Page 22 of The Uncompromising Marquess
Lord Cheswick only shrugged, horrifying Florence with his complete lack of decorum or propriety. She would have thought that he might have thanked her mother for her consideration, but to say nothing showed a great deal of disrespect, not only to her but to his late father.
“Permit me to introduce you to my daughter,” Lady Grangemouth said quickly. “This is she, Lady Florence.” The introduction was not done properly, and Florence wanted to curl up in shame, but she could only stand there, waiting for her mother to finish. “She has anexcellentdowry, of course. Her elder sisters are wed, and my husband intends to settle a good deal upon her, given that she is the youngest and has had to wait so long for her turn!”
Lord Cheswick’s eyes glinted. “Is that so?”
“It is.”
Florence, who had not heard of such a thing before, could only stand and look down at the floor, her head bowed. Quite why her mother was saying such things, she could not be certain, but she suspected it was in the hopes of interesting one of these gentlemen in pursuing Florence.
Lady Grangemouth beamed at Lord Cheswick. “And might you do me the honor of introducing us to your friends also?”
Within a few minutes, Florence found herself introduced to not one but five gentlemen. The first, Lord Cheswick, had been gazing at her with a near insolent stare, as if to suggest that whatever he wanted from her, he would be able to take without hesitation. The second, Lord Spenway, was already so much in his cups, he had not been able to bow for fear of falling over, and the third, Lord Knightsbridge, a large, red-faced gentleman who kept mopping his head with a brightly colored handkerchief, was more of a fop than anything else. Her mother was bright in her conversation and her laughter, suggesting to Florence that they were the sorts of gentlemen that she would be contented with should they be at all interested in Florence! She herself found the notion quite terrifying, sure that Lord Cheswick was already a terrible rogue, Lord Spenway, a drunk, and Lord Knightsbridge, a gentleman easily mocked by theton.Florence was not warming to any of them and, in truth, wanted nothing more than to step back from the entire group.
“I hear there are intentions to play Snapdragon this evening, Lady Florence.” Lord Knightsbridge beamed at her. “I do hope you will join in?”
“I think you would be better suited to playing ‘Hunt the Slipper”, ’” Lord Cheswick interrupted, before Florence could respond. “I think that game is a good deal more fun than Snapdragon. One’s hands can easily wander and find not only the slipper but a good many other things also.”
Florence looked away from Lord Cheswick at once, both horrified and embarrassed that Lord Cheswick would speak so brazenly and with such suggestion. Surely her mother, upon hearing it, would take her away from this lot?
“I must say, Lady Grangemouth, I am surprised that you have not found a match yet for this one.”
Lady Grangemouth’s smile became a little fixed, seemingly heedless to all that Lord Cheswick had said. “Surprised, Lady Abernyte? Why should you be so?”
“Because,” Lady Abernyte sniffed, “you have succeeded in finding a match for every one of your daughters in the summer Season, have you not? All save for Lady Florence. That must be a trifle disappointing to you.”
Drawing herself up, Lady Grangemouth let out a laugh which, to Florence’s mind, sounded quite strained. “Not in the least! I always wanted to have my daughters married in theirfirstSeason and, given that this Season is the same one as was in the summertime, I am quite sure I will be able to marry Florence off without difficulty.”
Lady Abernyte lifted an eyebrow. “Is that so?” she murmured, sounding not in the least bit convinced. “I have heard that Lady Florence here is something of a liability.”
Shame burst across Florence’s chest and set heat billowing up into her face. She looked down, only for her mother to laugh again.
“That is quite preposterous. Florence is an excellent young lady who will be an asset to whichever gentleman decides to choose her.”
“I see.”
The dull, disbelieving way that Lady Abernyte spoke confirmed to Florence that she was already not worthy of any sort of attention from anyone – at least, in Lady Abernyte’s perspective. Her mother said nothing, and Florence’s faceburned hot, not in the least sure as to what to say or do, if anything.
“I am sure that some of you gentlemen here will be eager to listen to the young ladies performing this evening, yes?”
Florence’s heart began to pound, and she turned, wide-eyed towards her mother, feeling sick at even the thought.
“MydarlingFlorence plays the pianoforte quite beautifully,” Lady Grangemouth continued, as Florence gripped her mother’s arm with one hand, silently begging her to stop. “I am certain that, when you hear her play, you will think all the more highly of her.”
Closing her eyes, Florence swayed lightly as Lord Cheswick chuckled, the sound an unpleasant one.
“I am already looking forward to it,” he said, one hand snaking out to touch Florence’s arm for a moment, making her eyes fly open as she jumped, visibly, at his forwardness. “Young ladies have so many ways of entertaining gentlemen, do they not?”
Fire burned in Florence’s cheeks, and she dropped her head, hearing the comment and the darkness behind it. The other gentlemen chuckled, and Florence swallowed hard, sensing the heat behind her eyes and praying desperately that she would not cry.
“Do excuse my interruption, but I could not help but come to speak with you, Lady Florence!”
A warm voice broke through Florence’s fear and dread and, as she lifted her head, saw Lady Lanark smiling at her.
“Lady Lanark,” she managed to croak, as the lady’s gaze darted around the others in the group. “Good evening.”
“Good evening.” Lady Lanark’s eyes landed on Florence’s mother. “You will permit me to steal Lady Florence away for a short while, I hope? I have already told her that we will become firm friends and, therefore, Imusthave some time inconversation with her.” She smiled and slipped her arm through Florence’s. “Come, Lady Florence. I shall return you soon enough!”
Without even giving Lady Grangemouth a chance to protest, Lady Lanark took Florence away from the group, walking with a good deal more swiftness than Florence had expected. She went willingly, her heart pounding and her shame burning so hot, she feared she would sink under it.
