Chapter 12
Lady Norah darted a glance at Beatrice. “Might I ask you something?”
With the ball going on around them, Beatrice smiled at her friend. “Of course.”
“It is about your brother.”
The smile grew. “Oh?”
“He is… a good man, yes?”
Beatrice laughed and slipped her arm through her friend’s as they walked. “My dear Norah, you must know that I will tell you that he is the most wonderful gentleman, for I am quite biased towards him, given that he is my brother.”
Lady Norah’s nose wrinkled. “I would have thought that you might be honest with me.”
“Oh, I am, I assure you, but it is because I think so well of him – and of you – that my words might be a little… well, encouraging.” She grinned at the flush in Lady Norah’s cheeks.
“I have told him that I think you both are very well suited, should he decide to pursue a connection with you. I assume he has done that?”
Her friend nodded. “He spoke to my brother yesterday afternoon.”
“Ah.” Understanding made Beatrice smile.
“That was why he took some time returning to the carriage after our conversation with Lord Surrey.” Seeing her friend frown, Beatrice waved a hand, dismissing it.
“I can promise you this, Norah. My brother will be attentive, kind, considerate, and patient. He has taken on the title and done very well thus far. He has never once shouted at me, has not lost his temper, nor shown any sort of frustration, even when he has had cause to! I, in turn, have found him a trifle irritating on occasion in how he has encouraged me here in London, but, at the same time, I have known that it comes from a love for me that wants me to be happy, settled, and contented. Of course, he has his faults, but his good character shines out from him every day. If you have any interest in him at all, then I should like to encourage you to accept him.”
Lady Norah chewed on her lip for a few moments, looking down at the floor as they paused in their walk. Eventually, she lifted her head and looked back at Beatrice, concern still in her eyes. “There is one thing more I must ask you.”
Beatrice nodded but said nothing, waiting in silence.
“I – I want to know what he thinks of affection, if he has any interest in the feelings that might grow between a gentleman and a lady,” Lady Norah said, speaking quickly now.
“My own heart has certainly an interest in him, and I think that it would grow to something more very eagerly indeed, but neither should I want to allow that if he would not return it, or worse still, dismiss it entirely.”
Beatrice smiled gently. “I can assure you, his heart is very capable of such feelings. Indeed, I believe that he already has an affection for you, given the way he has spoken of you. He may just not have the words to express it to you as yet. But in time, I am sure that will come.”
Lady Norah’s flushed cheeks and delighted smile gave Beatrice hope that there would soon be a happy connection between the lady and Beatrice’s own brother. That, she considered, as they began to walk again, might one day make Lady Norah her sister-in-law and would that not be quite wonderful?
“Miss Williams, good evening.”
The smile on Beatrice’s face slipped at the arrival of Lord Neath. There was no smile on his face and the intensity of her gaze made her shiver. “Lord Neath,” she responded, having no real reason to give him the cut direct, even if that was what she wished to do. “Good evening.”
The gentleman did not even glance at Lady Norah, showing no interest in being introduced to her. “The quadrille has just been announced, Miss Williams. Since there is no gentleman hurrying towards you, might I presume that you are free for this dance?”
Beatrice’s stomach knotted. There was no desire in her to dance with Lord Neath, and she was somewhat surprised that he had come to seek her out for a dance himself!
Wishing that she had someone ready to dance with her, wishing that there was a name upon her dance card for the quadrille, Beatrice glanced at her friend, but Lady Norah only smiled.
She, of course, was quite unaware of all that was taking place and would, therefore, think this sudden and unexpected interest from a gentleman was most pleasing.
Mayhap she would think that Lord Neath was, in this particular way, attempting to make amends for his rude behavior towards her in the bookshop, for that was all that Norah was aware of.
Beatrice could not count on her for help.
“I am waiting for your response, Miss Williams.” Lord Neath’s tone was hard now, making Lady Norah’s smile dissolve quickly.
“Are we to dance or will I be in another gentleman’s way?
” His own lips curved into a smile; a smile that made Beatrice’s heart thump with a sudden fear.
“Not that I care about such things. We shall dance regardless, I think. Come.”
To Beatrice’s utter astonishment, the gentleman reached out, plucked her hand from her side, and set it on his arm before walking away.
She had never been treated so in all her life, having always had autonomy over her own actions, and yet now, here was this gentleman moving her about as if she were a doll!
Anger kicked in her stomach, but quickly turned to worry as Lord Neath glanced down at her, his lip now curled.
“You are very good at doing what you are told, Miss Williams,” he said, finally reaching the dance floor. “I do hope that I can expect this from you in all things.”
Releasing his arm, Beatrice stepped back.
She did not want to dance with Lord Neath, but given that they were now in the center of the room and surrounded by other dancers, she could not refuse – not without causing a scene which would then be whispered about for many days.
“I know how to behave, if that is what you are suggesting,” she replied, curtsying as the music began.
“I am not certain that you are able to say the very same thing, however.”
Lord Neath chuckled, but it was not a happy sound. “I do not know what you mean, Miss Williams.”
“Demanding that I dance with you?” Beatrice asked, as the music began. “Forcing my hand upon your arm? Those are not the actions of a gentleman.”
With a snort, Lord Neath took her hand in his. “It is not as if I care much about what you think of me, Miss Williams. What I do care about, however, is whether or not you can be trusted.”
