Simms pointed to a woman who’d been sitting next to him. “Allow me to introduce my wife, Mrs. Simms, granddaughter of the Viscount of Fairhollow and my son…”
A young man stood. He was dressed in the uniform of a navy officer. “General,” the younger Mr. Simms said.
“Thank you for receiving me,” Hero said.
“A pleasure.” Mr. Simms turned to a footman. “Please, have another seat brought for the general.”
Hero didn’t wish to join them, especially with Beatrix waiting in the park for him, but he had little choice on the matter if he wished to see to her peace of mind.
“My lord,” Thump called from his seat. “It is good to see you again.” He spoke with an irritating level of pride that irritated Hero even further.
“You know the general?” Mr. Simms asked.
“I do.” Thump winked at Hero. “We have a friend in common, do we not, my lord?”
Hero’s mind prepared for battle.
∫ ∫ ∫
3 3
“Beatrix! Whatever are you doing out here? Where is my brother? I saw you head this way but had to ensure Lore didn’t run off with any of the ladies before I followed.”
Beatrix turned around at the sound of Valiant’s voice and watched at the lady dismounted, an elegant move that Beatrix wished to see again if only to learn how to perform it herself.
Valiant walked over to her, looked at the two horses, the footman, and then her again. “Bee, what’s the matter? Where is Hero?”
Beatrix didn’t know where to begin. Her worry had been growing during the last half hour as she watched guests flow from Mr. Simms’ home, many clearly prestigious. How many people knew her secret? Hero had yet to make an appearance himself.
Beatrix, in answer to Valiant’s question, pointed at the house and then took Valiant a few paces from the footman before telling her everything. Valiant was the only other person in the world who knew the truth and it felt wonderful to have another woman to speak to about it. “I didn’t want to get your brother involved. I pray I’ve not gotten him into trouble.”
Valiant laughed. “Oh, this is wonderful. You’ve nothing to worry about. My brother is simply so beyond in love with you that he’ll do anything for your happiness.”
Beatrix’s heart jumped. “Your brother is not in love with me. He does this out of duty, that is all.” Though she dearly hoped he was.
Valiant rolled her eyes. “Tsk! Tsk! Come now, Bee. From this past week, it has become quite clear to everyone that you and my brother are in love. Even Mr. Carey is aware, though he’s not given up his pursuit of you. Viscount Pellton has stopped calling as have other lords. There is no use it delaying your engagement. My father loves you, as do my brothers and me. I’m quite intent on having you for my sister-in-law and this business with Mr. Thump will not change it.”
Beatrix held back her tears of frustration, happiness, and worry, and said, “I don’t know, Valiant. This could ruin me completely.”
Valiant grabbed her arm. “Nonsense. There’s nothing to worry about. I’ll prove it.” They started for the street, Beatrix being dragged along.
“Where are we going?” she asked as they neared Mr. Simms’ door, though she feared she already knew the answer. She continued to move only because they were on the road, but once they crossed, she tried to drag her feet.
Valiant was stronger. “We’re going to see what my brother has done thus far.”
“But what if we are not received?” Beatrix asked.
Valiant laughed again. It was a tinkling sound full of mirth. “I’m the daughter of the Duke of Ayers and am Countess Beaumont. Not even my husband’s enemies dare turn me away.”
Her words proved true moments later when a footman showed them into a breakfast room and prepared them seats at the table.
Beatrix would have fallen at the sight of Mr. Thump, but thankfully she’d been seated by then with Valiant on one side and Hero on the other.
There was great fanfare from the Simms family at the presence of Lady Beaumont and surprisingly herself.
This was the first time Beatrix had been around commoners since becoming a lady, and she was made uncomfortable by her own celebrity.
“Two ladies at our table,” Mrs. Simms gushed. “I can’t imagine what my friends will say when I tell them, and you just missed them.”
Their host, Mr. Simms, seemed more than thrilled to have them there. He looked at Beatrix without any recognition in his eyes.
