‘I cannot attend your house this afternoon,’he read, a frown tugging at his forehead, his heart sinking with disappointment. ‘We must not even be seen together. I dare not risk it. There is more danger here than you know, I am sure of it. Perhaps, if it is not too late, I might call this evening, when the ton are in the midst of whatever occasion they attend. I will have to go to Lord Cambridge’s soiree with my brother, but he has said he will attend with me thereafter. Please, let me know at yourearliest convenience so I might explain all and make certain no other can see this note of mine.’
A knot tied itself in his throat, looking back at the footman, and nodded. “Inform your master and your mistress that all is prepared for them this evening.”
The footman nodded, turned, and walked away back down the street, leaving George with the distinctly uncomfortable feeling that all was not well. Miss Williams’ note spoke of danger and fear, and he did not know what the threat itself might be. What danger was it she spoke of?
A prickling ran down his neck as he glanced this way and that, wondering if there was anyone nearby, watching him. Stepping into his carriage, he settled back and then rapped on the roof, the note from Miss Williams still in his hand. Why had she asked him to make sure no one else could see what she had written? Loath as he was to do so, he tore up the note into small pieces, his jaw jutting forward as he thought of all she had said. Something was dreadfully wrong, and somehow, it had pulled Miss Williams herself into danger. He had to pray that she would be kept safe from whatever was lurking until he could see her again. Then, he was certain, she would be able to explain all.
“Beatrice, thank goodness.”Unable to resist, George hurried forward and pulled the young lady into his arms, breathing her in as Lord Warwickshire entered the room behind her. “Your note was of great concern to me.” Leaning back, he looked into her eyes, searching her face but seeing no smile there. Instead, her eyes were heavy, worry written into the faint lines around the corners. “What has happened?”
“Good evening, Lord Surrey.” Lord Warwickshire shook George’s hand, glancing at his sister, who had stepped back fromGeorge at the very same time. “My sister has been approached by Lord Neath.”
“Approached?” George’s eyes flared as Miss Williams nodded. “What do you mean?”
“I mean that he insisted that I dance with him and during that dance, suggested that if I was to speak to anyone–you most of all – about what I had overheard at the library, he would take steps to ensure I was punished for it.” Miss Williams’ chin wobbled, but her gaze was steady and clear. “It is clear to me that he does not know any prior connection between us. His concern came from the fact that I am now closely acquainted with Lady Norah and her brother is – ”
“Is good friends with myself,” George finished, running one hand over his forehead as worry settled into his heart, thrumming away with an insistence that demanded his attention. “That is why you had to come this evening.”
“Lord Neath was at the very same soiree,” Lord Warwickshire told him, as Miss Williams took a step closer to George, perhaps feeling the same urge as he to stay near. “I made certain that he was still in the room when we took our leave. Thereafter, we took the carriage home and then hailed a hackney to return here. I do not think he has any awareness of our presence here.”
George swallowed thickly. “I am terribly sorry that you are now involved in this situation when there is such danger,” he said, as Miss Williams put a hand on his arm. “Had I known – ”
“This is not your fault,” she interrupted, as Lord Warwickshire walked across the room to help himself to a brandy. “My brother has been very concerned about my presence here, but I have insisted upon it. I will not be pushed away from you when it is now so very clear that Lord Neath – and Lord Turnhill, if he is connected in some way – have determined to manipulate the situation to have you marry MissBurnley.” Her hand slipped down his arm and caught his fingers. “I will not let our chance of happiness be pulled away, Surrey. Not after we have spent so long apart.”
Looking down into her eyes, George let out a slow breath and then nodded. “You are more than courageous, I think.”
“My brother was a little displeased at my insistence, but since he also has a heart filled with affection for another, he could not refuse me.” Miss Williams’ smile was warm despite what she had only just told him. “He understands what it is like when one’s heart demands one acts in a certain way, so that happiness might be reached."
Glancing over his shoulder to where Lord Warwickshire now stood, looking through a small opening in the drapes, George returned his attention to Miss Williams and, boldly, brushed his fingers lightly down her cheek as his body burned with a fierce and furious heat. “Would that such a happiness were present now.”
“It is in reach,” she whispered, her eyes shining. “This surely must tell you that there is a good deal wrong with your present circumstance.”
“I agree with my sister.” Lord Warwickshire came back towards them both. George released Miss William’s hand, wanting to appear proper in all things. “Given what Lord Neath said to her, it is clear to me that there is something untoward in all of this.”
George nodded slowly, running one hand over his chin. “The documents are, at present, with Lord Dorset’s solicitors, and he is doing what he can to find out more about Lord Neath.”
“And did you collect the records from your solicitors this afternoon?” Miss Williams asked, sounding enthusiastic despite the conversation and the hour. “Have you looked at any as yet?”
“I did try to,” George admitted, “but I found myself so lost in worry that I was quite without concentration.”
She smiled at him, her eyes alight. “You had nothing to worry about. My brother has been able to keep me quite safe.”
Pain struck at George’s heart. “I wish that you were not involved in this, Beatrice.”
The way he spoke her name made his own heart lurch suddenly, as if speaking so had revealed a fresh awareness of her to him. Miss Williams took his hand in her own, pressed it gently, and then tilted her head, gazing up at him for some moments. Had not her brother been present, George would have leaned down and kissed her, but with Lord Warwickshire near to them both, he could not dare so do.
“I amgladto be involved,” she said, surprising him. “Think of it, my dear Surrey. If I were not, then I might be wed to another! I might now be connected to another gentleman, with my future set out withhiminstead of with you. Would that not be dreadful indeed?”
George, considering this, could not help but smile. “I suppose you are right.”
“But you still must be cautious,” Lord Warwickshire stated grimly. “Lord Neath, I think, will be watching my sister closely, to make sure she does not go near you.”
“That does not mean we cannot work together all the same,” she replied stoutly. “Come, Surrey, show us these records so that we can begin.”
14
Beatrice rubbed at her eyes, yawning. She had stayed awake until the early hours of the morning, talking with Lord Surrey and doing her best to concentrate on the records he had been given from his solicitors, but she had grown very weary indeed as the hours had moved on.
“You are too tired for luncheon, I think!” With a chuckle, Lord Warwickshire dropped a kiss to her cheek and then came to sit down opposite her. “We have both missed breaking our fast this morning, have we not?”
