Passion and Propriety (Hearts of Honour Book 1) (21 page)

Trowbridge shrugged. “She’s young and will learn to obey. I’ll expect her to perform her wifely duties without complaint if she wants to keep her father out of debtors’ prison and her sisters off the streets.”

Her father opened his mouth, but before he could respond to the horrid man’s threats, he groaned and clutched at his chest.

“Papa!” Hannah rushed to help him into his chair.

“I’ll get the money to pay off the loan,” she said, looking back over her shoulder at Mr Trowbridge. “
All
of it.”

“No you won’t.” His smug smile sent a shiver down her spine. “You shan’t be running to the viscount for help, not unless you wish to ruin your family’s name.”

“Explain yourself,” the vicar demanded, his voice hoarse as he struggled for breath.

“It’s your eldest daughter who needs to explain herself. Or are you already aware she is a fallen woman masquerading as a lady of virtue?”

“My daughter has done nothing to warrant such a heinous accusation. Any gossip you may have heard is completely unfounded.”

“I assume you mean the rumours doing the rounds that the viscount has developed a tendre for his nurse? They’re not what I’m referring to, though they certainly assist my cause.” Trowbridge smiled, but it was devoid of humour. “Are you aware, Reverend Foster, that your daughter took care of Lord Blackthorn all . . . by . . . herself? The Pottses were incapacitated, despite what she led everyone to believe. She even shared the man’s bed.”

“I did no such thing!” Hannah straightened from her position crouching beside her father to face her accuser. “I slept in a chair beside my
patient’s
bed.”

“So you admit you stayed in the viscount’s room unchaperoned?”

“The man was unconscious and close to death.”

“So you
say. But what about his intimate
needs? Can you deny that you, a
maiden,
took care of those also? Young Tommy Jenkins informed me the Pottses were unable to manage the stairs. It’s amazing how talkative young boys can be when rewarded with pennies.”

Hannah’s father groaned again, and she knelt beside him. He appeared to have aged before her eyes.

“I did nothing improper, Papa, I promise. You saw how ill the viscount was. What else was I to do? I’m twenty-seven . . . the age of spinsterhood. I’ve helped nurse male patients before.”

“Yes, but how many of your patients have repaid you with extravagant gifts upon their recovery?”

Hannah flinched at Mr Trowbridge’s taunt. “I helped save the man’s life. Of course he’s grateful.”

“One-hundred-pounds grateful?” he continued, raising a bushy brow. “There are many ways to gain a man’s patronage, but a viscount, even a
cursed
one, would never lower himself to marry a vicar’s daughter, so there can be nothing honourable in his interest. How well do you think your reputation will hold up when I make known the lengths you were willing to go to earn the viscount’s
gratitude
?”

“You would ruin my sister’s chances in the process.”

“So be it,” Trowbridge said with a snarl. “If I can’t have Rachel, then no one shall. You have twenty-four hours to decide the fate of your family, Reverend Foster. Don’t bother to show me out, I know the way.”

Hannah’s sisters arrived home just as Trowbridge was leaving, his parting comment that Rachel should start preparing for their wedding setting them both in a spin.

“What did Mr Trowbridge mean?” Rachel’s voice shook while Naomi rushed to her father’s side. It was only after he’d been given a hastily prepared tonic and his colour had started to improve that Hannah repeated Mr Trowbridge’s threats.

“But you said it didn’t matter that you were caring for the viscount unassisted. That due to your age and status in society, it wouldn’t be frowned upon,” Rachel said.

“She
also
made us keep it a secret from Papa.” Naomi pulled a face. “You didn’t wonder why that was necessary?”

“It shouldn’t have been a problem. Besides, I had no choice.”

“One always has a choice.” The disappointment in her father’s tone weighed heavily on Hannah’s shoulders. “If you’d informed me of the real situation, I’d have worked harder to convince one of the village matrons to assist you. Given the circumstances, someone surely would have agreed to come and stay with you.”

