Page 8 of A Viscount's Stolen Fortune

William nodded. He had nothing left to say. Lord Blackford turned his head, making it plain that he was dismissing William without another word. Not speaking even a farewell, William left the room, turning on his heel sharply towards the door.

Striding from Lord Blackford’s house, he did not have an opportunity to speak with Lady Florence herself, having no doubt that her father would speak to her of what had occurred - and despite his veiled urgings that she consider the matter fairly and give him the time and opportunity to rectify it, William was not certain that she would urge her father to permit her to wait for William’s endeavors, as regarded his fortune. The truth was, he had often felt a lack of interest from Lady Florence, but that had not mattered since her father had agreed to the match. He had believed that her affection for him would come in time, but now there would not be any opportunity for it to grow. There was to be no future for himself and Lady Florence. All the plans he had built up in his mind about what lay ahead for him were now completely shattered. There would be no marriage to a gentleman’s daughter, no happy future where he and his wife would bring up their children at his estate. Instead, he would be left to struggle through the next few years, trying desperately to make enough money to keep his estate from falling into disrepair. Everything he loved would have to be given up.

William stopped short as he reached his carriage. The door was held open for him, but he did not immediately step inside. Would Lord Blackford now tell others in society of his troubles? He had tried, thus far, to keep his misfortune secret, but by speaking to Lord Blackford, he had risked everything he had worked to hide so far. He had not expected such a forceful reaction from the gentleman he had thought soon to call father-in-law. He had assumed, wrongly, that Lord Blackford would be willing to listen, to be understanding and considerate. Instead, he had refused to give William even a few more minutes of his time. His answer had been swift and forthright. There could be no match between William and Lady Florence, not when his fortune was so severely diminished.

William dropped his head as a huff of breath escaped him. He had to pray that Lord Blackford would not tell anyone else about what he had heard from William. There was no guarantee, however, that the gentleman would not do so - in fact, it was more likely that he would speak to as many of his acquaintances as he could, in an attempt to protect the young ladies of London from William’s clutches.

“My Lord?”

It took William a moment to realize that his footman was still waiting for him to step into the carriage. Clearing his throat, he stepped up, sitting back against the squabs as he realized that he would soon have to give up such things as this. If he had not the money to pay his staff, then they would have to be severely reduced in number. That was not something he wished to do, but something he wouldhaveto do – and he might even be forced to sell his horses and, with that, near all of his carriages and phaetons.

Misery filled his thoughts as his carriage pulled away from Lord Blackford’s townhouse.

Perhaps it would be better for me to return to my estate rather than linger in London.

After all, what was here for him? Once Lord Blackford told everyone in society about his difficulties, then he would have very few friends here. People would do all that they could to avoid him. He would have no opportunity to court any young lady, nor think about making any sort of proposal. None would so much as glance at him, not when they knew he was so poor.

“Then my only hope is to regain my fortune.”

Speaking aloud, William kept his eyes wide and pointed forward, trying to build determination into his heart. Thus far, he had very little idea of what he was meant to do, as regards finding the culprit, but he was willing certainly to try. After all, he realized it was the only thing that would aid him in his wish to return to society's good graces, and a more certain future.

* * *

“You appearto be a little lost, Lord Foster.”

“I am not lost.” William glanced over at his friend. “How do you fare, Lord Wiltsham?”

“I am struggling.” Lord Wiltsham shook his head. “I have not yet made any endeavors into resolving my situation. I am attempting to come to terms with just how much I have lost, but that seems to be a constant struggle. At this point, I do not think I can even afford to return to my seat! I have not yet let my servants know of it, but I shall soon have to encourage them to find other employment since I cannot pay their wages for more than another month or so.”

“You shall keep none at all?”

William’s eyebrows lifted. At least he was able to keep on some of his servants.

“I believe that the only people I can keep on would be my butler – who will double as my valet - the housekeeper, two maids, and a couple of footmen. And that may only be for another few months until my coffers run out entirely.”

“You will have gained back your fortune by then.” Trying to speak confidently, William clapped his friend on the shoulder. “I am certain we shall expose these ruffians for what they are.”

Lord Wiltsham looked towards him.

“You are truly convinced that it is a small group of men who work together to achieve such an end? They deprive gentlemen of their fortune, one way or the other, believing that there is no recourse for them to regain it?”

“I am quite convinced.” William spoke with a confidence that did not envelop him entirely. Then a sudden idea came to him, and he grasped his friend’s arm. “And surely that should be our first consideration! Speaking with the gentleman who encouraged us to go to that part of London in the first place.”

“Lord Gillespie?” Lord Wiltsham frowned. “But he is a gentleman known to all of us. He is of good character and all of society is engaged by him. I cannot see him doing anything unscrupulous.”

“And maybe that is precisely how he has done this. Given that we believe him to be of good character, he may be using that to hide despicable deeds.”

“For what reason?”

No immediate idea came to William’s mind.

“I could not say. Lord Gillespie is only an acquaintance, but it may be that he struggles with his own coffers. Perhaps this way he can make certain that his fortune is always replenished.”

“Or he may have had an excellent evening in one of those gambling houses and sought to encourage his acquaintances to attend also. It may be nothing more than that.”

“It may be entirely innocent,” William agreed. “But the only way we will discover the truth is to ask him directly.”

Lord Wiltsham nodded slowly.

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