“I was acquainted with your father and know how good a gentleman he was. I also know that he lived well within his means for many years. I do not believe what you say. Instead, I think that what you mean to say is that the fortune he left you was not enough to satisfy your needs, your greed.” His voice was harsh, as Lord Bickens dropped his head. “Did you truly believe that in taking on the title, you would simply be able to do as you please and to live as you wished? To take on a title is a solemn responsibility that demands the very best from us – which isnotto spend whatever money you have on whatever diversions you enjoy without even considering your obligations! That isnotwhat is required from a gentleman.”
Lord Bickens was no longer the calm, laughing gentleman he had been, only a few minutes before. Instead of that laughing smile, there was a tight line playing about his mouth. Instead of mirthful, glinting eyes, they were narrowed and dark in evident rage, and instead of a calm, relaxed demeanor, his hands were curled in fury and his shoulders lifted. To James’ mind, it looked as though he were either going to push his way out of the room or strike out at either himself or one of the other gentlemen who had spoken - but given that there were a good number of men and ladies present in the room, he did not think that either would be possible. There was no escape for the gentleman now. He had been caught, and prevented from taking his freedom, just as he had done to James and Miss Shaw.
“You arenota gentleman.” Miss Attison lifted her chin and set narrowed eyes to Lord Bickens. “I was taken in here against my will, and I am so very grateful to these new acquaintances of mine for saving me.”
Another murmur of displeasure ran around the room and James allowed himself a brief smile. That was not quite the entirety of the truth, but he did not think that a demand for the exact nature of what took place was required, particularly if it was to save the young lady’s reputation! In many ways, he was grateful to Miss Attison for choosing to tell her mother about what had happened, rather than keep it to herself – and, thereafter, grateful to her mother for reacting with such outrage and in garnering such support! It meant that they were no longer the only ones pursuing this gentleman’s actions in the hope of bringing some sort of consequences for his cruel behavior. It was not merely their own efforts that would bring Lord Bickens’ dark intentions to an end.
“So we have discovered you, then, Lord Bickens.” James wrapped one arm around Miss Shaw’s shoulders and pulled her a little closer as satisfaction rolled right through him again, relieved that Lord Bickens was now the one who would be disgraced. “Everyone here has seen your malice, your selfishness, and your arrogance. You do not truly believe that we will all keep silent, do you?”
His satisfaction grew still further as the man dropped his head, no longer able to hold James’ gaze.
“I certainly shall not. Howdareyou treat my daughter so?”
A gentleman, who James assumed was Miss Attison’s father, moved forward, clearly unable to hold back his fury in much the same way as his wife had struggled to do so. It was as if he desired to do the very same as she, for he punched Lord Bickens straight across the jaw. Such was the shock of his action, that the man fell back with a loud exclamation, which in turn, brought further shouts from behind him. Turning his head, James became aware that the room was growing even more crowded as more gentlemen and ladies came through the door.
“It seems that news of your actions this evening has already begun to spread through the ballroom, Lord Bickens,” Miss Shaw said loudly, as Lord Bickens rubbed at his bruised jaw, his eyes still flashing, but no words of defense coming from his lips. “It seems that your true character has been revealed – and I realize now just how much you have underestimated those you used for your own advantage. You believed that I was too weak, too afraid, to say anything about what had taken place – and indeed, I believed that myself for a time, telling myself that it was for the best to remain silent. But with encouragement, I found the courage to speak openly first to my sister, but also to the man you tried to cheat.” Turning her head, she looked up at James and smiled. “We have recovered, however. You have no strength any longer, Lord Bickens.”
“You mean to say that Lord Bickens had done something similar to you?”
For a moment, James grew concerned that Miss Shaw might fear she had spoken too openly, but the next moment, such concerns were dashed away as she turned to speak to the lady in question.
“You are Miss Attison’s mother, yes?”
“Lady Rawdon.”
“Then yes, Lady Rawdon, Lord Bickens injured both myself and Lord Pottinger – in a manner a good deal more devious than what he attempted with your daughter, I am afraid. But we have recovered now and there is no lasting injury. He has failed to achieve and maintain his success, and I am only glad that every other young lady in London will be kept safe from him, now that his deceptions have been revealed. His intentions are dark, his heart is deceitful, for he thinks of no one but himself and what he can gain from those who he encourages to trust him.”