“I’m sorry, Papa.” Hannah clasped her hands together when she saw that they were shaking. “I realised there was a risk, but I honestly didn’t believe my reputation was so fragile. Or of any great interest,” she added bitterly. “I’ve long been considered on the shelf.”

“But not yet mature enough in years for that to be a safeguard,” her father said, his warning coming too late. “If you were old enough to be the viscount’s mother, the situation would be viewed differently. But there are only two years between you.”

Two years that might well be a lifetime
, Hannah thought later as she looked in the mirror and readied herself to visit William. Not that their being the same age would have made any difference. She was still of insufficient status to stand beside him as an equal.

“Do you think the viscount will help?” Naomi asked from the doorway to Hannah’s bedroom. Rachel could be heard weeping in the background even though she’d been assured she did not have to marry Mr Trowbridge.

“He said I should come to him if I’m ever in need.” Hannah turned to face Naomi. “Though with Trowbridge threatening to ruin us even if the debt is paid, I’m not sure what help he can give.”

“We just need to keep father out of debtors’ prison. As long as we have each other, we’ll survive. Being a member of the gentry is overrated, if you ask me.”

Hannah’s lips curved in a reluctant smile at her sister’s outrageous comment.

“I’ll be back soon. Keep an eye on Papa, and don’t let Rachel do anything foolish. I wouldn’t put it past her to sacrifice herself to save us all. It would be very dramatic.”

Naomi rolled her eyes. “Good Lord, that’s just what we need. I’ll lock the doors so she can’t slip out.
Please
return with good news.”

“I’ll do my best.”

A knot formed in Hannah’s stomach as she approached Blackthorn Manor, its grey stone façade glistening in the early summer sun. She’d considered waiting until after dark, but if it was discovered she had visited William clandestinely, it would make matters even worse.

“I’m visiting the Pottses,” she boldly informed several of the workers toiling to bring the gardens to life—men she recognised from the village.

“ ’is Lordship will be right pleased to see ye, also,” Mr Samson called.

After responding with a weak smile, Hannah headed in the direction of the servants’ entrance. Hearing William call her name, she turned to face him. Her heart beat hard in her chest at the sight of his tall, broad-shouldered form impeccably dressed in a dark coat, white breeches, and long black boots. He didn’t have his cane, and she crossed the pebbled forecourt to meet him in front of the main entrance.

“Good afternoon, Miss Foster.” He reached for her hand before pulling back and settling for a bow.

“Good afternoon, Lord Blackthorn.” Hannah curtsied, her mouth dry as she wondered what he would make of her news.
His
reputation was being called into question also, and she couldn’t help recalling his anger when he’d first discovered his nurse was a maiden not a married woman.

“I was just on my way to visit the Pottses,” she said, projecting her voice so the servants working nearby would hear.

“I see.” He nodded.

“But I actually came to see you,” she whispered. “I need to speak with you . . . if you have time?”

“Of course,” he murmured. “Could I trouble you for a few moments of your time, Miss Foster?” he said loudly. “There are some village matters I wish to discuss.”

Sighing with relief, Hannah slipped her arm through the winged elbow he proffered.

“Tea, please. In the green drawing room,” William instructed Mr Houghton, who met them at the door. “Miss Foster has come to visit the Pottses, but I’ve asked her to meet with me first to discuss plans for reducing poverty in the district.”

“Very good, my lord.” The butler raised a brow. Hannah doubted he believed William’s excuse for her visit, but she hoped he would repeat it to any curious staff members, of which there would be many. Not that it would make much difference. The news of her visiting William would be all over the village by nightfall.

“Thank you for your discretion and for seeing me without notice,” she said, wondering how she would find the courage to tell him her woes. It was a pity he wasn’t still lying in his sick bed, as she’d felt quite confident around him then. Of course, therein lay the problem.

“I do hope nothing is amiss.”

Hannah smiled wanly. “I think it might be wisest if we wait until our tea is served before I explain.”

