Page 101 of Married to the Earl

Astrid nodded, nerves spiking.

“Don’t worry, My Lady,” Betsy said. “You’ll do well. You’ve fit into this world from the very first moment you set foot in Middleborough Manor.”

“I’ve never been one of theton,” Astrid objected. She could feel her humble upbringing clinging to her like second skin.

“That only makes you stronger,” a voice said from behind her.

She turned. There was Conor, dressed for the party, looking devastatingly handsome. He held out his hand, and she placed hers in it.

He raised her fingers to his lips and kissed them softly. “You look lovely,” he said. “I’ve never seen anyone so beautiful.”

“I feel like a fraud,” she confessed.

“Not at all,” he said. “You’re my wife. You’re the Lady of Middleborough Manor. You belong here more than anybody else.”

“You don’t think they’ll resent me for being here? For finding a way into their world?”

“Remember what you told me?” he asked her. “You have to let people know you. Once they do, they’ll see what I’ve seen all along. Not a social climber, but a charming and clever young lady who fits perfectly into this society.”

She nodded and extended her arm, taking heart from his words. Perhaps he was right to put his faith in her. Perhaps all would finally be well.

As he led her down the stairs and into the foyer full of people, conversations stopped. Everyone looked up to see the reclusive Lord Middleborough and his mysterious wife, about whom so little was known. Astrid could feel their eyes picking her apart.

They’re looking for something wrong,she thought.They’re looking for flaws in my attire, flaws in my hairstyle. Flaws in the way I carry myself. They’re looking for something to set me apart and prove that I’m not one of them, that I don’t truly belong here.

“Lady Middleborough?”

She turned. A man she didn’t know stood at her elbow.

“My name is Lord Balfour,” he said, holding out his hand. When she took it, he kissed her fingers as her husband had done moments earlier. “I know Lord Middleborough by reputation, of course,” he added.

“Do you?” Astrid raised her eyebrows. What reputation might he be referring to? Would he actually be rude enough to bring up the unsavory things people had said about Conor in Conor’s own home?

“But certainly,” Lord Balfour said with a little laugh. “Lord Middleborough was the one to establish the wonderful club my friends and I so enjoy. Why, we spend three nights a week at The Arc. What an enjoyable place it is. My compliments,” he said, shaking Conor’s hand. “I’ve long hoped to see you there.”

“I don’t frequent the place myself,” Conor admitted.

“Well, I suppose it must be old hat you!” Lord Balfour said. “You can see it any time you like!”

Astrid wondered whether Conor was thinking the same thing she was—that never seeing the inside of The Arc again would be too soon.

Conor smiled. Astrid was impressed by how genuine the expression on his face was. He didn’t look bothered at all by Lord Balfour’s sentiments. “I’m very glad you’ve found it so enjoyable, Lord Balfour,” he said. “As for you and I, perhaps we can meet at a different establishment, one where I can relax and enjoy myself as nothing more than a patron.”

“A fine idea,” Lord Balfour agreed. “I know a charming little place. The Golden Duck, it’s called. Have you heard of it?”

“I haven’t,” Conor admitted.

“Ladies are welcome too,” Lord Balfour said, inclining his head toward Astrid. “I don’t know whether an outing like this would appeal to you, Lady Middleborough?”

“Indeed, it would,” Astrid said, hoping her answer wouldn’t reflect badly on her husband. It was the truth. “I very much enjoy seeing different parts of our fair city. I never got out of the house much before I was married.”

“I had heard that about you,” Lord Balfour admitted. “Perhaps you should meet my wife. I think the two of you would get along splendidly.”

He extended a hand and appeared to pluck a lady from the crowd. She was tall and slender, with hair so pale it was almost white. She smiled when she saw Astrid and Conor.

“My Lord,” she said, “and Lady Middleborough as well. It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”

“Lovely to meet you as well,” Astrid said.

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