“Trusted?” The dance took them back from each other for a few steps and Beatrice, worry now coiling into fear at the darkness in Lord Neath’s eyes, did her best to keep her composure. “I do not know what you mean, Lord Neath.”
“Are you sure?” He took her hand again, vice-like in its grip. “I am certain you do. You behaved in a most improper manner, Miss Williams, in eavesdropping as you did.”
“I did no such thing.” Beatrice yanked her hand away as their steps parted them again.
She knew precisely what it was he was speaking of, but she did not want to admit it to him.
There was a purpose in this dance, she realized.
A purpose that he had for her, and she was very afraid as to what that purpose might mean for her.
“You most certainly did,” he replied, his voice a little quieter now as they drew near to each other again.
“You overheard a private conversation between me and my acquaintance. I must hope, Miss Williams, that you are a discreet young lady.” His eyebrow lifted as Beatrice moved back from him.
“Or is it that you have already spoken of the conversation to another?”
A tremor ran through Beatrice’s frame as she lifted her chin and did her best to appear quite calm.
“If you are going to have a conversation in a bookshop, Lord Neath, then you must surely expect to be overheard, given that there are other patrons in the establishment.” She did not answer his question directly, and as the frown dropped into his expression, Beatrice’s worry grew all the more. “I would prefer if you – ”
“If you have spoken to anyone about what you heard, then I shall know.” The way he gripped her hand, bending her fingers back a little, made her want to cry out in pain, although she buttoned her mouth and held his gaze with as much strength as she could.
“I want to make quite certain that you are a young lady of propriety and discretion, Miss Williams.”
“It is a little late for you to speak to me of such a thing,” Beatrice answered, pulling her hand away from his even though they were still meant to be hand in hand. “It was many days ago since I first heard you speak and – ”
“And since that time, you have become closely acquainted with Lady Norah, whose brother is very good friends with Lord Surrey,” Lord Neaht interrupted, as Beatrice tried to hide her shiver of fear.
“You may well be tempted to speak of what you overheard, but I can assure you, Miss Williams, there will be nothing good to come from that conversation.” His lips flattened, his eyes sparking with anger.
“And if you have done so already, then there will be… unfortunate consequences. Ruination, mayhap.”
She lifted her chin, doing her best to remain strong. “I will have – ”
“Have what?” he snarled, his eyes narrowed and dark. “You will have nothing, Miss Williams. Your entire family – your brother included – will be shamed by whatever it is I decide to place upon you and have no doubt, the ton will believe everything I say to them! Especially if you are discovered.”
Beatrice, unable to help herself, trembled visibly. The way Lord Neath’s lip edged up on one side told her that he had seen it – and that he was pleased with the effect his words had upon her.
Mercifully, the dance came to a close, and Beatrice, making to step back and away from him, was caught by his fierce grip once more.
“Now is your opportunity to tell me, Miss Williams.”
She looked back at Lord Neath, her very soul seeming to shake with dread. “Tell you?”
“If you have already spoken to Lord Surrey about what you overheard,” he told her, his jaw setting tight as Beatrice shook her head. “I have given you ample warning, Miss Williams. If you are lying to me, then the consequences will be all the greater.”
Beatrice shook her head. “I give you my word.” It was nothing more than a lie, of course, but she was not about to inform this gentleman that yes, she had spoken to Lord Surrey about what she had overheard.
These consequences, his threat of taking her and ruining her against her will, were a heavy and ever-present threat, but Beatrice was not about to buckle under them.
No, she determined, she would remain silent, not only because of the worry that Lord Neath was attempting – and succeeding – to place within her heart but also because of her love for Lord Surrey.
She was not about to set him in harm’s way, not if she could protect him from whatever Lord Neath was planning – though she would have to find a good deal of courage from somewhere.
“It is a great pity that you are so dogged and determined, Miss Williams.” Lord Neaeth, finally stepping back and bringing an end to their time together, shook his head before he offered her a small bow.
“I do hope it will not bring you into more difficulty… though I fear, at this juncture, it very well might, and it shall all be entirely on your own head.”
Beatrice said nothing, turning away from him just as quickly as she could. With her heart in her throat, she returned to Lady Norah, who had been standing, smiling gently as if delighting in the dance that Beatrice had shared with Lord Neath.
“An excellent gentleman, I think,” Lady Norah said, encouragingly. “He was engaged with you, was he not? His conversation was – ”
“He threatened me.”
Lady Norah’s eyes rounded, her smile crashing.
“There is much I have not told you as yet, Norah,” Beatrice continued, looping her arm through Lady Norah’s again. “Come, might we go and find some refreshment? I will be able to tell you all once I have had something fortifying.”
Without a word, Lady Norah began to hurry across the ballroom, Beatrice going with her.
Every step took her further from Lord Neath, but at the very same time, she could practically feel his gaze lingering on her.
Going cold all over, she swallowed once, twice, and then a third time, pushing back threatening tears and refusing to let a single one fall.
Lord Neath might have made himself a threat, but Beatrice was not about to give in – and certainly was not about to let herself cry over his threats!
“We should speak to my brother,” Lady Norah said, a little breathlessly. “He will know what to do.”
Beatrice shook her head. “I cannot. Not yet,” she answered, as Lady Norah glanced at her. “Not until I have had some time to think about how I might best keep everyone safe.”