Page 17 of The Uncompromising Marquess
“Lady Lanark.” Her mother shrugged at Florence’s bewildered look. “You must be acquainted with her, for she told me she was there when her brother accidentally struck you, or is that not so?”
Swallowing hard, Florence nodded quickly. “Yes, that is quite true. I am only surprised that she spoke up for me in such a way.”
“She said that her brother had forgotten.” Lady Grangemouth’s lips thinned as she looked at Florence sidelong. “It seems that you spoke the truth, Florence. I did not believe you, as you well know, but it appears this was quite correct. I am relieved, I must say.”
Florence did not know how to respond to this. Last evening, she had told her mother that she expected an apology from her once she had been proven incorrect but now, sitting here and having this conversation, Florence did not have the desire to demand it. Her own shock was much too great, astonished thatLady Lanark would be so willing to speak against her brother and in such a public place as well! She did not dare ask how Lord Applegate had responded, quite certain that he would not have been in the least bit pleased by being corrected so.
“Now to this evening, Florence. Whilst I have accepted that this bruise to your cheek was not your fault, I must remind you of the expectations we have for you.” Lady Grangemouth Caster glittering eye over Florence, who was still trying to come to terms with what she had heard about Lady Lanark and Lord Applegate. “You are to find a husband, Florence. Your father and I have been guiding you towards some of the gentlemen we would consider suitable, and I have hoped that Helena has been doing the same.”
Florence, who had not had any understanding that her mother had been guiding her so, gave only a tiny nod in response. She did not even think to ask which gentleman her parents thought suitable. The only gentleman she was thinking of at the present moment was Lord Applegate.
“You will have your dance card filled this evening, Florence. That means every dance must be taken.”
This caught Florence's attention, and she snatched in a breath, her eyes wide with surprise. “Mother, you cannot expect me to fulfil such a demand. I do not know which gentleman will be there, I do not know which of them I will have been introduced to, and I certainly do not know which of them will offer to dance.”
Lady Grangemouth shrugged. “Well, what is it that you have been doing with Helena if not being introduced to all the eligible gentlemen of London? That was what she promised to do, was it not?” A frown flickered across her expression. “You know what our expectation is for you this season, Florence. I cannot see any reason as to why you would pull away from that. You do want to be married, do you not? And I would most certainly likethe accolade of being the only mother in London who has every daughter married at her first Season!”
The way her mother returned the conversation towards herself again made Florence despair. For a moment, she had thought that this fresh understanding might spark something new in her mother's heart towards her. No, she realized, she had been foolish to even have had that thought. Lady Grangemouth was just as she had always been. There was no understanding there. There was no gentling towards Florence's dismay and struggle. There was only the expectation, and Florence began to fear what would happen to her if she did not fulfil her mother's desire. Would she be labelled a spinster before her time, cast out of the house, and thrown onto some relative instead? Would her mother always blame her for her failure? Would she be deemed the one who had brought the family low?
“Florence, you are not listening to me!”
With heat burning in the back of her eyes, Florence did her best to pay attention to her mother. The festive season was meant to be a joyful time 1 where she could celebrate with family and loved ones. This was quite the opposite of that. There was heartache, pain, and sorrow. There was disconnection and confusion, and given what had already taken place, Florence was quite certain that such things would only continue.
“As I was saying,” Lady Grangemouth continued, “I have every intention of introducing you to at least three particular gentlemen. Your father and I have discussed them, and we find them quite suitable. You must do your very best, Florence. We will tolerate nothing less.”
