“It seems that Lord Blackford has not kept my revelation to him a secret.” William shook his head. “And no doubt many of our servants were of aid to this also, whispering to each other that you have had to find many of your staff new employment.”
“It is altogether unpleasant. I know that I and the other gentleman are doing as much as we can. But with Lord Gillespie dead, it feels as though we are at the end already, before we have even begun. He can tell us nothing. We have come up empty.” William turned just in time to see Lord Wiltsham passing one hand over his eyes. “Perhaps there is naught for us to do but to accept our fate.”
“I shall not permit myself to think so.” Stopping, William put one hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Do not give in to despair. We shall find a way yet.” Lord Wiltsham shook his head, but did not verbally disagree. “We shall. I amsurewe shall.”
“I think I must return to my seat for a short while.” Lord Wiltsham shrugged. “In light of my predicament, I must look at my finances. I have been delaying it but, given the situation with Lord Gillespie, I can do so no longer.”
William wanted to beg him to stay, so that they might fight on together, otherwise he would be entirely alone in London.
“I will return soon.” Lord Wiltsham smiled briefly, although his eyes remained heavy. “I am aware that the other gentlemen are also gone to their estates, but I fear I must join them - but one of us shall return to be with you soon.” His eyes darted upwards towards William’s face, then dropped away again. “That is, unless you also intend to return to your estate.”
William shook his head.
“No, I cannot. I have lost both my fortune, Lady Florence, and now my reputation. To return to my estate would be akin to accepting defeat. My spirits would not permit me to do so.”
“Noted. I am sorry that Lady Florence will not wait for you to regain your reputation and your fortune.”
“It was foolish of me to expect otherwise.” William grimaced, then shook his head. “Her friend, Miss Lawrence, has offered me something. Initially I thought it the most ridiculous notion in all of England’s history, but now that I have come to think of it a little more, I begin to wonder whether or not it may be wise.” They began to walk again, although the silence was filled with Lord Wiltsham’s unspoken questions. William obliged him with an answer. “She has offered to aid me in my struggle.”
“Indeed? But she knows nothing of the specifics as yet surely?”
“She does not, but she seeks to help my reputation in society so that I do not lose it entirely. I will admit that I have very little certainty as to how much influence a Viscount’s daughter can have on society, but she is willing and I do not think, at this point, that I can sensibly refuse. I need any help that is offered!”
“That is very good of the lady. She has a kindness in her, I think.”
William coughed, knowing that further explanation was needed.
“I am not able to say whether or not the lady has a kind heart. I have told you that she will aid me in whatever way she can - but only if I wed her, once I have reclaimed my fortune.”
Lord Wiltsham stopped dead. Despite his own many tumultuous thoughts, William could not help but laugh at the sheer astonishment which had appeared on his friend’s face.
“And… and you are considering this?” Spluttering, Lord Wiltsham made his feelings known as he threw up his hands. “That is –”
“I confess that at first, I thought it more than a little ridiculous. I laughed at the lady and saw her eyes flush with such an anger that I quickly realized she was being entirely sincere. That was only yesterday, I confess, and I then took to considering the matter a little more. It has only been now, now that I have been thrown from White’s, that I realize the true difficulties of my present circumstances. Therefore, I begin to wonder if it might not be a sensible idea.”
“You cannot be serious. You are saying such a thing only to lift my spirits.”
Lord Wiltsham crossed his arms over his chest and glared, narrow eyed, at William.
“I must confess the truth. I am speaking to you honestly.” William’s smile shattered as he explained his reasoning. “I shall have no good reputation in society, regardless of whether or not I regain my fortune. There will always be whispers and rumors about how I came to lose it in the first place, and perhaps even more about how I regained it thereafter. It may be a great many years before I can even consider finding a wife and, even then, I may struggle to find a suitable lady eager to wed me.” Spreading his hands, he shrugged. “The daughter of a Viscount, who is young and of decent character, does not seem to be an entirely displeasing suggestion and the truth is, I fear that I may never be able to marry at all if I do not take this chance! I cannot see whether or not she will be of any real use to me in my present difficulties, but her offer of help is the only one I have.”
“Then you will accept her. Even though you have very little knowledge of her character or her family.”
“Yes, I believe I shall.”
Such confirmation, even to himself, made him fear he was being a little unwise, but William nodded to himself, determination growing.
“Have you ever asked yourself what reason she has for suggesting such a thing, and why she is yet unwed? Perhaps there are hidden significant defects in her character, which prevent any gentleman from considering her. Besides which, she is not particularly handsome!”
Lord Wiltsham lifted one eyebrow as William shook his head.
“I confess I have not considered that, but that does not mean that I will immediately refuse her, based on that fear. I will speak to her again at length, and if I am satisfied with everything that she tells me, then I fully expect to begin courting the young lady very soon, with the full intention of marrying her… once my fortune is restored.”
Lord Wiltsham lifted an eyebrow.
“And if it is never restored?”
William frowned, a line forming between his eyebrows. He had not thought particularly in depth about any of the details, but he was not to be deterred.