Page 36 of The Earl's Demure Spinster
CHAPTER 17
As the following morning greeted Sylvia, she found herself seated in the peaceful quietude of her aunt’s drawing room. Aunt Grace was seated at a polished mahogany desk in a corner, her quill scratching across parchment with swift, purposeful movements, while Sylvia gazed out the window, trying to piece the events of the previous night in her mind.
Of course, she had found herself mentioned in the scandal sheets yet again, it seemed that the ton had not yet forgotten about her yet. No one else had drawn enough attention to themselves which was utterly disappointing.
She was never going to be accepted by the ton.
Ever.
It was in this brittle quiet that the butler’s measured steps echoed down the hallway, growing louder as he approached. Sylvia straightened in her chair, her heartbeat quickening, though she could not say why. Aunt Grace continued to write, seemingly unperturbed by the impending interruption. But then, she was unlikely to have a guest that brought out the anxiety within her, was she?
“Lord George Martin has arrived,” the butler announced, much to Sylvia’s relief. This was not someone that she needed to worry about at all.
Aunt Grace beamed happily as she placed her quill down at last. “Oh please, send him in.”
The butler left, and Lord George Martin entered with a confident stride. He smiled adoringly at Aunt Grace, and Sylvia could not help but notice that her aunt returned the look. It reminded her a little of the way that Lord Wesley stared at her when he complimented her.
What did that mean of Lord Wesley’s feelings for her?
And what did it mean for George and her aunt?
“Good morning, Lady Grace, Lady Sylvia,” Lord George greeted, his voice smooth and reassuring. He took a seat and focused on Aunt Grace, until his eyes quickly spotted something sitting on the table. “Ah, the scandal sheets,” he said with a frown. “Such silliness. I do not know anyone who pays attention to the words within them. No one with any decorum anyway.”
His smile did manage to make Sylvia feel a little better, if only for a moment.
Lord George did manage to have a way of trivializing these issues, as if they meant nothing.
“Thank you, Lord George,” Sylvia replied, attempting a smile that did not quite reach her eyes. She glanced at the offending papers, feeling the sting of their words once more. “But it seems that those without decorum are quite loud indeed. I can only hear their words over everyone else’s.”
Aunt Grace laid a comforting hand on Sylvia’s arm as her eyes watered with worry. “Society’s opinion is fickle and often unjust. I have always said that, and those who live in London can be the harshest of them all.”
Lord George leaned forward, his expression earnest. “Lady Sylvia, you must not let these baseless criticisms affect you. Your worth is not determined by the idle gossip of those who have nothing better to do. You are far above their petty judgments. Everyone that I have spoken to does not care a jot about these silly words.”
Just as Sylvia was about to leave the drawing room to let Aunt Grace and Lord George speak alone, the butler’s voice echoed down the hallway once more, announcing another visitor.
“Lord Marcus wishes to call on Lady Sylvia.”
Sylvia paused, her curiosity spiked. She did not miss the flicker of a frown that crossed Lord George’s face as Lord Marcus entered, carrying a large bouquet of vibrant flowers that seemed to fill the entire room with a floral and beautiful scent.
“Good morning, Lady Grace, Lord George,” Lord Marcus greeted with a nod before turning his full attention to Sylvia. “Lady Sylvia,” he continued, bowing slightly as he handed her the bouquet. “These are for you. I could not help but think they would suit your elegance perfectly. As soon as I spotted them, I knew that they would be right for you.”
Sylvia blushed, her fingers brushing against the delicate petals. “Thank you, Lord Marcus. They are beautiful.” She felt a warmth spread through her at his compliment. Again, she was struck by how kind he was, how sweet even if they did not connect in the way that she might like.
It would be so much easier if they did.
“I must say, Lady Sylvia, your dress is quite enchanting today,” Lord Marcus added, his eyes reflecting sincere admiration. “But then you always look ravishing. Every time I see you.”
Sylvia’s blush deepened, a mixture of shyness and pleasure. “You are too kind, Lord Marcus.”
Lord Marcus glanced around the room, before his gaze settled on Sylvia once more. “I was hoping you might accompany me on a stroll in Hyde Park. The weather is perfect for a walk, and I thought it might be a pleasant way to spend the afternoon. If you do not already have plans, that is.”
Sylvia hesitated for a brief moment, her eyes flickering to Aunt Grace and Lord George. Aunt Grace gave her an encouraging smile, while Lord George’s expression remained inscrutable, though a slight tightening of his jaw did not go unnoticed. What on earth had him so worried about? She was going to have to find out at some point.
“I would be delighted, Lord Marcus,” Sylvia replied graciously, finding it refreshing that Lord Marcus still seemed unfazed by her station and the recent scandalous gossip. Maybe Lord George was right, and those worth bothering with really did not care what some silly papers had to say.
“Excellent,” Lord Marcus said, his face lighting up with a pleased smile. “Shall we?”
Sylvia nodded, placing the bouquet on a side table and slipping her arm through his. As they exited the drawing room, she could not help but feel a sense of anticipation and relief. Lord Marcus’s cheerful demeanor was a welcome respite from the stress that had overcome her since the soirée at Lady Rebecca’s home. It was lovely that he did not seem to care about her flagging reputation in the scandal sheets. He seemed to want to spend time with her anyway.
