Page 34 of The Uncompromising Marquess
A sad smile touched Florence’s lips. “My dear Helena, you are most generous, but I could never do such a thing, not when I know how much you desire to be with your husband at your estate. My presence would only be a burden – mayhap not immediately, but as the years wore on, it could well become so.”
“No.” Helena tossed her head. “No, you would never be a burden, Florence. You would always be welcome, especially if it would save you from Lord Cheswick’s grasp.”
Considering that, Florence managed to nod. “If it comes to it, then I shall speak to you of that idea again,” she said, slowly, quite sure that she would still refuse no matter how much Helena insisted. “You are so very kind-hearted, Helena. You have always sought to understand me, and I cannot tell you how thankful I am for all your generous considerations. Had it not been for you, then I would never have found any happiness here in London, I would never have improved in my moving about society. I hope you know just how grateful I am.”
“You need not despair,” Helena said again, still evidently trying to encourage her. “There is nothing to be worried about, I promise you. It will all come right in the end.”
The sorrowful thing was, Florence realized, she desperately wanted to accept all that Helena said, wanted to cling to it and believe it fully, but the reality of her circumstances could not be avoided. Lord Cheswick would appear at any moment; he would pull her to him and announce to them all that they were to now wed. The guests would be abuzz with the news, and Florence would be lost in despair. Tears began to flood her eyes, but she blinked them away. It would not do to fall apart now.
“There is Lord Applegate.” Helena nudged her gently. “Why do we not go and speak to him?”
“To Lord Applegate?” Florence shrank back from him, turning away as she dropped Helena’s arm. “I cannot.”
Helena caught her hand. “Why not?”
“Because I am still so very ashamed,” Florence told her, her back turned to Lord Applegate as she walked away from him. “I have not seen him since the night of his Christmas ball, and I quite ruined that, did I not?”
“But he may not think as poorly of you as you do of yourself,” Helena suggested, as Florence shook her head. “No? You do not believe me?”
Coming to a stop in the shadows of the drawing room, Florence shook her head, her chest heaving with quick, sharp breaths. “No, Helena, I cannot face him. We have not been in conversation since that night. You will tell me that is because I have not been out in society, which I agree with, but there has not even been a note from him to state anything akin to what you are suggesting.” Her eyes searched Helena’s face. “Please, do not make me go near him.”
Her cousin pressed her lips tightly together, as if she wanted to say something but could not permit herself to do so. Florence waited for her to say that it did not matter, that she would not demand that she come to speak with Lord Applegate, but Helenadid not. Instead, she simply held Florence’s gaze in return, seeming to wait forherto change her mind.
“I cannot,” Florence said again, a little more firmly this time as she darted a glance over her cousin’s shoulder, afraid that the Marquess would be walking towards them. “Helena, you must understand, I simply – ”
“You can.” Helena took Florence’s hand and squeezed it. “I have spoken to him, Florence. He wants to see you. He regrets that he did not reach out in the interim after the ball.”
A rock dropped into Florence’s stomach. “He – he wants to berate me?”
“No.” Helena’s smile was gentle. “My dear cousin, he wants to do nothing other than speak with you so he might reassure you of his continued acceptance of you. I can promise you that there is no sense of upset there, no determination to push you away.”
Florence swallowed hard, her whole body trembling lightly. She did not want to go speak with Lord Applegate, still afraid of what he would say to her. The guests around them would see them conversing and, given that all knew what she had done, would begin to whisper about them both, no doubt. Could she bear that?
“Florence, listen to me.” Helena pressed her hand again, pulling Florence out of her fears. “If only you will give him a moment, then everything will change for you, I swear it.”
Everything will change?
There was no clarity as to what Helena meant, but the promise that sparkled in her eyes was an assurance in itself. Taking in a deep breath, Florence nodded. “Very well, but might he come to speak with me here? I am too anxious to step out into the center of the room.”
With a smile that spoke of naught but delight, Helena released Florence’s hand and then hurried across the room. Herstomach in knots, Florence bit the edge of her lip, shifting from foot to foot as her eyes darted around the room. The Marquess wished to speak with her, according to Helena, but at this juncture, Florence wasn’t even sure she could bring herself tolookat him.
“Where is my Lady Florence?”
A loud, obnoxious voice filled the room, and Florence shuddered violently, pulling herself back against the wall just as close as she could. Her eyes squeezed closed, her heart furiously thundering.
Lord Cheswick had arrived.
“Where is she?” Lord Cheswick boomed as Florence opened her eyes and looked left and right, wondering if there was anywhere she might hide from him. It was a foolish response, she knew, but everything in her was telling her to flee.
Florence let out a cry as Lord Cheswick grabbed her arm and yanked her forward. She stumbled into him, her face flaming as she pushed him back, only for him to grasp both of her hands and jerk her forward again.
“Just as clumsy as ever!” he chuckled, as laughter rolled around the room, tears beginning to build in Florence’s eyes. “It is just as well I have an affinity for foolish ladies.”
Florence dropped her head, her breathing so fast, it was making her dizzy. Lord Cheswick’s arm wrapped around her waist and Florence, instinctively, flinched and tried to pull away but his fingers dug into her side.
“There is an announcement to make, is there not?” he asked, his eyebrows lifting as Florence began to wilt, all strength leaving her. Every eye in the room was upon her for she could sense the keen interest from the other guests. “As you all know, I have been courting Lady Florence for a little less than a sennight! It is not a long duration by any stretch but it has been long enough for me to make a decision.”
Shuddering, Florence put one hand to her mouth, covering the scream that wanted desperately to escape. No doubt there would be many in thetonwho would see her response to Lord Cheswick’s announcement and would wonder at it but Florence could not help herself. This was the most dreadful circumstance and there was nothing she could do to stop it.
