Page 39 of A Spinster's Unexpected Marriage
Lady Hampshire paused at the door, then smiled. “Very well, so long as you are sure you are recovered enough to do so.” Her smile faded. “It was most unlike you to become so unwell so quickly. I am still concerned for you.”
“I am sure it was just fatigue,” Martha answered, glad when her mother finally stepped out of the room. It meant that, as the door closed, Martha could let the tears come to her eyes and, after a moment, give them permission to fall to her cheeks.
Seeing Lord Granton hidden in the shadows with another lady had brought her a pain unlike anything she had ever experienced before. At first she had been confused, not knowing what it was that she had stumbled across, only for Lady Lamberton’s words to break right across her heart and make her want to cry out. Right then and there, she had realised how much of a fool she had been in trusting Lord Granton’s words. When he had kissed her, she had felt something grow within her heart – a trust and an affection twining together, to the point that she had been unable to deny her feelings. But now, all that he had said, all that he had promised her was nothing but a falsehood – and she was the one now who stepped back into the shadows instead of him.
“But what can I do?” Whispering to herself, Martha wiped at her eyes, glad that she had been able to rest rather than present herself to her parents as she had done every other morning. After seeing Lord Granton, Martha had found herself overcome with a weakness which had demanded a hasty return home. She had told her mother that she felt unwell and had been rushed home, separating her from the Marquess at once.
“Yet I cannot escape him for good, can I?” Martha wiped at her eyes again but the tears still came. Her vision blurring still, she reached for the first note, turning it over and trying to make out the seal. After a few moments – and recognising it as from Miss Stockton- Martha opened the note and read the few lines.
‘I do hope you are recovered. Write to me, my dear friend. I should very much like to see you. Something most extraordinary took place last evening, once you took your leave, though mayhap you have already heard of it. I hope you will be at the ball this evening. Yours affectionately, Anna.’
Martha frowned, not certain what it was her friend meant. What extraordinary thing had taken place last evening? She had not told Miss Stockton what it was that she had witnessed, had said nothing about the Marquess but only had said that she felt a little unwell. Therefore, Miss Stockton knew nothing about Martha’s present sorrows otherwise she certainly would not have been encouraging her back into society. Though what was it that had taken place? What extraordinary thing did Miss Stockton believe Martha would have heard about?
With a sigh, Martha set aside the first letter and then picked up the second letter. Opening it, she smiled quietly as she read the letter from her sister, telling her all about her own situation and, at the end of it all, telling Martha how much she was looking forward to the upcoming wedding.
This made Martha’s heart squeeze with pain all over again. There was no way for her to escape this engagement, not now. Her parents were insistent that she wed Lord Granton, her betrothed wasjustas determined – though Martha did not know why – and all that was left for her was to do as she was expected to do.
But what of Lord Billington?
Martha’s eyes flared wide, her hands clutching at the letter from her sister. Lord Billington was not someone that she cared for and yes, she did not know him particularly well either, but surely he had to be better than Lord Granton!
“But if my mother and father are insistent upon my engagement to Lord Granton then what can be done?” Martha mused aloud, her gaze falling to the letter on her lap. She had one still unopened, the one from Lord Granton, but Martha had no intention of reading it. There was nothing that he could say that would bring her any sort of relief.
“However, Lord Billington might,” she murmured, a sudden resolve coursing through her. She could be bold, could she not? Perhaps she might be able to encourage Lord Billington to consider an elopement! Or, if she could not do that, then would she be able to encourage him towards her in another way?
That thought made Martha’s face burn with embarrassment. She did not want to be coy, to flirt with Lord Billington as she made it quite plain to him what it was she desired but if that was the only way to escape Lord Granton, then that was what she would do. To be caught in his arms would mean that her marriage would be to Lord Billington rather than Lord Granton.
Martha’s eyes closed.But my heart still yearns for Lord Granton.
Tears came to her again but this time, she blinked them away. She was not about to let herself hold onto such foolishness and nor was she going to permit herself to cry over him again and again. Yes, her heart had flooded with affection – a strong affection – and as he had taken her in his arms, she had felt a huge surge of hope, of expectation and joy. That had all been shattered now, however, and Martha silently swore she would not let Lord Granton ever build such a thing in her again. Yes, her heart was still burning with affection for him and yes, the thought of his kiss sent her into spirals of happiness twined with regret, but she could not cling onto that. Marriage to Lord Granton would bring her nothing but pain and shehadto find a way to be free of him forever.
***
“I am so glad you are recovered.”
Martha slipped her arm through Miss Stockton’s, her eyes searching the ballroom for any sign of Lord BillingtonorLord Granton. One she wanted to draw close to but the other, she wanted desperately to avoid. Thankfully, the ball at Vauxhall Gardens was very busy indeed, so would be very easily able to hide herself away, should it be required of her.
“You are rather silent, however.” Miss Stockton frowned gently. “Is there something the matter?”
“You must help me,” Martha said, rather urgently. “Lord Granton is not who I believed him to be. You will call me foolish, no doubt, but you need not say it. I am already aware that it was the most ridiculous thing to believe that Lord Granton might truly care for me but in truth, I did. When he kissed me, I felt myself overflowing with affection for him, finding myself suddenly eager for our marriage, delighting in the conversation which came thereafter.” Seeing Miss Stockton’s wide eyes and confused look, Martha continued to explain. “Lord Granton took me to my father and together, we discussed a wedding date and the banns which needed to be called. We are now due to wed within the month.”
“So what help do you need from me?” Miss Stockton asked, clearly a little uncertain as to what Martha meant. “If you are contented with him, if the marriage date has been set, then – ”
“I saw him with another.”
Miss Stockton caught her breath. “Another lady?”
“Yes.” Martha struggled through a sudden wave of emotion as she closed her eyes for a moment, fighting to keep her composure.
“And what was his explanation?”
Biting her lip for a moment, Martha looked down at the floor rather than at her friend. “He was rather flustered, as you can imagine.” Her laugh was harsh and broken. “I am sure that it came as something of a surprise to him to have me standing there.”
“But what did hesay?”
“Why does it matter?” Martha’s heart began to clamour. “He told me that he was simply trying to talk to Lady Lamberton but she, in turn, laughed and said that surely I could understand what it was that the gentleman was doing in the shadows with a lady such as herself.”
Miss Stockton clicked her tongue. “Goodness.”
