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His smile remained this time. “I do not know him as yet, of course, but I will make sure to do so. Lord Fitzherbert strikes me as the sort of gentleman who is a bit of a fop. He likes the attention of others whilst ensuring that he does not have to commit to anything or anyone in particular.” His smile spread even further as Daisy frowned, seeing no easy way for her to further her acquaintance with Lord Fitzherbert if that was the case. “But he also will have a fondness for wealth, as most gentlemen who like to spend their money do. Therefore, if he discovers that you have a vast dowry, then he will be more inclined to consider you.”
Daisy’s expression darkened. “But I do not have a vast dowry,” she stated, feeling a little irritated by Lord Watt’s understanding of what was a very confusing situation. “So how can I—?”
“Because I will tell him,” Lord Watt interrupted, as though she ought to have expected such a thing. “I will ensure to become acquainted with him, and thereafter, will inform him that I am acquainted with your family and that I have become aware of the vast dowry that you carry with you. That should entice him a little further, Miss Williams.”
The thought turned her stomach, and she grimaced, even though she was forced to admit that there was no flaw to Lord Watt’s plan.
“The only thing that concerns me,” Lord Watt continued, a touch more quietly, “is that if Lord Fitzherbert is the man responsible for your father’s death, then he will be less inclined to court you for fear that you might discover the truth.”
“He has not seemed to do so thus far,” Daisy murmured, seeing the flicker of concern on his face. “But I suppose that such a thing will only be discovered if we attempt it.”
Lord Watt smiled and nodded. “Indeed,” he said, the worry gone from his expression in a moment. “Then it seems we have a plan, Miss Williams.”
“We do.” She looked into his eyes, and in that moment, it felt as though the years had rolled back and left them back where they had once been. As though they were together sharing that same affection and regard for each other, that it had not been forgotten and left behind in the dark.
And then, Lord Watt stood up and moved away from her, dashing the moment to the ground.
“I should depart,” he said, with a small bow in her direction. “You will be able to make your own way back to the ballroom?”
She nodded, feeling there to be too much emotion for her to speak.
“Very good,” he murmured, not quite looking at her now as a slight tension seemed to grow between them. “Then I shall make sure to seek you out at some point so that Lord Fitzherbert sees us together. Do you have any space on your dance card?”
Daisy closed her eyes and nodded. There was one dance remaining that she knew Lord Watt could fill, but the thought of being in his arms again made her feel quite overcome with a vast array of emotion.
“Then I shall take it, if I may.”
His voice was soft, not filled with the exuberance and excitement she had heard from him in a time gone by. She nodded again, still mute, and held out her dance card to him, holding her breath as he took it.
She did not let her breath go until he had written his name and stepped away, leaving her to sit there alone, surrounded by the memories of what had once been.
Chapter Eight
To say that it had been a shock to realize that Miss Williams was the person Lord Templeton had asked him to meet, would be something of an understatement. Matthew was still reeling some three days later, even though he should, by now, have sorted out such feelings of astonishment and surprise. It was as though the floor had gone from under his feet and he had fallen into the stormiest sea, forced now to try and keep his head above water.
It was a very strange feeling indeed to know that the lady he had longed for, the lady he had thought to be dead and gone from his world forever, was now, in fact, involved in the very same work as he. The fact that she knew about the League had come as something of a surprise for him, whilst her father had been heavily involved, there was the secrecy that came with such a position. A secret that most gentlemen kept heavily guarded, for fear of what might occur should they give themselves away.
But Lord Templeton trusted her, and that meant a very great deal. It was wise, in one way, to allow her to become involved in this particular affair, for a lady could indeed become closer to a gentleman than another man might be able to, but at the same time there was a good deal of warning ringing around Matthew’s mind. Miss Williams was determined, yes, but there was a good deal of emotion around the situation. Even she had admitted that to him, had she not? She had stated quite clearly that there was a reluctance and a disinclination to draw close to Lord Fitzherbert when he might very well be the gentleman who had killed her father.
And yet, Matthew knew that he would not be able to dissuade her. Her desire to involve herself in this affair would not be easily put out. They were to work together to find the answers that they both needed.
Matthew sighed and readjusted his hat before stepping out of doors and into his carriage. It rolled along almost at once, taking him to Whites and to where he knew both Lord Stevenson and Lord Fitzherbert were already present. A footman at the establishment had sent word, knowing that he would be rewarded favorably for doing so. Matthew, in turn, had notified one or two other gentlemen of the League who, in time, would also descend upon Whites in an attempt to further acquaint themselves with the two gentlemen in question. It had to be done carefully and without any seeming eagerness on Matthew’s part. They had been introduced at the ball some three nights ago, when Miss Williams had ensured that such a thing occurred, but he had said nothing more than a few words of greeting, before excusing himself and allowing Miss Williams to take her turn about the floor with the fellow. The sight of her dancing in Lord Fitzherbert’s arms did not hurt as much as it had once done, given what he now knew of her intentions. That, at the very least, had been a relief. There was, in its place, a slight flicker of hope. Hope that this might, in some way, bring them back together, to a place where he might begin to consider his future. They had been so close to happiness before. Was there even the smallest chance that they might begin to find it again?
Whites was very busy indeed. It was late in the evening, and whilst some gentlemen were kept away by other social engagements, those who were present were busy enjoying a game of cards, coming up with all manner of outrageous bets to write in the betting book, or partaking of what appeared to be one too many brandies. Matthew allowed himself a wry smile. He had to hope that either Lord Stevenson or Lord Fitzherbert would have drank enough to allow them to be perhaps a little more open with their words than they might otherwise be.
“Lord Watt!” A loud voice called his name, and he turned towards it at once, his face splitting with a smile as he saw Lord Fraser beckoning him over. Lord Fraser was a man able to drink a good deal of liquor without it apparently having any sort of effect on him, which came in particularly useful in a situation such as this.
“Lord Fraser,” he grinned, seeing the empty glasses sitting on the table to Lord Fraser’s right. “You have been enjoying yourself, I see.”
“I have,” Lord Fraser answered, without even a hint of slurring to his words. “Lord Fitzherbert and I have enjoyed quite the drink!”
The smile slid from Matthew’s face as he glanced all around in an attempt to find the gentleman. “Where is he?”
Lord Fraser chuckled, his cheeks a little red. “He has gone to recover himself a little. He will be back momentarily.”
Grimacing with the vision that flooded his mind at such a description, Matthew sat down heavily in a chair opposite Lord Fraser and regarded him closely. “Has he said anything?”
“Lord Fitzherbert?” Lord Fraser asked. “No, he has not. I have asked him about where he has been the last few years, but he only said just as would be expected.”
