Page 23 of The Marquess’s Forbidden Bride

‘Another statement both intriguing and alarming,’ Marsden said. ‘Now I insist you explain.’

So she did, relating the unpleasant history linking Marsden’s father’s second wife, Lady Richland, to her own father and aunt. Though his brows drew together in disapproval when she related how Roger Beallaugh had left her aunt abandoned and with child, he made no comment, letting her complete the tale without interruption.

Finished at last, she said, ‘Now you know the whole.’

He shook his head. ‘It does make a complicated situation even more entangled!’

‘You understand now why Englemere has…drawn back from a closer association with you? One would hope that over the years, Lady Richland has matured into a more…dispassionate view and no longer blames my father for her brother’s disgrace, but we don’t know that.’

‘One would hope she has seen reason! Certainly, viewing Beallaugh’s actions with an objective viewpoint, one can only think him a cowardly blackguard! Bad enough to jilt an innocent lady, but to leave her with child and defenceless! It’s unconscionable!’

Emma said, ‘Perhaps part of his eventual decline resulted from guilt at having treated my aunt so badly. It was, of course, an impossible situation—she was ruined no matter what he did, for even if they wed, as the wife of a cheat, she would have been as much an outcast as he was. He might have thought she would do better to remain in England under her family’s protection.’

‘A charitable view,’ Marsden said drily. ‘He couldn’t have been sure her family would support her instead of casting her out. And he was counting on someone else’s charity to take in the child he was abandoning. Given my history, I’m less forgiving of a man who would turn his back on his own blood.’

‘I don’t doubt it, after having spent most of your life wondering who your blood family was,’ Emma agreed. ‘Fortunately, my grandparents never for a moment considered rejecting their daughter, despite what Society might view as her “transgressions”! Fortunate, too, that my grandmother brought as part of her dowry some land that marched with Wellingford, land not part of the estate’s entail, so she could dispose of it as she wished. Though Aunt Felicia would never have lacked for a home, without a place of her own, her life would have been bleaker.’

Emma shook her head. ‘Though she possessed a remarkable serenity, there was always a vague air of…melancholy about Aunt Felicia. I always suspected a failed love affair but never dreamed it would be something like this! Now that you do know the story, you must decide how you would like to proceed.’

‘I hope you realise I have no intention of turning my back upon a family that has done so much to welcome and assist me!’

‘I’m pleased to hear that,’ she said with a rush of relief. ‘But it might be best to be somewhat…circumspect in our association. Until we know how the Stratton family will react to our friendship. I don’t want to make your assimilation into your newfound family any more difficult than it must be.’

‘I shall try to be sensitive to their feelings, but I don’t intend to let a scandal nearly a quarter of century old dictate my behaviour. I, too, hope that by now Lady Richland realises her brother wronged your aunt much more grievously than your father did her brother.’

After a moment’s silence, he blew out a breath. ‘But with reluctance, I agree it’s prudent to be “circumspect”, for a short time, at least. I’ll follow Lord Englemere’s lead in how much we associate when we meet at White’s or some Society dinner. But you must not think I will let you wriggle out of the protection or advice you’ve promised to offer at entertainments where ladies are present.’

The intensity of delight she felt at his affirmation that he’d continue to count on her shocked her into realising how truly bereft she would be, if he decided to cut all ties between them. After an instant spent damping down that excessive emotion—and the alarm she felt over the intensity of it—she said, ‘I do intend to let you “wriggle out” of attending me closely, unless I’m in truly dire need of rescue. Other than that, being discreet shouldn’t change our behaviour too much. We’re only allowed two dances, after all. We can look for less crowded anterooms in which to converse, rather than standing together in full view of everyone in the ballroom or refreshment room.’

He tilted his head consideringly before nodding. ‘I suppose I can agree to that. If Lady Richland still harbours some enmity, I don’t want to call down her wrath upon you. Though, as I said, I don’t intend to let her prejudice dictate my behaviour.’

Allowing herself to feel pleased that she would continue to enjoy his escort—at least for now, Emma felt herself smiling. ‘Shall we finish tea?’

‘Yes. Then I must take my leave so I may escort my aunt to another round with the solicitors.’ He grimaced. ‘I do hope Hart arrives in London soon! I must make my bow in Parliament without too much delay and was going to ask Englemere to advise me, but in view of the circumstances, it would be better to consult someone equally qualified but less involved. In the interim—I can still count on my two dances?’

She laughed, still warmed by relief. ‘Of course. We’re to attend the Merriweathers’ ball three nights from now. Will you be present?’

‘Aunt is still wading through invitation cards. But if you will be at the Merriweathers’, I shall be there, too. Though I’m not yet officially “recognised”, I don’t want to attend any entertainment without a skirmisher to protect my flank.’

‘You shall have one. Now you must go, so you don’t keep your aunt waiting.’ Emma rose to walk him out, able to relax now that she’d gotten through the uncomfortable business of explanation—and learned, to her gratification, that he intended to continue their friendship.

How singular that in a very short space of time she had come to so enjoy his company! To look forward with so much more anticipation to dancing and chatting with him than she felt at being partnered with any of the other gentlemen she’d met.

Dancing, chatting and…more? Memories of their kiss in the rose garden sent a flood of warmth through her. Though she’d have to be very circumspect—she pushed away the image of her solitary aunt—she had to admit, she craved more of that, too.

Four nights later, Charles entered the Merrifield ballroom, impatient for the Englemere party to arrive. Edgy and restless after all the changes imposed on him, for whatever reason, in Miss Wellingford’s presence, he was able to escape for a time from those cares and worries. Able to abandon the wall behind which he’d hidden his reactions and emotions since his schoolboy years, he felt…easy around this lady who knew and accepted him for the man he was. A comfort he’d experienced heretofore only with Hart and Rafe. He was also eager to relate to one of the few people with insight and understanding of his situation, though he still marvelled at the impulse that had led him, who normally kept his feelings close, to reveal so much of himself.

He greeted his hostess—still as Lieutenant Marsden, friend of the Englemere family—and slipped into the ballroom. To his relief, few in that expansive room gave him more than a cursory look; news of his elevation in rank had obviously not penetrated here. He already knew that, true to his promise, Englemere had said nothing, except privately to the gentlemen he’d originally recruited to help Charles find a position, and those men he had also sworn to silence. As the meetings with the solicitors would soon be concluded, the revelation couldn’t be much longer delayed, but he intended to enjoy every second before the inevitable furore began.

Comfortably cloaked in anonymity, he stationed himself in an alcove, awaiting the arrival of the Englemere party.

He had only to avoid the first two dances before, with his heart quickening, he saw Miss Wellingford enter in her sister’s wake. A swell of relief and gladness lifting his spirits, he hastened over to them.

After exchanging greetings, he said, ‘Lady Englemere, will you allow me to escort Miss Wellingford for some refreshments before she devotes herself to dancing?’

‘Please, do bear her away—thereby providing her with an escort she’s been impatiently awaiting for several days,’ Lady Englemere added with a twinkle.

Miss Wellingford blushed. ‘Please, sister! You’ll have the lieutenant believe me one of those grasping, clinging females I despise.’