Page 11 of The Uncompromising Marquess
The heat in Joseph’s veins threw itself up into his heart, and he spoke without thinking. “You are quite mistaken, Emily. I have every intention of throwing a Christmas ball, I shall have you know! And I will expect nothing but perfection from it.”
This brought silence between himself and Emily for a few moments, although the triumph he felt quickly faded. None of what he had said was true. He had not thought at all about hosting a ball and yet now, he had said it to Emily… and he would not be able to step back from it.
“I am very pleased to hear it.” Emily let out a small sigh. “I do not mean to injure you by speaking as I do, Applegate. I hope you know that.”
Getting to his feet, Joseph walked across the room towards the fireplace, the heat from the fire within it matching the anger in his frame. “You have not injured me. As I have just demonstrated, you are not speaking the truth.”
“Except that she is.”
A little astonished to hear Lord Lanark speak in defense of Emily, Joseph turned on his heel and faced his brother-in-law. Lord Lanark had, to his mind, always been a serious fellow who spoke very little but thought deeply about whatever it was he wanted to say. If he were choosing to respond now, then Joseph knew his words would carry weight. That did not mean that he was willing to listen, however.
“My darling wife is doing what she can to help you, Applegate, even if you do not think her words much use. I can assure you that she and I have spoken at length about your situation and circumstances, and I am afraid, I quite agree with her.”
A stone dropped into Joseph’s stomach.
“Your friends are few and far between; you cannot disagree with that.”
Joseph’s jaw flexed. “That is because I am careful in my connections. A good deal more careful than others might be.”
“That may be so. But there might also be a suggestion that there are many in thetonwho would not wish for a closer acquaintance with you, given your harsh criticisms, none of which you have hidden from society. You have spoken openly to many of the gentlemen and ladies in London about what you think is lacking in some such situation or in some person of theton. Do you truly believe that every person present in society is eager to hear such things? That they would be glad to have you in their company again?”
A sharp sting struck Joseph’s heart, but he only shrugged. “Even if that were so, I would not care.”
“Emily is speaking the truth,” Lord Lanark said, garnering him a loving smile from his wife. “She says it to be of aid to you, not to injure you. The fact that you physically hurt Lady Florence but did not immediately apologize speaks of arrogance,my friend. No doubt she will be deeply upset by what happened, made all the more troubled by the fact that you have said nothing by way of an apology. I would not be surprised if she or her cousin began to speak of your lack of response to others. Thetonwill think very poorly of your behavior, I am sure.”
Joseph wanted to state that he did not think so, that Lord Lanark and Emily were both being ridiculous, but as he looked into his brother-in-law’s face and saw the steadiness in his eyes, he could not respond as he intended. A glance towards Emily told him that she was in full agreement with her husband, nodding gently as she waited for Joseph to reply. He could not. The room seemed to shrink, the warmth from the fire stifling, and his heart burning furiously within him.
“I am afraid I must take my leave of the house for a time.” Joseph lifted his chin as Emily caught her breath in a quiet exclamation, her eyes rounding. “It isnotto apologize, as you might believe, but to make some early preparations for my Christmas ball. I am sure you will not mind my absence.”
Emily’s lips tugged to one side. “You are being a little dramatic, are you not?”
“I do not think I am, no.” Aware that, yet again, he was refusing to take on even the smallest criticism, Joseph walked across the room and poured himself a small measure of whisky, even though it was much too early for such things – and that even by his own standards! Throwing it back, he smacked his lips together and forced a smile, eager to hide his true feelings from his sister and her husband. “I will inform you about the day and time for the Christmas ball, of course.”
“If you should like any help with it, then you know that I would be more than willing.”
Joseph clasped his hands behind his back, sending his sister a pointed look, one which she quickly ignored, sitting back in her chair and smiling at him.
“There is much to be done, is there not?” she continued, a gleam in her eye. “You will have to have all the decorations for the house as well, yes? There will be the mistletoe bough in the corner for the dancing, and the ivy and holly wreaths adorning the walls. Oh, and you must have some mulled wine for the refreshments, for that is most important.”
“I am well able to see to such things myself, I thank you.” Gritting his teeth and realizing that his sister had no intention of doing anything other than offering her assistance and opinions no matter what he said, Joseph took in a long breath and then made his way to the door. “I doubt I shall see you again today. Good day, Emily. Lanark.”
Lord Lanark picked up his newspaper again and waved one hand vaguely in Joseph’s direction while Emily rose to her feet, but then went to sit right beside her husband, cozying herself up to him as he turned to look down into her eyes. With a low groan, Joseph walked out of the room and directed the butler to have the carriage prepared. Evidently, Emily and Lord Lanark had no intention of quitting his townhouse any time soon, which meant he would have to find some excuse for being outdoors for some time in the hope of a peaceful and quiet house upon his return.
“I despise the snow.”Muttering to himself, Joseph brushed the snow off his hat as he walked into the bookshop. He had no requirement for any books, but the snow had begun to fall most unexpectedly, and he was a little farther away from his carriage than he had intended. His plans to throw a ball were now fully in motion, and he had stopped at various establishments to enquire about all manner of things. If hewereto throw a ball, then it would have to be the very best, one that would be spoken so highly of; it would surpass all the other occasions that had been held. That was his duty and his responsibility, given that hehad such expectations of others. It was only right, as Emily had suggested, that he hold to such standards himself.
Looking out of the window, Joseph sighed heavily as the snow continued to fall in sheets. The carriage was still some distance away, and he did not want to walk in the snow and the sleet to reach it. Yes, he was well dressed for the weather, but it would still make him exceedingly wet and he did not want that. It would be best to wait for the snow to either lessen or pass altogether. Moving away from the window, he walked back towards the door of the shop, letting his gaze pass dully over all the many shelves of books. The door opened suddenly, and two ladies hurried in, the second one exclaiming aloud over the snow.
Joseph grimaced. Her voice was a little too loud for a bookshop.
“Had I known about the snow, Florence, then I would not have suggested we come out!”
“It is quite all right. I have to say that I do like the snow, although it is very cold indeed!” The first lady turned her head to smile at the second, and Joseph’s breath hitched most unexpectedly. Lady Florence’s cheeks were pink from the cold, her eyes alive with evident happiness from being outdoors in the snowstorm. There was an easiness in her manner, perhaps even a confidence about her that Joseph had not expected to see. This was not the same lady he had met the previous evening, was it?
“Come, there iscertainto be something new for us to read!” the first lady said, as Joseph recognized her as Lady Wickton. “This way, Florence.”
A strange urgency to have her see him and acknowledge him rose so fast and with such strength, Joseph’s mouth opened before he could stop himself. “Lady Florence.”
The moment he spoke, Lady Florence’s expression changed. She started visibly, turning to look at him as the color fadedfrom her cheeks. The vivacity in her blue eyes faded as she swallowed and then bobbed a quick curtsy. “Good afternoon, Lord Applegate.” Her eyes darted to her left, but Lady Wickton had already stepped away, having missed Joseph’s presence. “Forgive me, but I must go after Lady Wickton.”
