Page 35 of The Viscount's Forgery
“Your butler said that I could not see you, that you were not to be disturbed, and that concerned me greatly.”
Nicholas lifted one eyebrow.
“I also had something that I needed to ask you, something that could not wait,” Lord Bothwell blustered, now looking alittle embarrassed as he let his gaze drift around the room. “Forgive me, I was too hasty and much too determined. I see now that I ought to have waited and – ”
“Come in, Bothwell.” Seeing now that there was no reason to hide the truth from him, Nicholas waved his friend to a seat. “No doubt you will find it very odd that I sit here surrounded by young ladies. I should do my best to explain, yes? Before you begin to think that I am doing something nefarious.”
Lord Bothwell let out a small chuckle, but his gaze wandered around the bluestockings again.
“I have been robbed, Bothwell,” Nicholas began, going into a full explanation of all that had taken place. He saw his friend’s eyes round, his mouth swing ajar for just a moment as he told him of Lord Marchfield’s involvement. “I have only just learned the truth,” he finished, “and now I am struggling to determine justwhyhe would have done such a thing as that.”
“Well, because he is quite without coin,” Lord Bothwell blustered, sweeping one hand over his face as he spoke. “Goodness, I did not think that he would ever do such a thing as that, however!”
Nicholas blinked. “Without coin?”
Lord Bothwell nodded. “Yes, it is quite well known that he is an impoverished fellow.” A stunned look came over his face, his eyes rounding as he stared back at Nicholas. “Do you mean to say that you were unaware of this? That even when he was pushing his sister towards you, there was not even a single moment of awareness as towhy?”
Swallowing thickly, Nicholas shook his head. Closing his eyes for a moment. “No, indeed not. I did not think… that is to say, I thought that she was being presented to me as a potential bride because of my wealth, but that has occurred a good many times, though I do not mean to sound in any way arrogant.” Heat burned his face as he kept his gaze firmly awayfrom Miss Sherwood. “I did not know that Lord Marchfield was impoverished. He has never said so to me, and I did not hear it from anyone.”
“No doubt everyone thought that you were already aware of it,” Lady Isobella said quietly. “But that does explain why he might have done such a thing.”
Miss Sherwood’s lips curved, but there was no mirth in them. “I must say, it is an excellent scheme, even though I think it is quite wrong, of course.”
“It is, I suppose,” Lord Bothwell agreed, as Nicholas tried to take in another rallying breath. “Well thought out, near impossible to detect.” He looked again at Nicholas. “Lord Marchfield knows you well, my friend. He knows that you do not know a great deal about the pieces you have on display.” No doubt seeing the way Nicholas ducked his head, Lord Bothwell put out one hand to him. “I do not mean that as a criticism, my friend, only as a statement. That is the reason he has been able to rob you so easily. Because heknowsyou.”
“So it would seem.” Nicholas rubbed at his eyes again, feeling them a little gritty. “I must think now of what to do.”
“You will confront him?”
Considering, Nicholas pursed his lips. “I am not yet certain. If he is as impoverished as he has said, then I am sorry for that. As you have said, Miss Sherwood, it is still very wrong to steal such things and especially from one’s friends.”
“We will not tell you what you ought to do,” Lady Rosalyn said quickly, as the others all nodded. “The only thing we wanted was to help Eugenia and, in doing so, help you also.”
“You have certainly done that.” Looking around at each lady in turn, his gaze lingering on Miss Sherwood, Nicholas realized just how much he had been given, how much he had gained by permitting Miss Sherwood to assist him. It was not the forgeries that he thought of, however, nor was it Lord Marchfield. Instead,it was only Miss Sherwood who came to his mind, his heart full of affection for her as he looked into her face once more. She had not only forgiven him but had brought such happiness, such light into his life that the thought of retrieving his paintings from Lord Marchfield was not even a consideration. “I want to tell you all how very grateful I am to you for what you have done in helping me.”
The bluestockings, in unison, smiled warmly back at him, and Nicholas’ heart squeezed.
“I have not deserved your kindness, your consideration, nor your help, given what I said to Miss Sherwood. She has been very gracious, not only in forgiving me but also in agreeing to help me with all of this. Without her wisdom and your assistance, I do not think that this mystery would have been solved, and for that, I am overwhelmingly thankful.”
“You are most welcome, Lord Suffolk,” Lady Amelia said, the other ladies nodding their heads in agreement. “To be valued by yourself is something that we are all, ourselves, grateful for. Not everyone in society respects us simply because we are bluestockings, so to have a gentleman such as yourself approving of us means a great deal.”
He inclined his head. “I thank you for your kind words, but I do not think I deserve them.”
“I think you do.” Miss Sherwood’s voice broke through the quiet of the room as her blue eyes struck his. “You have trusted us, trustedme,and that has brought us such a happiness, I do not think it can be expressed.”
Nicholas smiled back at her, fully aware that the desire in his heart to be close to her – closer to her than ever before – meant that he would have a good deal more to say when the time came. First, he had to deal with Lord Marchfield, and thereafter, he could think about what to do with Miss Sherwood.
One thing Nicholas was quite certain of: he had no intention of letting her go.
16
“Iknow it is most inappropriate to steal you away from your friends, but might you be willing to come with me?”
Eugenia looked straight into Lord Suffolk’s eyes, feeling heat rising from the pit of her stomach. “Now?”
He nodded. “I am well aware we are in the middle of Lord Balfour’s ball, but Lord Marchfield and his sister have just arrived, and I should very much like to have the matter discussed just as quickly as possible.”
Not understanding, Eugenia turned a little more so she might look straight into his eyes. “Why should you need me there?”
