Page 28 of The Uncompromising Marquess
“I will announce the start of the dancing.” He looked long at her sister, hoping that she would understand and that he would not have to speak the truth in front of not only her, but Lord Lanark. “Then I must go and find Lady Florence. I must make certain that she is well.”
Emily searched his face, and then a small smile touched the corners of her mouth. With a nod, she took her husband's arm and stepped back. “I am certain you will be able to reassure her. The rest of the evening will go wonderfully I am sure, and no doubt everyone will have forgotten about this in the morning.”
This was not something that Joseph could hope for, but all the same, he appreciated the remark. Quickly catching the attention of the guests, he announced the start of the dancing and then stepped away. He could not remember whether or not he was due to dance the cotillion with any particular young lady, but nor did he care. The only young lady he wanted in his company was Lady Florence.
By the endof the evening, Joseph was nothing if not frustrated. He had not been able to find Lady Florence, nor had he caught sight of Lord and Lady Grangemouth. They had certainly arrived, for he had greeted them all. He was a little surprised that Lady Florence had rushed away from him as she did, but recalling her anxiety about social gatherings, he had set thataside. Now, however, he felt a deep regret that he had not found her sooner.
“Good evening, Lord Applegate.”
Glancing to his left, Joseph nodded. “Lord Stirling, Lord Chester, good evening.”
“A magnificent ball.” Lord Sterling shifted from left to right, swaying slightly. “Apart from that mishap with the cake, it has been an exceptional evening.”
Joseph grimaced. Lord Stirling was clearly in his cups already, which meant that he would not be careful about what he said. “Indeed.”
“It is just as well you have set aside Lady Florence.” Lord Chester put a hand on Joseph's shoulder. “Had you done so, you would now be facing as much ridicule as she, I am sure.”
This only made Joseph's grimace deepen into a scowl.
“That young lady is someone to be avoided.” Lord Stirling rolled his eyes. “There is always some trouble wherever she is, for she lacks elegance. I do sometimes wonder if she can put one foot in front of the other!”
A swell of anger bit down hard on Joseph's heart. “Are you quite certain that she was responsible for the cake?”
“Well, I did not see it myself, but that is what is said,” Lord Stirling replied, blinking heavily now.
“And who told you?”
Lord Stirling shrugged and looked away.
“Why are you so concerned, my friend?” Lord Chester eyed him, but Joseph was in no mood to explain.
“I think it is only fair that the blame is set upon the right person’s shoulders.”
“I see.” Lord Chester nodded and then looked away. “You will be quite furious, I am sure, given that you had done everything so well, and I am sure you will not much like it!”
Joseph frowned. “I will not much like what?”
Lord Chester’s eyebrow lifted. “Why, being criticized and whispered about in a disparaging manner,” he said, frankly. “You have always done that, have you not? I have certainly heard you speak in such a way before about this person or that, about some soiree or ball or occasion. This time, it shall beyouwho will have to endure the censure, Lord Applegate.” A quirk of his lips suggested to Joseph that he was almost delighted at this notion. “I wonder how you shall manage that.”
A knot began to form in Joseph’s throat, forcing him to swallow again and again. Was there truly a sense of gladness in Lord Chester’s voice? Was he relieved that Joseph would have to accept what he had so often given to others? Lowering his head, Joseph could only nod, his shoulders rounding as a deep sense of shame began to cling to him. It covered him entirely and, as Lord Chester and Lord Stirling moved away, he himself felt stuck to the floor. There was a weight in him that had not been there before, a heaviness that he did not know what to do with. Whilst he had recognized his critical spirit, he had not realized just how much upset and displeasure it had caused others. If Lord Chester was pleased that Joseph would have to face such a thing, then no doubt there would be many others feeling that way also. Perhaps there would be some almost gleeful at his failure, near rejoicing over what he would now have to face!
Joseph closed his eyes and then pinched the bridge of his nose. It was as if someone had cleaned a grubby mirror and now the true reflection of himself was in front of his eyes – and it was not a reflection he delighted in. For many years, he had thought himself the epitome of what a gentleman ought to be. Now, however, he saw just how much he had failed.
“Lady Florence, yes!”
Hearing her name, Joseph’s head shot up as he dropped his hand to his side, looking all around to hear who it was that hadsaid it. Catching sight of three gentlemen laughing uproariously, he began to draw near, only for a young lady to step beside him.
“We are to dance, Lord Applegate?”
Joseph blinked, looking down at her dance card, which she held out to him, reminding him of his requirements. “I was not dancing the cotillion.”
She smiled brightly at him. “It is now the polka, Lord Applegate.”
Letting his gaze return to the three gentlemen, Joseph took them in for a long moment, telling himself that he would return to them and demand to know what they had said of Lady Florence. With a nod to the young lady, he offered his arm and led her out to the floor, wishing desperately that he could be anywhere other than dancing the polka at his own Christmas ball.
14
Florence wiped at her eyes, but the tears would not stop flowing. It had been three days since Lord Applegate’s ball, and still, she could not get the image of the ruined cake out of her mind. Her mother had said nothing to her for the last few days either, maintaining a silence which Florence had found both a relief and a strain.
