Page 32 of The Uncompromising Marquess
“Indeed, we are not.” Lord Chester waved one hand vaguely in Lord Stirling’s direction. “If you might, Lord Stirling?”
Lord Stirling ran one hand over his hair. “I am afraid I do not understand, but I shall make the introductions regardless.”
Catching the slow-growing flush creeping up Lord Cheswick’s neck and into his face, Joseph’s frown deepened. There was something amiss here. “Might I ask what you mean, Lord Stirling? Why the confusion?”
Lord Stirling dropped his hand back to his side. “I thought that you were already introduced, given that Lord Cheswick was at your Christmas ball,” he said, as the color in Lord Cheswick’s face suddenly drained away. “I must apologize for the misunderstanding, however. Mayhap your sister or brother-in-law invited Lord Cheswick?”
Joseph tilted his head just a little and turned a sharp eye upon Lord Cheswick. “You came to my ball without an invitation?”
A snatch of breath from Lord Stirling spoke of his surprise at hearing this, but Joseph did not lift his gaze from Lord Cheswick.
“You attended without being invited?” he asked again, as Lord Cheswick’s throat bobbled. “Why would you do such a thing?”
“I – I wanted to attend, that is all,” Lord Cheswick answered, his voice catching. “I apologize, Lord Applegate. It was more than impertinent of me, and I should not have done such a thing. I confess, it was only because I heard everyone in thetonspeaking of it and how marvelous it would be that I chose to sneak inside. It was quite wrong of me, I know, but I hope you will forgive me.”
This was a very pretty speech, Joseph considered, but not something that he believed. Lord Cheswick’s eyes had not settled upon his once, continually darting towards him and then away again. Was that the truth? He doubted it, his mind whispering to him that all was not well.
A sudden memory came back to him, and his eyebrows lifted. Was this not the very same gentleman that his sister had spoken to him about? A gentleman who had spoken very improperly to Lady Florence before Emily had been able to steal her away?
“Your news, Lord Cheswick.” Lord Stirling broke the silence, his smile faltering. “I am sure Lord Applegate understands your desire to attend his ball and will easily forgive you for slipping inside without being noticed.”
“Ah yes, of course.” Lord Cheswick cleared his throat and put his hands behind his back, clasping them. “I am now courting Lady Florence. You know of her, Lord Applegate, I know, so I am sure you will wish me happy.”
All of the air in Joseph’s lungs was pulled from them in an instant. His chest began to burn, his hands curled into tight fists as he fought to keep himself composed in the midst of a great shock. How could it be that Lady Florence was being courted bythisgentleman – if he could even call him that? She had been greatly upset by him, had she not? He recalled how Emilyhad been doing her best to reassure Lady Florence, how Lady Florence herself had been distraught, and Lord Cheswick had been a part of that.
Why would she now be courting him?
“I have every intention to marry her, of course.” Lord Cheswick chuckled, elbowing Lord Stirling. “She is the last of her sisters to wed, and her mother informs me that a great deal of coin will come with her!”
Cold fury settled into Joseph’s frame. Lord Cheswick was not a gentleman with any honor, he decided. To speak so of his courted lady was despicable indeed, making it quite clear to them all that the only reason for their connection was to be the dowry or the fortune that would come with her.
“You are well acquainted with Lady Florence, are you not?” Lord Cheswick turned a sharp eye upon Joseph, who instantly flinched. “I have seen you speaking with her on a few occasions, and then there was that night when you sang a carol as she played.”
The ire which now clung to Joseph demanded to be let loose, but he contained it with an effort. There would be no good reason for him to demand anything from Lord Cheswick, and certainly, he did not want to reveal the extent of his upset. There had to be a way for him to prevent this… if it was not what Lady Florence wanted.
“Thankfully, I was able to reassure Lord Cheswick that you were not in the least bit interested in pursuing Lady Florence,” Lord Stirling told Joseph, a flicker of pride in his gaze. “Lord Chester, who is known to us both, asked you about it. You were quite clear on the matter, if you recall.”
Josephdidrecall, and he regretted it utterly. He had not spoken the truth in that moment, determined that no one should know of his feelings at that juncture. Never had he thought thatwhat he had said would be used to push Lady Florence towards Lord Cheswick!
“You will not wish me well?” Lord Cheswick grinned, a look in his eyes that said he knew just how Joseph was feeling and was delighting in it. “I suppose that I am not the very best sort of gentleman for the young lady, and you will be well aware of that, but the decision has been made. I will marry her very soon and shall be delighted to take her as my wife.”
Joseph held Lord Cheswick’s gaze without flinching. “I shall not wish you well, no,” he said, clearly as Lord Stirling’s eyes widened. “You say that you are not the very best sort of gentleman, and I can certainly agree with that.” You are a rogue, are you not? A gentleman without honor, and I am astonished that Lord and Lady Grangemouth think you suitable for their daughter.”
Lord Cheswick chuckled. “Come now, Lord Applegate,” he said, not taking the least bit offense at what Joseph had said, “you know as well as I that no other gentleman in all of London would go near to that creature! There has been one mishap after another, one clumsiness to the next. Think about what happened with your cake?” The gleam in his eye intensified as he grinned, making Joseph’s heart burn with fury. “I am sure that you, with so critical a spirit, would have thought very poorly of her indeed for causing such an accident. The other gentlemen in thetonthink the very same, I can assure you, so what other course could there be than this?”
Wanting to grasp the gentleman’s lapels and shake him hard until stopped speaking with such dark delight, Joseph took a step back. There was more than one way to resolve this, he concluded, and it could not be found here. Without a word, he spun on his heel and walked away, marching to the door of the drawing room and stepping out into the hallway.
Once there, his anger began to fade just a little although his hurried breathing remained. He wanted to leave at once, wanted to go in search of Lady Florence and to demand to know why she had accepted Lord Cheswick but sense prevented him from doing so. To drive to Lord Grangemouth’s house at this hour and to pound upon the door so he might speak to the lady was not something he could do. He had to go about this very carefully indeed.
“Oh, Lord Applegate! I have been hoping to speak with you.”
Joseph blinked, pulled out of his thoughts as Lady Wickham grasped his arm. “Lady Wickham, good evening. I am afraid I – ”
“It is about Florence.” Taking hold of him, she led him to the library and to a quiet corner of the room. Lord Wickham, Joseph noted, was also present, along with his sister and Lord Chester. Clearing his throat, he looked at Lady Wickham and saw a gleam of tears in her eyes.
“You say it is about Lady Florence?” he asked, as she nodded. “I have only just heard the news. Lord Cheswick is present this evening and took great delight in telling me of his engagement.”
“She does not want it,” Lady Wickham exclaimed, only to cover her mouth and drop her head, aware she had spoken much too loudly indeed. “Oh, Lord Applegate, you must understand that this isnotwhat Florence herself wants. She is distraught, utterly distraught, and there is nothing I can do.”
