Page 29 of The Truth about the Viscount
Isabella smiled brighter than he had seen her do in some time, her cheeks flushed, but stars seeming to fill her eyes.
“He is a wonderful man, Hastings. I did not ever think that there would be such a connection between us, but he has proven himself to me, from the very moment that he stepped in to stop Lord Newforth’s dark intentions.”
“He certainly has.”
“Who has? And what has he done?”
Daniel chuckled as the very person they had been speaking about came to join them.
“You must have known that we were speaking of you, my friend, though what we said was all quite wonderful, I assure you.”
“I am glad to hear it.” Lord Milthorpe smiled into Isabella’s eyes and Daniel’s heart lifted at the joy which spread across Isabella’s face. He went to step away, intending to leave Lord Milthorpe to spend some time with Isabella, only for his friend to look back at him. “Did you see The London Chronicle this morning?”
A slight frown touched Daniel’s face.
“No, I did not.”
“There is another drawing in it, and a few sentences written thereafter, though it has been made quite plain now that the writer and the artist are two different people - I do hope that brings you peace of mind.”
Daniel winced.
“If the truth is to be told, I may have already learned that fact from one Lady Patience, who came to beg of me to believe her. And the reason she did such a thing was because I went to her and practically demanded that she give me her reasons for writing those sentences about me.” He shook his head asIsabella’s eyes sharpened, clearly displeased with what he had done. “It appears that she was just as surprised as I to see those words written there.”
“I do hope that you apologized.” Isabella put both hands on her hips. “Goodness, I can already imagine the way in which you said those words to her!”
Looking away, Daniel cleared his throat, aware that he deserved Isabella’s upset.
“I did. Of course I did.”
Letting his mind go back to that moment when he had spoken to Lady Patience in the shop, healsoremembered how she had caught his hand in hers. It had been unexpected, but at the same time, Daniel had found it somewhat… delightful. There had been something about her nearness, the hope shining in her eyes, and the warmth of her hand held fast in his that had made his heart suddenly yearn to be closer to her, though he had tried to untangle such desires quickly, confused by them. The desire to apologize had, of course, been legitimate, and he had felt deep shame over what he had done, and how he had acted, though Lady Patience had not held anything against him. Instead, she had been gracious and kind, helping him with his gifts for Isabella and his mother. The edge of his lip curled slightly as he thought of how her blonde curls had bounced gently as she had shown him one thing and the next, how her eyes had glowed with a sense of clear delight over a pair of new gloves, though Daniel had not truly understood her fascination. It had been on a whim that he had asked her for her help, and it had been a wise decision to do so. The time he had spent in her company – though it had not been overly long – had been delightful, and had brought him out of the darkness which he had held fast to for some time.
“Hastings?”
With a slight jerk, Daniel’s eyes flared as he saw his sister and Lord Milthorpe exchange a look.
“Yes?”
“You were quite lost in thought.” Isabella’s eyebrows lifted lightly. “Was there something specific that was occupying your thoughts?”
Daniel shook his head no, having no desire to disclose that he had been thinking solely of Lady Patience.
“Then shall we–”
“Therehe is.”
A loud voice made Daniel spin around, astonished that someone should think to behave in such an ill manner, only for something hard to thump into his chest, pushing him back. He stumbled, caught by his sister and Lord Milthorpe as he fought to gain an understanding of what was happening.
“You owe me a great deal of money.” A gentleman that Daniel did not recognize, a tall, broad-shouldered, and angry fellow, pointed one thick finger in Daniel’s direction. “Did you think you could run from my establishment and do nothing about paying the debts you owe?”
“Establishment?” Daniel frowned, irritated not only by the gentleman’s physical actions but by the words coming out of his mouth – words that could be heard by a good many others. “I do not know what it is that you are speaking of.”
“You know very well what I speak!” Daniel took a closer look at the fellow, sensing a slight loss of refinement in the gentleman’s manner. Who was he? And what establishment was he speaking of? “You were there yesterday afternoon!” the gentleman bellowed, making a few heads turn. “You enjoyed your time with my ladies, drank a good deal, and then left the place before paying me a single penny!”
Heat poured into Daniel’s face as all of those who had been listening suddenly began to whisper to one another, as otherstoo then came a little closer to Daniel and the gentleman, clearly eager to hear what it was that was being said.
“Yesterday?” Daniel drew himself up, determined now to defend himself. “You are quite mistaken, sir. I have not been in your establishment and, indeed, do not even know what it is that you speak of!”
The gentleman let out a roar of evident rage, his eyes narrowing into sharp slits.
