Page 36 of Falling for a Forsaken Marquess
The two sisters ran and embraced each other tightly, not wanting to let go.
“Oh, how I have missed you, Aggie,” Lavinia blubbered. “The house is simply not the same without you.”
“And I have missed you terribly,” said Agnes. “I prayed to see you, and now you are here! When did you come? How did you come?”
Agnes’ family did not have the money to spend on unnecessary travels, which was why they could not accompany her to Cheltenham. While she understood that better than anyone else, it didn’t stop her from hoping that Providence would be merciful and send her family to see her.
The two sisters eventually broke apart, but they kept an arm around each other’s waist as they turned to face their parents.
“You look lovely, Agnes,” her mother said, kissing her cheek. “Somewhat pale, but well. How have you been?”
“I have been well, Mama,” Agnes lied. “Mrs Mellors takes great care of me, just as if I were her own daughter.”
“We’re happy to hear that, dear,” her father said, coming forward to kiss her brow. “We have all missed you at home. Everything seems so much quieter without your voice to pierce the air and keep us on our toes.”
Agnes laughed. “Are you saying that I am too loud, Papa? That is not something a lady wishes to hear.”
“Young ladies would do well not to be too serious all the time,” he insisted. “Shall we move from the foyer? Mrs Mellors will wonder what on earth we’re doing.”
“She is the one who sent us the letter saying you would do better for seeing us,” Lavinia informed her. “We surmised that you were homesick, so Papa did a little magic and brought us here.”
Agnes smiled at her father, her eyes watery with unshed tears. “Thank you, Papa. I cannot tell you how much this means to me. I shall thank Mrs Mellors right away. Shall we join her in the parlour?”
Agnes’ family were soon settled in, and everyone had a cup of hot chocolate to warm them up. Questions about Lord Hampton began to flow, and Agnes was left scrambling to find the right words to say. She did not want them to know that all was not well between her and the marquess, so she only spoke about the good things.
“Lord Hampton is a terribly kind man,” she began. “Why, the other day, he helped me to assist a young boy who had hurt his head after a phaeton nearly ran him over.”
Her mother gasped. “Oh, dear! Are the roads of Cheltenham so dangerous?”
“’Tis not the roads, Mama, but the people,” Agnes explained. “Lord Hampton was kind enough to lift the child from my lap and take us to a physician.”
“That makes you a heroine and the marquess a hero,” Lavinia remarked. “Perhaps you are made for each other.”
Agnes coloured, playfully swatting at her sister. “Do not jest at my expense, you silly girl. I am no heroine as I could do nothing for the child. Lord Hampton was the one who had the carriage that took us to the physician.”
“Lord Hampton seems to be a remarkable man,” Agnes’ father said. “I look forward to meeting him.”
“Oh!” Mrs Mellors exclaimed. “I cannot believe that I forgot about the note!”
Everyone turned to her, confused about her outburst. “What letter, Martha?” Agnes’ mother asked.
“The duchess sent an invitation the other day for Agnes to join her for tea, but I completely forgot to mention it,” the matchmaker explained. “The tea is tomorrow.”
“But I cannot go now that my parents and sister are with me,” Agnes protested.
She also didn’t want to see Lord Hampton just yet, not after hearing about his tea with Phoebe. It seemed a betrayal of sorts, although a commitment had not been formally made.
“You must certainly go, dear,” her mother urged. “Your future mother-in-law wishes to see you, and this is probably a sign that the marquess is interested in you. Why waste this opportunity?”
“Your mother is right, dear,” Mrs Mellors added. “I believe the duchess is taken with you, and it is only a matter of time before the marquess asks to court you. I know that I was right to match you together.”
Agnes could have told her that she was wrong, but there was no use in that. They would eventually see the truth and perhaps think her a failure for not being able to interest the marquess. At the end of the day, everything rested on her shoulders.
***
Mrs Mellors accompanied Agnes to the duchess’ home and seemed excited about the second meeting. According to her, this meant substantial interest in the match, and now it was a matter of getting to know her more.
Agnes wondered if the duchess knew her son was interested in another woman and what she thought about Phoebe. She had invited the young woman and Lady Frampton to her home, thus giving Phoebe the perfect opportunity to draw the marquess’ attention.
