Page 26 of A Viscount’s Reluctant Passion

“The night of the Belmonton Ball, Lord Walter had convinced me to go into the library with him, alone. He implied then that he wished to speak of seriously courting me, and I… considered it, for he had seemed charming, although he did not, ever, make me feel the way that Lord Travers, then Challoner, did. But when we were alone, he tried to force himself upon me. I fought him, but he was stronger. I tried to scream, but he silenced me with unwelcome kisses. I was lucky, for Lord Challoner heard that half scream, and came to my rescue.”

Nash took up the tale as Bea faltered.

“I hauled the cad forcibly off her, and threatened him with violence. He spewed forth objectionable words about Miss Wormsley, and threatened then, to ruin her reputation, to say that she had arranged the assignation, with the intent of offering him her favours. I did not, of course, believe a word of it, for it was quite obvious that she had not wished for his attentions. I wondered why he would do such a thing, when he had already been, to all appearances, almost courting her. And it came to me that perhaps he needed money, and fast, that her dowry was his aim. So I bought him off. I paid him, in return for his written agreement to never speak ill of Miss Wormsley, in any way. The speed with which he allowed himself to be bought was instructive, indeed.”

James expression twisted.

“Unprincipled of him indeed. But did you not fear that, having once supplied money, he would…”

“…come seeking more? Yes, I expected exactly that, for it seemed likely that his debts were extensive, if he would sink so low to obtain money. And that is why I believe that I can help now. I set my man of business to discovering as many men that Lord Walter owed money to, as possible. And then I bought up all of Lord Walter’s debts that I could. There are likely a few we missed, and those are probably what drove him to his terrible actions today, but I hold enough of his debts to utterly ruin him financially.”

“Very clever of you, Nash. But… if his debts are substantial, how did you afford to do that? Chase always moaned about how tight money was…”

Nash laughed, and Bea looked at him, startled.

“He still moans about that – because that is what I let him believe, intentionally. If he knew how wealthy he actually was, he would have gambled most of it away, years ago. I might tell him now that he’s Duke, though, for he seems to be taking that seriously!”

James gaped at Nash for a moment, then laughed himself.

“You cunning devil! I wouldn’t have thought it of you. Well done! So, what are you proposing we do with Winterbourne?”

“We give him two choices – utter ruination, financially, and in the eyes of the ton, or exile to the Americas, with funds in hand in exchange for all of the properties that he owns – and he owns a few, for at least he was sensible enough not to gamble those away too – not to return for ten years, unless he must, to take up the title he is heir to. I think that he’s greedy enough to take the money, and leave the country, rather than be exposed for the reprobate he is. For such exposure would make his life impossible, when the time came for him to actually inherit the Earldom.”

“An excellent solution. But even once he accepts, I am not minded to allow him out of my custody until we’ve seen him aboard a ship, and the ship sailed.”

“Agreed. Let us speak with the man now, and then see him locked away. We will also need to deal with his coachman, and the valet he undoubtedly has at the Inn he is staying at. But I am sure that offers of good employment will convince them to silence.”

They turned towards the parlour door.

Bea found herself shaking again, but drew herself up. She could face this, with Nash at her side. As they moved down the hallway, Honour spoke softly.

“Oh Bea, why didn’t you tell me after the Belmonton Ball? You know that I would never have believed such a thing of you, that I would have understood your embarrassment, don’t you?”

“I do now – for I have learnt from all of this. Thank you, sister.”

~~~~~

Nash had not released her hand since they had reached the house, and he didn’t intend to now. She had said ‘yes’ and he wanted to hold her forever, to kiss her, and far more, to take her to the heights of pleasure in his arms. But first they needed to deal with Winterbourne. He was glad that Blackwood had agreed to his plan, and astoundingly grateful that he had bought up those debts. For a moment, he smiled – the look on Blackwood’s face, when he had realised that Nash had kept Chase in the dark about his wealth for all of those years had been priceless.

They reached the parlour door, and Blackwood opened it, going straight in, with no warning to the men inside. Winterbourne sat awkwardly on a couch, his hands bound behind him, and his ankles bound also, with the two gardeners sitting either side of him. His eyes met Bea’s as she entered, filled with anger so intense that it shocked her. Then he turned that gaze to the others. She shivered, conscious of just how terrible life with him would have been.

Carter, the older gardener, spoke up rapidly.

“Sorry, Mr Blackwood, for us sittin’ on this here pretty couch. I did’n want to dirty it, but I wasn’ gonna give this scoundrel any chance of gettin’ away!”

“I don’t care about the couch, Carter – couches can be cleaned or re-covered. You’ve done the right thing. Now, tell me about what you saw Lord Walter do.”

Carter nodded, and went on to describe the scene that had met his eyes when he entered the clearing, having rushed in the direction of the scream he’d heard. When he described how Lord Walter was ‘a nasty piece’ who had been unpleasant to all of the staff, when there was no one else there to see, and how he’d not been surprised by what he’d tried to do to Miss Bea, Blackwood’s face filled with suppressed rage. Lord Walter, foolishly, chose that moment to speak.

“Rubbish! It’s all slander! Are you going to believe this gardener over a gentleman? I surprised Miss Wormsley when I came upon her – that’s why she screamed – not because I was doing anything she didn’t want. It’s ridiculous!”

Nash laughed, and was surprised at how it sounded, with a sharp edge of derision to it. “Winterbourne, you are a fool. When I stepped into that clearing, Miss Wormsley was fighting you desperately, as you forced her to the ground, already attempting to pull up her skirts. So, I’ve no interest in believing your word as ‘a gentleman’ – because you have forfeited the right to be considered so. I can only say that I applauded Miss Wormsley’s use of her knee to your private parts, in the moment before I punched you into unconsciousness for your presumption.”

Nash was amused by the look on Honour’s face when he mentioned Bea’s action.

Winterbourne, however, was spluttering in inchoate rage. When he managed to get words out, they were worthy of laughter, again.

“I demand that you release me immediately! You cannot hold me here.”