Page 30 of The Truth about the Viscount
“How dare you give such a pretense, Lord Hastings? You know my establishment very well! If I have to, I can get one of the ladies there to confirm that you were present with us yesterday afternoon, but that you had to depart in the evening to attend some soiree or ball or some such thing.”
Certain now that all of those who listened were sure that this fellow was speaking of a house of ill repute, Daniel swallowed hard.
“You are mistaken, sir.” His chin lifted, his hands balling tight. “It was not I who was present there. I have never frequented such a place and never shall.”
“Then where were you, Lord Hastings?”
The voice of Lord Newforth sent a prickling heat cascading down Daniel’s back as he sent a hard, angry look in the gentleman’s direction, aware thathewas the reason that this fellow had chosen to come and bellow such dreadful things. Lord Newforth had arranged it all, determined now that he would do whatever he could to shame Daniel in front of all of society.
Except Daniel was not about to permit him to do so.
“I was walking through London,” he said, firmly. “I frequented a shop and thereafter, returned home. I did attend a card party last evening, however, and was seen there by a good many people.”
“But that is not what is being asked.” Lord Newforth tilted his head just a little. “It is not the evening that is being spoken of for,as you say, you were seen at this card party. It is the afternoon and all you can offer us is that you were inonesingle shop, and nothing more?”
Daniel’s jaw tightened as he glared at Lord Newforth. Evidently, the gentleman had done a great deal of careful consideration and study, seeing where Daniel had been in the evening and recognizing that to declare him at some dark establishment at that time would do no good. Thus, he had settled on the afternoon.
“I think that you will find that I was seen by a good few members of thetonyesterday afternoon, Lord Newforth,” he said, as calmly but as decisively as he could, turning his head to look into the other gentleman’s face. “I am afraid that I do not even know your name, sir, but I can assure you that you are mistaken.”
“I cannot be mistaken!” The large, angry fellow took a step closer to Daniel, his eyes narrowing. “I know your face, I know the name you gave me and–”
“Someone might very well have been using my name for their own purposes,” Daniel interrupted quickly, catching the scowl that ran into Lord Newforth’s expression at this statement. Perhaps this was precisely what had been done, Daniel considered, and Lord Newforth was now quite frustrated that his actions had been understood so easily. “You are mistaken, good sir. I was not at your establishment, and I do not owe you any money.”
Lord Newforth sniffed, spreading out his hands.
“We can all understand why you might wish to defend yourself, Lord Hastings, for there are so many of us here – and so many listening – but that is onlyyourword. If you were out in London yesterday afternoon, then you must have been in company with someone? There must have been many who saw you, yes?”
Daniel opened his mouth to speak, only to shut it tight again. Frustrated with himself for the way that he had tried to hide himself away from the watchful eyes of society, he recalled hurrying into the haberdashery shop toavoidthe young ladies who might otherwise have seen him. How had Lord Newforth known he had done such a thing? Had he been watching him? Aware of every step that Daniel had taken?
There was Lady Patience.
Triumph ran through him.
“Yes, certainly, Lord Newforth. There was one person I spoke to in particular and I am sure that they will be able to confirm that I was in town, as I have said. I certainly didnotwaste my time and my money in such a dreadful establishment as this gentleman speaks of!” He gestured to the burly fellow as he spoke, ignoring the way the man let out a low growl in response. “Though quite why I need to inform you of such a thing, I cannot understand. A gentleman’s word is just as good as his bond, is it not?”
Lord Newforth only chuckled at this.
“Lord Hastings, that sounds as though you are trying to make excuses, to defend yourself and make us believe that you were doing just what you have said instead of being present in this gentleman’s establishment!”
Giving Lord Newforth a small, tight-lipped smile, Daniel glanced all around him. Thetonwas listening to every word that both Daniel and Lord Newforth spoke, with many already whispering behind their fans. News would soon spread of this interaction throughout society and, were he not careful, then he would find his name covered in disgrace and shame, rather than it being held in respect. He hesitated, wondering whether or not it was right to speak Lady Patience’s name in such a way. Yes, it was what he needed to do to defend himself but, at the same time, did it not mean that there might be some difficultyset upon her shoulders thereafter? Some might wonder why she had been alone in a shop with him, why no chaperones were present. There might be whispers aboutherthereafter and that was certainly not what Daniel wanted.
“Lord Hastings?” Lord Newforth’s voice was loud and determined, making Daniel’s lip curl. “We are all waiting to hear your defense! Baron Stillforth states that you were at his establishment yesterday afternoon, that you were with the ladies of his house and drank much of his fine brandy and the like. Thereafter, you returned home to prepare for the card party which you attended and did not pay him a single penny of what you owed.”
“All of which is a lie. He must be mistaken.” Daniel threw out his hands. “I have told you the truth and quite frankly, I now demand an apology from both yourself,andfrom you also, Baron Stillforth. To shame me in such a way with these despicable lies is more than a little improper and I demand that you retract your statements at once!”
“But you cannot prove it!” Lord Newforth took another step closer to Daniel, his voice seeming to echo around the room. “You say that you were in town, at onlyoneshop, and that you spoke to someone there, but you cannot tell us who that was!”
“It was me.”
Daniel’s heart leaped up into his throat as Lady Patience emerged from the crowd, her face pink but her gaze determined.
“I was in the haberdashery shop, and can confirm that Lord Hastings was present there – and for some time also,” she continued, coming to stand beside Daniel and Isabella. “The shopkeeper can confirm it also, if you wish, Lord Newforth for Lord Hastings made some purchases while he was there.”
A slight smirk crossed Daniel’s face as Lord Newforth’s smug, confident expression changed in an instant. Instead ofappearing proud and determined, he shrunk just a little, his brow furrowing and his shoulders dropping.
“You are mistaken, sir,” Lady Patience continued, looking now to the Baron. “Whoever it is that gave you Lord Hastings’ name must have done so to put the blame onto him, just as you are doing now.” She glanced at Daniel and then back to Lord Newforth. “If you will not take my word for it, nor the word of the shopkeeper also, then you might wish to speak with my mother and my aunt, for they both saw Lord Hastings as he walked out of the shop with his purchases.”
The Baron blinked, then threw a look at Lord Newforth, confirming to Daniel that the gentlemen shared a connection in some way. This had been planned and now, thanks to Lady Patience, it had shattered completely.
