Page 32 of A Viscount's Stolen Fortune

“I… I have.” Giving herself a slight shake, Alice opened her mouth to say something more, only for a sudden screech and the slamming of a door to reach them. Lord Foster stepped back again, making certain to put a more than respectful space between them. Alice winced, closing her eyes. “I believe that my mother and sister may have returned, and been informed of our news, Lord Foster.” A brief smile touched her mouth, then disappeared again. “Perhaps we might continue this conversation later this evening? I fear that my mother will soon make her presence known to us both, otherwise.” Sighing, she tilted her head. “I am to go to the Vauxhall pleasure gardens with my mother and sister this evening. My sister is to be accompanied by Lord Bradford.”

“Then I shall find you there.”

Lord Foster came close to her again, reaching out one hand. He opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something more, but could not quite find the words to say it. Shaking his head, he cleared his throat, caught her hand, bowed over it rather sharply, and strode from the room. Alice closed her eyes. The sensations that such a small touch had brought to her were overwhelming. Lord Foster had caught her, body and soul, and she had been entirely unprepared for it. A gentle sigh escaped her as she sat down and pushed one hand over her forehead. A weakness in her knees was delightful; the happiness he brought her overwhelming.

“Whatever is the meaning of this?”

At the very next moment, the door was flung open as her mother strode into the room, followed by Henrietta. Her eyes were blazing with fire, her hands akimbo. Henrietta, however, was merely standing to one side, looking at Alice with wide eyes. No doubt their father had informed Henrietta that her sister was betrothed and would soon wed.

“It means that I am betrothed, Mama.”

Speaking calmly, Alice rose from her chair.

Her mother threw up her hands.

“You cannot be betrothed. He has not asked for, nor received, your father’s consent.”

“He does not need to. I told him plainly that my father had made it clear that it was my responsibility to find a suitor. He cannot complain if I have done precisely that!” Spreading her hands, she tried to smile. “I would have thought that you would be pleased. After all, this means that I will not be a burden to you any longer.”

“You shall not marry him.”

Ignoring her mother’s screech, Alice smiled.

“It is already too late. News has already begun to spread around society. I am afraid you must choose your scandal, Mama.”

“Choose my scandal?” Lady Blackford snorted indignantly. “Whatever do you mean?”

“I mean to say, Mama, that you must choose between having Lord Foster married to me in a church or through other means. If you should try to stand in the way of my betrothal, I fully intend to stand up with Lord Foster as my husband, one way or another.” The strength of her determination sent fire into her heart. “I will become Lady Foster, whether I have to run away with the gentleman, or whether I stand up with him in church. I have chosen my future and I do not intend to allow anyone to take it from me. You must choose which one of those two circumstances you would prefer, for Iwillhave him as my husband.”

She did not wait for her mother to answer her. Without so much as a glance in her sister’s direction, Alice lifted her chin and walked quietly from the room. This was to be her future now, and she would not permit her mother’s upset, or her father’s anger, to pull it from her.

Chapter Eleven

“You are brooding. Although I suppose, given the circumstances, that is to be expected.”

It took William a moment to realize that his friend was speaking to him. Shifting in his chair, he dropped both hands to his lap and shrugged.

“I have much to think about, although I must say I am very glad that you are returned from your estate. Perhaps I ought not to be keeping such thoughts to myself, and instead be sharing them with you.”

“If it pertains to our situation at present, then yes. I should be very glad to hear whatever it is you have to say. It has been a difficult time indeed. I was not certain I would even have enough coin to return to London!” Lord Wiltsham shook his head. “I am grateful to you for permitting me to reside in your townhouse for a time.”

“I shall soon have to think of what I am to do with it, if I do not recover my fortune.” William scowled. “I wish we had never listened to Lord Gillespie, God rest his soul.”

“I concur.” Lord Wiltsham picked up his glass, which contained a very small measure of brandy since William had very little left, and not the funds to purchase more. “You state that you found something in his study, however. You have not seen it as yet?”

“I have seen it but not read it in its entirety. Miss Lawrence has it, but I fully expect to see it this evening at the Vauxhall Gardens.”

Lord Wiltsham’s brow lifted.

“And that is what makes you appear so contemplative?”

“In part.” Briefly, William explained everything which had taken place. “After Miss Lawrence found the letter from the Viscount, I was so very afraid that she would be gone from me, that something had happened which would remove her from this earth in the same way as Lord Gillespie had been taken. We are now betrothed, I might add.”

He threw this remark out casually, but Lord Wiltsham let out such an exclamation of surprise that William jerked visibly.

“You accepted her offer then?”

“I did.” William’s gaze lingered on his friend as Lord Wiltsham’s brows lifted. “We shall marry soon enough - whether or not I regain my fortune, that being said.”

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