Was that a warning in his voice? A threat? A little confused, Beatrice demanded her lips curve into a smile before she pulled her attention away from Lord Neath and returned it to Lord Rogart. “My sincere apologies for the interruption,” she said,even though it was not she herself who had done so. “Might I ask you what it was you were saying?”
Lord Rogart gave her a grateful smile, and Beatrice found herself responding to him, thinking a good deal better of him than she had done a few minutes before. He had seen a strain between herself and Lord Neath and had done what he could to bring an end to it, and for that, she was grateful.
“I was going to ask your brother if you might be permitted to walk with me around the park for a few minutes,” he said, as Beatrice’s smile grew. “Thereafter, I was going to ask you if you would like to!”
“I would be glad to,” Beatrice answered, looking to her brother, who though he nodded, was still frowning. “Thank you, Lord Rogart.” With a smile, she looked at the other gentlemen, glancing at each one in turn and shivering inwardly at the scowl on Lord Neath’s face. “Do excuse us, gentlemen.”
Stepping alongside Lord Rogart, Beatrice allowed herself to be carried along by the conversation, glad that Lord Rogart had so much to talk about so that she only needed to nod and smile on occasion. Something about that entire situation troubled her, for Lord Neath’s arrival, followed by his insistence that he already knew her, was concerning indeed. Beatrice did not know what it was that drove his questions, but instinct told her that he was a gentleman to be wary of.
And mayhap I should tell Lord Surrey,she thought to herself, biting her lip.Even if it means nothing, mayhap he ought to know.
11
George frowned, rubbed one hand over his eyes, and then returned his attention to the documents. “I can see what you mean about the seal, that it might not bear the Surrey seal, but that is what I would expect of such an old document.”
“But it could easily have been made to appear that way,” Lord Dorset protested. “If your solicitors are certain that all is well with the documents themselves, then the seal, they presume, is real also. But if it is not, then – ” Seeing George’s pursed lips, Lord Dorset threw back his head and groaned. “My friend, let me be clear.” Looking back at him, he put his hands flat on the table but held George’s gaze. “I myself have old documents akin to this. The seals on each arenotthe same.”
Surprised, George threw away his doubtful look. “What documents are these?”
“They are agreements between my great-grandfather and another gentleman,” Lord Dorset replied, “although I shall not tell you the specifics, but needless to say, they do hold weight in my present sphere. The seals, though they are old, are still clear enough to recognize. You say that this is old, and you mightexpect it to be so, but I would disagree! I am concerned that there may be more to this than you think.”
George ran one hand over his chin, thinking hard. “That would mean, then, that Lord Turnhill is doing such a thing for his own gain.”
“Namely, to marry his daughter to an Earl.”
This made George roll his eyes. “Miss Burnley could marry any gentleman she wishes, I am quite sure. She can mold herself to whatever standard a gentleman might expect – in public, at least. It is because we are near to engaged and without any possibility of my escape, that she can reveal her true nature.”
“And it is not pleasing.”
George shook his head no.
“There is also the possibility that Lord Turnhill does not know there are reasonable concerns over this,” Lord Dorset continued, giving the gentleman the benefit of the doubt, which George appreciated. “There might be other persons at play in this.”
The conversation that Miss Williams had overheard returned to George’s mind with a sharpness he had not expected, a frown tugging at his brows and concern beginning to settle in his heart. He sat down in a chair by the empty hearth, thinking hard.
Lord Dorset came to join him.
“I – I do not know what to think.” George looked at his friend, then shook his head. “I want to do what is right. My solicitors do not think that there is anything wrong with these documents and have made it clear that I must do what is expected if I am to retain my lands and my property.”
“I think you should look a good deal more carefully at it all,” his friend said, firmly. “I do not know precisely how that looks or what exactly it would be, but all the same, that is what I would advise.”
Closing his eyes, George breathed out slowly and then began to nod. “Very well.” The concern that had been placed upon his heart by his friend’s words settled there, pushing down on him. “Perhaps I have been too trusting; mayhap my father was also.”
“Your father was an excellent gentleman. He would not want anything to stain the family name. I do not doubt that he would have taken one look at these documents and considered them of vital importance.”
With a nod, George got to his feet. “I think that I – ”
Interrupted by a knock at the door, George frowned. “Yes?”
“Lord Warwickshire, my lord.” The butler came in with a calling card. “And his sister, Miss Williams.”
George’s stomach lurched, his breath catching as he looked down at the card. Why did they both come to call? Had Miss Williams told her brother about the kiss? About his words of love? Was this what they had come to speak about?
“My lord?”
He looked up, seeing the butler waiting. “Yes, send them in. And bring up some refreshments.” Glancing at his friend, who gave him only a small shrug, George began to pace up and down the room as worry began to gnaw at him. He was already promised to Miss Burnley and could not step away from her; surely Miss Williams already knew that?
“Stop your pacing and stand still, man!” Lord Dorset chuckled as George threw him another look. “She is coming to speak with you, is that not a good thing?”
