Lord Warwickshire smiled briefly. “But of course. So, what must be done?”
George looked to Lord Dorset, who for whatever reason, was looking back at Lord Warwickshire with a keen, assessing eye. “I think the documents must be studied again.”
“Might I suggest that you ask someone other than your own solicitor?”
A little taken aback by Lord Warwickshire’s suggestion, George paused for a moment. “You cannot think that they would be doing something untoward in their study of them?”
Lord Warwickshire shook his head as Miss Williams, gesturing to the tray, got to her feet after he nodded his assent for her to pour the tea and the coffee. “That is not what I mean. If they have already looked at them, then they might not be as careful this next time.”
Understanding him, George nodded slowly. “They have already perused them twice.”
“Then I shall ask my solicitors, shall I?” Lord Dorset suggested as George looked to him. “They will be very discreet, I assure you.”
“Very well.” George frowned as Miss Williams set his cup in front of him. “I will have to learn more about this Lord Neath.”
“And you will stay away from him,” Lord Warwickshire stated, as his sister sat back down again. “I do not like the fellow, and if he is involved in something sinister, then you are best to stay back from him.”
Worry struck George’s mind, and he caught his breath, his eyes widening as he looked to Miss Williams. “It might very well be that Lord Neath is concerned.”
Miss Williams frowned. “Concerned about what?”
“That you overheard the conversation between him and Lord Turnhill,” George replied, seeing her eyes flare. “If he is a gentleman without restraint, then he might well be someone willing to do whatever he has to do to protect his secret conversation with Lord Turnhill.” He gestured to Lord Dorset. “You yourself said that the only reason two people would have a conversation in a bookshop was so that they might not be either overheard or seen in conversation together. Lord Neath and Lord Turnhill may very well not associate in public, which required a private conversation held in a place where they would not be seen.”
A smile spread across Miss Williams' face, a smile that George did not understand.
“It was I who said such a thing, Lord Surrey,” she told him, as a flush of heat darted into his face. “But yes, I can understand your concern.”
“You will stay away from Lord Neathandfrom Lord Surrey – in public, that is. There cannot be anything more than an acquaintance seen between you.” Lord Warwickshire spoke firmly, looking first at his sister and then to George. “If LordNeath and Lord Turnhill become concerned that my sister overheard them speak of you, they might well be watching her.”
George nodded, even though his heart grew sick at the thought of keeping away from her. “I will be careful.”
“I can bring her here for further conversation on the matter,” Lord Warwickshire said, reaching to pat his sister’s hand. “But you must all be discreet.”
“Indeed we must,” Lord Dorset agreed. “So the documents are to go to my solicitors.Iwill find out more about Lord Neath rather than yourself, my friend, and you might do all you can to discover more about your family history.”
“Very well, though I do not think that much will be found.”
Miss Williams glanced at Lord Dorset, then back to George. “You think that, mayhap, a marriage was already made between the two families?”
George shook his head. “Lord Dorset is suspicious that there might have been, but I am sure there has not been. I know the marriages within my family line, and there was never any mention of a Turnhill.”
“But if it were a daughter, then her name would not be Turnhill,” Miss Williams pointed out, gently. “I think it would be worth considering – and I could help with that. There are bound to be records of such things.”
“I can have my solicitors send them to my house,” George agreed, his heart quickening as he thought of both himself and Miss Williams studying them together. “Might you be able to assist me with that?”
Miss Williams smiled and opened her mouth to answer, only for her brother to clear his throat.
“Iwill bring her, but remain also,” he stated firmly. “Have a note sent as to when they will be ready and we shall make our way here.”
“As will I,” Lord Dorset replied, the conversation coming to a close as both he and Lord Warwickshire rose to their feet. “I am glad you have agreed to consider this, my friend. It may offer you the freedom you have been so desperately hoping for.”
George smiled, getting to his feet and looking straight into Miss Williams’ eyes as he spoke. “I must pray fervently that it does,” he said, as she smiled back at him. “Mayhap I shall have all that my heart desires after all.”
12
Lady Norah darted a glance at Beatrice. “Might I ask you something?”
With the ball going on around them, Beatrice smiled at her friend. “Of course.”
