“Lord Wigton?” Lord Wishart let out a groan. “How many times do we have to explain to you just how unsuitable a fellow he is?”
“He is more than unsuitable,” Eleanor interjected, with every eye turning to her. “If what you say is true, Miss Gladstone, thenheis the one who has been blackmailing Lord Finchley.”
There came not only a gasp of horror from Lord Howerton but a loud exclamation from Lord Wishart. They both turned to look at their sister, but she only dropped her head, refusing to look at them both.
“You say he was meant to be here,” Lord Preston said, coming to stand next to Eleanor as worry filled his voice. “Lord Wigton, that is. Where was he supposed to be, Emma? My brother has not yet shown himself. I do hope they have not met unexpectedly… and that Lord Wigton has not done anything foolish.”
Eleanor’s stomach twisted sharply, her breath hitching in fright. She had been expecting Lord Finchley to come to join them at any moment, as had been his intention. He had said he would drive away in the carriage but would step out shortly thereafter and return to them, as quickly and as quietly as he could. In the commotion, she had not just how long it had taken for him to return. “Did Lord Wigton hide himself somewhere, as we did?” she asked, her throat rasping as worry began to dig its claws into her heart. “You came to collect the coin because he would not, yes?” When the lady nodded, her head still low, Eleanor closed her eyes and drew in a slow breath to quieten her fractious thoughts. “Was he concerned that this plan might bring about some sort of discovery? If that is so, then it seems to me that he was more than happy foryouto be caught, Miss Gladstone!”
The young lady lifted her head sharply, tears on her cheeks. “He was protecting himself becauseItold him to. I knew this held a good deal of risk.”
Her heart lurched as Eleanor looked back into Miss Gladstone’s eyes, afraid now that Lord Wigton had not onlyavoided this confrontation but, mayhap, had done something with Lord Finchley also as Lord Preston had suggested. “But he was here, yes?”
Miss Gladstone sniffed. “I was to join him a short distance away, once the money had been taken.”
“No doubt he has run away,” Lord Preston muttered darkly. “Though I fear now – ”
“Wherewas he meant to be?” Eleanor interrupted, taking a step closer to the lady. “Lord Finchley is also here somewhere, and if Lord Wigton has discovered his presence as he made his escape… ” She trailed off, unable to say more due to the fear lodged in her throat. The lady said nothing, looking back at Eleanor with dull eyes, her jaw set in a manner that spoke of defiance and anger.
“We will have to find him,” Lord Preston said, putting his hand on Eleanor’s shoulder. “You should return home, Eleanor. We will deal with this.”
Eleanor shook her head no. There could be no easy return to her father’s townhouse, not when her beloved Lord Finchley was in some sort of danger. Shehadto stay with them all, had to know that he was safe. “I will stay with Miss Gladstone as you search for Lord Finchley,” she said, as Lord Wishart pushed one hand through his hair and began to pace a few steps this way and that, obviously overcome with all that he had learned. “Please, youmustfind him.”
“I will take her to the carriage,” Lord Howerton stated, as Eleanor nodded. “Thereafter, once we have found Lord Finchley – and I am sure all is well with him – might we all return to the house so you can explain all?” This was directed to Lord Preston, who gave a brisk nod.
“Finding my brother is the first thing to do,” he said, as Lord Howerton, still holding his sister’s arm, turned to lead her to the carriage. “Thereafter, all will become quite clear, I assure you.”
Her heart pounding in her throat, Eleanor unwillingly followed after Lord Howerton and Miss Gladstone. Something had happened to Lord Finchley, she was sure of it. Surely their happiness was not about to be stolen from them now, at the very moment that everything had finally come to light?
20
Groaning, Rupert tried to blink what felt like grit out of his eyes. He raised one hand to wipe them, only for pain to explode in his head. A cry broke from his lips as he dropped his head back, one hand going to cover his eyes.
Where am I?
The pain slowly lessened, although the ache in his skull remained constant. Slowly, Rupert came to realize that he was lying flat on his back, looking up at the sky, which was slowly beginning to brighten. His vision was blurred, shadowed at the edges, and with another groan, Rupert tried to sit up. Pushing himself up on his elbows, he fought back a sudden wave of nausea as he blinked furiously in an attempt to clear his head.
The ache in his head became a persistent throb. Lifting his hand, Rupert pressed it to the back of his head, feeling it damp. When he took his hand back, there was blood on his fingers.
I do not remember what happened.
The only things he could recall were stepping out of his carriage a short distance away from the entrance to Hyde Park and watching it disappear around the corner. His driver had been instructed on what to do and had not paused for more thana moment to let Rupert alight. He had moved quickly, returning the way he had come… and that was all he could remember.
“Something must have happened,” he muttered, pushing himself up on his hands now as dizziness threatened him. With an effort, he rose to his feet but staggered forward, grunting heavily as he caught a tree for balance, one arm wrapped around it.
“Finchley? Is that you?”
A voice that seemed to come from very far away reached his ears, but Rupert closed his eyes, swaying heavily as he tried to stand without support.
“What happened?” An arm went about his waist, and Rupert let out a low groan, recognizing his brother’s voice. “You are injured!”
Rupert opened his eyes and tried to focus. “Where is Eleanor?”
“She is quite all right. We have Emma, too.” Preston looked at him, and slowly, his face came into focus. “Come, we must get you back home.”
“You have found him!” Running feet and another voice had Rupert frowning. “Thank goodness.”
“Here, if you might help me?”
