Page 27 of A Viscount’s Reluctant Passion

James’ voice was cold when he responded. “On the contrary, I can, and will. You have disgraced yourself, and have attempted to force yourself on my wife’s sister, on my property. And, as you have threatened to blacken her name, I see no reason to allow you near society, or anyone of any stature, where you might spout forth your vile accusations.”

“What! You cannot… I demand…”

“You demand nothing. On the contrary, I would be within my rights to demand satisfaction from you, for your assault on my betrothed. But to do so would imply that you had a scrap of honour to you – and you do not. What I demand of you, therefore, is quite different.”

Nash was satisfied with the fear which had crept into Winterbourne’s expression as first James, and then he himself spoke. The man’s eyes had widened at the word ‘betrothed’ but he then ignored it, although Nash was quite certain that it had driven Winterbourne to even greater anger.

“What… what can you demand?”

Nash met the man’s eyes, and spoke calmly, coldly, as he told Lord Walter what the path of his life was to be. “I can demand everything that you own. I have, over the last few months, bought up every debt of yours that I could. Near twenty thousand pounds worth of debt, to be precise. And I now demand payment, in full.”

Winterbourne’s face went deathly pale.

“Twenty thousand… I cannot, I don’t have…”

“No, you don’t have it, I know – that was, after all, why you wanted Miss Wormsley – to get your hands on her dowry, wasn’t it?”

“Of course – why on earth would I contemplate a chit like her, otherwise? Even if, as it seems, you are mad enough to do so…”

“You are lucky that I do not knock you out again, for that. But you do have substantial property holdings – holdings which you have, miraculously, not yet gambled away. I am willing to be generous. You need only do two things – sign over every one of those properties – indeed, all of your possessions, save your clothing – to me, and then, with the funds which I will generously provide, take ship to the Americas, after signing an agreement to not return until either ten years passes, or you inherit the Colport title, whichever happens first. I will even pay for your passage. If you do not agree to this, then I will truly ruin you, and take it all anyway, but I will allow the ton to know all of the details. Which would make your life utterly impossible, once you do inherit, and would shame your father and ruin your sisters in the process.”

Winterbourne stared at him, silent and shocked. Bea found her voice, and spoke.

“It is not so pleasant to be the one facing threats, and an impossible choice, is it Lord Walter?”

Winterbourne could not meet her gaze. The man slumped where he sat, and his voice was low and bitter when he spoke.

“I agree, but I will not forget this, I swear.”