Page 29 of The Uncompromising Marquess
Just what am I to do?
Having been quite certain that Lord Applegate would now want nothing whatsoever to do with her, Florence had determined to stay away from all of society as best she could. Neither parent had said anything to deter her, seemingly relieved that Florence had chosen to stay back from society for a time. That, more than anything, confirmed to Florence that she had ruined her standing in society completely and utterly and that any hope of a match – even a poor one – was quite gone. She would be a spinster, then. She would look after her sister’s children, mayhap, or care for her parents as they grew older.
“Florence, there you are.” Her father came into the room but gestured for her to stay where she was. “How are you, my dear?”
It was the first time her father had ever spoken to her with such kindness, and Florence, a little astonished, looked back at him to see a smile on his face – a gentle smile at that. She suspected that his arrival was to speak with her about her feelings, but given the smile on his face, she was no longer certain. “I am all right, Father. Thank you for your concern.”
“Your mother has been deeply upset by what took place.” Lord Grangemouth sat down in a chair opposite Florence, coupling his hands and putting his elbows on his knees. “Would you like to tell me in your own words what took place?”
This surprised Florence all the more. Her father had never cared enough to know what had happened from her perspective. He had either remained silent or permitted his wife to tell him all. “I was upset,” she began haltingly. “I - I was upset with what had happened before we had even set foot in the ballroom. When Mother pressed me in the side as we stood waiting to greet Lord Applegate, it caused me to shriek aloud.”
“Your mother says she did not touch you.” Lord Grangemouth frowned. “She says the only thing she did was to whisper in your ear, and your response to her was to shriek. She said you were exasperated with her.”
Florence closed her eyes, pain biting hard. “Father, even if you do not accept my word, can you not see that I am not the sort of creature who would deliberately make such a loud noise so as to draw the attention of other guests?”
Large Grangemouth harrumphed.
“That is why I left the receiving line as quickly as I did,” Florence explained. “I was so very ashamed, and I did not want Lord Applegate to see my embarrassment. I walked with Helena for a time, and then when she stepped out to dance, I stood near the back of the room and watched the ball go on around me.”
“Which you ought not to have done, for you were not chaperoned.”
Seeing the frown pull at her father's forehead, Florence nodded. “I can accept that. In truth, I simply did not wish to be anywhere near Mother, given what had happened. I did not want to be blamed when the responsibility was not mine to own.”
Her father noted but did not say anything in agreement. Instead, he continued to watch Florence, giving her the time and the space to speak openly.
“I saw the cake.” Florence looked down at the floor. “I heard Lord Applegate announce it. At the very same time, I heard mother calling to me, and I chose to move away from her.” Wrapping her arms around herself, she closed her eyes. “I do not know exactly what happened, but something shoved into me. That in turn caused me to lose my balance and to fall into one of the servants who was carrying the cake.” Forcing her eyes open, she gave her father a quick glance but then pulled her gaze away again. She could not bear to look at his disappointed expression. “You know the rest of what took place, I am sure.”
There was silence for a long minute. Florence wanted to beg her father to say something, afraid of lingering in the quiet, waiting for his judgment to fall. She did not know what he would say, nor what he would think of her, but his lack of response was slowly becoming more than she could bear.
“You say then that it was not your own fault. You did not trip over your own feet as your mother suggested.”
A spike of anger pressed into Florence's core, but she only shook her head. There was reason enough for her mother to think that she had tripped over her own feet, for she had done such a thing in the past on more than one occasion. Was there any reason in attempting to defend herself? Given the resigned look on her father's face, Florence suspected he had already made up his own mind.
“You have not spoken to Lord Applegate since the evening, then?”
“No, I have not.”And I have no intention of doing so.There was no doubt in Florence's mind that she owed Lord Applegate a sincere apology, but she could not bring herself to even put pen to paper. Perhaps in a few more days time she would be able to do it, but for the moment even a thought of him was painful indeed.
“I had hoped that Lord Applegate might be a gentleman worth considering.” With a sigh, her father shook his head. “It seems that I was mistaken in that. Your mother has convinced me that Lord Applegate has no interest in you. Therefore, Florence, it is my duty and responsibility to find you a suitable match. Fortunately, there is a gentleman who has come forward expressing an interest in marrying you.”
Heaviness settled in Florence, his core expanding outwards. Her father was smiling, but she was filled with fear. She began to shake her head, her mouth opening and closing, but no words coming out. Her skin burned, her stomach swirling as her father continued to smile.
“You are astonished, I can see, but you need not have any concern, Florence. It is all taken care of. You will be engaged within the month and wed six weeks after that.” Putting out both hands on either side, he beamed at her. “So you see, you will not be a spinster after all - and your mother will have the accolades she deserves.”
A scream lodged itself in Florence's throat, but she could not express it. This, then, was the purpose behind her upcoming engagement. It was not aboutherfuture; it was about her mother's standing. No doubt Lady Grangemouth had worn her husband down by speaking to him about the matter over and over and over again. This, then, was the solution. Florence was to marry a stranger and hope that, somehow, she might find some sort of happiness with him. And if she did not, who would care? Her mother would not give her another thought, gloatingshe was one of the few ladies in London to secure a first Season match for all her daughters.
“You have not asked me who it is,” her father continued, rising to his feet. “He will be coming to call within the hour, Florence, so you must be prepared.”
Florence could barely speak, her voice hoarse as she forced her gaze up towards her father. “Who is it?”
He held her gaze steadily, his smile straightening. “You may think poorly of him, Florence, but he has assured us that he has every intention of changing his ways and becoming the most upstanding, excellent gentleman in all of London.”
Her eyes closed, a shudder shaking her frame violently. She did not need her father to tell her who it was; her mind already went straight to the very worst gentleman she had been introduced to thus far.
“Lord Cheswick is an Earl and will do you very well,” her father continued, as Florence covered her face with both hands, fighting against her threatening tears. “As I have said, he is coming to call this afternoon, so do go and prepare yourself for his arrival.”
Dropping her hands, Florence fled from her father. Without a word to him, without even a glance in his direction, she ran through the doorway and out into the hall. Rushing to the stairs, she paused only to whisper to a maid before hurrying to her room.
Slamming the door behind her, Florence sank to the floor, trembling violently. Lord Cheswick? How could her father and mother think him suitable for her? Yes, she understood that her mother was determined to gain this supposed honor for herself, but was it truly to be at the expense of Florence’s happiness? The tears came thick and fast, and Florence did not hold them back. This festive Season had been the most sorrowful, the mostpainful Season of her life, and now, with Lord Cheswick to wed her, Florence knew it would only get worse.
