Chapter 12
Preston grimaced as the carriage approached Lord Welton’s townhouse. “I do not like this, Finchley.”
“Nor do I,” Rupert agreed, heavily, his shoulders rounding. “But what else is to be done?”
His brother did not answer him, telling Rupert that he also could not think of what there might possibly be to do other than to fulfil the next demand.
“We will have to speak to our cousins this evening,” Preston muttered, looking out of the window. “Delicately, of course.”
Rupert nodded. The money sat in a small bag beside him, the large amount hidden away.
The note had been displeasing indeed, demanding the money required for the purchase of two very fine horses.
It had also stated that, if he did not give him the correct sum, then the consequences would be severe – and Rupert had not been in any doubt as to what that had meant.
Thus, he had been forced to make enquiries about London, wanting to determine the price for two such steeds.
They had not been cheap, he had discovered, but what choice did he have but to do as was demanded?
“Where are you to set that bag again?”
Glancing at it as the carriage came to a stop, Rupert scowled.
“I am to leave it in the carriage,” he replied, darkly.
“The driver has been informed that he is not to obstruct anyone who comes to it.” The note had specified that, should the driver make any attempt to follow the person collecting the money, he would be in danger of losing his life, and Rupert did not want any harm to come to anyone connected to him.
Which was why he was greatly displeased with Lady Eleanor’s determination to help him.
“Here we are, then.” With a nod, Lord Preston gestured to the house. “Are you quite ready?”
Rupert looked down at the money again and then sighed. “Yes, I suppose so.”
Preston’s lips quirked. “You know, I am sure, that she was never going to be set back from this. It is quite clear to me that she still cares for you very deeply, brother.”
“As I care for her,” Rupert answered, as they both climbed down from the carriage. “But I must protect her. I want her to do nothing other than to stay back from it all, but she will not.”
“Because of what could be taken from her, if this does not come to an end,” his brother replied, setting one hand on his shoulder for a moment. “I do hope you are grateful for such a devotion, brother. It is rare indeed.”
Rupert swallowed hard, said nothing, and walked towards the house, telling himself not to look over his shoulder even though that was all he desperately wanted to do.
Yes, he did value what he had in his connection with Lady Eleanor, for if it had not been so very precious, then he would not feel the loss of it so keenly.
“Do you think her carriage is there?” he asked, as Preston shrugged. “I do not like this plan.”
“It is a good plan!” his brother protested, as Rupert grimaced. “Lady Eleanor will sit in her carriage and watch what takes place. Thereafter, she will return to the ballroom and tell us all.”
“Unless,” Rupert replied, worry biting at his heart, “unless she decides to do something very foolish indeed… which I pray she will not.”
Preston frowned. “Foolish? By that you mean…?”
“That she will follow whoever takes the money,” Rupert answered, as they stepped inside. “And will come to harm because of it.”
“Cousin, there you are.” Rupert tried to smile as he shook his cousin’s hand and then looked to the lady beside him.
“Good evening, cousin Emma. Might I say that you look quite resplendent this evening.” This was not the conversation Rupert wanted to have, but given that he had not yet spent long in the company of his cousins, he felt obliged to speak with them both. “You are dancing this evening, yes?”
“I am. My dance card is entirely taken up this evening!” Emma smiled at him, although Rupert caught the slight grimace that appeared on Lord Howerton’s face. “In fact, you must excuse me, for I am now to dance with Lord Helensburgh and I can see him approach.”
“But of course.” A little relieved, Rupert waited for her to take her leave and then turned back to Howerton. “It is good to have you alone for a few minutes. My brother and I were hoping to speak with you this evening.”
“Oh?” Glancing from Rupert to Lord Preston, Lord Howerton frowned. “Is there something wrong?”
“No, no.” Rupert, aware that his voice sounded strange in its overly light-hearted tone, looked to Preston. “Nothing at all.”
Preston rolled his eyes, conveying to Rupert that he had gone a little too far in his attempt to be delicate about this particular situation. “You must forgive Finchley. He is a little… well, truth be told, we are both a little concerned about a particular matter. Might we ask you something?”
“Of course.” Lord Howerton’s frown deepened. “I do hope there is nothing overly concerning.”
“Do you have anyone against you, Howerton?” Rupert leaned closer so as not to be overheard. “Is there anyone against any of you?”
“Against us?” Another familiar voice had Rupert turning, seeing Baron Wishart, brother to Lord Howerton, standing behind him. “Goodness, whatever is this about?”
