Page 4 of A Marquess to Save Her
“And I expect that you do not ever treat any lady with such disrespect ever again,” the Duke said.
The man shook his head vigorously. “I would never dream of doing such again,” he said. With that, the man scampered off.
“Dear ladies, I have to apologize once again. Young men often go through a rebellious stage where they wish to flout authority, but I believe that this is not enough reason to disrespect distinguished ladies like yourselves. I believe the young man has learned a lesson or two tonight.”
“How could we possibly still be annoyed when you have swung in and taken control of the situation, Your Grace?” Aunt Theodora said, as she blushed furiously.
“It is the little I can do for a lovely lady like yourself,” the Duke said. Louise noticed the Duke’s attention purely being captured by her aunt.
Aunt Theodora smiled. “But you did not have to. A lot of people witnessed it but they did not come to our rescue. You did not turn a blind eye, though. Instead, you swung to our aid like a knight in shining armor.”
This elicited a smile from the old Duke and Louise could see that he felt flattered. “I could not possibly turn my back when I see an act of injustice,” he said, “I do not think we have been properly acquainted yet.”
Aunt Theodora curtsied. “I am Lady Theodora, Your Grace,” she said.
The Duke took a bow. “Callum Madsen, the Duke of Riverton at your service,” he said, “may I interest you in a palate of refreshments?”
Aunt Theodora nodded eagerly. “By all means, Your Grace. Though you would have to lead me to it, my eyesight is not what it was anymore…” With that, Aunt Theodora and the Duke left, chatting animatedly.
Louise turned to her mother, a smile spreading across her face. “What was that, Mama?” she asked.
Her mother smiled, “It would appear that your aunt and the Duke are smitten by each other. And I hear he has a grandson with the same name, how peculiar is that?”
“Indeed. I have never seen Aunt Theodora be so starry-eyed,” Louise said.
“Me neither. It is good to see Theodora be so happy.”
“Lady Scranton,” one of the older women that Louise recognized as her mother’s friend said as she walked toward them.
“Lady Emily,” the Dowager Countess said, “don’t you just look radiant.”
“You must be elated right now,” Lady Beaumont said, as she looked at Louise and her mother, “how did your daughter manage to land such a dashing bachelor like Lord Felington?”
Louise was still wondering how best to answer the awkward question when a distraction saved her.
Clang! Clang! The sound of a metal object being hit against a glass cup rent the air. Everyone turned their attention to the front of the ballroom where the sound was coming from. There stood Thomas Helton, the Earl of Felington, the same man who Louise would be getting betrothed to by the end of the night.
Louise could not help but smile. The Earl was a handsome man and the fact that he had never been involved in any controversy made him the ultimate groom for Louise. He was perfect in every way.
She briefly remembered how sad she had been when she entered society the previous year and had no success. While Louise would have been happier if she was engaged to someone she loved, she was also aware that the Earl possessed the necessary resources that her family needed. And that, in itself, was enough reason for her to be happy marrying him.
“Thank you all for honoring my invitation,” Lord Felington said, smiling brightly at his guests. It was obvious to Louise that he was just as happy as she was. “By now, you all already know why you have been invited here today,” he continued, “I have good news to share and who else would I rather share it with than with everyone in theton?”
Louise’s heart thudded happily in her chest. She had never felt so joyous in her life. She could feel everyone’s eyes on her but instead of basking in it, her eyes sought her mother’s out. Her mother was smiling proudly at her and Louise was filled with joy at how she had been able to transform her family’s fate.
“As you all know, a time comes in the life of a gentleman when he has to settle down, marry a lovely woman, and have a lot of children I am happy to announce that I have found that woman that I would like to spend the rest of my life with,” Lord Felington continued. “I am here to announce my engagement with the lovely lady that I have been lucky to be acquainted with over the past few months.”
Louise smiled and her eyes met with Lord Felington. Instead of smiling back, however, he glanced away.He must not have seen me.Despite her efforts to convince herself, Louise was troubled and even began to have second thoughts. Her eyes wandered to where her mother was.This was a mistake.
The Dowager Countess discreetly made a smiling motion with her hands and Louise immediately took it as her cue to smile. She did not want to look anything but excited when the Earl announced their engagement.
“He is about to announce your name,” her mother whispered to her.
“We have both decided to get engaged to be married very soon. I invite you to celebrate me and my fiancée…”
Louise glanced at her mother who gave her a sweet and encouraging smile. With this, Louise made her way toward the front of the hall, where her future husband was about to announce her name.
“…Lady”
