Lord Wiltsham said nothing for a few moments, then shrugged.
“I wish you whatever happiness you can find, even though I fear it may be in short supply for some time. But at least you will have someone to share it with, for one thing.” His eyes held William’s steadily. “Perhaps that is why you are a little more thoughtful at present. You are thinking of the lady.”
“I will not pretend that she does not occupy my thoughts and, much to my surprise, I do not find her plain in any way. Rather, I find her character to be one so uncompromisingly beautiful and equally frustrating at the same time. She has a strength about her that I did not initially see. She has a desire for justice not only for herself, but also for my situation. She is trusting. She is filled with hope, and I find myself becoming caught by thoughts of her that will not seem to leave me, no matter what I do.”
“Well.” Lord Wiltsham picked up his near empty brandy glass. “Then might I wish you happiness? It is a fortunate gentleman who finds himself drawn to the lady he is to wed, even in such strange circumstances as yours!”
William grinned, then took a small sip of his own brandy in a small toast.
“That is indeed true. I was utterly astonished at all that I felt when I thought she had been taken… and then at the relief which sank into my very soul when I realized that she was safe. I have experienced nothing like it. I have found myself wanting to kiss her on more than one occasion, which seems almost ridiculous, given my present circumstances, that I should be thinking of anything other than my fortune! But it is as though she has bewitched me - which is both wonderful and irritating in equal measure.”
“I quite understand. I have experienced the touch of love upon my heart, although it appears to be the first time that you have!”
William coughed quietly and shook his head.
“Such emotions are entirely new and confusing to me. I look forward to this evening, not only so that I can see the letter that Miss Lawrence has discovered, as well as hear whatever else it is she wishes to tell me, but also so that I may be in her company once more. Is that not most strange?”
Lord Wiltsham laughed, and suddenly a brightness seemed to fill the room which had not been there before.
“Yes, this is very strange indeed, but I am glad for you. Let us hope that this letter is what you need, to find the truth - for to regain your fortune and to gain a marriage to a lady whom you have come to care for would be a very pleasant ending indeed.”
William grinned.
“I quite agree.” Throwing back the rest of his brandy in one rather small gulp, he set down the empty glass on the table. “If I am able to find both success and happiness in this, then it will give you the hope of doing the same, surely. I am certain that you will not find yourself in poverty for the remainder of your days. There is still hope, Wiltsham. Do not allow yourself to drop into despair.” He smiled at his friend. “There will be happiness for you also, in time. Just be patient a little longer.”
* * *
The evening was alreadydark by the time thetonarrived at Vauxhall Gardens. A great many fiery torches were lit, and lanterns brightened the dark evening, although William was glad of the shadows. They hid his face admirably well, and so long as he remained out of doors, the chances were that theton, on the whole, would not notice his presence. Lord Wiltsham had taken some convincing to join him, but at last now they stood together, rather than William finding no company with whom to talk during the entire evening.
“Can you see her yet?”
William shook his head, opening his mouth to say something, just as a loud voice broke into their conversation.
“I hear you have betrothed yourself to my daughter without seeking my consent.”
As he turned around to face Lord Blackford, William caught the glint of steel in the gentleman’s eyes which spoke of nothing but anger.
Grimacing, and refusing to be cowed, William held the man’s gaze.
“I do believe that you gave your daughter strict instructions that finding a suitor was entirely her responsibility, Lord Blackford.” Folding his arms across his chest, he held the man’s gaze. “That is what she has done. I do not think that you can find fault with either her or myself.”
“And what can you offer her?” Lord Blackford spat, flinging out one hand to tap William’s chest. “You have no wealth. You have no fortune, and your character is severely deficient, given that you have lost a good deal of it to a spate of gambling.”
“That is not so.” William did not look away, nor even blink. “I shall not go into details, but only say that my fortune has been stolen from me. I have every intention of regaining it, but if I do not, then I shall revel in the relief of knowing that I have a woman by my side who believes that everything I say to her is true. We shall struggle through this life together if we must, but together we shall be.”
“Then you are inconsiderate and unfeeling. You think only of yourself and not of my daughter. You do not care about her. Keeping her in a crumbling, cold manor house with very little food and very little comfort? Is that what you wish for her and for any children you may force upon her?”
The picture he painted was very bleak indeed, and William’s heart dropped to the floor. He had always forced himself to believe that he would regain his fortune and in doing so, had never permitted himself to consider the possibility of a miserable future for himself and Miss Lawrence. Now, he realized, it might well come to pass. If he cared about Miss Lawrence at all, what could he really offer her?
“I believe that your own intentions for your daughter were not so very honorable.”
It was Lord Wiltsham’s voice which drew William back to the conversation. Lord Blackford made some exclamation of frustration in the man’s direction, but it was enough to build William’s courage again.
“That is very true.” Regaining himself, William lifted his chin. “I believe you were to send her to serve some aunt as her companion, to a situation where she would never wed, where she would never have the possibility of children, or of being mistress of her own home. You cannot say that such a life is the better choice.”
Lord Blackford took a step closer.
“Indeed, I can Lord Foster. She is my daughter.Iam the one who states what her future is to be, not you.”