“Have you told him this?”
“He has asked me what he wanted to know about his brother and the speculation. I have answered his questions.”
“Have you told him about your involvement in the speculation?”
“I am afraid you will find the answer very dull indeed, for I had nothing to do with the speculation, nor do I know why my husband left the majority of his fortune to me.”
His light eyes seemed to scan over her features. “You must admit it looks unfavorable.”
“I have not touched a sovereign of the money from that speculation. We can make an appointment with my banker tomorrow if you wish to see proof.”
He let his eyebrow raise a little. “Why not?”
“Why not? Because it is not mine. Legally it is of course but morally I am stuck in a dilemma. Any businessman would say that the investors were foolish to trust my husband and demand no paperwork and therefore do not deserve compensation. This is also what my solicitors told me at the time. My husband’s solicitors have spent many months looking for documents, anything really that would help us find out the particulars of the speculation, but it appears no one has any.”
“I know. I asked them.”
It was her turn to raise her brow in surprise. “Then why would you ask me?”
He smiled then with a slightly sheepish look in his eye. “You can tell much from asking the same question to many.”
“So you can,” she replied.You can also form a picture of someone from how they answer those questions. I wonder what picture you have formed of me, Lord Anthony?
The smile left his face then. “I do not want to appear rude, but Bellamy is my friend,” he began.
“He is mine also,” she responded.
“I do not like my friends used and ill-treated, Lady Blackhurst, so please tread carefully on his heart.”
“Then we are in accord, Lord Anthony.”
The dance ended and Ashton kissed her hand before escorting her back to Bellamy’s side.
“Thank you, Lady Blackhurst, for a very… enlightening dance. Bellamy, I have returned her to you, all toes intact,” Ashton said before taking his leave of them.
She smiled for Bellamy’s benefit but wondered if she had just made a friend or an enemy of Lord Anthony Ashton.
*
Oliver had stunnedher earlier by putting his name against the waltz. Did this mean he was going to accept the wager?
He had done his duty by Lady Marianne and had even danced with the dowager. It felt strange without him by her side. She was so used to his eternal presence.
“Lady Blackhurst, come sit by us,” called Tony’s sister-in-law, Anna, Lady Epping. Lisbeth could hardly decline so she sat in a chair by the two women.
“Gabrielle is finding this evening very tiring and is anxious, but she will not leave Lady Marianne’s big night,” Anna explained.
“Lady Marianne is doing well, don’t you think?” Gabrielle asked, patting her belly and looking towards the dance floorwhere Lady Marianne was dancing with a young man. Lisbeth glanced away quickly from her babe-swollen abdomen and looked towards the dance floor.
“She is doing exceptionally well,” Lisbeth agreed. “She has been a great success. It will be a great relief to her mother.”
“Yes, although she would be more relieved to have Ashton and Warrington married off too,” said Gabrielle.
“Oh, I had not realized that Lord Warrington was not married.” Her gaze went to the tall duke standing beside his mother and looking completely bored.
“Widowed,” said Anna. “A long time ago now.”
“Poor Harlow is starting to get worried that he may stay the heir and actually inherit,” added Gabrielle.
