Page 6 of The Uncompromising Marquess
With a shake of her head, Florence let out a slow breath. “Then I must stay far from him,” she decided, her heart beating a little more quickly than before. “Given just how much of a failure my mother and father both consider me, I am quite sure that a gentleman with such high expectations would have nothing but criticism for me!”
“I can assure you, we will not eventhinkof going near him,” her friend declared, taking Florence’s arm again. “Come now, let me introduce you to three of my acquaintances. We must have that dance card of yours filled, must we not?”
Despite Helena’s warm smile and encouragement, Florence felt nothing but worry filling her as her friend led her towards another one of the groups present. Would she find the right words to say? Or would she stumble over even the smallest of conversations, mortifying herself just as she had done so many times before?
Praying for the latter, Florence forced a smile and then bobbed a curtsy as Helena began the introductions. Sweat broke out across her forehead as names were given to her, one after the other. She could not even remember the name of the first young lady by the time Helena had reached the last gentleman!
“I am grateful to meet you all.” Her words tumbled out, one after the other, and she dropped into yet another curtsy, even though there was no need for it. “I do hope you all enjoy this evening.”
Helena looked at her, smiled briefly, and then turned her attention back to the others present, changing the conversation so that it was no longer focused upon Florence. Letting out a slow breath, Florence closed her eyes tightly and then opened them again, setting a smile to her face that she did not feel. Whydid she have to be filled with such worry, such anxiety whenever she was surrounded by others in society? Recalling the superior look that arrogant gentleman had shot her, Florence shivered lightly and then looked down at the floor. Would she truly ever succeed in society? Or was she destined to have this crippling worry that would keep her back from a successful match and a happy future?
3
Joseph bowed his head. “Lord Chester, good evening.”
“Applegate!”
Wincing inwardly at the lack of correct title given to him, Joseph forced a smile. “Good evening.”
“I did not think that you would come back to London so soon.” His friend beamed at him in delight. “But look now, here you are, ready to join us in our search, yes?”
Joseph frowned. “Search?”
“For a bride, of course!” Lord Chester chuckled, gesturing to another gentleman to come and join them. “I was only just saying to Lord Stirling that we are the unfortunate souls who have come to London for the little Season instead of during the summertime. Alas, we will have far fewer ladies to choose from, I fear!”
Lord Stirling drew near, a broad smile on his face. “Lord Applegate, good evening!” Having been carrying a glass of brandy in each hand, he handed one to Lord Chester, then offered the other to Joseph. “I can easily go to fetch another.”
“Fetch one?” Joseph wrinkled his nose. “I am sure there are enough footmen about to bring you whatever you require, surely?”
With a chuckle, Lord Stirling took back the offer of brandy. “You can wait for one, then, and I shall enjoy thisexcellentFrench brandy!”
A sting of regret in Joseph’s mind made his frown furrow. “All the same, I would have thought that our host would have made quite certain that there were more than enough footmen to go here and there amongst the guests.”
“I am sure he has done,” Lord Chester replied, with a wave of his hand. “Now, tell us, are you here to secure a match for yourself? As I have just told you, that is the reason for our presence here in London.”
Joseph hesitated. He was well acquainted with Lord Chester, but he was not certain that he wished to express all of his present considerations with him. His friend could, sometimes, be a little less than careful when he spoke, and Joseph did not want rumors to be spread about him.
“Your silence tells us that it is so,” Lord Stirling said, with a chuckle. “Come now, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Every gentleman must find a suitable bride! You, as much as any gentleman.”
“If not more so. With a greater title comes a heavier sense of responsibility, I am sure,” Lord Chester added. “So, what young lady has caught your attention, might I ask?”
Joseph sniffed. “None as yet.”
Both Lord Chester and Lord Stirling exchanged a look – a look that Joseph could not make out.
“I have only just arrived,” he clarified, feeling the need now to defend himself in some way. “I have yet to take stock of who is present.” He snorted, recalling the two young ladies he had come upon as he had made his way to Lord Chester. “Thereare certainly some that I would not give even a moment of consideration to, of course. There are so many who lack good manners.”
“I have not found that,” Lord Stirling remarked, before taking a sip of his brandy, as Lord Chester nodded in agreement. Joseph said nothing, thinking to himself that both Lord Stirling and Lord Chester were clearly gentlemen who did not have the same high standards as himself. If they did not wish to seek out the very best of the young ladies present, then so be it. He himself was quite determined to have the most proper, elegant, refined young lady whose beauty surpassed the others by far. Who that might be, however, he was yet to discover.
“Lord Chester, Lord Stirling, good evening!” A gentleman that Joseph did not know interrupted the conversation, coming to stand beside Joseph. “How excellent to see you again.”
“Lord Wickton, good evening! I did not expect to see you back in London so soon!” Lord Chester gestured to Joseph. “Might I present to you the Marquess of Applegate? Lord Applegate, this is the Earl of Wickton.”
“A pleasure.”
This was returned with only a nod as the gentleman turned his attention back to Lord Chester, leaving Joseph with the distinct impression that the fellow had no interest in furthering any conversation withhimdirectly. That irritated him.
“The reason I am back in London so soon, as you put it, is because my sistermustbe wed very soon.”
