Page 25 of A Spinster's Unexpected Marriage
An attempt at a smile began to force its way across James’ face but it did not spread and nor did it linger. Instead, he found himself rather confused, wondering why he did not feel the same hope and anticipation as Lord Radford. This was what he wanted, was it not? So why, then, did he find himself suddenly unwilling to encourage Lord Childer’s interest in Lady Newton?
Chapter Fourteen
“Good evening, Lord Childers.” Martha dropped into a curtsy, recalling that she had been acquainted with the gentleman before, though it had been some time ago. “I am surprised that you remember me, I must say. We have been introduced before, I believe, though it was some time ago.”
“Yes, it was.” Lord Childers smiled and tilted his head, studying her. “Though you are just as beautiful today as you were then.”
Martha smiled back at him, taking in Lord Childers countenance. He was tall, with broad shoulders and a rather square face, though he was not unhandsome. His light brown hair was carefully in place, his smile warm and his hazel eyes friendly. “You are very kind, Lord Childers.” She turned to Miss Stockton. “Do you remember my dear friend, Miss Anna Stockton?”
Lord Childers inclined his head. “I am delighted to see you, Miss Stockton.” Something flickered in his eyes. “You were engaged to my friend, I believe. Though that has ended very badly.”
Martha’s breath swirled in her chest as she looked to Miss Stockton, seeing how the smile now fixed itself to her friend’s face, how her eyes had widened in obvious shock at such a thing being spoken of.
“You… you are closely acquainted with Lord Bavidge?” Miss Stockton’s voice was a little hoarse and Martha quickly went to press her hand so as to give her encouragement. “I did not realise – ”
“Iwas,” Lord Childers interrupted, though he smiled quickly by way of an apology for doing so. “I would not say that I am closely acquainted with him now. The truth is, Miss Stockton, I heard of what he did and I found myself so deeply displeased with it that I could no longer permit myself to be a friend to him. We are still acquaintances, of course, but there is no deep connection between us.” His head lowered again for a moment, one hand at his heart. “I must tell you that I am deeply sorry for the pain and the sorrow you must have endured. Perhaps I should have been a little stronger in my words to Lord Bavidge at the time, for then mayhap he would not have done such a thing.”
Much to Martha’s relief, Miss Stockton smiled. “You are very kind, Lord Childers. In truth, I would have been all the more sorrowful had I married Lord Bavidge, only to realise that he cared for someone else entirely! You are quite correct that it was a very wrong thing for him to do and I will not pretend that I was not hurt for I certainly was.” Her glance towards Martha was a questioning one, though Martha herself did not understand what her friend meant by it. “But I am glad of it, in a way. It means that my future still has a little hope within it, rather than a heavy darkness.”
“I understand and think you very wise in speaking so.” Lord Childers lifted himself from his bow and then smiled again at Miss Stockton, making Martha realise quickly that he was no longer interested in speaking withher.Was that what Miss Stockton had meant by her questioning look? Was she afraid that Martha would think poorly of her for having this gentleman’s attention pulled towards her rather than towards Martha?
“I think Miss Stockton is the most patient, the most considerate and the most wonderful of young ladies,” she said warmly, garnering her a look of surprise from her friend. “I have heard what happened and I confess myself to be more than a little astonished that anyone could be so forgiving and understanding! To have even a sense of relief over the fact that she is now unwed is, to my mind, the sign of a very considered and intelligent person. Do you not think so, Lord Childers?” So saying, she offered Miss Stockton a quiet smile, hoping that her friend would realise that she was not in the least bit concerned as regarded the gentleman’s attention. If Lord Childers was caught by Miss Stockton, then Martha herself would be all the more agreeable to such a thing. She was not too caught up in her own situation to think about Miss Stockton also!
“I think you must be, Miss Stockton, though I can see that you shake your head as though to pretend you do not deserve such kind words from your friend,” Lord Childers said with a smile, making Martha’s heart squeeze with a gentle hope that she might soon see Miss Stockton as the apple of Lord Childers’ eye.
