Page 4 of A Spinster's Unexpected Marriage
Martha lifted her head sharply, turning to see two gentlemen approaching. Both had slight smiles on their faces though the way they darted a glance to each other told her that there was something more to this greeting that perhaps they were ready to offer her.
“I do not think that we have been introduced, no,” Martha told them, her chin lifting as she made to look away, only for the first gentleman to reach out and touch her arm. Horrified, Martha stepped back, catching the attention of her mother who instantly turned to stand beside her.
“Might I be able to assist either of you gentlemen?” Lady Hampshire asked, her tone crisp. “Or is there some reason that you have both come to speak to my daughter without first greeting me?”
This made the smiles from the two gentlemen crash to the floor, making Martha’s heart lift just a little, her confidence returning. Her mother was quite determined to speak openly and decisively and that certainly seemed to have taken some of the strength from the gentlemen’s unwelcome presence. They shared yet another glance but this time, it was the second gentleman who spoke.
He bowed and then put one hand to his heart. “My lady,” he said, sounding most apologetic though the first gentleman rolled his eyes at this, making Martha’s eyes flare in surprise. “We thought that we recognised your daughter and came to make her acquaintance again, that is all.”
“Then I think you are mistaken, thoughIam very well aware of who you are,” Lady Hampshire continued, moving forward just a little and gazing up at both gentlemen. “Lord Radford, is it not? And you are the Marquess of Granton, I believe.”
The two gentlemen blinked in obvious surprise and then both nodded in assent, remaining entirely silent.
“Then I can assure you both that I would never have permitted you to be introduced to my daughter,” Lady Hampshire continued, making Martha’s lips quirk into a smile. Her mother had always had a strong countenance and clearly these two gentlemen had not expected it. It was something of a delight to see how they almost visibly deflated in front of her, their shoulders rounding and their heads lowering just a fraction.
“I do not think that we need to continue this conversation any further, Martha.” With a toss of her head, Lady Hampshire turned and took Martha’s arm, taking her away from both gentlemen without so much as another glance or another word to either of them.
Martha wanted to applaud.
“Goodness, whoever do they think they are to treat you in such a manner?”
Martha looked to her mother, seeing the knotting of her brows, the anger which broke across her expression. Her own smile quickly faded. “I thought they were simply a little brash.”
“Oh, no, they are far more than that,” came the reply. “Those two gentlemen are scoundrels, my dear. Rogues! You must stay well away from them.”
Her skin prickling, Martha darted a look over her shoulder, only to see the two gentlemen laughing aloud together. For some reason, she felt herself quite certain that they were laughing at her and, her face burning hot, she turned away again.
“You must understand, my dear, that now you are a little… well, now that there is a slight disinclination from society towards us, there may very well be some gentlemen from thetonwho are eager for your company, though they will not be at all interested in any sort of genuine connection.” Lady Hampshire slowed her steps and let out a heavy breath. “You do understand what I am saying, I hope?”
Martha nodded, a slight embarrassment filling her. “Yes, Mama.”
“And you will not speak to them, do you understand?” Turning, her mother grasped her hands tightly, looking into her eyes. “I must know that you understand. To have anything to do with any of these rogues will only cause you disaster.”
A little surprised at her mother’s vehemence, Martha nodded and squeezed her hands. “I understand, Mama. I have always understood that rogues and scoundrels are not gentlemen to be tolerated. That will not change now.”
Her mother’s lips pressed flat for a moment and then she let out a sigh. “You say that now, my dear, but when things become almost too difficult to bear, when you find yourself feeling almost invisible to every other person present save for these gentlemen, there might be the temptation to draw near them.”
Martha nodded slowly, her heart a little painful as she realised just what her mother meant.
“I do hope that it will not be too long until your father finds you a match,” Lady Hampshire finished, releasing Martha’s hands. “But you must be on your guard, no matter how long it takes.”
“I will,” Martha promised, feeling the heaviness begin to creep in upon her again. “I will take the greatest care.”
“That is good.” Lady Hampshire managed a smile though it did not leap into her eyes. “And let us hope that neither Lord Radford nor Lord Granton ever think to come near you again!”
Chapter Three
Settling back into a chair, James offered a lazy grin to Lord Radford, before turning his attention to Lord Mayhew. “Now, are you not offering us a drink this evening?”
Lord Mayhew rolled his eyes. “You have only just sat down, Granton. Do be patient and permit my footman time to pour from the decanter! In case you have forgotten, I have four other gentlemen across the room whoalsorequire a drink.”
James chuckled and leaned back all the more, finding himself quite contented after what had been an excellent soiree. He had been in London for almost a month now and in that time, had found himself in a different house every evening, enjoying whatever entertainment they put on. This evening was no exception.
“I have sent the ladies to the drawing room and we shall soon have a few other guests coming to join us, so we should have around fourteen or fifteen of us to play,” Lord Mayhew continued, as the footman finally brought over the tray of drinks for them all to take. “I am well aware that some of the ladies would have enjoyed a game of cards or two but it is not quite the same with their company, is it?”
Lord Radford’s lips twitched. “Indeed not,” he agreed, “for I find myself often much too distracted by a pair of pretty eyes and, when that happens, I often lose a little more money than I had anticipated!”
“In which case, mayhap you ought to bring those ladies back into the room!” James quipped, making Lord Mayhew laugh. “After all, we are each eager to gain as much of a fortune as we can, are we not? Even if it is at the expense of others.” He winked at Lord Radford but his friend clearly knew he was jesting, given the broad grin on his face.
