Page 13 of The Uncompromising Marquess
Helena frowned. “I have not. Is there some reason that you wish to speak with him?”
Florence nodded, casting a glance over her shoulder and seeing her mother standing only a few steps away, her eyebrow lifted in question as Florence caught her gaze. “I have told mother that the mark on my cheek was not my doing, and she would not believe me.”
Her cousin’s eyebrows lifted. “And you intend to have him prove to her that it was not your fault?”
“I – I do.” Faltering, Florence hesitated, seeing Helena frown. “You do not think it a wise idea.”
Perhaps realizing that her expression had given her away, Helena smiled quickly. “It is not that, truly. It is that I am surprised at you, that is all.”
“Surprised?”
Helena nodded and then pressed her hand. “I did not think that you would have such strength, but if I am to be honest, I am very glad to see it. I must only hope that Lord Applegate will do as you desire.”
That gave Florence pause. “Yes, I suppose… I suppose that I did not truly think about Lord Applegate’s character. He may not be willing to speak.”
“Then we find his sister,” Helena declared, making Florence smile at her determination. “I am with you in this, Florence. One way or another, we will have the truth told!”
An hour later,Florence was beginning to despair of the whole idea. She had not yet managed to find Lord Applegate, and her mother, who had been trailing after her and Helena for all that time, was making her exasperation known. It did not please her that Florence had not yet found herself someone to dance with, meaning that Florence had been battling not only her own concerns but her mother’s frustrations and expectations also. Helena had been the one quietly determined, murmuring small encouragements and leading Florence on, all without so much as a backward glance towards Lady Grangemouth. The trailing ribbons, the dancing candlelight, the roaring fire, and the spiced punch did nothing to lift her spirits or soothe her concerns.
“This was a foolish idea,” Florence moaned, seeing her mother’s frown as she glanced over her shoulder. “My mother will complain for many an hour that I did not stand up with anyone. I must find someone to dance with, although I fear now that my worry is so great, I will be a dreadful partner and will ridicule myself!”
“I am sure that – oh, look! Is that not he?”
Florence’s heart leaped suddenly as a gentleman turned around to speak with a lady near him. Taking in the now familiar dark brown hair, firm jaw, and flashing green eyes, she felt relief begin to pull at her worries. There was no promise that he would be willing to do as she hoped, but shehadfound him, at least.
“There is Lord Applegate, Mother.” Glancing back at her mother, Florence gestured towards the gentleman. “Should you like to be introduced?”
Lady Grangemouth sniffed. “And this is the gentleman whosupposedlyinjured you, was it?”
“Yes, it is.” Florence’s heart tore all over again at the disbelief in her mother’s voice, but she kept her gaze steady. “I am sure he will admit to it, should you ask him.”
Lady Grangemouth’s eyes flickered. “Then let us go and ask him.”
Without waiting for Florence, she made her way directly across the room towards Lord Applegate, leaving Florence and Helena to follow after her. Her heart pounding, Florence came quickly after her, her eyes affixing to Lord Applegate as he continued in conversation, not so much as glancing at her. Now that the moment was upon her, Florence was not at all certain how she was to go about having Lord Applegate speak of what had taken place. She would have to find a way to bring up the matter in some way but now, her nerves were beginning to tighten up every muscle in her body, making her heart beat a good deal more quickly.
“Lord Applegate. We have already been introduced, I think.”
Florence stopped short as her mother, who had been a few steps ahead of her, spoke directly to Lord Applegate, interrupting his conversation and speaking in such a loud voice, a few other heads turned towards them.
“Whatever is she doing?” Helena breathed, her face paling. “Lord Applegate is known for his criticism and his disagreeable nature. He will not take kindly to this!”
Florence did not know what to say. Her mother had always been determined, but this was something quite different from that. This was both brazen and discourteous, and Florence’s shame began to grow.
“I hear that some incident occurred recently where my daughter was injured,” Lady Grangemouth continued, seemingly unaware of the many other gentlemen and ladies thatwere now listening. “It was only a trifle, of course, but she states that it was entirely your doing, Lord Applegate. Is that so?”
Closing her eyes, Florence gripped Helena’s arm. She had never once imagined that her mother would do something such as this! Perhaps it came from her lack of belief in what Florence had said, her determination to prove Florence to be guilty that was pushing her into this improper questioning of Lord Applegate. Whatever the cause, Florence wanted to turn around and walk to the opposite side of the room so that she would not be a part of this conversation any longer.
Her feet would not move.
“I beg your pardon?” Lord Applegate spoke quietly, but to Florence’s ears, it sounded as if he had shouted it from across the room. His eyes flicked this way and that until, suddenly, they fell upon her. His eyebrows shot upwards, and Florence flushed hot, mortified at her mother’s actions.
“My daughter, Lady Florence?” Without hesitating, without so much as considering why Lord Applegate appeared so astonished at her abrupt questioning, Lady Grangemouth continued. “She has informed me that what took place was entirelyyourfault, Lord Applegate. Is that what took place?”
Tell her the truth, I beg you.Florence’s silent plea was sent in Lord Applegate’s direction, but as she watched, his frown began to pull his eyebrows down low. A glance around the room made his brow furrow hard, seeing the many others listening. Her heart squeezed, her chest grew tight, and she swallowed thickly, praying that, despite the awkwardness of the situation, he would still be honest.
“Lord Applegate?” Lady Grangemouth tapped her foot impatiently, and Florence’s shame grew to even greater heights than before. Did her mother realize just what she was doing? How much she was shaming both herself and Florence?
“I do not know what you are speaking of, I am afraid.”
