Closing his eyes, Henry let his mind go to Miss Bosworth. He had left her at the ball, left her with Lady Judith and, whether or not she had been successful in gaining the truth from her, Henry could not guess. The desire to see her, the need to be close to her, swept through him and, before he could give himself even another moment to think, Henry found himself striding towards the door, a new energy rushing through him.
Amid all the pain and all the confusion, the only person he wished to see was Miss Bosworth. She would bring him all the comfort he needed.
Epilogue
“You have something which does not belong to you.”
Lady Judith blinked furiously, her face flushing pink.
“I beg your pardon?”
“You have an item from Lord Yarmouth in your possession,” Joy said plainly, tilting her head a little. “You need not deny it, I know that Lord Falconer is courting you and that he is the one who has encouraged you to steal this ring from Lord Yarmouth. However, what is not at all clear is whyyouare so willing to engage in such behavior, especially given how much it will damage your reputation once it is made known.”
“I – I beg your pardon?” The color faded from Lady Judith’s face. “What do you mean by that?”
Joy lifted her eyebrows.
“I only mean that Lord Yarmouth has, at this very moment, gone to speak to Lord Falconer about what he has been trying to do. Once that conversation is at an end, he will declare to thetonwhat he has learned. That will include his connection to you, I am sure, and perhaps thatyouwere the one who stole the ring from Lord Yarmouth.”
A shiver ran over Lady Judith’s frame, her eyes widening still more.
“You – you mean to say that society will know of it all?”
This was a lot easier than Joy had expected, for she had anticipated that Lady Judith would be more difficult to speak with than this.
“Yes.” Joy shrugged. “I do not think that it is something which can be kept hidden.” Lady Judith snatched in a breath, one hand at her mouth as she stared at Joy, turning to look at Miss Fairley thereafter who also nodded. Tears began to flood her eyes, but Joy remained resolute, refusing to give in to any sort of sympathy. What Lady Judith had done was wrong, and that ring ought to be returned just as soon as it could be, regardless of what Lady Judith herself felt. “Give it to me at once.”
Speaking calmly but decisively, Joy held out one hand, and much to her surprise, Lady Judith simply pulled the ring and silver chain from her reticule and handed it to her directly. Joy slipped it into her reticule and tied the strings tightly.
“I – I am sorry.” Lady Judith grasped Joy’s hand tightly, her eyes now swimming with tears. “Lord Falconer told me that it was the only way for us to marry! He said that I had to steal the ring from Lord Yarmouth so that he could make certain that our marriage would be secured! Thus far our attachment has all been quite secretive, and I want to marry him more than anything else in this world.”
Joy’s heart twisted and Miss Fairley put out one hand to Lady Judith.
