Page 25 of A Viscount’s Reluctant Passion

Chapter Eleven

As they walked towards the house, Bea found herself quivering inside – partly from the shock of Lord Walter’s attack on her person, and partly from astonishment at Lord Challoner… no, Lord Travers’… no, dare she think of him that way, Nash’s, proposal. A proposal she had dreamed of, but never thought to hear in real life.

What would Honour and James think? Would they be happy for her? And… what was to be done with Lord Walter? For surely, they could not simply allow him to return to society, where he might spread gossip and untruth specifically with the intent of harming her, and Nash. Just the thought of seeing Lord Walter again made her shake, yet she would have to, she suspected. They reached the house, and the footman met her gaze with a serious expression.

“Carter and Jim, are holding… that man… in the parlour, and Mr Blackwood’s been sent for, Miss.”

“Thank you, Thomas.”

Bea hesitated – she did not want to go anywhere near Lord Walter – at least not until James was there too. For she discovered that she did wish to know what would happen to the man. And at this point, James was the one who would make that decision, as Lord Walter had been dishonourable on his property, and to Bea, his family member.

Nash wound his fingers into hers, and she looked up at him, grateful for the reassurance. As she did, James came down the stairs, his expression thunderous, Honour behind him.

“What happened, Bea?”

Honour’s voice was full of concern. Bea took a deep breath – how could she explain, quickly, and simply?

“There is more to it, but the summary is that Lord Walter tried to force himself upon me, down by the stream, having followed me there without me knowing – and Lord… Travers… - I will get used to that, eventually! - arrived just in time to save me. In doing so, he knocked Lord Walter unconscious. Carter had heard my scream, and arrived just in time to see Lord Travers save me. He and Jim are holding Lord Walter in the parlour – whether he has recovered consciousness I do not know.”

Honour gasped in horror.

“The cad! And we thought him an honourable and charming man!”

“He is not, in any way honourable. But… there is one more thing, before you see him, one more thing I must tell you – something good, this time.”

James, who had begun to turn towards the parlour, stopped at her words.

“Another thing?”

Bea felt herself blush, and Nash squeezed her fingers.

“Yes. Lord Travers has just asked me to marry him, and I have accepted – that is, of course, if you approve?”

Her voice was shaking, and she looked at Honour pleadingly – for her parents had given Honour care of her, with the specific intent of her Season, and hopefully finding a match. If Honour did not approve…

Honour had frozen in place as she spoke, but now, as Bea watched, her face transformed from concern to a beaming smile. Relief coursed through Bea at the sight.

“Of course I approve. Lord… Travers… - you are right, it is so hard to adjust one’s thinking when a man has borne a different title for so long – has always been a man of honour.”

James had stepped up beside her, and nodded in agreement with her words.

“Indeed he has. Even when his brother ran wild, under my influence, I must shamefacedly admit, Nash was always sensible, honourable, and appropriate in all things. But let us deal with Winterbourne, and get the unpleasant parts of the day over, so that we can celebrate your betrothal.”

“Yes…,” Bea hesitated again, then went on, “…but what can you do about him. He has threatened to start rumours, to ruin my reputation by accusing me of seeking his attentions… And if he did such a thing, surely that would reflect badly on you, and on our parents and…”

For the first time, Nash spoke.

“I believe that I am in a position to prevent him from doing that, if you will work with me on the matter. But to explain how, and why I am in that position, I will need to speak of something that may distress Bea. I will only do so with her permission.” Bea looked at him, confused for a moment, then he spoke again. “I will need to speak of the evening of the Belmonton Ball.”

Bea felt the blush rise in her cheeks, and shame flooded her – perhaps if she had confided in her sister to start with, much of this might never have happened.

“Oh Honour, I am so ashamed, so sorry! I should have told you then, but I could not bring myself to admit the depths of my own foolishness. You see, today was not the first time that Lord Travers has saved me from Lord Walter Winterbourne.”

Honour gasped in shock.

“Whatever do you mean, Bea?”

Bea swallowed, and clasped Nash’s hand tightly, reminding herself that he was there, that he had raised this subject because in some way, it was necessary for him to help her more.