Chapter 16
Beatrice looked from one face to the next, fully understanding why Lady Welton had appeared so affronted when she had asked about the distance placed between the Surrey line and the Turnhill line.
As far as Lady Welton was concerned, it was none of Beatrice’s business, given that the families were not connected.
She was unaware – as yet, at least – that there was hope of an engagement between herself and Lord Surrey.
A hope that continued to grow with an ever increasing strength.
“Thank you for bringing the documents,” Lord Surrey said, pacing up and down the drawing room as the rest of them sat with a cup of tea or a glass of whisky to hand. “Aunt, Uncle. You recall that when I resided with you that Christmas, eighteen months ago now, that I was unexpectedly called away?”
Lord and Lady Welton both nodded in unison.
“I received a letter from father,” he continued, never once stopping in his walk. “It told me that some documents had been discovered and that I had to return to London at once.”
“And upon your arrival, you found that he was gone from this world and that you were then the new Earl of Surrey,” Lord Welton said quietly. “I was always sorry that none of us were there with him.”
Pain sliced through Beatrice’s heart as Lord Surrey stopped pacing, dropped his head, and ran one hand down his face.
There was a clear regret there, a sadness and a weight that she did not think he would ever be able to free himself from, just as she had never lost the sorrow from her own father’s passing.
Instead, it had become a part of her, a part that still held weight but somehow had settled into place.
“Indeed,” Lord Surrey breathed, lifting his head and dropping his hand back to his side. “The documents that my father had, however, stated that my great-grandfather had, at some point in his life, bought land and property from the Turnhill line.”
Lord and Lady Welton exchanged a look.
“It was also stated in this document that a marriage ought to take place between the two families. This, I presume, was because of the lack of coin that was offered for the land and property – something I do not understand, for I thought our family were always good and right in such things!”
Lord Welton leaned forward in his chair. “I am certain that there was a marriage, however.”
Beatrice’s breath caught in her chest. “Might I ask,” she said, as Lord Welton and Lord Surrey both looked at her, “if it was a gentleman from Lord Turnhill’s family line who married a lady from the Surrey family?”
“You may speak freely.” Lord Surrey swallowed and then reached for his whisky. “Miss Williams and I have an understanding. That is why she and her brother are present here.”
Lord Welton frowned for a moment, looking as if he wanted to ask a good many questions, but then went on to do as Lord Surrey had directed.
“Yes, I believe so,” he said, slowly, “though I do not have any evidence of the marriage. It was only told to us by my grandfather, given that his father had made all the arrangements.”
Clasping her hands tightly together in her lap, Beatrice licked her lips.
“I think we may have found the record of it,” she said, as Lord Surrey took a mouthful of his whisky.
“We had been looking for a marriage between a gentleman from Lord Surrey’s family line to have wed a lady from Lord Turnhill – ”
“Because the amount of coin given for the land and property was so insignificant, it seemed to me that it would be good and right for the marriage to have then been added on to that,” Lord Surrey interrupted.
“But we found that a gentleman from Lord Turnhill’s line, Simon, if I remember correctly, had married a Miss Claypole.”
Lord Surrey’s breath caught in a gasp.
“That, I presume, is your surname?” Beatrice asked, as Lord Surrey stared at her. “That means, then, that a marriage did take place.”
“Yes, it did.” Lord Welton shrugged. “I do not know why the documents are being handed to you as if the marriage had not been concluded, Surrey, for even if it was so long ago, I am sure that Lord Turnhill knows of it.”
Such relief swept through Beatrice that she sat back in her chair and, in what was a most improper manner, rested her head back completely.
She felt weak, her heart beating steadily but with happiness tearing through her all the same.
It was over, then, this match between Lord Surrey and Miss Burnley, for if they had evidence that a marriage had been completed, there was nothing to join the two families.
“Here, Lord Welton. Let me present you with the documents themselves.” Lord Dorset, who had remained silent thus far, rose to his feet and walked across the room to hand Lord Welton the documents.
“I was concerned about the seal at first, thinking that it could easily have been faked and – I have not yet told you this, Surrey – but my solicitors have agreed with me.”
Lord Surrey’s eyebrows shot upwards. “They have?”
Lord Dorset nodded, his expression grim. “They say that it appears to have been replaced, but at the same time, given the appearance of being very old indeed.”
Lord Welton frowned as he looked down at them. “I see.”
“However,” Lord Dorset continued, “that is not their main concern. Having studied the documents and the seal extensively, they are convinced that there should be a fourth page to these. A page that is missing – which is why the seal is of concern. It should be on the final page of the document and – ”
“And if the third page is not the final page of the document, then the seal was placed there later,” Beatrice breathed, as Lord Dorset nodded. “It is not genuine.”
Silence flooded the room for a few moments before Lord Surrey, with a heavy sigh, ran one hand over his eyes and then sank into a chair.
“One thing I do not understand is why my father was so very convinced that these documents held truth. Surely, if he knew of the marriage as you did, Uncle, then he would not have accepted the documents.”
Beatrice chewed on her lip as Lord Welton looked back at his nephew, confusion written in his expression.
Dare she speak her mind? It was a dreadful consideration, but one that she needed to give all the same.
“If Lord Neath has been so willing to threaten me,” she said, breaking the silence, “then might it not be that he – or Lord Turnhill – did the very same to your father?”
Lord Surrey closed his eyes and shook violently, making Beatrice’s breath hitch.
“It is a fair consideration,” Lord Dorset said quietly. “Lord Neath has been quite determined to have you married to Miss Burnley, so much so that he was quite willing to ruin Miss William’s reputation should she dare speak a word of what she overheard.”
“Who is this Lord Neath?” Lady Welton wanted to know. “I am not acquainted with him.”
Beatrice looked about the room, but it was Lord Dorset who spoke first.
“He is not known to any of us,” he explained. “Miss Williams overheard a conversation about these documents and Lord Surrey, and it was between Lord Turnhill and Lord Neath. They both appear to be acquainted with each other but do not want to have their conversation overheard.”
“So there is something awry with all of this,” Lady Welton said, as every person in the room nodded. “Lord Neath threatened you, Miss Williams?”
“With ruination at his own hands, if he had to,” Beatrice answered, shuddering at the memory. “I had already spoken to Lord Surrey by that point, however. We have been careful not to be seen in close conversation in public or the like, so that Lord Neath does not suspect.”
“Even though that is what you desperately wish for, I understand.” Lady Welton smiled knowingly, and Beatrice flushed hot.
“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?”