Page 21 of A Spinster's Unexpected Marriage
“Oh?”
The edge of her lips curved upwards though her voice was filled with a heaviness which James had not expected to hear.
“I can surmise that your preferred enjoyments include cards, gambling, riding, shooting, dancing and flirting with as many young ladies as you please,” she said, making James’ eyebrows lift. “Though I am certain it may be a little more than mere flirtation. However, I have no need to hear any particular details, of course.”
James blinked, rather astonished that she had spoken of every single thing that he enjoyed without having even to ask him about it.
“It would be far too much to hope that a gentleman such as yourself had any interest in reading, for example,” she continued, sending a stab of anger through James’ heart. “Or any other gentle pursuit, for that matter.”
“It seems that you have already ascertained the sort of gentleman I am,” James interrupted, before she could say any more. “Yes, Lady Newton, I am just as you describe, though I am sure that you did not expect anything else from a gentleman such as myself!”
“Indeed,” she answered, crisply. “I did not.”
“Well, in that case, I am glad that you are satisfied,” James snapped, finding himself irritated with the young lady. “You know what you can say about me, should anyone ask, and now I find myself aware of what I can say about you in return.”
“Good.”
“Good.”
James continued to walk with Martha on his arm, his skin prickling, his anger burning and his jaw tightening. For whatever reason, the way she had spoken to him, the way she had told him about himself, the way she had spoken so bluntly about him made him feel… irritated, though he did not know why. It was not as though Lady Newton was going think well of him, was it? She knew exactly who he was, exactly what it was he was doing and yet, somehow, he found it frustrating that she had spoken without even a single word of softness towards him. That made very little sense but yet, that was what he felt.
“Oh, good afternoon, Lord Granton, Lady Newton!”
James saw someone approaching from the right hand path and, quickly forcing a smile, looked to see none other than Lord Billington, as well as Lord and Lady Kelling, coming towards them both. “Good afternoon to you all.” He bowed, looking to Lady Newton. “I do not think that you are acquainted with my betrothed, Lord and Lady Kelling. Permit me to introduce her to you now.”
“Oh, we are acquainted with her father,” Lady Kelling said, lifting her chin as she looked back to Martha, her expression rather cool. “Good afternoon, Lady Newton. I presume that you and your father are grateful for the good fortune that this connection has brought you, yes? It means that his financial difficulties – difficulties which he brought upon himself – will no longer be a trial for you.”
James found his body tensing all over again as Martha looked away, her face growing a little pink as she tried to answer. It was a stammer, nothing coherent as she clearly struggled with the sharpness which had come from Lady Kelling. It had been unexpected to the point that even James himself was surprised.
“I did hear that it was all rather unexpected how the connection came about.” Lord Kelling sniffed and looked to James, his eyes not even flicking to Martha. “You lost a bet, I believe?”
“Yes,” James admitted, seeing that there was no reason to pretend. “I did.”
Lady Kelling laughed aloud, though it was not the bright, happy sound that he might have expected. “My dear Lord Granton, how could you let yourself be taken in by Lord Hampshire? Did you not know that he is a prolific card player?”
“Though he did lose so significantly, he was forced to pay his debts over the course of many years,” Lord Kelling interrupted, as Martha’s head dropped lower and lower. “I presume you did not think that you were in any danger of losing, did you?”
James hesitated, very aware of the way Martha was responding. She was shrinking low, clearly embarrassed about what was being said of her, of what was being spoken of and how little she could say in return. He tried to tell himself that he did not care, that there was nothing that he needed to consider but the way that her shoulders rounded, the way she lowered her head forced him to reconsider.
“While you are quite correct there, Lord Kelling, I am sure that you would be surprised to learn that I have lost my heart to Lady Newton,” he said, catching the way that Martha immediately began to lift her head, her figure straightening as he continued. “I may have lost the bet but I consider now that I have won a great prize of which I am now very grateful.”
Lord Kelling’s eyes widened and he threw a glance to his wife. Lady Kelling blinked quickly, then lifted one eyebrow in James’ direction.
“Do you mean to tell me that you now find yourself drawn to Lady Newton?” she asked, speaking as though Martha was not present. “You cannot be telling the truth, Lord Granton, I am sure you must be pretending. You need not try to spare her feelings, I am sure!”
James lifted his chin and moved a little closer to Martha, putting his hand over hers for a moment. Her hand was still on his arm but it was an obvious sign that they were pulling closer, drawing nearer – and he saw that Lady Kelling noticed it. The words came to his lips before he could stop them, spoken in a low, dark tone that seemed to come from his very heart. “I would appreciate it, Lady Kelling, if you would make certain to speak kindly of my betrothedandthat you would accept what I am telling you about my own heart and affections. It is not particularly kind to hear such things being spoken and the last thing I want is for my betrothed to be upset or injured. After all, she is now very dear to my heart and I want nothing more than to make sure she is happy and contented. I am sure you can understand and will not take offence.” He ended this with a smile but that did not stop the shock from rippling across Lady Kelling’s expression. Her eyes flared for a second, her lips pinched, her face turning a little pale. There came a slightly tense silence for some moments, though James kept his lips curved into that small smile, waiting for Lady Kelling to respond. Lord Billington, who had said very little until now, cleared his throat a little gruffly, then looked around at them all.
“I am sure that everyone understands your new fervour for your betrothed,” he said, as Lady Kelling sniffed and turned to her husband, taking his arm and keeping her gaze far from James and Lady Newton. “It is a little unexpected, that is all.”
“Quite.” Lady Kelling finally threw him a look but James only smiled.
“Surprising it may be but I can assure you that I have no intention of returning to my previous way of life,” he stated, seeing how Martha glanced up at him. “Lady Newton has given me more than I had ever expected and I have no intention of turning from her.”
“I quite understand.” Lord Kelling nodded and, much to James’ relief, gave him a small smile. “I felt the same way when I first saw Lady Kelling. I know just how fiercely one’s heart can be affected.”
James inclined his head. “I thank you, Lord Kelling.” He sent another look to Lady Kelling, relieved when he saw the softening about her expression, the tenderness with which she now looked to her husband. “I did not mean any offence, Lady Kelling.”
“I understand.” Lady Kelling, now seemingly quite contented again. “Lady Newton, I do hope that all goes well with your wedding, whenever it comes. Are you to have the banns called soon?”