Thump, however, grinned haughtily. “My lady,” he said with a sneer. “So good to see you again.”
Beatrix hung her head.
Valiant grabbed her hand underneath the table.
Hero’s warm hand grabbed the other.
She looked up to meet his eyes, but his focus was elsewhere, giving nothing away.
“Cousin,” Mr. Simms called. “I didn’t know you knew so many of the ton.”
“Indeed, I do,” Thump said.
Aaron Simms, the young officer she and Valiant had been introduced to when they’d entered the room, looked on with suspicion.
“Lady Gillingham,” Thump said. “Perhaps, you would like to tell my family how it is we know one another?” The question insinuated more than the truth, and Beatrix tried to prepare herself for whatever would leave the cruel man’s lips.
Yet when Thump opened his mouth to speak again, Hero cut him off.
Hero looked tenser than Beatrix had ever seen him, nearly menacing if one took the time to study his eyes. He turned to Mr. Simms. “Lady Gillingham currently employs once of Thump’s old employees, a Miss Joanna.”
“Oh, yes!” Simms said. He and his wife clearly relaxed under the explanation. “I recall the young woman. I hired her for the tavern myself.” Then he looked sheepish when he said, “I don’t tell many, but my cousin and I both own the Swinging Door.”
Mrs. Simms cut in and said, “It’s one of my husband’s minor investments. Completely civilized, don’t you think?”
“Indeed, ma’am,” Hero said. “A man would be wise to see his money put to good use.”
The Simms seemed pleased with Hero’s approval.
Beatrix was surprised to learn this. She’d never known that Mr. Thump didn’t own the tavern outright, and it was clear that Thump didn’t like being reminded of it. He shot daggers at his cousin for bringing it up.
Beatrix had often wondered how he’d gained the money to open the establishment. Now she knew.
Hero spoke to the officer at the table next. “Do you have ambitions in the navy?”
“I do.” The subject seemed to excite him, though he controlled it well. His eyes and voice brightened. “I wish to make a career of it.”
“Then I wish you well,” Hero said. “You seem like a fine young man. A career in the military will not come easy. Even myself, with my father’s title, find myself meeting challenges often.”
“Aaron is quite loyal to the Crown,” Mr. Simms said. “He’s seen battle and has made us quite proud. I know you are not a navy man yourself, but perhaps you’d be kind enough to say a good word to his superiors?”
Thump was grinning again, his eyes on Beatrix.
She struggled to breathe as she met his gaze head-on. Fear turned her stomach.
Fear and shame.
Slowly, she let go of both Hero and Valiant’s hands and folded her fingers together.
Hero turned back to their host. “It would be my pleasure to speak to your son’s superiors. I know many of them intimately. Though, I fear… I cannot promote your son when you and your son are associated with a man of questionable morals.”
This made many of the people at the table gasp.
Even Beatrix.
“Who is this man of questionable morals, my lord?” Mr. Simms asked in dismay. “I can assure you that whoever it is will be dismissed from my life entirely.”
Hero said, “He is a man who threatens an innocent lady with a past she had little control over. He threatens a woman’s
future for no reason but the pleasure of it. You see, this lady came to him when she was in need of aid and instead of performing his Christian duty, he turned his back on her, abandoning her to the streets of London and now he threatens her happiness for no reason. She is a lady, I remind you.”
Immediately Thump straightened and turned to Hero. His earlier arrogance vanished.
“He sounds like a villain,” Aaron Simms said. “I wish nothing to do with him.”
“How terrible a creature you speak of,” Mrs. Simms said. “I am more than certain no one at this table wishes to be linked to someone of that nature.”
“My wife is right,” Mr. Simms said.
“He is a man you do business with.” Hero glanced at Thump quickly and then turned away.
“Not anymore,” Mr. Simms declared. “I’ll not give a shilling to a man of dishonor.”
Thump paled. His mouth moved without words. Then he said, “P-perhaps, the man you speak of only thought to do such a thing but has since had a change of heart. I’m sure if he were to see the lady again, he’d never make the same mistake.”
