Page 13 of A Viscount's Stolen Fortune

“That may be the case for you, my dear sister, but our parents do not care what I do.”

“You shall not find a match if you do not start behaving a little more properly.” Henrietta’s narrowed eyes lifted to Alice’s, her lip curling. “That is why no gentleman will consider you. It is because you are entirely improper.”

“That is not the case, my dear sister.” Although Henrietta’s words needled her, Alice chose not to rise to it. “It is because our honorable mother and esteemed father have decided to pour the entirety of their hopes into you. You are to make the very best match.Youare to wed a gentleman of fortune, to become highly spoken of in society with a comfortable future - and I am set to become a companion to our wretched aunt living at the coast.” Henrietta’s eyes flickered and Alice’s brows lifted. Was her sister unaware of this? She had always assumed that Henrietta had known of her mother’s intentions. “That is, unless I am willing to do such things as walk around the ballroom by myself, in the hope of finding a suitable match somehow. How many gentlemen will see me otherwise?” Henrietta’s lips flattened and Alice’s shoulders dropped. Shaking her head, she let her voice soften a little. “Our mother and father will do nothing to aid me so therefore, I must do it myself – and Ishalldo so. Of that you can be quite sure.”

Turning away swiftly, she made her way across the ballroom before Henrietta could say another word, only to come face to face with Lord Foster himself. His hand grasped hers and she did not pull it away.

“Miss Lawrence.” The eagerness in his voice and the light in his eyes were unmistakable. “Pray tell me, have you spoken to Lady Florence?”

“Yes, I have.” Alice did not hold back the truth, nor did she try to wrap it in sentiment and gentleness. “I am afraid you have no hope there.” The building light in Lord Foster’s eyes immediately faded, turning them from hazelnut brown to very dark indeed. His eyebrows drooped over them, and he lowered his head for a moment or two, pulling his gaze away. “I am sorry.”

His head lifted sharply and looked directly into her face.

“It is not your doing. You have nothing to apologize for.”

Hesitating, Alice twisted her hands together in front of her, in much the same way as her stomach was twisting.

“Lord Foster, you are adamant that this situation is not of your making. Is that the truth?”

His jaw tightened perceptibly, his eyes narrowing just a little.

“Yes, it is true.” Hard edges tipped his words. “It is a ridiculous thing to believe. I quite understand that, but still…” Lifting his shoulders, he held them there for a moment and then dropped them. “I had hoped that Lady Florence would think more of me.”

“Yes, I understand,” Alice spoke as gently as she could, ignoring the pounding of her heart. “I have something of a proposition for you." He looked startled, and she hurried on before she could lose her courage. "I shall aid you in this search to recover your fortune. I shall be an ally to you in society, and will speak well of you to others. I promise to tell my companions and my friends and my acquaintances that your loss of fortune is not of your own doing. In short, Lord Foster, I will be your ally. I will do whatever I can to aid you, but for a price.”

Lord Foster’s eyebrows lifted.

“And what price would that be?”

The knot which had tied itself in Alice’s stomach now turned into fluttering butterflies. She took a moment to regain her composure, steadying herself before she spoke again.

“You shall marry me.”

To her horror, Lord Foster immediately chuckled. The face which had held lines of grief only a few moments ago was now wreathed in smiles.

“You are a most forward young lady.” Shaking his head in either admiration or mockery, he continued to grin. “I do not know you well, but I am quite determined to find my own bride when the right time comes. I may not be able to wed Lady Florence, but I am certain that…

“What are you so certain of?” Speaking harshly, her face burning, Alice spread both hands. “Do you fully expect to be able to return to society when news of your poverty echoes through London? That there will be young ladies eager to be in your company?”

Shaking her head, she held his gaze for a long moment, then turned sharply and walked away, her head held high.

Anger filled her as she made her way back to her mother, embarrassment burning hot through her veins. She had not expected him to laugh and yet his supposed belief that all should be quite well in society with regard to his standing was quite laughable! Daring a glance over her shoulder to where she had left Lord Foster, she saw, to her surprise, that he was standing in the same position as she had left him, staring after her as though he had somehow been caught in a trance. Her eyebrows lifted as their gazes met, but Lord Foster quickly looked away. Alice could not tell what he was thinking, but at the very least, there was no laughter in his face any longer - but that did not mean he thought any more of her suggestion. The only thing she could do at present was to wait and see.

Chapter Five

“Thank you for coming with me this afternoon.”

“But of course.” Lord Wiltsham gave him a brief smile before returning his attention to the door which blocked them from Lord Gillespie’s house. “I have as much eagerness to find out the truth from Lord Gillespie as you. It is strange that he has been absent from society these last few days.”

“I quite agree, which is why I am all the more grateful to him for being willing to allow us to call upon him this afternoon.”

Rapping again a little more sharply, William let out a frustrated sigh. The butler was taking some time to answer the door.

“Some of my staff removed themselves from my house this afternoon.” Lord Wiltsham sighed heavily. “I was able to find them new employment. I am glad of that at least.”

William nodded, his jaw tightening.

“I have instructed my man of business to put my greys up for sale.” Keeping his voice low, he did not look at his friend, frustrated with the mixture of anger and pain that shot through him. “I have no other recourse. I had thought - foolishly, perhaps - that I would be able to recover my fortune easily. But I am slowly beginning to realize that it is much more complex than I first imagined.”

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