Chapter 24
B ett was over the moon with happiness, and she could hardly believe her good fortune. Noah was everything she could ever want in a husband—kind, caring, and considerate—plus, it didn’t hurt that he was tall and handsome.
She was in the parlor, trying to decide what color she wanted to have the room repainted. Harrison Manor was a lovely home, and Noah had told her that she should feel free to redecorate whichever rooms she wanted. As she looked around, she could see that the parlor could use some sprucing up. The rug and drapes were faded, and she wanted to lighten up the dark color on the walls.
She’d been talking with Olivia earlier about her ideas and was pleased that her friend thought they were just what was needed to revitalize the manor.
“I think the parlor could use your redecorating touch first,” Olivia had told her after the two of them had toured the manor.
Bett agreed. The parlor had dark maroon walls and a definite masculine feel. She wanted it to be a warm and welcoming room, where she and Noah could spend many pleasant days enjoying each other’s company. She was taking measurements of the drapes when Jerrison knocked and walked in.
“Lady Williams, you have a visitor.”
Bett turned around. “A visitor? Who is it? I’m not expecting anyone.”
Who knew she was here? It took a few seconds before the realization struck that the only people who knew she was here were Peter and Cecily, although she hadn’t given them her exact location, only said that she was comforting a friend. She didn’t have a good feeling about this. What if Cecily made another scene, trying to make her feel guilty for leaving, like the one when Bett had left Crenshaw Manor? That was the last thing she needed.
“A Lord Williams.”
Just as Bett feared. Somehow, Peter had found out where she was and had followed her here. He must have pushed his poor horse to exhaustion to get here so quickly.
Jerrison didn’t have a chance to announce Peter before he stalked into the room, his brow furrowed and his mouth set in a grim line.
The butler quickly left the room.
“Peter, how did you know where I was?”
“I remembered Olivia’s references to Harrison Manor from the letters she sent you. It didn’t take much to realize where you had gone.”
“I see. Well, it makes no difference how you found out. The question is why are you here?”
“I’m looking out for you. You’re living in a bachelor’s home, and it’s not acceptable. Think of what a scandal will do to your reputation and to mine. How do you think the ton will react if they know about this arrangement? I’ve come to escort you home to avoid that unpleasantness.”
“Peter, my reputation is no longer your concern, and I will not be returning to Crenshaw Manor with you.”
He stormed over to her. He wasn’t much taller than she was, so his intimidation attempt was not as effective as he probably thought.
“You’re living under my roof, my protection—of course your reputation concerns me,” he said, grabbing her elbow in a painful grip.
Bett tried to pull her arm away. “Peter, you’re hurting me. Please—”
She didn’t get a chance to finish because Peter was suddenly yanked away from her and stumbled backward.
“Take your hands off her,” Noah growled.
Peter whipped around to see who’d accosted him. “You! How dare you lay hands on me?”
Before Noah could respond, Bett got between the two men. The last thing she wanted was for Noah to plant a facer on her brother-in-law. “This is the friend I told you about who’s suffered a family tragedy. His uncle and cousin both passed away. He’s the new Viscount Harrison and my fiancé.”
“Fiancé?” Peter asked, looking between them. “How is that possible?”
“Are you daft? I asked the lady to marry me, and she said yes,” Noah said, glaring at Peter.
“Well, I don’t approve,” Peter argued.
Bett had never felt such outrage at Peter’s stubbornness. “It doesn’t matter if you approve or not. I don’t need your permission to marry.”
“You’ll not get another farthing from me unless you come home with me this instant,” Peter insisted.
Noah stepped around Bett and stood in front of Peter, towering over the shorter man. “You, sir, are no gentleman. How dare you threaten her?”
Peter took a step back and puffed up his chest. “She has no income besides her widow’s portion, and I refuse to release any more funds to her account.”
“You refuse?” Noah asked. “That’s interesting. I shall have my solicitor look into that.”
“Well, there’s no need for that,” Peter said, backing away further.
“Good,” Noah said. “That’s what I thought. Here’s what you’re going to do. When you return home, you’re going to transfer the full amount of her widow’s portion into her account.”
“But…that will bankrupt the estate,” Peter whined.
“Come now, Baron Williams, I hardly believe that, especially since Lady Williams has already confided in me the amount you transfer into her account quarterly. Perhaps you need help overseeing your accounts. My solicitor shall be happy to read her late husband’s will to make sure she receives everything she deserves.”
“You have no right to threaten me!” Peter shouted.
“Oh, it’s no threat, Williams. You will do exactly as I say or you will be the one to suffer the consequences. I’m due in Parliament in a few weeks, and I don’t believe your fellow lords will take kindly to you trying to cheat a defenseless widow. That would be quite the scandal should the ton hear of it, don’t you think?”
Peter sputtered.
Bett knew Peter was out of options. It was just a matter of waiting to see how ugly the scene got between him and Noah. She decided that Noah had made his point, and it was time to lower the temperature in the room.
“Come, you must be tired from your journey. Luncheon will be served soon. Would you care to stay? I’m sure your horse could use a rest.” She saw a myriad of emotions cross his face and hoped he would accept her invitation. Peter and Cecily were her last connection to baby Stephen, and she didn’t want to cut ties with them completely.
Before Peter had a chance to answer, Robertson and Olivia walked into the parlor. They both stopped short when they saw Peter’s red and angry face.
Peter’s eyes widened when the earl stepped into the room. “Lord Robertson, it’s a pleasure to see you again,” he said with a bow.
“Williams. What brings you to Harrison Manor?” Robertson asked with a raised eyebrow.