Mr. Simms stared at his cousin with suspicion.
Hero turned to Mr. Thump and lifted a brow, but it was clear his words were directed to Mr. Simms. “It would be sad if such a villain brought misery to your home. Imagine what would happen if word spread that your son was cousin to a man who sought to defame ladies.”
Mrs. Simms pressed her hands to her chest and seemed ready to faint. “Oh, we’d never be received in good homes again.”
Mr. Simms narrowed his eyes at Thump.
The table fell into silence.
Everyone stared at Thump.
He looked around and then at Hero. “You are mistaken, my lord. I would n-never think to hurt a l-lady.”
“Or set your eyes on her again,” Hero said.
Thump had begun to turn his head to Beatrix again, but at Hero’s bidding, kept his eyes away. He nodded vigorously. “I can assure you, no harm will come to Lady—”
“Or speak her name to anyone.” Hero didn’t shout. He didn’t need to. His voice held a cold malice that flowed through the room like the winds of winter.
The Simms looked from one to the other. Their own fear was evident.
Thump straightened. “I’ll… not say a word.”
“See that you don’t.” Then Hero turned to Simms and said, “Forgive me for bringing this ugly incident to your table.”
“There is no need to apologize, my lord,” Simms said. “Especially since it seems my cousin is the one who owes you an apology.”
“And you have my deepest sincerity,” Thump said as he stood and bowed.
Hero stood as well and turned to Simms. “I’m of a mind to forgive since it is my Christian duty.”
“Of course,” Mr. Simms agreed. All his earlier merriment had vanished. “One must always forgive.”
Hero turned to Thump. “Though perhaps the Lord will be kind enough to pardon my inability to forget.” It was a clear threat. Hero would let the matter go if Thump kept quiet.
Thump was visibly shaken. It was odd to see the man cornered, though Beatrix had little sympathy for him. She’d been the one cornered before.
Hero said his goodbyes and Valiant and Beatrix followed him out.
∫ ∫ ∫
3 4
“I will speak to Beatrix alone,” Hero said after seeing both women to Beatrix’s door. Beatrix flinched at his demand but didn’t meet his eyes. His sister comfortingly touched Beatrix’s arm and then excused herself and announced she’d wait for Beatrix in her room.
Hero escorted Beatrix to the garden and recalled the last time they’d been there, the words that had been exchanged, the feelings that had been shared. It seemed a lifetime ago.
Now, there was a distance between him and Beatrix he didn’t like. He could feel her building a wall between them and feared if he allowed it to grow any further, it would soon be too tall for him to climb over and far too deep for him to ever penetrate.
It had been his family’s talk of honor that did it, he knew. His family’s long history of valor and morals that made her uncomfortable, made it hard for her to look him in the eyes at the moment.
When they reached the stone bench where they’d shared their second kiss, Hero allowed them to have a seat before he spoke. “Speak to me, Beatrix. What is on your mind?”
She stared straight ahead, her profile in perfect view. Her hands twisted in her lap. Her shoulders slumped and then she straightened and turned to him. “Hero…” She smiled, but there was a sadness in her gaze. “I—”
“Don’t.” He placed a finger against her lips and his heart pounded with fear. “Don’t allow fear to dictate your words, Beatrix.”
She grabbed his hand and said, “Perhaps, it is not fear, but some semblance of my own honor that leads me.”
He stood. His emotions were far too strong to be contained.
Her next words were like a mighty blow. “At least you didn’t ask for my hand. At least no engagement was announced.”
“What are you saying?” He spun around and found tears in her eyes. It was a look he’d never seen before. Her lower lip trembled until she pressed her lips together. It was a telling sign that she was struggling to part ways. He would take advantage of that.
He sat once more and took her hands. The need to be with her, to have her, was all-consuming. “Beatrix, you are not to be blamed for a past you cannot control.”
“I will not bring dishonor on your home, Hero. I cannot, not when it means so much to you.”
“You mean more!”
