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“Connection? Pah!”

This brought Martha to an immediate stop. Turning, she looked at Lady Lamberton, a little surprised to see the glint of anger in the lady’s eye.

“You speak of connection?” Lady Lamberton continued, folding her arms in front of her, though it was not to keep out the cold. “That gentleman promised me that we would continue our connection once his engagement was broken, only to then inform me that he intends to wed after all!”

Martha’s stomach dropped. “He intended to continue on with your connection once he was married?”

Lady Lamberton let out a quiet, cold laugh. “No, indeed not. He intended to break our connection permanently, Lady Newton and that is all because of you.”

Blinking, Martha tried to understand. “Because of me?”

Throwing up her hands, Lady Lamberton let out an exasperated sound. “Why do you not understand, Lady Newton? What is it that puzzles you?Iam the one who is confused, for I cannot understand what it is about you that has pulled him away from me! And yet here you are, standing and looking at me as though I am the one who is speaking foolishness.” When Martha said nothing, Lady Lamberton let out another long sigh and shook her head. “You walked away from the two of us and, grateful for the privacy, I thought to rush back into his arms but he did nothing but step away from me!” Her voice rose, anger clear now in both her tone and her expression. “He told me quite clearly that we could no longer return to what we had once shared. That the affectionIhad for him had never really had an effect upon him. Butyou, Lady Newton, appear to have filled his heart in a way that I never could have done. And when I asked for an explanation, he could not give it. He could not tell me what it was about you that was so delightful to him. Instead, he simply apologised and it all came to an end.”

It was not until Lady Lamberton stopped speaking that Martha realised just how rapidly she was breathing. It was true, then. Everything that Lord Granton had said to her was true! Hedidcare for her, he trulywasdesperate for their engagement to continue on into marriage! How could such a thing be?

“So what it is about you that commands him so?” Lady Lamberton lifted one finger and jabbed it towards Martha, her eyes narrowing. “What is it you have done that has forced his heart towards you in such a way?”

Taking a step back, Martha held up both hands in defence. “I do not know. Please, I cannot speak on Lord Granton’s behalf and I certainly would not dare to even attempt to do so.”

Lady Lamberton snorted. “That is a fine excuse, Lady Newton, for it is no excuse at all!” She tossed her head and, much to Martha’s relief, stepped back. “Thankfully, I have many other gentlemen who are eager for my company.”

“Like Lord Urquart?”

Clearly not in the least bit embarrassed, Lady Lamberton nodded. “Exactly. And I should go in search of him instead of wasting my time wondering about the foolishness of Lord Granton.”

Martha swallowed tightly as Lady Lamberton finally walked away, leaving her alone in her solitude once more. Blinking furiously, Martha passed one hand over her eyes, struggling to breathe as the truth finally crashed right into her.

Lord Grantondidcare for her.

Everything he had said was true. The words he had murmured to her, the kiss which had spoken of genuine passion – it was all from his heart. Lord Granton was a rogue and a scoundrel no more, it seemed, given all that he had promised her. Martha closed her eyes tightly, her hands going to her mouth as she finally let herself believe all that Lord Granton had said to her – and, in doing so, let all of her own heart’s affections finally fly free.

“I have to find him!” Whispering to herself, Martha dropped her hands and hurried back towards the house, her anticipation suddenly growing to such great and rapid heights, it was all she could do to contain herself. She wanted to laugh and cry at the same time, wanted to fling her hands wide and then wrap them tight around his neck, pulling herself as close as she could to him.

But I must find him first.

“Martha?”

She turned, seeing a figure stepping out from behind one of the candle lights which burned brightly, illuminating Lord Granton’s face.

“I – I do not know what I can say to you nor whether you even wish to hear from me, but I could not let you be out here alone,” he told her, making Martha aware that he had been watching for her return. Coming closer to her, he held out his hands either side, then let them fall. His eyes closed briefly, a heavy sigh leaving him as he dropped his head. “Martha, I do not like to see you so troubled. I am all too aware of my reputation, aware of the pain that I have caused you and thus, if you are so determined, I will end our engagement.”

Martha’s breath hitched. “What do you mean?”

“If you wish to find another gentleman, if you truly desire to find another to marry rather than I, then I will not stand in the way of that any longer,” Lord Granton said, his voice low but his expression strained. “I will not hold you to this engagement, not if you are to be miserable and unhappy. I do not want that for you.”

If Martha had not believed that he cared for her before, she could not deny it now. Her smile began to spread across her face, her heart leaping about furiously. “You would give up our engagement formysake?”

“I know, I know.” Lord Granton shrugged and let out a breath of frustration. “No doubt you will not believe me, knowing that I am a rogue and want nothing more than to return to my former way of life, but though I doubt that you will believe me, I can do nothing but assure you that it is not as you think. I want what is best foryourather than for me. I will not be selfish any longer, Martha. I will give you whatever you desire, I swear it.”

Martha moved a little further forward, closing the distance between them. “And what if I desire to move forward towards matrimony?”

Lord Granton’s eyes rounded. “With me?”

With a quiet laugh, Martha nodded, stepping closer to him than she had ever dared to do before. Yes, they were in public, yes, there were gentlemen and ladies around them but the evening was dark enough for them not to be made out entirely. Besides which, she did not care whether she was seen. This was her betrothed, was it not? This was the gentleman she was to marry! What could be wrong with being close to him? “I am convinced, Granton,” she murmured, looking up into his eyes, one hand settling against his heart. “You say that you care for me. You say that you truly wish to marry me because your heart has filled with an affection you did not expect.” She tilted her head. “Is that still true?”

Lord Granton swallowed, then put one hand over hers as it rested on his heart. “More than you could ever be aware of, Martha.”

“Then I believe you,” Martha told him, gently. “My dear Lord Granton, I have hidden my own feelings for such a long time, pretending that they held no value and would soon fade. It was only when we shared our first… moment together, that I realised just how much they had become a part of me. They were not going to fade, they were only going to grow stronger.”