Chapter 16 #2
Lord Welton’s expression grew grim. “Indeed, I do. That is precisely what happened, according to my father. The only way her reputation could be salvaged was with a marriage, but such was the grievous nature of it… I think there was a child also – the family demanded more. Usually, a lady’s dowry is given to the gentleman she is to marry, but on this occasion, nothing was given.
Instead, land and property were offered from the Turnhill family to the Surrey family.
There was some money exchanged, of course, to make it appear as if there were a sale between the families, but it was not what the land and property were worth. ”
“And that is why the documents were drawn up,” Lady Norah exclaimed, speaking for the first time. “Because everything had to be done correctly, but also needed to protect the lady and her child at the same time.”
“Indeed. Society could not know of it, and thus, the marriage was made.” Lord Welton clicked his tongue and shook his head.
“My dear nephew, had I known about any of this, I would have done all I could to assist you.” His gaze roved around the room, lingering on Beatrice.
“But it seems you have all the help you require.”
Lord Surrey smiled briefly, but no light came into his eyes.
“I do,” he agreed, his shoulders dropping and rounding, “but the truth is still not fully discovered, is it? I do not know why Lord Neath is so insistent upon this marriage. I cannot understand how he, in being entirely unrelated to the Turnhill family, has any connection to this whole affair.”
“Are you certain he is not connected?”
Beatrice’s eyes shot to her brother, who, after having spoken, appeared a little embarrassed, given the way his gaze darted about the place.
“I say such a thing only because I am certain I heard someone in Whites mention his name in connection with the Turnhills,” he said, looking to Lord Dorset, who did not either agree or disagree. “You have found no connection, Lord Dorset?”
“I did not look extensively,” Lord Dorset admitted. “I wanted to consider these documents, and whilst I have found out a little more about the gentleman – namely, his habits, his character, and the like – I have no knowledge of his family aside from his own father and family line.”
Lord Warwickshire shifted in his chair, but when he spoke again, his voice was stronger with confidence. “If there is a connection, then in this marriage, there must be something that benefits Lord Neath.”
“Something that he desperately wants, given the force with which he was determined to coerce me into silence,” Beatrice agreed, scowling.
“Something that is contained within the missing document?” Lord Surrey suggested, as Beatrice, her eyes rounding, came to the very same conclusion.
“Lord Turnhill was the one to find these documents and to present them to my father, but if there is a fourth page, then he has chosen not to show it to me.”
“Or he has destroyed it,” Lord Welton said, his lips pulling to one side.
Beatrice shook her head. “I do not think he will have done. If this document is to Lord Neath’s advantage, then it will have had to be kept safe.
Once the marriage between Lord Surrey and Miss Burnley is completed, this document will be brought out and presented to you, declaring that…
well, whatever is contained within it, is now your duty to fulfil. ”
“Goodness.” Lord Surrey’s face paled. “If that is true, then I could have been tricked into this marriage and into giving away or giving up whatever is required of me!” A dot of red came into each cheek.
“But if my father was lied to, if he was tricked or coerced into writing to me about this marriage, then my anger shall be swift and forceful in its consequences!”
Beatrice shivered, but not through fear. There was a determination in Lord Surrey’s face that she was glad to see, glad that he was a gentleman with such a strength of honor who wanted to do what was right. “What must be done, then, to find out the truth?”
Lord Surrey grimaced. “I will go back to the records, to look for some connection between Lord Neath and Lord Turnilll.”
“And then?” Lord Dorset asked, as Lord Surrey looked at him. “What will you do thereafter?”
It took a few moments for Lord Surrey to answer.
He closed his eyes and then nodded to himself, lifting his chin to look back at Beatrice rather than Lord Dorset.
“Then, I shall declare that I am no longer considering Miss Burnley but am, instead, courting Miss Beatrice Williams,” he said, with a resolve that made Beatrice’s heart sing for the sheer joy of it.
“And I shall confront them all with what I know.”
“Even if you do not have the fourth document?” Lord Dorset asked, his eyes sharp with concern. “That will mean it is your word against theirs.”
“There is a ball being held at Lord Turnhill’s townhouse very soon.”
All eyes turned to Lady Norah.
“We received the invitation only this morning,” she said, glancing at her brother. “I do not think you have seen it as yet, Dorset, but it is to be a ball.”
“And opportunity, then, to search for this missing document,” Beatrice breathed as Lord Surrey’s eyes rounded.
“Might I suggest also that, in some discreet way, you go to Lord Turnhill’s solicitors and confirm just how many pages they gave to Lord Turnhill?
That would confirm for us all that there is a missing page. ”
Lord Surrey ran one hand over his chin, his eyes glinting. “I do not like the thought of you being in any sort of danger.”
“We will do it together, all of us,” Lord Warwickshire said, making Beatrice smile at his encouragement of her idea. “If this document must be found for you to be free of this entirely, then that is what we will do. We will find it.”
Getting to her feet and entirely unable to stay back from Lord Surrey, given the concern in his eyes, Beatrice reached out for him.
“You need not be concerned,” she said, quietly as if everyone else in the room had suddenly faded away leaving only the two of them together.
“We are so close to the end, Surrey, so very close.” She smiled up at him and watched as the fear left his eyes.
“We will soon be able to stand together, with you free from what has tied you to another for so long.”
“I can hardly wait for the moment I can declare to the ton that I am now courting the lady I truly care for,” he murmured, as heat curled in Beatrice’s core. “Very well, then. If you are insistent – ”
“I think we are all insistent, nephew,” Lord Welton said, as Beatrice blushed at the smile on the gentleman’s face. “We all want to see you happy. Both of you.”
Lord Surrey took in a deep breath. “Then let us hope we can find this document,” he said, pressing Beatrice’s hand. “So that our happiness can finally begin.”