Her eyes widened, and her fingers tightened on his. “You can’t mean that. You’re going to India.”
“Not anymore. I choose you, Beatrix. I’ll do anything to be with you. I love you.”
She seemed to break under his confession. Tears rolled down her cheeks. “Hero.” She shook her head but said no more.
“Tell me you love me, Beatrix.”
“I… shouldn’t.” Her breath came rushed as she struggled to overcome her tears. It tore at him to see her like this. It was not how he imagined his proposal, neither was her reaction the one he’d envisioned when he’d thought of the moment he’d confess his heart.
But he’d already started. He could not turn back. “I love you. Tell me you feel the same.”
* * *
Beatrix closed her eyes and tried to untangle her hands from his, but Hero’s grip was unrelenting. He had a hold of her body just as much as he had her heart.
He leaned forward and pressed his cheek to her wet one. His mouth was at her ear. “Say the words, Beatrix. Tell me you love me.”
How could he ask this of her? For years, she’d worked so hard at being strong, to never weep. At twenty, she’d learned that the only person she’d had in the world was herself.
But then Hero came with shoulders wide enough to carry her burdens and arms strong enough to fight her battles.
“It’s not fair,” she rasped. “I’ve nothing to give you.”
He pulled away and gently kissed her lips. Her heart jumped at the contact. “You’ve your heart. It is all I ask for. It is precious. It is strong and full of goodness.”
And it was his.
He already had it.
She knew she’d always love him.
He kissed her again with more pressure this time, coaxing a moan from her throat. Her fears were all but forgotten by the time he spoke. “I wish the truth from you.”
The truth? She struggled to recall what they were speaking of. “The truth is you are a Curbain.”
“Yes,” he agreed. He let go of her hands and cupped her cheek and the back of her neck, angling her head for his conquering mouth. “I am a Curbain.” He spoke between blissful pecks that made her dizzy. “I am but one man. You showed me that. I am Hero. I am enough, and, in your arms, I wish to be no one else.” Then he deepened the kiss. His tongue stroked hers and Beatrix’s worry was replaced with wanting.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and lost herself in him.
“When we wed,” he whispered, “you’ll not be taking a line of men with honor to your bed. You will take no one but me. I am not Corbenaius. I am not a Knight of the Round Table. I am Hero. Your Hero.”
Her hero in more than one way.
“And all I want is you.” He pulled away and didn’t speak again until her eyes were open. “I will make this very easy for you. Do you love me? It is a yes or no question.”
And his eyes demanded an answer.
She couldn’t lie to him. “Yes.”
“Good girl.”
She smiled.
He caressed her cheek. “Will you marry me?”
She struggled to answer that question.
Until he added, “Just me? Just Hero?”
And she knew then what her answer would be, what it had to be. “Yes.”
The smile that overtook his face told her she’d made the right choice. That brilliant smile shined within her heart and made her feel perfect.
∫ ∫ ∫
3 5
Beatrix sat in the drawing room at the writing desk, filling out her portion of invitations for her ball, when one of the footmen announced the arrival of a gentleman. She was nearly done. With Valiant, Lily Rider, and Lady Yates also writing invitations, Beatrix expected to have them sent out before day’s end. The ball was set for next week, and Beatrix was as nervous about it as she’d been about giving her curtsey to the queen.
The papers had already announced the event, not because it was to be in Beatrix’s honor, but because it was the first grand event Lord Ayers had held since Valiant’s engagement party two years prior. Everyone hoped to gain an invitation, and Beatrix had made more acquaintances in the last few days than she had all Season.
A few of the women asked if perhaps her ball would announce an engagement to one of Ayers’ sons. Little did they knew it would. She and Hero had decided to tell no one until that night.
Actually, it had been her decision and he’d simply agreed. Though she was certain where her heart belonged, she wanted to give Hero time to think about his choice. He seemed certain, but if he changed his mind, Beatrix knew she’d not blame him.
The Perfect Lady (Valiant Love) (A Regency Romance Book) Page 17