Page 4 of The Truth about the Marquess
“Tell me, do you enjoy the balls or the soirees better?” Oliver asked, only for there to come a knock at the door.
“Oh, do excuse me,” Lady Kirkton said, before calling to the butler to come in.
Oliver kept his smile fixed, looking across at Lady Janice and considering just how pretty she was. There was a lightness in her eyes, the gentlest of smiles on her face, and a hint of color in her cheeks. Surely this was someone that he might consider! And who, he hoped, might consider him!
“Lord Brackston!”
Oliver frowned as he watched another gentleman walk into the room. Lady Janice’s eyes lit up in a way that they had not done when he had come into the room and, instantly, Oliver felt all of his hopes begin to fade. Closing his eyes, Oliver let out a long, slow breath and then shook his head to himself.
“Lord Brackston, you are acquainted with Lord Edenbridge, I hope?”
Oliver rose to his feet quickly, smiling, though he felt like doing the opposite.
“Yes, we are. How do you do?”
He shook the gentleman’s hand and then sat down again, silently berating himself for his lack of belief. Yes, Lady Janice seemed to be pleased with the arrival of Lord Brackston, but that did not mean thathedid not have a chance with her, did it? After all, they were not all that well acquainted and there was no reason why he could not pursue her! Clearly, Lord Brackston had not done so as yet, otherwise he would have heard of their courtship! Feeling a little more encouraged, Oliver settled back in his seat, smiling with ease now.
“Might I pour you some tea, Lord Brackston?” Lady Janice asked, as the gentleman she spoke to also sank into his seat. “Ihave only just now poured a cup for Lord Edenbridge, and it will be hot enough still, I am sure.”
“Though we can send for a fresh pot if you so require it,” her mother added quickly, sounding a little flustered. “Whatever you require, Lord Brackston.”
The gentleman waved one hand.
“Tea, as it is, will be more than acceptable, I assure you. Though,” he continued, as Oliver reached for his own cup, “I must say that I had come to speak with you, Lady Janice, in the hope of more than a simple cup of tea.”
Silence fell for a few moments, though Oliver’s stomach then began to tighten, a warning beginning to ring through his mind. Somehow, he knew what was coming.
“Might I beg of you to consider accepting an offer of my courtship?” Lord Brackston sounded a little breathless as Lady Janice froze in place, the teapot in her hand wobbling just a little. “You know that I think you quite wonderful and that I should very much like to court you, my dear.”
Oliver closed his eyes, hearing the way Lady Janice’s teapot now clattered onto the table. There was a sudden exclamation from her mother and Oliver, opening his eyes, rose to his feet, bowed, and left the room.
No one seemed to notice, for not a word was spoken to him. Instead, all he heard was Lady Janice’s excited voice accepting Lord Brackston’s request and the expression of delight that soon followed from Brackston. Wincing, he stepped out into the hallway and then after collecting his hat and cane from the butler, he hurried out of the front door and back towards his carriage, feeling a flush of embarrassment fill him.
He had not known that there had been any real interest between Lady Janice and Lord Brackston. Instead, all he had seen was a young lady who pleased him and, thereafter, had considered pursuing her instead of Lady Anna! If he had been alittle more considered, a little more careful, then he might never have made such a mistake, nor felt such disappointment.
Sighing, he climbed into the carriage and, closing his eyes, sank back against the squabs.
It feels as though I am to have no success! That I shall fail in everything I try.
The carriage began to move, and Oliver tried to push away his embarrassment, though it still clung to him. He had to pray that neither Lady Janice nor Lord Brackston would tell anyone else in thetonthat he had been present during their conversation, for no doubt someone would ask why he had been there – and he would have no choice but to tell them!
For the first time, the notion of an arranged marriage seemed a little pleasant to his mind, though he tried to steady himself and reconsider. He had always wanted affection and care in whatever future he had with a lady of thetonand he could not,wouldnot give up now.
No matter how difficult it seemed.
Chapter Two
“Jane?”
“Yes?” Smiling, Jane set her basket full of flowers on her arm and came towards her sister. “My goodness, you look quite wonderful, Emma!”
Her sister blushed and looked down at her new gown.
“I thank you. I do not often purchase new gowns when we are not going to London, but I thought that I would like to now. Do you think that he will like it?”
Jane smiled softly.
“I think that your husband will think you look quite beautiful,” she said, seeing how her sister’s blush grew. “I have seen how much he cares for you, my dear. I think that you will delight him all the more in this gown!”