The only response required at this juncture was a nod. Florence gave it and watched her mother walk from the room, clearly satisfied that the conversation had done all it was required to do. She was left with anxiety beginning to rise in her again. She was worried about seeing Lord Applegate again, andon top of that, she was concerned about these gentlemen that her mother was to introduce her to. What if her nervousness got the better of her, took control of her limbs, and made her do something foolish? Her heart pounded, and putting her elbows on her knees, Florence leaned forward and pressed her hands to her eyes. Tears came, but she did not hold them back. Yes, she was glad that Lady Lanark had given the truth to her mother, but that did not resolve the situation. Lord Applegate had chosen to lie. He had chosen to tell an untruth to protect himself. How could she think well of such a gentleman? Perhaps he would not come to speak with her, she considered. Perhaps he would stay as far away from her as she wanted to be from him. That would bring her some relief and would allow her to focus on the other task at hand, namely meeting a suitable gentleman… although Florence feared she would not find any success there, no matter just how much her mother hoped for it.
“Lady Florence,I do hope that you will permit me to speak with you for a moment.”
Florence, who had been twining her fingers together in an effort to keep herself calm, looked straight into the eyes of Lady Lanark. “Good evening. Of course, I would be glad to speak with you.”
With a smile, the young lady reached out and pressed Florence's hand. “I will be blunt. I came to speak with you about what happened at the ball when my brother refused to acknowledge that he had injured you. It was not my place, perhaps, to become involved in that, but I could not allow him to tell untruths. I hope that you are quite all right.”
“My mother told me that you came to speak with her about what had happened. I do not know why you did, but I must tell you how grateful I am. There was more to the situation than you might have otherwise been aware.” She did not say anything else, seeing Lady Lanark smile in a way that spoke of understanding. Licking her lips, she hesitated and then dropped her head. “I do hope that your brother is not particularly angry with all that took place.”
A laugh came from Lady Lanark., and Florence lifted her head, a little surprised. “My dear Lady Florence, you are very considerate indeed. My brother is the one who has wronged you, and yet here you are, concerned about him. That speaks very well of your character.”
A little nonplussed, for she had not expected such compliments. Florence managed to smile. “You are very kind.”
Lady Lanark smiled back at her. “Not at all. I must say I am very sorry that my brother did not speak honestly.” Her smile faded. “I am sure he will want to speak to you himself.”
“This evening?” It felt as if someone had come to stand behind her and was now gripping her chest tightly from behind. “He is here this evening?”
Lady Lanark nodded but did not smile. “Yes, he is. As I have said, I am sure that he does wish to speak with you this evening, although you do not need to speak with him if you do not wish it. I do not want you to feel at all anxious. I can speak to my brother and tell him that you do not want his company this evening.”
Florence quickly shook her head, not wanting Lady Lanark to think that she was in any way disconcerted. She had already mortified herself on more than one occasion when it came to her nervousness, and this was not going to be an opportunity for further incidents. “I am sure I will be able to speak with him.” A tremor ran through her frame as she said those words, but sheforced a quick smile as Lady Lanark nodded. “As I have said, I thank you for what you did. It saved me a great deal of strife.”
“My sincere apologies for interrupting the conversation, Lady Lanark.”
Before Florence could continue, her mother came to stand beside her.
“There are some gentlemen I should like to introduce her to,” Lady Grangemouth continued as warmth settled into Florence's cheeks. “As I am sure you can understand, it is important for Florence to make an excellent match this season.”
Lady Lanark smiled. “I quite understand. I should not like to keep Lady Florence back from such a thing.” With a smile, she glanced towards Florence. “I am sure we will speak again this evening. We are certain to become very good friends, I think.”
Florence nodded and tried to smile, but the nervousness within her body was so great she felt as if every part of her was tingling. To be introduced to new gentlemen was nerve-racking indeed, especially when she knew that her mother hoped that every single dance this evening would be taken. What if she did not please any of the gentlemen? What if they all had heard of her previous mishaps and did not want to dance? Sweat broke out on her forehead as she followed her mother across the ballroom. No matter how hard she tried, Florence was quite sure that this would be, yet again, another failure.
“Lord Sutherland, how very good to see you this evening.” as her mother dropped into a curtsey. Florence did the very same, looking up at the gentleman as she rose to her feet. He was, much to her shock, a good deal older than she had anticipated. Indeed, she would put him ages with her father, if not a little younger.
