Page 40 of A Spinster's Unexpected Marriage
“Therefore,” Martha continued, lifting her chin, “I have decided that I will seek out Lord Billington instead.”
There came nothing but silence to such a statement and Martha was rather surprised to see the heavy frown which then settled across her friend’s expression.
“You cannot think poorly of me for pursuing him, can you?” she asked, suddenly a little desperate. “Icannotwed Lord Granton! After what he has done, I cannot even bear the thought of standing next to him.”
Miss Stockton’s frown remained. “But you care for him.”
Martha looked away. “I am nothing but a fool to have ever permitted my heart to hold any sort of affection for him.”
“And what if you are mistaken?” Miss Stockton asked, looking at Martha again as they continued to walk around the ballroom. “What if it is as he has said?”
Martha shook her head. “I heard Lady Lamberton state the precise opposite.”
“And what ifshewas not telling the truth?”
Coming to a stop, Martha turned to face her friend, a sudden upset balling in her stomach. “Why are you so defensive of him? Why must you suggest that I do something else other than what I have decided?”
Miss Stockton looked back at her with a steadiness in her eyes which spoke of a genuine concern. “I believe that Lord Granton might truly care for you.”
Rolling her eyes, Martha turned away. “I can hardly believe that you would say such a thing.”
“But have you yourself not seen a change in him?” Miss Stockton asked, hurrying to keep her steps matched with Martha’s. “Have you not seen how he has pursued you? I confess, when I saw how eager he was to end the plan as regarded Lord Billington, I began to see that your connection had truly affected his heart.”
Martha paused, trying to give a response but finding herself empty.
“I think you ought to listen to him give his explanation, before you make any sort of plan with Lord Billington,” Miss Stockton finished, quietly. “That is all.”
“He wrote to me but I put his letter to one side and refused to read it,” Martha stated, firmly. “And I will not be drawn into a conversation with him again, for he… ” Her eyes closed briefly. “He will, no doubt, be able to use his many charms to pull me back into his arms and into his intentions. I do not want to marry him, Anna. I intend to pursue Lord Billington, whether you will help me or not.”
Miss Stockton’s eyes went wide. “What is it that you intend to do?”
Martha shrugged. “I do not know as yet but I will, first of all, attempt to discuss an elopement. And if he does not, then I have other means that I will use to break me apart from my engagement to the Marquess.”
Miss Stockton grabbed her hands, her voice suddenly frantic with worry. “What can you be thinking? You are being rash, my friend! You cannot risk doing such a thing as that! Think of your reputation!”
“I do not care about that. Lord Billington will have to marry me and – ”
“And what if he refuses?”
That gave Martha pause. “He will not refuse.”
“No?” Miss Stockton lifted her eyebrows just a little. “You believe that he will agree, that he will be willing to accept you as his bride but what if he does not? What if he decides that he will not be pushed into matrimony and does all that he can to step back from you?”
“That would make him an unworthy fellow,” Martha answered, aware that her excuses felt weak. “I do not think that he would do that.”
“But you do not know him,” Miss Stockton shot back, quickly. “You cannot tell whether he would do such a thing or not. This is a great risk, my dear friend. Too great a risk, I think.”
Martha shook her head. “I know that you are trying to aid me but I cannot accept such advice. Imustbe able to escape him!”
Miss Stockton came a little closer and grasped both of Martha’s hands, squeezing them and looking intently into her eyes. “Do not do this.Talkto the Marquess first, at the very least.”
Hesitant, Martha gazed back at her friend, understanding that Miss Stockton was doing her best to be supportive and understanding but, to Martha, her lack of willingness to help was not at all appreciated. “I am going to go to Lord Billington regardless,” she said quietly, as Miss Stockton closed her eyes and let out a long breath. “If you do not wish to help, then that is understandable but disappointing.” Not wanting her friend to hold her back any longer, Martha turned away immediately. “Do excuse me.”
“Martha, wait!”
Ignoring her friend, Martha kept her head held high as she went in search of Lord Billington. There was a slowly increasing warning rolling around within her but Martha did all that she could to ignore it. The last thing she wanted was to find herself caught by doubt and ruin her chance to escape Lord Granton for good.
Chapter Twenty-One