“Certainly.” William ushered her to a seat in the relatively cosy parlour. “I risk overstepping the mark, but I must say you look lovely this morning. Another new gown?”

Flustered to feel heat rising in her cheeks, Hannah nodded, glad she’d taken Naomi’s advice and donned her new lavender dress with its darker purple pelisse. She’d been uncertain about the colour, but her sisters had insisted the ensemble was “made for her.”

“Afternoon tea will be served shortly,” William said, taking a seat opposite. “I hope you’re hungry, as Mrs Potts and the new cook are sure to go overboard when they hear of your presence. I expect a
smorgasbord
of delicacies will soon arrive, designed to impress you.”

Hannah managed another smile at the thought of the two women competing with one another, though she was sure it was William’s approval rather than hers for which they would be vying. Unsure how to begin—and wary of being overheard—she kept the conversation on safe ground until after their sumptuous afternoon tea had been served.

“There was something you wished to speak with me about?” William prompted when they were finally alone.

Hannah took a deep breath, which drew his attention to the décolletage her new gown revealed, rattling her composure further. Allowing Naomi to convince her to forgo her lace fichu had been unwise.

“You’ve said on several occasions if I were ever in need that I was to come to you for assistance.”
 

William’s gaze returned to her face. “Anything you need . . . anything at all. You’ve only to ask.”

He seemed terribly sincere, and Hannah’s conscience twinged. “I feel dreadful for coming to you like this after I was forced to renege on my offer of friendship yesterday.”

“Think nothing of it. Of course, concern for your sisters’ futures must be your priority.”

“Thank you.” Hannah paused to swallow the lump that had formed in her throat. “That’s what brings me here, I’m afraid.”

“Tell me.” Spanning the short space between them, William gave her arm a pat. “What’s happened?”

Hannah haltingly recounted the events of the morning.

“I’ve made a dreadful mess of things,” she said, fighting back tears. “I had hoped my being publicly acknowledged as no longer of marriageable age meant people would not hold me to the standards expected of single young ladies.”

“It’s not your fault.” His right hand formed a fist where it rested on his thigh. “That blackguard Trowbridge is to blame, colouring innocent events with his perverted interpretation.”

“You and I know the truth.” Hannah eyed William sadly. “But I’m afraid perception is more important than reality when it comes to reputation.”

“I’ll go to him immediately and pay off your father’s debt.”

“Oh, thank you, my lord.” Hannah’s voice broke, and she took a moment to compose herself. “That would be greatly appreciated, as I doubt my father would survive debtors’ prison.”

“But you’re still worried?” William asked when she continued to wring her hands.

“It won’t stop Mr Trowbridge. Even if the loan is repaid, he said he would ruin my reputation out of spite. If it was only me I had to worry about, I wouldn’t be overly concerned. My work in the village would likely carry on even if I were shunned by society, but the girls’ futures are at stake.”

“Then I’ll threaten to destroy him if he doesn’t keep quiet,” William said, his expression grim. “It’s within my power to do so.”

Hope rose within Hannah but quickly faded. “I fear it’s too late for that.”

“Why?”
 

“If Mr Trowbridge discovered what occurred here, then others are bound to also. The Pottses would never say anything to harm either of us, but there’s nothing to stop young Tommy from telling the tale again . . . if he hasn’t done so already. I’m sure he didn’t mean anything by it but . . .” A sob caught in Hannah’s throat.

“Please, Miss Foster, don’t cry. I’ll find a way out of this predicament.”

She shook her head. “My family’s reputation will be destroyed. We’ll have to leave the village.”

“You’ll do no such thing.” William moved to the edge of his seat. “There is . . . an obvious solution.”

Hannah stared at him blankly. She couldn’t think of any and was completely unprepared for the one he offered.

“Marriage.”

Her mouth dropped open, her gasp audible in the silence that followed his pronouncement. “You would
marry
me to save my reputation?”