“She is much too humble to ever agree to such a thing!” she laughed, making Miss Stockton’s cheeks flush red. “I am glad that you see her as she is, Lord Childers.” Her smile faded. “It is rather a pity that so many gentlemen and ladies choose to ignore Miss Stockton and leave her to stand at the back of the room on occasions such as this when she herself has done nothing wrong!”
Lord Childers nodded and rubbed at his chin with one hand. “You are quite correct, Lady Newton,” he said, slowly, though his gaze lingered on Miss Stockton. “And that should be remedied.” With a lift of his eyebrows, he inclined his head just a little. “Might I ask if you would be willing to dance with me, Miss Stockton? If I might be able to sign your dance card, then this evening would be all the more pleasant for me, I assure you.” His gaze flicked to Martha. “And yours also, Lady Newton, if you like? I am sure that your betrothed will not mind for he does not seem inclined towards dancing.”
“I amalwaysinclined towards dancing.”
A little surprised, Martha turned to see the Marquess of Granton coming towards them all, his expression a little tight as he bowed. “Lord Granton, good evening.”
“Good evening to you also,” he said, barely glancing at her but instead keeping his gaze fixed to Lord Childers. “I hear that you are to be dancing with my betrothed, Lord Childers – and that is even before I have had a chance to write my own name on her dance card!”
Martha frowned, a little uncertain as to why Lord Granton was behaving or speaking in such a way, though Lord Childers did not seem to mind given the way that he chuckled.
“Of course, of course, I shall take Miss Stockton’s at the first, if you wish to take Lady Newton’s,” he said, looking again to Miss Stockton. “That is, if you are willing to dance, Miss Stockton?”
Much to Martha’s delight, her friend nodded, smiled and handed the dance card to Lord Childers who took it with a broad grin beginning to settle on his handsome face. It was only when Lord Granton touched her elbow – and she jumped – that Martha realised that her betrothed was waiting.
“Your dance card, my dear?” Those words came from a rather stony-faced Marquess and, not understanding it, Martha handed it to him without a word. As yet, they had not danced together and Martha was a little confused as to why he was making such an evident fuss over the situation with Lord Childers when he had never shown any interest in standing up with her.
“Of course.” With a sharp look in her eye, she gave her dance card to him but the Marquess did not appear to notice. Pulling out a small pencil from his pocket, he wrote something down and then, without even looking at her, handed his card to Lord Childers who gave Miss Stockton’s back in return. Martha shared a look with her friend, though Miss Stockton appeared to be quite delighted with the attention she was receiving. Her face was still a little flushed but there was a spark of happiness in her eyes which made Martha’s heart fill with gladness. If this could be an evening of enjoyment for Miss Stockton, then she would find herself very satisfied indeed.
“There we are, Lady Newton.” With a nod, Lord Childers returned her dance card, only for there to come another voice to join their conversation.
“Your dance card, Lady Newton? If I might be so bold.”
A little surprised that there was yet another gentleman come to join their situation, Martha managed to smile and then handed her dance card to the gentleman she knew to be Lord Billington. “But of course,” she said, remembering how he had not judged her in the same way as Lord and Lady Kelling during their conversation at the park and of course after James had confronted him the first time. “How very good to see you, Lord Billington.”
“And it is good to see you also, and it shall be even better to be able to dance with you,” Lord Billington said, not even glancing at the Marquess as he spoke. “Though I see that Lord Granton has already taken my two favourite dances.”
Something kicked in Martha’s stomach. “Two?”
“Of course.”
When the Marquess’ hand settled at her waist, pulling her gently against him, fire roared through Martha’s frame, making her breath hitch. She did not know what to make of this, for it was the most extraordinary feeling and yet it came from the gentleman she otherwise despised. Remembering her friend’s warning, she shook off such a feeling as best she could, keeping her gaze fixed to Lord Billington rather than looking to the Marquess himself.
