Page 26 of A Viscount's Stolen Fortune

“Yes, I am quite certain.” Speaking in low tones, Lord Foster captured her gaze with his own. “It is only because you told me of that Viscount that I finally remember some details about the night. The man I played against made a few flippant remarks. I recall how he laughed, but his words remained muddled to me. However, now there is one thing that I do recall. I remember, hestatedthat he was a Viscount.”

A curl of excitement began to twist Alice’s stomach.

“That was before I ended up entirely unconscious, however. It was not until the following afternoon that I realized what I had lost.”

Alice blinked.

“How did this man – this Viscount – steal your fortune from you?”

It was something she had never thought to ask, until now.

Lord Foster drew in a deep breath and pulled back a little, looking at her directly. There was a tightness about his jaw, as if he were upset at having to recall such a thing.

“I went to my solicitors. Upon speaking with them, they produced a note which had been signed and sealed by myself. The note stated that they were to give the bearer of that note a large amount of coin. However, the name of the fellow was neither required nor recorded.” His mouth twisted to one side. “At least now I know, however, that he was a Viscount. That shall prove helpful, I am sure.”

“Goodness.” Alice waited as Lord Foster’s gaze slowly returned to her. “Then what I have discoveredisof significance.”

“I should say so.”

Being able to read the question on Lord Foster’s lips before he even asked it, Alice shook her head.

“No, she knew nothing more. Lady Sarah could not recall any further details about this matter. I believe Lord Gillespie was deliberately vague when speaking to her.” Immediately, Lord Foster looked away, his eyes dropping to the ground as a muscle in his jaw worked. His fingers fell from her arm, and Alice felt, suddenly, strangely alone. “But I do not think that you need to consider this thing most dreadful. Yes, there are many Viscounts in London, but Lord Gillespie would have only a few as his acquaintances and friends. I am sure that there is a way that we can discover which gentlemen were close to him.”

Lord Foster’s eyes lifted back to hers. The tightness in his jaw loosened and he slowly began to nod.

“Yes. Miss Lawrence. You are quite correct to say so.” His eyes widened. “That is a wise thought.” His hand grasped hers once more and fire burned up her arm. “Averywise thought.”

“And it may help us to make significant progress.”

Smiling warmly, Alice tried to move back, but Lord Foster had her fingers in his and he was holding on tightly. How had she not noticed his fingers lacing with hers?

“I shall speak to my friends and acquaintances in the hope that one of them will have known Lord Gillespie better than I.”

Alice nodded.

“I am glad that you have found a little hope, and that the information Lady Sarah has offered us can be used to your advantage.”

Instead of anxiety in his eyes, instead of dark dread, there was a flash of confidence. Alice’s heart lifted as she smiled into his eyes.

“I have a thought.”

Lord Foster bit his lip and looked away. The hope in his eyes had grown, but it appeared to have given way to something else.

“Yes, Lord Foster. What is it?”

Lord Foster shook his head.

“You may think this a little ridiculous… foolish even. But I had wondered about making my way into Lord Gillespie’s house.”

Alice caught her breath. All the warmth which had flooded her only a few moments ago faded immediately as she looked into his eyes. She could see that he meant every word.

“Why ever should you do something such as that?”

Her hand pulled out of his.

“I did not say that Iwouldhave to do so, but that I might consider it.” Lord Foster shrugged. “Lord Gillespie will have left behind a lot of correspondence. I am beginning to wonder whether or not it would bring any light to my situation to look through his recent letters. Now that I know that a Viscount has been involved in this affair, then surely it would not take a great deal of effort to search through his recent correspondence in the hope of finding any letters from such a titled gentleman.”

Fear clutched at Alice’s heart, and she shook her head, mute.

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