This was not denied by the man in question, couldnotbe denied by him, and James smiled grimly. What could be said in his defense? What could he say for himself? There was nothing that would satisfy anyone as regarded his supposed innocence. If news about what he had tried to do was already through the ballroom then, no doubt, it would be spread through London come the following day. Lord Bickens would have nowhere to show his face and would be outright rejected by everyone in society, and that was just as it ought to be, James concluded.
“I think we shall take our leave,” he stated, still looking at Lord Bickens before turning to Miss Shaw and smiling down at her. She returned it with a smile of her own before leaning against him a little more as a small, contented sigh broke from her lips. James brushed his lips against her temple, knowing that they were clustered in a small room but that everyone’s attention was on the gentleman before them. His heart held the same relief and contentment that her gentle sigh had expressed, for there was no heavy weight on his shoulders or his heart any longer. Smiling softly, he made to turn away, only for his name to be shouted.
“Lord Pottinger, I still have your vowel!”
Pausing for a moment, he glanced back over his shoulder. Lord Bickens was glaring at him, his lip curling at the edge, but James’ heart did not cry out with even the smallest hint of concern.
“That is true, but I do not think it will be particularly difficult for my solicitors to argue that such a thing was nothing more than a deceit, now that your deeds will become known to all of society,” he replied. “Your reputation will be ground into the dust and, as I have already said, if required, what could prevent me from paying those witnesses even more thanyougave them to tell me the truth?” Waiting for his words to penetrate Lord Bickens’ mind, James smiled grimly as his foe dropped his head, his chin resting on his chest while, in James’ heart, there was nothing but contentment, as he was secure in the knowledge that there was no longer any threat of poverty hanging over his head. All that Lord Bickens had built up had been cut short, broken down, and completely destroyed. There was nothing for him any longer, and everything for James to gain.
“It is over.”
James smiled as Miss Shaw murmured to herself as they left the room, walking back towards the ballroom. Miss Shaw’s mask was still hanging from her hand, and James quickly realized that he had very little idea as to where his own was. A swirl of desire ran through him and, glancing over his shoulder, he saw that many people were still crowding at the door of the room itself, but none were looking towards him. Where Lady Sara, Miss Mary Shaw, or Lord Stoneleigh were at present he did not know, but that was of very little consequence to him at the moment. He had only one thought in his mind, and he acted upon it swiftly, not allowing himself a moment of hesitation.
Grasping her hand, he stopped and turned to face Miss Shaw. She was ready for him, smiling gently as her eyes met his. Acting quickly and with a great deal of haste, he lowered his head and caught her lips for the briefest moment. Much though would he have liked to linger, given the present circumstances, he could not, and yet the desire to pull himself closer to her than he had ever been before was only a little satisfied.
When he lifted his head, her eyes were closed, and that gentle smile had blossomed into something beautiful.
“Yes, Miss Shaw,” he murmured, one hand reaching to brush lightly across her cheek. “Yes, my dear lady, itisover.”
Chapter Twelve
“Ido not think I have ever seen you so happy!”
Tara laughed softly as her sister smiled in her direction, tilting her head, and paying no attention to the book which was lying on her lap.
“But that’s because Iamvery happy,” she replied, lifting one shoulder. “It has been three days since that masquerade ball, and everything has untied itself and smoothed out so beautifully, so that I have not even the smallest of worries. You cannot know how glad I am that I spoke to Lord Pottinger about everything which took place - and I have you to thank for that encouragement.”
“You were reluctant to even speak of it with me,” her sister reminded her gently. “But I am glad that I made you do so.” Her smile faded and her gaze pulled away from Tara’s. “I saw a good deal of myself when I observed Miss Attison,” she continued, more quietly now. “I saw just how easily I was taken in by Lord Bickens. I saw how easily his words encouraged me to break all propriety and everything I had been taught and, instead of clinging to that, simply to go with him. Strangely, I felt horrified that Miss Attison had done such a thing, even though I knew that I had done exactly the same thing. How foolish I was!”
“I do hope that you will not allow guilt to capture you all over again, however,” Tara replied, getting up from her seat and wandering towards the window, looking out at the London street below as a sense of freedom had her smiling softly to herself. It proved that there was no longer anything to burden her heart or her mind and, for that, she could not express her relief.
