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Phillip frowned, wishing desperately that he could remember what had taken place that night.

Thus far, he could only remember Lord Coates inviting him to play cards and the subsequent game that followed, but thereafter, it was all nothing but darkness.

It was deeply frustrating for him that he could not remember anything more.

“I shall have to ask my butler about that,” he said, in what he hoped was a light, jovial tone. “Thank you for telling me, Lord Mansfield. It is a little shameful to admit that I cannot remember a single thing that took place after I went to play cards at the ball!”

“It happens to all of us at some time or another,” came the reply, as Phillip tried his best to smile. “And do your best to ignore the taunts, my friends. The whispers are mere fodder for the gossips, that is all.”

“Taunts?” Lord Fairchild asked the question before Phillip could. “You mean to say that there are those speaking about – ”

“About the fact that Lord Waverley played cards, just as his father did, imbibed, just as his father did and lost the game too, just as his father did.”

Phillip’s stomach twisted as he went cold all over. “I did not refuse anyone what I owed them, did I?”

Lord Mansfield put one hand on Phillip’s shoulder and looked straight into his eyes. “No, my friend. You gave all that was required, though in truth, it was only very little.”

Relief washed over him and Phillip closed his eyes. “Thank goodness.”

“You have nothing to worry about,” Lord Mansfield told him, dropping his hand back to his side. “Indeed, you can respond to those who whisper about you and state that no, you are not like your father for you paid what you owed without question! Is that not a good thing?”

With a slightly uneasy smile, Phillip nodded. “I suppose it is.”

Lord Fairchild took over the conversation, leaving Phillip to look down at Lady Rosalyn, aware that her hand had not yet left his arm. “Rosalyn. What are you thinking?”

She glanced up at him, then looked again to Lord Mansfield. “I think that he makes a very good point, Waverley. I think you have every right to play as many games of cards as you wish, and that you can state that you are different from your father, given that you pay your debts just as you ought.”

Phillip returned her small smile with one of his own. “Thank you, Rosalyn. But I meant what were your thoughts as regards what he told me about the evening my painting was stolen?”

Her eyes rounded. “Oh.” She took a moment. “I think that you must first speak to your butler about what you were doing in the kitchens and thereafter, confirm that Lord Stockton did, in fact, smash the glass and spill the brandy, as he said. Oh, and there is one other thing I must ask you.”

“Anything.”

A slight hesitation came and then her question. “Might I be able to join you when you speak to your staff? I think it would be a good idea to confirm with the butler that Lord Mansfield left when he stated he did and , to be sure, that the painting was still on the wall when he left.”

“An excellent notion.” Phillip settled his other hand on hers for just a moment, aware of how his heart flung itself upwards at the light touch between them.

“You know how much I value your insight, Rosalyn. Even now, you noticed that Lord Stockton had not been mentioned whereas I might have forgot entirely!”

She smiled up at him. “I am sure you would have remembered, in time.”

“Goodness, Lord Fairchild, I am surprised that you would permit your sister to be standing so close to a gentleman such as Lord Waverley!”

Phillip closed his eyes and made to take his hand away but Rosalyn’s fingers instantly tightened on his arm, refusing to let him step away.

“Lord Pentland.” Phillip glanced to Lord Fairchild and then to Lord Mansfield, seeing them both frowning. “Is there something the matter?”

“And I am quite able to make my own decisions as regards my sister and the company that she – and I – keep,” Lord Fairchild said firmly. “I think we have already established this in a previous conversation, have we not?”

Lord Pentland snorted. “Ah, but that was before it was discovered that Lord Waverley was the sort of fellow who did not pay his debts! A gentleman who lost himself in liquor and then refused to pay what he owed!” A smug smile came into his expression, and Phillip gently took Lady Rosalyn’s hand from his arm, coming to stand a little closer to Lord Pentland but, at the same time, choosing not to have Lady Rosalyn so near to him.

This was why he did not deserve her, he reminded himself.

The whispers and gossip might be unfair but they clung to him nonetheless.

There was very little he could do about that, save from protecting her from it.

“I think, Lord Pentland, you ought to be very careful indeed what you say at this juncture.” Praying that Lord Mansfield had been correct in what he had said, Phillip drew himself up, aware of the other guests who were looking over towards them, no doubt listening to the conversation.

“I should be greatly upset if you begin to speak lies about me, Lord Pentland.”

