Page 14 of A Spinster's Unexpected Marriage
“A marriage.”
Martha’s shoulders dropped. “What do you mean? I am already engaged.”
“Yes, but he does not wish to be, does he?” came the reply, a glint now in Miss Stockton’s eyes. “He does not wish to marry but you cannot break the engagement given the efforts that your father has gone to and he cannot do so either because of the bet that he lost and all of the gentlemen who heard him agree to such a thing at the time. Thereafter, the agreement has been made, the announcement given and all of society is now expecting you to soon become the Marchioness of Granton.”
Growing a little exasperated, Martha nodded. “Yes, that is so. But what does that mean in relation to escaping from this?”
Miss Stockton smiled. “I think of my own situation, where my engagement came to an end because my betrothed declared himself in love with someone else. Therefore, the very same thing could apply to you, could it not? You shall tell the Marquess that if he can find you another match, if he can find a gentleman to engage himself to you – nay, tomarryyou – then the engagement between yourself and Lord Granton will come to an immediate end.”
Martha could only stare into Miss Stockton’s face, her breath fixing to her chest.
“It makes sense, does it not?” Miss Stockton asked, beaming brightly. “You will be given a more suitable husband and will never have to return to spinsterhood and the Marquess of Granton will be free from his engagement and will be able to return to the life of a scoundrel, just as he so clearly wishes.”
“That is… ” Considering this, Martha let out a long breath and then began to smile, a hope suddenly filling her heart. “That is an excellent idea, Miss Stockton! I cannot thank you enough!”
“Do you think that he will agree to such a thing?”
Martha shrugged. “I do not know but I would presume that he will do anything he can to free himself from our engagement. Therefore, I cannot imagine why he would refuse. Though there must be some caveats as regards the gentlemen he might suggest.”
Miss Stockton winced and then laughed ruefully. “Yes, I suppose that is true. He cannot throw you to someone who is a cad, just as he is! The gentleman must have a good reputation, have enough wealth to content you and certainly have a title. You will not be given to a knight or a baronet!”
“And I must have my father’s consent, which he would certainly refuse to give should the gentleman be so lowly titled,” Martha agreed, seeing the light in her friend’s eyes and finding her own heart filling with gratitude for her. “My dear Anna, I find your kindness so very touching. It means a great deal to me that you would use your own situation, as difficult as it was, as inspiration for my own relief from this. Thank you.”
“Of course.” Miss Stockton smiled broadly and then gestured to the Marquess. “Shall you go and speak to him now? Or do you wish to wait for a little longer?”
Martha set her shoulders and lifted her chin, a smile on her face which she could not quite help but keep pasted there. “No, I shall not tarry another moment,” she said, firmly. “Lord Granton shall know of this suggestion at once.”
***
“Lord Granton, might I suggest we stand out on the terrace for a while?”
The gentleman shot a look towards her. “I do not think that – ” Evidently seeing the others around him smile and glance at one another at Martha’s question, he smiled though it brought no light to his eyes. “I do not want to have any sort of impropriety, Lady Newton, as I am sure you understand.”
Martha laughed briefly, her eyes narrowing just a touch. “I know very well of your reputation, my dear,” she said, as the ladies near to her looked rather surprised at her boldness. “I am certain that you will have no qualms in standing beside your betrothed on the terrace for a few minutes, especially given that there will be others present there also.” She laughed again, then put her hand on his arm. “Come, my dear. It will only be for a few minutes. I must have you to myself for even a very short period of time this evening, else I shall be left feeling a little frustrated!” She smiled as the ladies let out a small sigh of obvious contentment at her supposed happiness and then turned, her fingers tightening on Lord Granton’s arm so that he could not escape her.
“What do you want, Lady Newton?” Lord Granton growled, his tone low and filled with irritation. “I was perfectly contented speaking with – ”
“I have an idea as to how we can end this engagement,” she interrupted, crisply. “I thought you might like to hear it.”
That brought an end to his complaints. There came a slight widening of his eyes and his arm no longer was tense under her arm. With a slight clearing of his throat, he led her out to the terrace, his head held high and a small smile on his face while Martha too let herself smile. It seemed that Miss Stockton’s idea was certain to succeed.
“This idea, then.” Lord Granton’s eagerness was evident in the way that he turned to face her the very moment they stepped outside to the terrace. “What is it?”
“It came from Miss Stockton,” Martha told him, turning to face him as they stood in a corner of the terrace. “She suggested that, should I findanothermatch, then there would be no reason for this engagement to continue.”
Lord Granton frowned. “I do not understand. How could you find another husband when you are already engaged to me?”
Martha folded her arms, a little frustrated that he had immediately put all responsibility onto her. “It would be rather difficult for me to do alone,” she said, firmly. “I am a young lady, after all, I must be seen to be proper in all things. I cannot go pursuing other gentlemen when I am already engaged.”
The Marquess’ frown grew heavier. “So you mean to suggest thatImust be the one to do so?”
Martha nodded. “I think you must. My father will not permit me to release from this engagement and you cannot step away either, given that so many gentlemen from society heard you make the agreement in the first place. However, if you were to find me another match and should that gentlemen declare himself to be quite in love with me – which he would have to do in order for this to work regardless of how he truly felt – then I would consent to marry him, you would be freed from our engagement and all would be well. I would have a husband and a secure future and you would have the freedom you so desperately crave.”
It took a few minutes for all that she had said to sink into Lord Granton’s mind, it seemed, given the way that he looked away and rubbed at his chin. His eyes flicked to her and then away again before, slowly, he began to nod. “I can see how that would work.”
“Then you agree to it?”
“It is the only flicker of light I have in an otherwise dark world, Lady Newton, so ofcourse,I am going to agree to it!”
