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Maybe they were from Thornton.

A tremor of uncertainty slipped beneath her skin at the thought. ‘Thornton, are you in trouble with your own finances?’ she asked quietly. ‘My dowry could help if you need assistance.’

He shook his head with a chagrined smile. ‘Thank you, Charlotte, but I already took care of repaying my own debts.’ With a wry grin, he added, ‘Unlike my brother, it doesn’t bother me to live without furnishings.’

Was it truly that bad? She studied him and then ventured, ‘Did your father know? About your debts?’

He shrugged. ‘Whether he did or not doesn’t matter. I paid them off myself without assistance.’ He crossed his arms and said, ‘I lost heavily at cards, if you must know.’

She eyed him, a dark suspicion growing. ‘And to whom did you pay back this gambling debt, Thornton? When did it happen?’

‘It was over a year ago,’ he admitted. ‘And it was Lord Selwyn.’

She straightened at that. ‘Does Alaric know?’

‘Of course not.’ He leaned back against the coach seat. ‘But it doesn’t matter any more.’

‘You’re wrong.’ A slight wave of dizziness passed over her, and she closed her eyes to steady herself. After she grew composed, she said, ‘A certain Mr Virdon keeps trying to collect money from Alaric. Was the debt yours?’

‘No. My debt to the earl was already paid back,’ he insisted. ‘Selwyn knew that.’

She studied him and continued, ‘But what if your father didn’t know? Is there a chance the old duke could have been persuaded you were still in trouble?’

Thornton let out a heavy sigh. ‘I suppose it’s possible.’

It was just as she’d feared. Charlotte rested her hand upon her middle, steadying her nerves. ‘I think it’s time that we put a stop to this Mr Virdon and alert the Runners.’

Thornton eyed her. ‘We? You mean Alaric and me?’

She leaned forward. ‘Well, yes. And I would be happy to—’

‘No.’ Thornton straightened in the seat. ‘My brother and I will deal with Mr Virdon’s fraudulent activities—if that’s what they are.’

‘And what about those who took advantage of your father?’ she ventured.

‘That’s precisely who we want to draw out with our rumour in the next few days.’ The coach began driving towards the ball, and Thornton added, ‘I want to know who they are so we can eliminate the threat.’

Charlotte didn’t think rumours would make any difference. ‘Our enemies are not in ballrooms, Thornton.’

‘Aren’t they?’ His smile grew guarded. ‘I suspect that’s exactly where they are.’

Alaric stood in the shadows at the edge of the ballroom. He’d never intended to come here tonight, but now that Charlotte was attending, he felt obliged to watch over her. Even with Thornton at her side, it wasn’t safe enough.

After he’d learned that Mr Virdon would be present at the ball this evening, it was even more imperative that he be here. He didn’t know why Virdon had mentioned his brother. When he’d summoned Thornton earlier, his brother had been evasive about their father’s debts, claiming that he didn’t know why Virdon had mentioned him.

But Alaric wanted to find out who Mr Virdon was connected to, who his friends were. Then he might be able to talk to those guests and learn whether they had any ties to his father.

Yet he didn’t want to draw attention to himself. He was a friend of the host, Lord Scarsdale, and he’d asked the earl to allow him to remain hidden during the ball. Damian had readily agreed.

Alaric preferred being a wallflower. It was easier to stand in the shadows and watch over people. Although he’d asked Thornton to protect Charlotte—and he trusted his brother—it didn’t feel like enough. Instead, he would discreetly attend, get the answers he sought about Virdon, and be there for his wife if she needed his help.

From the darkness of the hallway on the other side of the room, he saw Charlotte arriving with Thornton. She wore the yellow gown he’d ordered for her, and the yellow topaz necklace rested on her throat. When he watched her, it was as if sunlight had suddenly entered the room. From the looks of the other gentlemen in the room, they’d noticed her as well.

The yellow silk clung to her curves, the short sleeves baring her arms. Charlotte wore long white gloves, and she carried a white fan at her side. Her blonde hair was swept up with several curls left upon her cheeks. She appeared slightly nervous, but then Thornton said something to her and her smile brightened.

Something inside Alaric tightened. His wife was stunning, and for a moment he wished he’d agreed to accompany her. His hatred of balls didn’t seem to matter any more. If it made her happy, why would he care? At least he could defend her and possibly dance with her.

But he’d made his decision to remain hidden, and now he had to concentrate on learning more about the elusive Mr Virdon.