“It is indeed, Aunt,” Lord Surrey replied emphatically. “That is why I have been so desperate in my determination not to marry Miss Burnley. I do not care for her. I care only for Miss Williams.”
Lady Welton reached to take her husband’s hand. “I am very pleased to hear it. There is no reason now for you not to proceed, however, given that you have evidence of the marriage between the two families?”
Beatrice’s heart leapt at the warm smile on Lord Surrey’s face as his eyes held to hers. “Indeed, there is not.”
“But you must be cautious still, surely?” Lord Welton said, frowning. “If this Lord Neath is determined that the match should take place, you must find out what that reason is, else you could be warding off danger for a long time to come!” He spread out his hands. “If it is of any benefit to you, I can explain why things occurred the way they did, back in your great-grandfather’s day. It is only what we were told, of course, but I do believe it to be the truth.”
Beatrice clasped her hands in her lap, curiosity holding her taut.
“Please.” Lord Surrey finished his whisky and, looking a good deal calmer, gestured to his uncle. “I should be glad to know.”
“From what I was told – and this is the reason our family does not associate with the Turnhill family – the purpose of the sale of land and property and indeed, the marriage, was to rescue a Surrey daughter from ruination.”
Snatching in a breath, Beatrice’s clasped hands moved to press against her heart. “You do not mean to say that a Turnhill gentleman did wrong to a Surrey lady?”
Lord Welton’s expression grew grim. “Indeed, I do. That is precisely what happened, according to my father. The only way her reputation could be salvaged was with a marriage, but such was the grievous nature of it… I think there was a child also – the family demanded more. Usually, a lady’s dowry is given to the gentleman she is to marry, but on this occasion, nothing was given. Instead, land and property were offered from the Turnhill family to the Surrey family. There was some money exchanged, of course, to make it appear as if there were a sale between the families, but it was not what the land and property were worth.”
“And that is why the documents were drawn up,” Lady Norah exclaimed, speaking for the first time. “Because everything had to be done correctly, but also needed to protect the lady and her child at the same time.”
“Indeed. Society could not know of it, and thus, the marriage was made.” Lord Welton clicked his tongue and shook his head. “My dear nephew, had I known about any of this, I would have done all I could to assist you.” His gaze roved around the room, lingering on Beatrice. “But it seems you have all the help you require.”
Lord Surrey smiled briefly, but no light came into his eyes. “I do,” he agreed, his shoulders dropping and rounding, “but the truth is still not fully discovered, is it? I do not know why Lord Neath is so insistent upon this marriage. I cannot understand how he, in being entirely unrelated to the Turnhill family, has any connection to this whole affair.”
“Are you certain he is not connected?”
Beatrice’s eyes shot to her brother, who, after having spoken, appeared a little embarrassed, given the way his gaze darted about the place.
“I say such a thing only because I amcertainI heard someone in Whites mention his name in connection with the Turnhills,” he said, looking to Lord Dorset, who did not either agree or disagree. “You have found no connection, Lord Dorset?”
“I did not look extensively,” Lord Dorset admitted. “I wanted to consider these documents, and whilst I have found out a little more about the gentleman – namely, his habits, his character, and the like – I havenoknowledge of his family aside from his own father and family line.”
Lord Warwickshire shifted in his chair, but when he spoke again, his voice was stronger with confidence. “If there is a connection, then in this marriage, there must be something that benefits Lord Neath.”
“Something that he desperately wants, given the force with which he was determined to coerce me into silence,” Beatrice agreed, scowling.
“Something that is contained within the missing document?” Lord Surrey suggested, as Beatrice, her eyes rounding, came to the very same conclusion. “Lord Turnhill was the one to find these documents and to present them to my father, but if there is a fourth page, then he has chosennotto show it to me.”
“Or he has destroyed it,” Lord Welton said, his lips pulling to one side.
Beatrice shook her head. “I do not think he will have done. If this document is to Lord Neath’s advantage, then it will have had to be kept safe. Once the marriage between Lord Surrey and Miss Burnley is completed, this document will be brought out and presented to you, declaring that… well, whatever is contained within it, is now your duty to fulfil.”
“Goodness.” Lord Surrey’s face paled. “If that is true, then I could have been tricked into this marriage and into giving away or giving up whatever is required of me!” A dot of red came into each cheek. “But if my father was lied to, if he was tricked or coerced into writing to me about this marriage, then my anger shall be swift and forceful in its consequences!”
Beatrice shivered, but not through fear. There was a determination in Lord Surrey’s face that she was glad to see, glad that he was a gentleman with such a strength of honor who wanted to do what was right. “What must be done, then, to find out the truth?”
Lord Surrey grimaced. “I will go back to the records, to look for some connection between Lord Neath and Lord Turnilll.”
“And then?” Lord Dorset asked, as Lord Surrey looked at him. “What will you do thereafter?”
It took a few moments for Lord Surrey to answer. He closed his eyes and then nodded to himself, lifting his chin to look back at Beatrice rather than Lord Dorset. “Then, I shall declare that I am no longer considering Miss Burnley but am, instead, courting Miss Beatrice Williams,” he said, with a resolve thatmade Beatrice’s heart sing for the sheer joy of it. “And I shall confront them all with what I know.”
“Even if you do not have the fourth document?” Lord Dorset asked, his eyes sharp with concern. “That will mean it is your word against theirs.”
“Thereisa ball being held at Lord Turnhill’s townhouse very soon.”
All eyes turned to Lady Norah.
“We received the invitation only this morning,” she said, glancing at her brother. “I do not think you have seen it as yet, Dorset, but it is to be a ball.”
