“He is an exceptionally caring fellow,” Lady Cumbria replied, warmth in her voice. “I am quite sure you will not be able to find a better gentleman in all of London, if not all of England!”
Lord Hereford did not smile. “If there is anything untoward about him, anything at all, then I shall insist upon Lord Ashworth,” he said, as Eleanor’s stomach dipped. “We must be introduced, of course, but I shall undertake my own enquiries into the man.”
“Just as you have done with Lord Ashworth, yes?”
The question from Lady Cumbria hung in the air between them, but the fact that her father did not immediately answer concerned Eleanor. It seemed that her father, despite his insistence that Lord Ashworth be the right gentleman for Eleanor’s hand, had not done the very same as he had suggested for Lord Finchley.
“I – I have done enough there,” he replied, making Eleanor frown. “But you will introduce me, Eleanor.”
“Oh, I shall have the privilege of doing that, I think,” Lady Cumbria replied, before Eleanor could. “Given that I have already satisfied myself that he is an excellent gentleman who cares for Eleanor, it will give me great pleasure to make the introductions.”
And to hear what is said thereafter,Eleanor thought to herself, catching her aunt’s eye for a moment and seeing the steel in her gaze. Lady Cumbria was quite determined that Eleanor should find her happiness with Lord Finchley, and for that, Eleanor was very grateful indeed.
Now all I must do is tell him,she thought to herself, her face heating as she thought about the moment she would have to tell Lord Finchley that, even without his asking, they were now engaged. Sure of his love for her, however, she settled into the idea and, as her father quit the room, let a small warmth of happiness fill her core, chasing away the lingering fear and worry. She was to wed Lord Finchley – provided her father did not find out about Lord Finchley’s sister and her present situation. That was the only thing standing in their way, but surely now, with the perpetrator within their grasp, it could not set them back from each other again!
18
“What are we to do?”
Rupert looked back at his brother as the carriage rolled its way towards the next ball. “I think we must speak with her.”
“Speak?” Lord Preston shook his head no. “We have already talked about this, brother. To speak to Emma will only bring her denial!”
Rubbing at his eyes, Rupert let out a slow breath. Both he and Preston had discussed this matter for many hours, and they had not come to a conclusion. Rupert had wanted to go to Lord Howerton directly and to tell him what they suspected, but Preston had disagreed fervently. To do such a thing, he had said, held the danger of setting Lord Howerton against them, for he might choose to be loyal to his sister instead of facing the truth. Rupert had then thought to go to Emma directly, to tell her that he knew precisely what she was doing and that he required it to stop at once, but again, his brother had disagreed. Emma could easily deny it, and then what course of action could they take?
“You still believe that we need to catch her in the act of it?” he asked, as Preston nodded. “I do not know how we do such a thing.”
“We wait,” Preston said firmly. “There will be a note from Emma soon enough, I am sure. It has been a few days since the last one. Another will be forthcoming.”
Rupert grimaced. “And what then? She uses ragamuffins or layabouts to do her bidding, to fetch the coin and bring it to her. How are we to prove that it is her?”
“By catching one of them?” Preston asked, as Rupert rolled his eyes. “Just as we did with the driver?”
Considering it, Rupert shook his head. “I am not certain it will work. But we can think on it, I suppose.”
Preston’s eyes flared. “Then you will not speak to her directly?”
Rupert shook his head. “Not yet, at least. But I must find a way to reveal the truth soon, brother. I cannot have her continuing on this way and threatening my future with Lady Eleanor.”
His brother smiled. “I should inform you that I have every intention of engaging myself to Lady Catherine very soon.”
With a lift of his eyebrows, Rupert sat forward in his chair. “You think that you know her well enough already, then?”
“Well enough to know that she is exceptional,” Preston replied. “She has stood by her cousin in all of this, has supported her, cared for her, and worked hard to do whatshecan to support the endeavors into the truth. Besides that, she is beautiful in face and in nature, and I cannot think of anyone better with whom to spend my life.”
A broad smile settled on Rupert’s face. “It sounds as if you are quite in love with her.”
“I am sure I am,” Preston replied, with a shrug. “And that I shall be all the more when our wedding day comes.”
Our wedding day.
A pang hit Rupert’s heart, and he looked out of the window, wondering just when it might be that he could talk with certainty abouthiswedding day. They were so close to the truth, so near to bringing an end to it all, but still, there was the chance that they might fail.
“You will have your day also, brother.”
Rupert looked back at Preston, seeing his quiet smile. “You know what I am thinking, it seems.”
“I do, because I know just how much you love Lady Eleanor and how much you long for the joy of taking her as your wife. You will, Finchley. I feel it in my bones that you will.”
