Page 4 of The Uncompromising Marquess
The laugh that came from Emily set his teeth on edge. Without another word to him, she yanked open the door and strode out, leaving it to fall closed behind her.
Joseph winced. The heat of their conversation quickly began to fade, and he was now left feeling a little shamefaced. He had spoken quickly – too quickly – and now his sister had left in anger. She had, as he had said to her, been doing her best to encourage and support him in his search for a bride, and he had not responded well.
But I do not need her help.
Taking in a deep breath, Joseph rose from his chair, walked to the window, and stood there with his hands clasped behind his back. There was a carriage waiting and, as he watched, Emily climbed into it. Joseph did not move, did not rush down to her to apologize. That would do no good, for then, no doubt, she would think it her place to return to join him so the discussion might continue – and he did not want that. No, he would write her a note, apologizing for the harsh way he had spoken, but for nothing more than that. Every sentiment he had expressed was perfectly fair, as far as he was concerned. He did not want or need her guidance and was more than able to proceed through society without her beside him. After all,hehad beenher guardian, her chaperone and her guide through the London Season and that had ended very well for her. So why did she think that he requiredherassistance in return? He did not agree for a moment that he was arrogant or proud! He held himself and those around him to the standards set by society, and while she might be irritated with his complaints about particular ladies, Joseph knew he would not be happy with someone who did not quite reach the expectation he had for his wife.
“I will be perfectly able to find a bride,” he said aloud, as if she were still in the room to hear him. “And soon, there will be both a Marquess and a Marchioness living in this house. I shall not be alone for much longer, I am quite sure of that.”
2
Florence nodded fervently as her mother spoke, praying silently that the carriage would soon reach Lord Tenson’s townhouse. Lady Grangemouth had been both berating and warning Florence for over an hour now, long before they had stepped into the carriage. This was to be their first ball of the little Season and, despite Florence’s reassurances that she would do the best she could, her mother had chosen to remind her repeatedly of what her expectations were.
“There will not be as many of thetonpresent, given it is the wintertime,” Lady Grangemouth continued, as Lord Grangemouth nodded gravely, saying nothing but making it quite clear he agreed with all that his wife said. “That means that the gentlemen present will be all the more aware of the ladies who have come to society. You must put yourself forward, Florence. You must not hide away in the shadows, as you are often so inclined to do… and as I have been forced to do upon occasion.”
With a nod, Florence looked out of the window, twisting her fingers together in her lap. Her mother did not seem to realize just how nervous Florence was about this ball and howher demands continued to push her further and further down the path towards anxiety. Her heart quickened, her stomach twisting this way and that as the carriage finally began to slow.
“You will take your father’s arm as we walk into the house,” her mother instructed, making both Florence and Lord Grangemouth look at her in surprise. “Well, we cannot have Florence tripping over her own feet as she steps into the house, can we?” This was directed towards her husband, speaking as if Florence herself was not present and able to hear her. “That would bring us all great shame and would, no doubt, have thetonspeaking of Florence but for all the wrong reasons! You have a very clumsy and inelegant daughter, and you must do what you can to prevent her from behaving as she did during the summer Season.”
Closing her eyes, Florence kept back the sob that threatened to choke her throat. There was so much sadness within her, it felt as if she were standing on the top of a mountain, ready to fall into the blackness below. Her mother did not seek to understand. Her father did not ask her what the trouble was. Instead, all they did was criticize her and hold her up against the standards her sisters had reached so she might see just how much she had failed.
“Very well, very well.” Lord Grangemouth sounded displeased that he was going to have to do such a simple thing as walk with her into the house. “Then do let us hurry.”
Florence nodded, waiting for her father and then her mother to descend the carriage. She had no doubt that her father would disappear to the card room a few minutes after their arrival at the ball, just as he always did. That would leave her to stand with her mother, who would do nothing other than nudge and whisper and demand of Florence all evening.
And that would set her into an even greater spiral of anxiety and fear.
“Florence? Is that you?”
Having just descended from the carriage, Florence turned her head, only for someone to throw their arms around her.
“Itisyou! How wonderful to see you!” Leaning back, the lady smiled brightly at Florence, before turning to Florence’s mother. “Aunt! I did not know you would be here in London!”
Lord Grangemouth huffed. “As good as it is to see you, Helena, might we hurry inside? It is perishingly cold out here.”
“Helena?” The night was so dark and the light so low, Florence had not been able to make out who had been speaking. “I thought… I thought you would be on your honeymoon.”
Helena giggled and took Florence’s arm, leading her towards the house – and this without even a word to Lady Grangemouth. “Yes, I thought I would be also, but mydearhusband decided that it was his duty to make sure that his sister found a suitable match… just as soon as possible.”
A smile curved Florence’s lips, understanding her friend’s meaning. “Your husband would prefer that it was only you and he in the house, then.”
“Precisely.” Still arm in arm with Florence, Helena led them both into the house, and Florence shivered lightly, relieved that it was a good deal warmer than outside. “He is with her already, you see, but I was not quite prepared. I told him I would find him at the ball, but now that I have you for company, there is no need for me to interrupt him. He will need to concentrate on Prudence.”
“Helena, while it is very good to see you, Florence is here so that she too might find a good match.” Lady Grangemouth cleared her throat, catching both Florence and Helena’s attention. “You may as well go to find Lord Wickton and leave Florence to me. I do not want you to have a dull evening.”
“Oh, but it will not be dull at all!” Helena exclaimed, throwing a warm smile towards her aunt. “I understand thatFlorence is here to make a match, of course, but given that I am well-connected now to society, I am sure that there will be plenty of eligible gentlemen I can introduce her to. My husband has many friends, and those who are unmarried would be delighted to make Florence’s acquaintance, I am sure.”
Catching the look of annoyance that formed a line between her mother’s brows, followed by a quick twist of her lips, Florence tried to speak quickly as a knot of uncertainty tied itself in her stomach. “How very kind of you, Helena. I think that an excellent notion, do you not, Mother? Helena will know which gentlemen are both eligible and suitable and –”
“Yes, indeed I do!” Helena pressed Florence’s arm for a moment, then smiled again at her aunt. “I am quite sure I will be able to have her dance card full in a trice.”
Lady Grangemouth let out a small, unbelieving exclamation. “I highly doubt that.”
Florence’s shoulders dropped, but Helena was not to be dissuaded. “I am sure I shall. Come now, Florence. Let us join the receiving line, and then I will take you to find my husband to see who he can introduce you to.”
Without so much as a backwards glance towards her mother, Florence followed after Helena, although inwardly, her heart ached all over again. It was a familiar feeling, but one that Florence was never able to free herself from entirely. Every time in her mother’s presence was a reminder of just how different she was from her sisters… and of just how much she had failed.
“Do try and smile, my dear cousin. I am sorry for what was said there. I am sure you will be able to have a full dance card this evening.”