Bett wanted to save Peter from any further embarrassment, even though he’d crossed the line with her earlier. It was important to her to try to smooth over the situation. “Lord Williams has come to wish us happy,” she said.
Would Peter take the graceful way out she’d provided? She sincerely hoped his pride wouldn’t get the better of him today.
Peter seemed to realize he’d lost the argument and turned to Noah. “Harrison, I also wanted to express my deep condolences on your loss. That was indeed a tragedy.”
Noah inclined his head. “Thank you. It certainly was a shock to all of us.”
Jerrison walked into the room and announced that luncheon was served before anyone could say anything more. The butler had impeccable timing.
Bett looked at Peter, who finally nodded. She felt enormous relief that the situation was mostly defused. Now, perhaps, she could maintain some kind of relationship with him, Cecily, and the baby.
They took their seats in the dining room with Peter taking a seat beside Olivia, who Bett knew had picked up on the tension when she walked into the parlor earlier. Without any prompting from her, Olivia asked, “Lord Williams, how is your son faring?”
That brought a smile to Peter’s face, the first one since he arrived. “He’s a healthy, robust boy.”
“And Lady Williams?”
“She’s doing better now that we hired a wet nurse.”
“That’s lovely to hear. I hope to meet your son someday soon, and please give my best regards to your wife. I haven’t visited with her in a while.”
Peter didn’t reply and merely concentrated on his food.
The conversation around the table was mostly small talk. Bett didn’t feel it was appropriate, under the circumstances, to talk about their upcoming trip to London or the wedding. Peter would find out soon enough when she married. There was no need to add fuel to the fire, so to speak.
After the meal ended, Peter announced, “I must get back to my family. Good day, Robertson, Harrison, ladies.”
“Williams, the stablemaster will provide a fresh horse for your return journey. I will make sure to have your horse returned to you soon.”
“Thank you,” Peter said.
“Give your wife my best, and kiss baby Stephen for me,” Bett said.
Peter bowed, and without another word, he left the dining room and walked out the front door.
“That is one odd little man,” Noah said. “How did he expect Bett to return with him when he didn’t bring a carriage?”
“I’m sure he hadn’t thought that far ahead,” Bett said, breathing a sigh of relief. “Olivia, would you care to take a walk in the garden while the men discuss the details for our trip to London?”
“Yes. That would be lovely,” Olivia said before the women headed outside. As soon as they were out of earshot, Olivia asked, “What happened before we walked into the parlor earlier? Lord Williams looked like a thundercloud.”
“It was awful. My brother-in-law stormed in and was insistent I return home with him immediately. He grabbed me, and I thought he’d drag me out, but Noah came in and put a stop to his manhandling of me.”
“Oh, my. That must have been quite a scene.”
“Indeed it was. I was afraid Noah was going to plant him a facer so I stepped between them. He was still threatening me until Noah told him the consequences if he didn’t leave me alone. That’s when you and Robertson came in.”
“Well, I’m glad we arrived when we did. I can’t imagine what else might have happened.”
When the women returned to the manor, Jerrison told Bett there was a letter on the foyer table for her.
She rushed over, and sure enough, it was a letter from Emma.
Dearest Bett,
I’m overjoyed to tell you that Mr. Walker has proposed and I’ve accepted. We will wed in three weeks’ time after the banns have been read, and I sincerely hope that you and Harrison will be able to attend the wedding.
In loving friendship,
Emma
Bett had tears in her eyes when she finished reading. “You were right, Olivia. They’re engaged. I must send her a note wishing her happy.”
“Who’s engaged?” Noah asked when he and Robertson walked into the foyer.
“Mr. Walker and Miss Bent,” Bett said.
“He told me he was going to propose—I’m happy the lady accepted,” Noah said.
“Who would have thought at the beginning of the Season that all three of us would be leg-shackled,” Robertson said with a chuckle. “I, for one, am very happy to be in that state.”
“And soon, so will I be,” Noah said, pulling Bett into his arms for a quick kiss. “Now, ladies, I think you must get to packing for London. We leave after breakfast tomorrow.”
“Of course, my darling,” Bett said. She and Olivia walked up the stairs together to check on their luggage for their impending departure.
“I’ll see you at tea,” Bett said when they reached Olivia’s bedchamber.
“See you then,” Olivia said, entering her room.
Bett continued down the hallway to her bedchamber, opening the door and slipping inside. “Lydia, are you here?”
“Yes, my lady. Do you need something?”
“Yes. We will be departing for London tomorrow after breakfast.”
“Very good. I’ll take care of everything. How long will you be staying in Town?”
“At least a fortnight, maybe a little longer,” she said.
“I shall take care of everything, my lady,” Lydia said and went to the armoire to pull out Bett’s traveling trunk.
With the packing underway, Bett walked to the desk in the corner of her room, pulled out a sheet of paper, and sat down to write her friend a note. She dipped her quill in the ink and began.
Dearest Emma,
I’m so very pleased to hear of your engagement to Mr. Walker. He’s a fine gentleman. I have news of my own. Harrison has proposed, and I’ve accepted. We’re heading to London with the Robertsons and will be there for the next fortnight until Lord Harrison has presented himself to Parliament.
We will all return in time for your wedding.
In loving friendship,
Bett
Bett sanded and folded the letter. She’d have Jerrison post it tomorrow.
She looked out the window at the expansive lawn. It was a beautiful estate, and soon, she would be its mistress. In a matter of months, she’d gone from the depths of despair to unimaginable happiness, and sometimes, she wondered if she was dreaming it all.