Page 22 of A Spinster's Unexpected Marriage
Martha licked her lips. “I am waiting for Lord Granton’s guidance in that,” she said, after a few moments. “We knew that this would come as a great surprise so there I believe it will be a little prolonged as we wait for thetonto accept this new commitment between us. Then, we shall have the banns called.”
“I see.” Lady Kelling had the grace to blush. “I believe that I am one of those within society of whom you have just spoken, Lady Newton, but I believe that now, I am convinced.”
“As am I,” Lord Billington remarked, his expression one of interest. “Do excuse us now, will you? We will permit you to continue on your way without further interruption. I am sure that you will wish to have as much time in each other’s company as you can.”
James smiled his thanks and then quickly stepped away, lifting his hand from Martha’s and finding his heart a little sorrowful over their sudden separation.
“You did not have to do that, Lord Granton.”
“Of course I did. You are my betrothed and I will defend you.”
Martha looked at him. “But to the point where you might lose some of your friends and acquaintances?”
James chuckled and shook his head. “They are not friends and barely acquaintances, Lady Newton,” he told her, seeing her eyes searching his. “I know of them, yes, and we have been introduced but it is not as though we have spent much time in conversation or the like. I did find Lady Kelling much too harsh with her words and I do not want to see you injured.”
Martha’s gaze tore from his and James cursed himself silently. Why had he said such a thing as that? He did not want her to think that he was in any way caught up with her for that was not at all what he had meant.
“We must also keep up our appearance of happiness with theton,” he said, quickly. “Lord and Lady Kelling, as well as Lord Billington, will tell others of what they have spoken of with us this afternoon. That is a good thing, I am sure.”
“Yes, it is.” Martha did not sound particularly convinced, however, her brow furrowing lightly. “Though all the same, I am grateful for what you said, Lord Granton. It took the shame and confusion from me, whether you meant it to do that or not.”
James smiled and, much to his astonishment, found his hand settling on hers again. “But of course,” he said, before dropping his hand away again. They both lapsed into silence as they walked together again, the path now James’ only consideration. His mind began to fill with questions but he pushed them all aside, refusing to let them even come to the forefront of his thoughts. The only thing he was doing, he reminded himself, was finding a way to end this engagement to Lady Newton, so he might return to the life he loved. Everything else was a pretence, a sham; nothing but a shadow that would soon pass.
And I am contented with that,James told himself, as they continued back towards the carriage, ready for their walk to come to its conclusion.Am I not?
Chapter Twelve
Martha tried to read the passage in her book for what was now the third time, only to find herself barely taking in the words. She had attempted to take some time to sit alone, reading with a cup of tea on the table beside her, but try as she might, her thoughts continued towards Lord Granton. She could not seem to remove him from her mind, to the point that even the book she was reading was not enough to capture her.
Sighing, she set the book down and picked up her cup of tea, taking a sip of it and hoping that the thought of Lord Granton would soon pass. Yes, he had been defensive of her, to the point that she had found herself quite overwhelmed by just how kind he had been to her in front of the others present. Lady Kelling had been sharp in her words and icy in her demeanour and yet Lord Granton had come swiftly to Martha’s defence. The way he had spoken to Lady Kelling, the way that he had practically demanded that she did not speak in such a way again, had made Martha’s heart leap with a gentle delight.
And that troubled her.
“My lady?”
Martha started in surprise, seeing the footman at the door with an apologetic expression on his face.
“I knocked but… forgive me.” He inclined his head but Martha waved one hand.
“No, no, it is quite all right. What is it?”
“You have a visitor, my lady. Miss Stockton?”
Thrilled that her friend had come to call, Martha nodded and got to her feet, instructing the footman to bring another tea tray. When Miss Stockton came in, Martha hurried to greet her, finding a great relief in her friend’s presence. “Oh, how glad I am to see you! Come in, come in!”
Miss Stockton smiled. “Goodness, what an effusive welcome! Are you quite all right?”
“I have just been thinking about Lord Granton,” Martha explained, sitting back down beside her friend. “My thoughts have been rather tormented, in fact, so I am very glad to see you. You can distract me!”
Miss Stockton’s eyes glimmered. “You were thinking of Lord Granton?”
Hearing the note of curiosity, Martha laughed and shook her head. “No, no, that is not what I mean. I am not distracted by his handsomeness or his flirtations – though none of the latter has been offered to me, you understand.”
“Then what?”
Briefly, Martha told her friend all that had taken place the previous day, in connection with Lord and Lady Kelling as well as Lord Billington. “He told me afterwards that it was done so that society would believe the charade we are presenting to them, but I found myself greatly appreciative of it regardless. I did express that to him but he brushed it off.”
“I see.” Miss Stockton looked back at her steadily. “And now that is making you think well of him?”