Rupert stepped back and welcomed his cousin into the conversation. “Good evening, Wishart. I was asking your brother – and now yourself also – if you know of anyone who might wish to cause you or this family harm in some way.”
Lord Wishart’s eyes flared. “Harm? No, indeed not.”
Lord Howerton shook his head as Rupert looked back at him.
His own shoulders slumped as he let out a heavy breath.
There was no answer here, then, for they had both just informed him that there was none they knew who might wish them harm.
That meant that the perpetrator remained just as much encased in mist and shadow as before.
“Why do you ask?” Lord Howerton wanted to know. “You are concerned about something, as Lord Preston has just said.”
Rupert, choosing not to go into any particular detail, shrugged lightly.
“It is nothing of consequence, truly.” He did not want to speak honestly about the situation, thinking it best to make certain as few people as possible knew the truth.
“How do things fare with your sister? She clearly has done well thus far, given her dance card is so very full!”
Changing the subject seemed to bring a fresh light to Lord Howerton’s eyes, though Lord Wishart scowled. “She is doing very well, I must say. She has many suitors and – ”
“Though she favors one she ought not to,” Lord Wishart added, the reason for his scowl now apparent. “I have told her many a time, but she will not be dissuaded.”
“I shall not permit the match, of course,” Lord Howerton said, with a shrug. “But Wishart is quite correct; her insistence upon that particular gentleman is somewhat frustrating, especially when she has so many other suitors!”
Lord Preston chuckled. “I am very glad that I do not have a sister to marry off, given that our own dear sister is now happily married and quite settled.”
“It was not a match of her choosing, but it has done her very well. Lord Nottingham is an excellent fellow and cares for her dearly. I think she is quite contented, truth be told.”
“I have told Emma that,” Lord Howerton replied, with a heavy sigh.
“I believe that your sister and mine have been exchanging the occasional letter, as cousins do, so Emma is well aware of Rebecca’s contentedness.
All the same, however, she seems quite determined to accept the attentions of this Lord Wigton. ”
Rupert frowned. “I do not know him.”
“That is because he is a gentleman who has not only a poor fortune but poor judgment,” Lord Wishart told him.
“He bears the title of Viscount, but his behavior does not resemble that of a gentleman. He has become fixed upon Emma solely because she thinks him very handsome and returns his attentions when many others do not! They know that he is foolish with his money, that he gambles much too frequently and does nothing by way of caring for his estate or his family.”
A frown tugged at Rupert’s eyebrows. “Why, then, does she think so well of him?”
Lord Howerton rolled his eyes. “She believes herself in love with him. I am sure there have been one or two stolen kisses when myself or my brother were absent from her side for a few moments. I dislike the gentleman greatly and have informed him that I will never accept his offer of courtship, but all the same, he continues to draw near her.”
Rupert grimaced. “That is unfortunate.”
“You will have to take care she does not elope!” Lord Preston’s words had Lord Wishart and Lord Howerton exchanging a quick glance. “I have heard that those who think themselves in love can be quite determined with it, refusing to listen to reason and the like.”
“She is dancing at present,” Lord Howerton said, beginning to walk away from them all at once. “But you are quite right, Lord Preston. Excuse me.”
“And I should do my duty also, as her responsible brother,” Lord Wishart added, with a nod. “Enjoy the evening.”
Rupert watched them both take their leave, feeling a tightness in his chest that he could not seem to push away.
Their conversation had yielded nothing to him, and now he felt as if he were swimming in a cold, icy lake with no hope of ever finding land.
Would he be obliged towards this person forever, forced to give them every single penny they wanted until he had no coin left?
Dropping his head, he rubbed one hand over his eyes, trying to think clearly and refusing to let fear take complete control of him.
“Brother, look!”
Lifting his head sharply, Rupert turned his gaze in the direction his brother was pointing.
To his utter relief and joy, he saw Lady Eleanor walking, arm in arm with Lady Catherine, looking entirely unharmed and with a delighted smile on her face.
Their eyes met, and Rupert felt himself near glow with the joy of simply watching her approach.
“Lord Preston, good evening.” She smiled first at his brother and then looked to him. “Lord Finchley.”
“My dear Eleanor,” he breathed, heedless to whoever was around him as his brother pressed a kiss to the back of Lady Catherine’s hand. “Thank goodness you are quite all right. What happened?”
Her smile still lingering, she tilted her head and, bringing her arm round from behind her back, handed him the small bag that contained the money.
“I was able to secure this,” she said, as Rupert’s breath swirled in his chest, shock rushing through him.
“Your money, Lord Finchley. It is all quite safe.”