Page 43 of A Viscount's Stolen Fortune

“It is.”

Keeping his eyes on the older gentleman, William did not say anything more.

“There are varying supposed explanations as to how you have regained it.”

A twisted smile told William that the gentleman had no particular interest in hearing the truth.

“I am sure that many have come up with an explanation which suits them. That does not mean that any of them are correct.”

Lord Blackford’s eyes glinted.

“They say that you have stolen it.”

William let out a short huff of breath.

“Why do you not tell me the truth about your reasons for calling upon me this afternoon? Yes, I have regained my fortune. I am due to wed your daughter. What else is there for us to discuss? I have no time to speak of rumors.”

Lord Blackford sat back in his chair, his hands on the arms and his head a little tipped to one side, studying William with narrowed eyes, as if he were trying to work out just how formidable an opponent William was to be.

“I want you to remove yourself from my daughter.”

William shook his head.

“No.”

“There is no reason for you to continue to tie yourself to her.” Lord Blackford’s voice was hard. “You have regained your fortune. You have no need of a match with her. Let things be as it was before, she will go to her aunt, as has long been suggested, and you may marry anyone you wish.”

A smile spread across his thin lips, sending a rush of pain straight through William’s heart. This man cared nothing for his daughter. Not a single ounce of consideration went towards her.

“No.”

“I do not think you truly understand!” Lord Blackford spread his hands as though William was being unreasonable. “There is no need for my daughter to linger in London any longer. My sister has long been expecting her arrival and we have no one else as a companion for her save for Alice. If you have your fortunes restored to you, then why should you need to continue this betrothal? Any gentleman’s daughter is now available to you. Why should you tie yourself to someone as plain and as ordinary as my eldest daughter?”

William’s stomach was roiling at the cruelty and inconsideration expressed by Lord Blackford. How had Alice endured this? How had she managed to continue with such pain? His heart twisted in agony for her and yet, with that, came the silent promise that he would not allow such things to continue.

“You could offer me anything Lord Blackford, and I would refuse it. I would refuse it wholeheartedly.” Speaking quietly, he let anger mount itself into his words. “Do you think that I am as cruel and as unfeeling as you? Do you think that now I have regained my wealth, I would turn my back on Alice simply because I might choose someone better? Can you not understand that there is no one better than your daughter?”

“That is nothing but sentimental nonsense.” Lord Blackford waved one hand, dismissing William’s words. “In all matters of life, there is never any need for sentiment. I am sure that if you give it a little more thought you will see that my suggestion is very wise indeed.”

“You may think so, but then again, I also believe that you have no understanding of what it is like to be in love.”

Lord Blackford’s eyes flared and, the next moment he broke into such raucous laughter that William’s face burned with both fury and outrage.

“You are speaking with such a determined expression that I feel as though I should applaud you for your well thought out drama. You play a part very well, Lord Foster! What is it that you truly seek? There is something binding you to my daughter, and if you do not tell me what it is, then I cannot help you. I will offer you whatever it is you require for you to separate yourself from her forever.”

His hands curled into fists as the urge to strike Lord Blackford grew, for what he had said about Alice, for the insults he had laid upon her, and for the sheer disregard towards her, but with an effort, he stayed his hands.

“There is nothing I can say that will make you understand.” Getting to his feet, William looked down at the gentleman, seeing the hard planes of his face and the deep, harsh lines. This was not a man with an ounce of kindness in him. “You are a gentleman without emotions. In fact, I believe that you have made your heart so hard that you cannot evenbeginto recognize what I am speaking of. I talk of love, and you mock me. I tell you I am bound to Alice, and you believe me jesting, state that there must be something else I desire from you before I will willingly turn aside. Can you have so little understanding?” Lord Blackford opened his mouth, but William was not finished. “I pity you, Blackford. I pity you because you will never experience what I do at present. You will never understand what it is to love another soul. This is more than just emotion. It is more than mere respect. It is a giving of oneself to another. It is losing an hour, a day, a night, simply because you cannot stop thinking about that person. It is a feeling of being broken apart when they are far from you, but then being fused back together when they are with you. It is a clinging to one’s promise, no matter what difficulties may come to pass. It is trusting them with your whole heart and knowing the privilege of being offered their heart in return.” Flinging out one arm towards the door, he lifted his chin, fire burning in his eyes. “You may take your leave. I will not hear another word of this.”

“You are a fool. My daughter is worth nothing!”

William’s jaw tightened, every muscle tense.

“She is my own heart. I fully intend to wed her and to love her every day of my life. I shall bring her a happiness that she has never known before, and it shall be the most beautiful, blessed life for both of us.” He took a small step closer, dropping his voice low. “And perhaps one day, you will find yourself looking at us and wondering what it would have been like if you had ever allowed yourself to feel.”

The gentleman seemed pinned to his chair in astonishment, for he stared at William with such shock in his expression that his skin turned pale, and it seemed as though he could not find any strength. William did not move, his hand still held out towards the door, and eventually, Lord Blackford slowly rose from his chair. Without a single word, or even a glance toward William, he left the room, and William made sure to close the door tightly behind him.

Epilogue

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