Page 15 of The Uncompromising Marquess
“That… that is precisely what I am speaking of,” she answered, her voice thin, her eyes fixed on his. “Do you mean to say that the bruise on Florence’s cheek wasnother own fault? I find that quite hard to believe, I must say.”
“Oh, but that is precisely what happened,” Emily replied, before Joseph could say anything more. “It was my brother’s mishap. Lady Florence was so very good about it as well; she should be commended by you for her poise and calm spirit.”
As Joseph watched, Lady Grangemouth’s face went very red indeed. Then, over the course of one full minute, the color faded until she stood, white faced, before them. To Joseph’s eyes, it appeared as if she had been overcome with shock, although quite why such a revelation would render such a strong feeling, Joseph did not know.
“I – I see.” Lady Grangemouth sniffed and then turned her head away. “Thank you for clarifying, Lord Applegate. I presume this is your sister?”
Joseph nodded and quickly made the introductions, the weight of his first decision nearly bowing his back as he caught Emily’s eye. There was not anger in her expression, nor upset. Instead, there was only sadness, suggesting that she was disappointed with what he had done.
He looked away.
“I am only glad that I was able to be of help,” Emily said, smiling gently at Lady Grangemouth. “Your daughter did nothing wrong, and my brother was solely to blame, I assure you.”
“Well.” Lady Grangemouth closed her eyes for a moment, drew herself up, and then looked directly at Joseph. “You are right, it was no severe injury, Lord Applegate. I am quite astonished to hear that it was not Florence’s doing, however. That is the first time, I think, that she has ever not held the responsibility.”
This confused Joseph somewhat, for he had no notion as to what Lady Grangemouth was talking about, but he concluded, he did not need to ask any questions nor learn anything further as to Lady Florence’s standing with her mother. With a small, forced smile, he bowed his head and, with relief, watched Lady Grangemouth take her leave.
That relief shattered in an instant as his sister rounded on him.
“Howdareyou speak such lies?”
Joseph, mortified that his sister would think to berate him in the middle of the ballroom, grasped his sister’s hand and marched her to the shadows of the ballroom, keeping them away from as many guests as possible.
“I do not know what it was you think you were doing, but those were nothing but lies,” Emily stated, yanking her hand away from him as they stood near the wall. “It is just as well that I was within earshot, else, no doubt, you would have let Lady Grangemouth believe that her daughter was responsible for what happened!”
About to respond to her, about to find words to defend himself, Joseph was prevented from speaking by the unexpected arrival of Lady Wickton.
“Lord Applegate?”
With a heart that beat much too furiously, he inclined his head towards the lady. “Forgive me, Lady Wickton, but I must conclude my conversation with my sister.”
“I will not take up more than a minute or two of your time.” Lady Wickton glanced towards Emily, who gave her a nod of approval. “Might I ask why it is that you chose to lie, Lord Applegate?”
His mouth went dry.
“Do you understand what it is you have done by speaking so?” Lady Wickton continued, not giving him a chance to respond. “By confirming to Lady Grangemouth that you didnotdo anything to injure Lady Florence, albeit in a small way, she now believes that her daughter is clumsy and foolish! I cannot understand why you did not tell the truth.”
The reasons he had given himself for his own refusal to accept responsibility now rolled up and blew away, and whilst he did his best to find something to defend himself, nothing came to his mind. “My sister,” he managed to say, as Lady Wickton’sgaze sharpened. “My sister has clarified all. I – I merely did not understand what Lady Grangemouth was asking me. I thought she was suggesting that I had caused some young lady adreadfulinjury, and I could not permit that to fall on my shoulders.”
Emily snorted loudly, informing Joseph precisely of what it was she thought about such a response.
“Then Lady Grangemouth knows that it wasnotFlorence’s doing?” Some of the fire had gone out of Lady Wickton’s eyes. “She accepted that?”
Sensing that there was something more to this entire situation, Joseph nodded, a curiosity sneaking into his mind, pushing through his guilt to get to the fore. “She did. I must say, however, I was a little confused as to why she suggested that this was the first time Lady Florence had not been responsible for this sort of incident.”
Lady Wickton held his gaze steadily, looking back at him. Silence fell for some time – or at least, it felt like a long time to Joseph. The music went on behind him, the chatter and conversation flowing, but Joseph was caught in Lady Wickton’s fierce look. He did not know why she lingered, only that she did so, as if looking deep into his soul in an attempt to ascertain what sort of gentleman he was.
“The reason for my upset, Lord Applegate, is that Lady Florence is not at all understood by her mother or her father – or even her sisters who have gone before her and married quickly and well.” Breaking the silence, Lady Wickton spoke with great care, making sure her voice was low and quiet and that they would not be overheard. “The reason Lady Grangemouth said such a thing was because that is precisely what occurred during Lady Florence’s summer Season,” she continued, “though I will not go into particular detail. All I shall say is that there were some instances when Lady Florence found herself in a little difficulty, because of her own anxiety and worry.”
“Worry?” Emily took a step closer to Lady Wickton, searching her face. “She is afraid of society, then? That is something I can well understand.”
That was not something that Joseph could say along with his sister, however. The notion that any young lady would be afraid of society seemed strange indeed.
“Society can be a very difficult place for any young lady.” With a shake of her head, Lady Wickton threw him a look but then returned her attention to Emily. “With three sisters all wed in their first Season, the expectation placed upon Florence’s shoulders was great. As I have said, I will not go into detail, but there has been a lack of insight – and an unwillingness to eventryto understand – as to why she finds society such a difficult and sometimes frightening place.” Her lips flattened, her eyes flicking back towards Joseph. “You cannot know how proud I was of Lady Florence this evening. She told her mother that she was not responsible for the bruise to her cheek, and when that was not believed, stated that she would prove it to be true. That is the first time that she has ever had the confidence to say such a thing, Lord Applegate.”
And I did nothing but ruin that hope and expectation.
Unable to look into Lady Wickton’s eyes, Joseph turned his head away and coughed quietly, the guilt in his heart beginning to pull him down towards the floor.
