Page 37 of A Viscount's Stolen Fortune

“I believe that we have a great deal to thank Miss Lawrence for,” Lord Wiltsham murmured, putting one hand on William’s shoulder. “I am glad for you. I hope that you can find this Lord Montague.”

William nodded, pushing himself up to standing.

“I am certain I will be able to do so. A quick word to one of my servants will soon have the answers I seek. I am more than grateful that I have been able to retain a few of them!”

A wry smile tipped Lord Wiltsham’s lips, but it was gone the next second.

“And what shall you do once you face him?”

A cloud covered the moon and William could not see his friend’s expression in the dim light.

“I do not yet know.”

He realized that he had spent so long thinking about how to discover exactly who was responsible that he had not given much thought to what he would do thereafter.

“It will come to you once you have given it a little more thought. You will keep me informed?”

“I certainly shall.” William sighed and waved one hand towards the empty street. “I must walk back to my townhouse, for I cannot afford the carriage. I have not enough servants to use it!”

“With that I can sympathize,” Lord Wiltsham chuckled, “for I must walk also. I look forward to your note informing me when and where you intend to deal with Lord Montague.”

William’s heart grew suddenly heavy.

“Thank you, my friend. I look forward to the moment when I will finally regain what is mine.”

Chapter Twelve

“It is Lord Montague.”

Alice caught her breath as Lord Foster came close to her, his breath tickling her cheek, his hand on her shoulders, smoothing down her arm until his fingers caught hers.

“You are quite sure?”

“Entirely so. And it is thanks to you that I have such confidence. The name of the gentleman on the ledger was Viscount Montague, which in turn fits with the letter we retrieved from Lord Gillespie’s study. I confess that I am not as angry with Lord Gillespie’s behavior any longer, God rest him. I realize the difficult situation he was in, struggling with his coffers and seeing no way to remove himself from the noose that such men as Lord Montague had tied around his neck. He chose to obey and, in doing so, quite ruined me and my friends - but perhaps he felt as though he had very little choice.” Alice swallowed hard, trying to concentrate on what he was saying, but her emotions continued to muddle her mind. She wanted to linger, wanted to put her hands around his neck and draw his head down towards hers. “Miss Lawrence?”

She jumped, her skin prickling.

“Yes, I quite agree.”I must concentrate on what he is saying rather than on what I am feeling.“What is it that you intend to do?”

“I intend to speak to the man directly.” Anger flashed across his face, darkening his blue eyes. “I have spent an entire evening thinking about what it is I am to do, and I believe that I have found a way to force Lord Montague’s hand. I am quite certain that he will not return my fortune without force.”

Alice sucked in a breath, and before she knew it, she found her hands clinging to him. One was coiled in his shirt, ruining its perfect appearance completely, and the other was at his shoulder, pulling at his jacket. Fear was scrabbling at her and, despite her best attempt to contain it, threatened to take a stronger hold.

“But you will not…cannotuse force against him! He is a man willing to do whatever he must to gain whatever he wants. If you attempt to use your own strength against him, I fear that he will return in such a manner also. He may well have been responsible for Lord Gillespie’s death. He has already injured you to the point of unconsciousness. What if he does more? I cannot lose you.”

To her surprise, Lord Foster caught her fingers. Alice made to drop both of her hands, embarrassed to have behaved so, but Lord Foster only clung to them.

“Do you truly care for me so deeply?”

The anger had faded from his eyes, and there was a soft smile on his mouth. Licking her lips, Alice fought for an answer, darting her gaze to one side, afraid of what he would see in her eyes. If she were honest, she would state that she felt a great deal for Lord Foster - more than she had ever expected, for in their coming together, she had realized just how much of a gentleman he truly was. He was not foolish nor greedy, as thetonthought. Instead, he was nothing but kindness and consideration. The fierceness with which he pursued the truth won her admiration. The way he had trusted her heart and trusted her to keep her promises had built up the strength of feeling between them.

“I cannot pretend that I do not care for you a little, Lord Foster.” Trying to keep her voice light, Alice shot him a smile but kept her eyes away. “Even if we end up as paupers, I shall always be happy with my choice.”

Lord Foster’s thumb ran back and forward over her hand, building waves of heat which seemed to flow ever faster as she struggled to know what to say next. A daring glance in his direction showed that he was smiling tenderly at her. She had no need to be embarrassed by her emotions, she realized. Was there even a flicker of happiness in his eyes? Was there anything that he would offer her in return?

“I do not think I deserve you.”

“Nonsense.” Waving her free hand, she tried to smile. Her emotions were building so quickly that if they did not begin to talk of something else, she might find herself saying things that would not be wise to speak of at the present moment. “Tell me when you are to speak to Lord Montague. I shall go with you, of course.”

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