The gentleman cocked his head. “Oh, but I have heard it from the very gentleman himself! The one that you refused to pay!” he exclaimed, making Phillip’s heart slam hard in his chest. “I am sure that he must be telling the truth. In addition, both Lord Hemmingway and I were present at that game of cards so we are well aware of your presence and of your lack of propriety.”

“That is very interesting,” Lord Fairchild interrupted, standing shoulder to shoulder with Phillip now. “I was present that evening and recall quite the opposite taking place. Nor do I remember seeing either of you present.”

“As was I,” Lord Mansfield added, as Lord Pentland’s smile froze in place. “Lord Coates, you were there also, were you not?”

Phillip turned his head, seeing Lord Coates coming towards them all. “Yes, I was. In fact, I was the one who invited Lord Waverley to the card game in the first place!”

Lord Pentland looked around as if seeking support, but no one stepped forward. “I can assure you,” he said, though his voice rose higher, “that Lord Waverley did not pay all that he owed. I have been informed of it from a reliable source, and that – ”

“This is why I have been receiving the cut direct, is it not?” A sudden fierceness took a hold of Phillip and moved closer to Lord Pleasance, seeing the gentleman’s eyes flare wide.

“You and Lord Hemmingway, no doubt, have been telling the ton that I am just like my father, in that I refused to pay any debts I owed. That is monstrous, for it is the opposite of what I did!”

The room fell silent, but Phillip barely noticed, taking in a breath but then continuing, determined now to defend himself.

Yes, he had played cards, and yes, he had imbibed some.

Yes, he could not remember precisely what he had done or said, but Lord Mansfield had already assured him that he had paid his debts, and Phillip was determined to trust that.

“What is it that I must do to prove myself to you all?” he asked, expanding his arms wide and looking around the room, catching sight of Lord Hemmingway, who was, at present, shrinking back from the crowd.

“My father brought shame to our family name, as you all know very well. But do you not think of what pain and mortification that has caused me and my dear mother? Why, then, do those such as yourself, Lord Pentland, insist that I am not able to even prove myself? Why are you so determined to state that I am just as my father was, when the evidence in this regard states the opposite? What do you gain from lying about me? What do you gain from your twisted words? If you are seeking to bring me low in the eyes of society for your purposes, then you need not do so any longer. I already have enough to bear.”

It was almost a collective gasp that came from those in the room, but Phillip fixed his gaze on Lord Pentland, a little surprised at his own reaction to the gentleman’s lies, but finding himself all the more determined to prove himself in this matter.

“Lord Waverley speaks the truth.” Lord Coates lifted his chin, cleared his throat and stood tall. “I was present at the game of cards. I can assure you that Lord Waverley paid all that he owed. There was not a penny missing.”

“Though, Lord Pentland, if you are so sure that Lord Waverley did not, if you do have the gentleman who is angry and upset at not being paid what he was owed, then please, do present us with him – or even just give us his name so that we might make certain of this concern.” Lord Fairchild shrugged lightly.

“It is simple enough, is it not? In front of all the guests here, make your claim of unfairness by presenting the evidence.”

Phillip watched as Lord Pentland opened his mouth, closed it again, and then closed his eyes, his jaw tight.

“No?” Lord Mansfield snorted. “Then take your ridiculous lies away from us all, we do not need them here. Lord Waverley has done no wrong and, in truth, ought to receive your apology.”

“Will you give it?” Phillip asked, quite certain that the gentleman would not. “Will you stop speaking these lies about me? Stop whispering gossip that is entirely untrue in society? I have more than enough of my own difficulties to deal with without your darkness, Lord Pentland.”

The gentleman glared at him and then spun on his heel, pushing his way through the crowd and stalking out of the room. There were a few moments of silence before everyone in the room began to exclaim over what had just taken place, making Phillip’s head drop with relief.

“Well done, my friend!” Lord Fairchild slapped him on the back, a broad grin on his face. “An excellent defense!”

“A gentleman unworthy of your consideration,” Lord Coates muttered darkly.

“I do not like that fellow or Lord Hemmingway, for their inclination towards cruelty and selfish arrogance makes them, to my mind, utterly disreputable. I refuse to speak to them, refuse to entertain their company for fear of what it would do to my own reputation! Those who listen to them disgrace themselves.”

Phillip drew in a steadying breath. “I could not have had the same impact without you all,” he answered, looking around at all three gentlemen.

“Thank you all.” Turning his head in the hope of speaking with Lady Rosalyn, hoping she understood why he had stepped away from her, he saw she had already stepped away.

He missed her presence already.