Page 49 of One Waltz with the Viscount

‘When we arrive I will tell his footman or butler my name. It should ensure we at least get a meeting with Sir William. I understand he is not the most amiable character, and if we forewarn him of your identity he may just refuse to see you whatsoever.’

‘I will keep quiet until he is in the room,’ Sarah said. It was a sensible ploy. As Sir William hadn’t made any effort to find her or Selina these past twenty-three years, he wasn’t likely to be happy at seeing her now. Especially if she just turned up at his house unannounced. She didn’t really care if he was angry, so long as he answered her questions about Selina.

They continued in silence for a while longer, as the houses they walked past grew larger and grander. Lord Routledge came to a stop opposite a huge townhouse, immaculately kept, set on a pretty square with private gardens in the middle.

‘This is it?’ Sarah asked, feeling a little intimidated.

‘Sir William is a very wealthy man. He owns a lot of land around the country, he’s always looking for the next area to invest in.’

Sarah swallowed and felt Lord Routledge move closer. ‘Remember he is only a man.’

‘A wealthy and influential man.’

‘Very true, but a man all the same. He cannot harm you, he holds nothing you need except, potentially, information about your sister.’

‘Do you think his servants will let us in, with us turning up without an invitation?’

‘I expect so. Sir William is a canny man, but he has one weakness I know about. He is a relentless social climber. Until a few years ago he was plain old Mr William Kingsley, but the Prince Regent granted him a knighthood for some service he rendered to the crown. He is known to covet a title and access to the aristocracy, but despite his huge wealth he is excluded from that very inner circle. My name should intrigue him enough to want to meet with me. All we have to do is get him in the room.’

Sarah nodded, knowing she just needed to move, to approach the house, but feeling as though her feet were stuck to the ground.

‘Thank you for coming with me,’ she said, turning to Lord Routledge. ‘Even after...’

He nodded, not meeting her eye. It would seem he did not wish to talk about the way she had ripped apart his character and all his plans for the future.

‘Come, let us get this over with,’ he said instead, stepping out into the road.

Once they had knocked on the door it took only a few seconds for it to be opened by a smart footman. He looked Sarah and Lord Routledge up and down before opening the door a little wider.

‘Lord Routledge,’ he said, slipping the footman his card. ‘I have come to pay a call on Sir William. Please apologise for the early hour of the visit, but it is a matter I think he might be interested in.’

The footman hesitated. He’d probably been instructed not to accept any calls before noon, but would also be aware that he could incur Sir William’s wrath if he turned away someone important.

‘Please come in and wait in the drawing room whilst I see if Sir William is available,’ he said after a moment, clearly deciding it was better to break with protocol than to be on the receiving end of Sir William’s temper.

The drawing room was immaculate, with light green wallpaper and matching upholstery. The room faced the street, and there was a view out across the road to the private gardens beyond.

Sarah felt so nervous she did not know what to do with herself. She felt immense gratitude when Lord Routledge took her hand and led her to a chair. He pressed her into it, sitting down next to her.

‘A few minutes and this will all be over,’ he murmured.

She tried taking deep breaths, but they caught in her throat, and she returned to her rapid, shallow breathing.

The door opened and Sarah thought she might pass out her heart was beating so fast, but it was a woman who entered, not Sir William.

Sarah and Lord Routledge stood, waiting for this woman to introduce herself.

‘Good morning, my lord. I am Lady Kingsley.’

‘A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Kingsley. I apologise for the early hour of our call.’

She smiled indulgently. ‘Thank you, although I am sure my dear husband will be happy to make an exception for you.’

‘Sir William is at home?’

‘Yes, he is just concluding some business in his study. He is aware that you are here and will be down as soon as possible.’ He eyes flicked to Sarah, as if realising she had not been introduced. ‘I am sorry, I do not think we have met before.’ Her eyes narrowed as she took in Sarah’s plain dress and sensible shoes.

Sarah hesitated, then drew herself a little taller. ‘I am Miss Sarah Shepherd.’