“If you have spoken to anyone about what you heard, then I shall know.” The way he gripped her hand, bending her fingers back a little, made her want to cry out in pain, although she buttoned her mouth and held his gaze with as much strength as she could. “I want to make quite certain that you are a young lady of propriety and discretion, Miss Williams.”
“It is a little late for you to speak to me of such a thing,” Beatrice answered, pulling her hand away from his even though they were still meant to be hand in hand. “It was many days ago since I first heard you speak and – ”
“And since that time, you have become closely acquainted with Lady Norah, whose brother is very good friends with Lord Surrey,” Lord Neaht interrupted, as Beatrice tried to hide her shiver of fear. “You may well be tempted to speak of what you overheard, but I can assure you, Miss Williams, there will be nothing good to come from that conversation.” His lips flattened, his eyes sparking with anger. “And if youhavedone so already, then there will be… unfortunate consequences. Ruination, mayhap.”
She lifted her chin, doing her best to remain strong. “I will have – ”
“Have what?” he snarled, his eyes narrowed and dark. “You will have nothing, Miss Williams. Your entire family – your brother included – will be shamed by whatever it is I decide to place upon you and have no doubt, thetonwill believe everything I say to them! Especially if you arediscovered.”
Beatrice, unable to help herself, trembled visibly. The way Lord Neath’s lip edged up on one side told her that he had seen it – and that he was pleased with the effect his words had upon her.
Mercifully, the dance came to a close, and Beatrice, making to step back and away from him, was caught by his fierce grip once more.
“Now is your opportunity to tell me, Miss Williams.”
She looked back at Lord Neath, her very soul seeming to shake with dread. “Tell you?”
“If you have already spoken to Lord Surrey about what you overheard,” he told her, his jaw setting tight as Beatrice shook her head. “I have given you ample warning, Miss Williams. If you are lying to me, then the consequences will be all the greater.”
Beatrice shook her head. “I give you my word.” It was nothing more than a lie, of course, but she was not about toinform this gentleman that yes, shehadspoken to Lord Surrey about what she had overheard. These consequences, his threat of taking her and ruining her against her will, were a heavy and ever-present threat, but Beatrice was not about to buckle under them. No, she determined, she would remain silent, not only because of the worry that Lord Neath was attempting – and succeeding – to place within her heart but also because of her love for Lord Surrey. She was not about to set him in harm’s way, not if she could protect him from whatever Lord Neath was planning – though she would have to find a good deal of courage from somewhere.
“It is a great pity that you are so dogged and determined, Miss Williams.” Lord Neaeth, finally stepping back and bringing an end to their time together, shook his head before he offered her a small bow. “I do hope it will not bring you into more difficulty… though I fear, at this juncture, it very well might, and it shall all be entirely on your own head.”
Beatrice said nothing, turning away from him just as quickly as she could. With her heart in her throat, she returned to Lady Norah, who had been standing, smiling gently as if delighting in the dance that Beatrice had shared with Lord Neath.
“An excellent gentleman, I think,” Lady Norah said, encouragingly. “He was engaged with you, was he not? His conversation was – ”
“He threatened me.”
Lady Norah’s eyes rounded, her smile crashing.
“There is much I have not told you as yet, Norah,” Beatrice continued, looping her arm through Lady Norah’s again. “Come, might we go and find some refreshment? I will be able to tell you all once I have had something fortifying.”
Without a word, Lady Norah began to hurry across the ballroom, Beatrice going with her. Every step took her further from Lord Neath, but at the very same time, she could practicallyfeel his gaze lingering on her. Going cold all over, she swallowed once, twice, and then a third time, pushing back threatening tears and refusing to let a single one fall. Lord Neath might have made himself a threat, but Beatrice was not about to give in – and certainly was not about to let herself cry over his threats!
“We should speak to my brother,” Lady Norah said, a little breathlessly. “He will know what to do.”
Beatrice shook her head. “I cannot. Not yet,” she answered, as Lady Norah glanced at her. “Not until I have had some time to think about how I might best keep everyone safe.”
13
George yawned, rubbed one hand over his eyes, and groaned aloud. The previous evening had been difficult, for Miss Burnley had wanted him to dance with her twice, with the second one being the supper dance… but George had refused. Now that he had some concerns over their proposed engagement, he had begun to draw back from the lady, which mayhap was becoming clear to her, although she would not understand it, of course. George had not expected her to become so frustrated with him; however, for she had whined and pleaded and then, when he had continued to refuse, had become angry and upset with him, to the point that he had been forced to speak sharply to her for fear of being seen by theton. That in itself told him that she was not in the least bit suitable for him, but, as yet, there was no easy way for him to free himself from her.
Not yet, at least.
“Here, my lord.”
George, accepting his gloves from the valet, nodded at his reflection. “Very good, Jones.” Dismissing him, he made his way from the room and then went downstairs to the waiting carriage.This afternoon, he was to go to his solicitors to collect the historical records of all marriages that had taken place within his family line in the hope that he might find something that would link his family to that of Lord Turnhill. In addition, he wanted to speak directly to his solicitor, Mr. Franks, about the documents he had already looked over, so he might share Lord Dorset’s concerns about the seal. Whether his solicitor would have something of importance to say in that regard, George did not know, but it would be worth considering.
And then, Miss Williams and I will spend time together looking through the records.
The thought of that sent such a broad smile across George’s face that it chased the lingering tiredness away from him. Knowing that he already had her brother’s blessing for a connection between himself and Miss Williams made George’s hopes grow… but that was only provided that the documents that demanded an alliance between himself and Miss Burnley were shown, in some way, to be false.
About to climb into the carriage, his attention was caught by an approaching footman.
“Forgive me, my lord,” he said, waylaying George as he inclined his head. “This was urgent.”
George took the note from the footman, seeing him waiting, evidencing the expectations of a response.
