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“I care not.” Reaching out, Lord Hemmingway took the painting from Lord Coates as Rosalyn looked on, trying to understand all that was taking place.

“I shall take my leave of the house in a few minutes, once the guests have been called to the drawing room. You shall have to make your way there also, Lord Coates, for the ton will expect to see you.”

Lord Coates scowled. “Whereas they will think nothing of you leaving halfway through a society event, no?” With Lord Hemmingway grinning darkly at this remark, Lord Coates sighed heavily and ran a hand over his forehead. “Do you now consider my debts paid?”

Lord Hemmingway sniffed and tilted his head. “I suppose that I might. Though there is also the matter of interest.”

“Interest?” Lord Coates threw up his hands. “That is not something you mentioned to me before!”

“You have owed me a significant amount of coin for near a year, Lord Coates!” Lord Hemmingway exclaimed, making Rosalyn wince where she stood at the anger and upset in the gentleman’s voice. “Then you choose to spend it on your daughter!”

“She is to have her Season!” Lord Coates exclaimed. “I could not reject her for that, not on my account. It is my fault that the debts came to me in the first place! But I will not turn my back upon my daughter. I will give her what she is owed, just as I have now done my duty to you.”

Lord Hemmingway laughed, but the sound was cruel, filled with evil, and making Rosalyn tremble. Just where was Lord Waverley?

“ I shall decide whether or not your debt has been repaid in full, Lord Coates! Do not think for a moment that you have any say in this!”

“But… but you promised,” Lord Coates answered feebly. “You told me that – ”

“Just what did he tell you?”

Sagging a little from relief, Rosalyn stayed where she was in the corner of the room as not only Lord Waverley but her brother strode into the room, with her brother staying by the door so that the two gentlemen could not leave.

“Lord – Lord Waverley.” Lord Coates immediately began to stammer, his eyes darting from Lord Waverley to Lord Hemmingway and back again. “I – I am terribly sorry, but I – ”

“Lord Waverley, I have just now discovered Lord Coates making his way from your house with this. ” Lord Hemmingway thrust the painting into Lord Waverley’s hands, throwing a disparaging look towards Lord Coates. “I cannot tell what it is but I presume it belongs to this house?”

“That is not - !”

Lord Hemmingway sliced the air between himself and Lord Coates. “ Might I suggest, Lord Coates, that you say nothing? After all, what you have done thus far is worthy of great punishment, and I do not know how you shall ever repay such a debt.”

Rosalyn, who had still not revealed herself, watched as Lord Coates opened his mouth and then closed it again, his shoulders rounding as his head lowered.

Clearly, he understood what Lord Hemmingway was saying, just as Rosalyn did.

If he spoke the truth and said that Lord Hemmingway had been the one seeking this painting, then the debts upon him would only increase.

If he stayed silent and took the blame, then mayhap Lord Hemmingway would do nothing more.

His financial debt would be considered fulfilled, whilst the disgrace he would bear would linger long.

Anger built like a furnace in Rosalyn’s chest, seeing how defeated Lord Coates appeared. Yes, what he had done was wrong in itself, but to be forced to take the blame for it all too much. Lord Hemmingway was responsible for it all, not Lord Coates.

“Is that so?” Lord Waverley, much to her relief, did not sound convinced, though Lord Hemmingway was nodding fervently.

“Then, I presume you wish for me to thank you for what you have done in stopping him, Lord Hemmingway? Though I admit to being a little surprised to see you here, given that the other guests were in the dining room and are only now making their way to the drawing room.”

Lord Hemmingway drew himself up. “I saw Lord Coates come to the library,” he said in a commanding tone. “Intrigued, I followed after him. That is when I saw him with this painting.”

“Is that true, Lord Coates?” Lord Waverley’s voice had grown hard, and Rosalyn, hearing it, took her first step out of the shadows. “Is this all true?”

Lord Coates dropped his head forward, his shoulders rounded.

“I took the painting from your wall on the night of the soiree,” he admitted, as Rosalyn took another few steps closer.

No gentleman had noticed her as yet, though she hoped Lord Waverley knew of her presence here.

“I hid it in the hope of retrieving it at another opportune time.”

“And why did you try to steal it?” Lord Fairchild wanted to know from his position by the door. “What purpose did you have in taking it?”

Lord Coates opened and then closed his mouth, a frown on his forehead. The way he looked to Lord Hemmingway for aid told Rosalyn everything she needed to know.

“You needed only to ask for the price,” Lord Waverley said, his voice quiet. “I would have given it to you if you had asked. It does not mean a great deal to me.”

Lord Coates’ only answer was to hang his head.

“Well, I am glad to have been able to return it,” Lord Hemmingway said in a cheerful tone. “I shall return, with the other guests, to your most excellent entertainment, Lord Waverley. I am glad that we have been able to set previous… upsets behind us. Do excuse me.”

“Wait a moment, if you please.” Rosalyn, taking quicker steps now, came to stand directly beside Lord Waverley, facing Lord Hemmingway, who upon seeing her, stumbled back in shock.

“I did hope you were here,” Lord Waverley murmured, setting the painting down and slipping one hand around her waist for only a moment. “You heard everything, I assume?”

“I did.” Rosalyn lifted her chin, confidence filling her as she looked directly into Lord Hemmingway’s face. “Goodness, Lord Hemmingway, you are an exceedingly good liar, are you not? It is a shame that such a quality is not well thought of, else you would have exceeded us all in good standing!”

Lord Hemmingway’s face had paled, but as she held his gaze, he stood straight and pulled his shoulders back, perhaps trying desperately to preserve himself somehow. “I do not know what you mean.”

“Yes, you do,” she said, looking now to Lord Coates.

“My dear Lord Coates, you are in a difficult situation, are you not?” When he said nothing, she took a small step closer to him, sympathy pushing through to her heart.

“I heard every word that was said,” she continued, his gaze flicking to hers and then going to Lord Hemmingway.

“You need not be afraid of him. I heard everything, Lord Coates, and I can assure you that taking the blame when it is Lord Hemmingway at fault will do you no good.”

“The shame ought to be his,” Lord Waverley said firmly. “Do not bear a burden you ought not to carry, my friend. Tell me the truth and I shall do all I can to help you.”

Lord Coates hesitated for only a few more seconds before, with a huge exhale of breath, he dropped his head and rubbed both hands over his face. “I am sorry.”

“I know you did not want to do this,” Rosalyn said, gently, not looking towards Lord Hemmingway any longer. “You owe a debt to Lord Hemmingway?”

Lord Coates let out a low groan rather than saying anything in response.

“And he demanded you steal this painting from Lord Waverley?” Rosalyn continued, taking another step towards the gentleman. “That way, your debt would be repaid?”

“I thought it would take that weight from me.” Lord Coates finally spoke, lifting his head and looking back at her with wide, frightened eyes. “But as you heard, it has done nothing but make me even more of a fool than I was before.”

She smiled gently, putting one hand out on his shoulder.

“You are no fool,” she promised, softly.

“Now, tell Lord Waverley everything. As he has said so many times, he is not his father and he will not treat you cruelly.” Turning her head, she looked into the eyes of the gentleman she loved and felt her heart fill with a fresh affection for him as he returned her smile.

“He will understand. I promise you that.”