Page 60 of A Lady's Beastly Duke
“I have an impediment to relay.” Sidney faced Lord Graystone, who strode towards him, his face white with rage.
“You can get out of my home!” Lord Graystone shouted. “You have no right! This is not a public building.”
Sidney did not move. He did not care what Lord Graystone said. His gaze moved to Lady Anastasia.
“My lord?” The vicar was looking at Lord Graystone. His dark eyes were wide. “Please, sit down. This man here is permitted to speak. The wedding rite requires it.”
“Oh...” Lord Graystone had been about to swear, but he seemed to recall in time that the fellow was a vicar and decided against it. “Let him speak, then.” He turned to Sidney. “But if you lie, or if this is some wild foolery, I swear that you will regret it.”
“I will never regret speaking the truth,” Sidney said firmly. He stared down at Lord Graystone. The fellow might be bulkier than Sidney, but he was much shorter.
Lord Graystone glared.
“Please, son,” the vicar said softly. “Speak. We all wish to hear what you have to say.”
Sidney cleared his throat. Lord Ridley was glaring, but Lady Anastasia was gazing at him, her blue eyes fixed on him. His heart soared. She wanted him here. She wanted him to speak. She wanted his help. He took a deep breath and began.
“This man, Lord Ridley, has approached Lord Graystone under false pretenses,” Sidney began. “He professed to have extreme wealth. Is that not so?” He let his gaze rove to Lord Graystone.
Beside Lady Anastasia, Lord Ridley took a step forward. Ifhe could have killed Sidney just with a glare, Sidney would be dead.
“Get out,” he growled.
“My lord.” The vicar took a step forward. “Let the man speak.”
“Answer the question,” Sidney growled.
Lord Graystone’s face flushed with anger. “Of course. But this is preposterous. I know for a fact that he is extremely well-off. It can’t be true.”
Sidney raised a brow. “Strange, then, that he was proclaiming to his acquaintances of having come into a fortune the other evening. Curious, too, that he is reputed to owe them a considerable sum.”
“What?” Lord Ridley’s blue eyes glittered. “This is nonsensical.”
Sidney glared at him. “Do you deny it?” he demanded.
Lord Ridley said nothing.
Sidney glanced at Lord Graystone, who had been full of rage, practically ready to attack. He had rooted to the spot. He studied Lord Ridley intently, hanging on his words.
Sidney just looked at him, waiting for him to answer the question.
Lord Ridley tried to say something, but then he swore.
“Bah!” he shouted. “You cannot prove it. This is ridiculous,” he added, turning to the vicar. The vicar looked at Sidney.
“You have proof of this?” he demanded. He looked worried.
Sidney nodded. “It is common knowledge in the Grantham club. Is it not, Lord Ridley? Your friends there are all your creditors. Is that not so?”
“Bah!” He said again. He glared at Sidney. “May ill fortune attend you.”
Sidney just blinked. He knew he had won. Silently, he thanked Giles and whoever it was who had brought him the information about the wedding. He stood unspeaking.
Lord Ridley turned to Lord Graystone.
Sidney tensed, knowing that Lord Graystone was furious. He looked away. His gaze moved to Lady Anastasia.
Beside the viscount, she moved. She did not step forward, but her hand lifted to her lips and a small cry escaped her. Sidney saw her eyes widen and he grinned.
