Page 6 of The Marquess’s Forbidden Bride

As he fell silent, she struggled to absorb the full implications of the tale. ‘You were fortunate indeed that your poor mother encountered such a compassionate couple in her time of greatest need. Still, I suppose you must…wonder. About who your real parents were. Whether there might be any way to discover the identity of your blood family.’

‘Though I try to tell myself that the only parents that matter are the kind folks who took a nameless babe and gave him a home, I admit… I do wonder. But I can’t imagine how I might uncover the truth at this great remove. Anyone who might have known her identity died that night in the accident. With the harsh weather, the Marsdens were anxious to get me back to the Glen and engage a wet nurse. I expect the posting inn that owned the chaise eventually sent someone to discover what had happened to it, and perhaps, if the Marsdens had had enough time to trace the vehicle, they could have discovered who hired it—if she gave her legal name. But they didn’t linger to make inquiries, instead leaving their direction with the vicar in case anyone ever came seeking the unknown woman. As far as I know, no one ever did.’

‘So it remains a mystery.’

He gave a harsh laugh. ‘You could say that. Or more uncharitably, given the fact that no one ever came looking, you could surmise she was unmarried and in disgrace, cast out by her family when her condition became known.’

‘Perhaps. But perhaps the father didn’t know. Perhaps he was an army officer who’d gone abroad on duty before she knew she was enceinte. Perhaps you are the son of a general! Even if they hadn’t married, if her lover were a man of high rank, he could have been willing to acknowledge her child. You could be the offspring of a duke!’

Marsden shook his head, laughing. ‘Why not the son of a king? Now who’s creating artificial castles in the sky?’

‘I’m just saying it’s possible. While the mystery remains unsolved, anything is possible.’

‘For the most part, I try to concentrate on being the son of John and Amy Marsden. Whatever I have or become, I owe to them, not to the blood that bred me. Now we’ve reached the park gates again. Ah, there’s an urchin selling posies! I must purchase one to thank you for the ride—and enable the child to buy one of the pies she’s eyeing from that street vendor.’

The pleasant smile was back on his face, though she thought it looked a bit strained. Relating the story had disturbed him, she realised, and he didn’t wish to discuss it any further. ‘Yes, that would be kind.’

She watched as he strode over to purchase the flowers, chuckling at the smile he coaxed from the thin girl and the brightness in her eyes as he handed her a coin—evidently far more than she’d asked for. As he’d predicted, she set off at once to catch up to the pie vendor.

If he been badly treated by his schoolmates, it had certainly not hardened him to the plight of those less fortunate. Even if it made him wary of becoming close to anyone.

Was that why he preferred to deal in compliments and flirtation? Emphasising the positive, perhaps, but also creating a buffer of teasing charm that kept others at a distance. Preventing them from sensing, as she had so keenly during his revelations, a certain…bleakness within.

What would it be like to truly not know who you were or where you came from? Much as her siblings sometimes drove her to distraction, she loved them dearly. She knew they, her parents, the place she’d grown up and the blood heritage of those who’d come before her had formed her into who she was.

To be missing a part of heritage must create a bleakness within, indeed. And likely a poignant inner drive to know the unknowable that he was never quite able to banish.

She felt privileged that he had shared the story with her—even though, as he had said, it was likely that the tale of his unusual background would emerge once he mingled in Society. Such a juicy mystery was certain to cause speculation among the gossips.

She found, having sensed that…vulnerability, that she liked him the better for it, despite his handsome face.

He was smiling that charming—distancing?—smile as he returned, offering her the bunch of violets. ‘I hope you’ll enjoy these as much as I have the ride.’

‘I’m sure I shall,’ she said, smiling back.

As she accepted the bouquet, bending to sniff its sweet scent, Marsden said, ‘I have a favour to ask, if I may.’

‘Having indulged me in a splendid gallop and treated me to these lovely flowers, ask away.’

‘I have few acquaintances in Society, none of them ladies, whereas I imagine you are connected to or acquainted with everyone of note. Lord Englemere and the colonel will introduce me to gentlemen they feel I should know, and Lady Englemere will bring me to the notice of the Society doyennes, but I wondered if I might prevail upon you to advise me about meeting the younger ladies.’

Recalling his admitted enjoyment of flirtation, she said, ‘I suspect you’d prefer to meet ladies more interested in light-hearted dalliance than wedlock?’

He grinned. ‘True enough. As you know, I’ve never mixed with English Society so am not fully conversant with its rules, many of which, I expect, are unwritten. Though with only a modest estate and no title to inherit, I doubt any matchmaking mamas will consider me a target, I expect I shall still be introduced to some unmarried ladies. I want to behave as a gentleman, being courteous to all, but don’t wish to inadvertently arouse any marital expectations.’

Laughing, she was about to grant him his request when a brilliant possibility occurred. ‘Why not become partners?’ she proposed. ‘As I’ve mentioned, I’m not interested in wedding any of the gentlemen I’ve met thus far, either. If you would dance attendance on me, you could discourage any potential suitors who become annoyingly persistent. I do hate being rude, but some are nearly impossible to discourage. In turn, I promise to help you meet ladies who also enjoy flirtation and will not take your attentions too seriously. And advise you on how to behave toward any marriage-minded ones. What do you think?’

She watched his face as he considered the bargain. It was outrageous on the face of it, but having his ‘protection’ would certainly make navigating the shoals of the Marriage Mart easier.

To her delight, he looked back and nodded. ‘How could I fail to offer protection to so charming a lady? Especially one who will team with me to ensure we both remain unentangled.’

‘Exactly!’ she replied, well pleased by her plan. Not only would the lieutenant serve to fend off annoyingly persistent suitors—a task at which she suspected this former dragoon would excel—their bargain would guarantee her a good deal more of his company. Best of all, instead of half dreading social outings, she could relax and look forward to having his engaging escort and the diversion of guiding him to charm ladies who could be depended upon to enjoy his compliments without looking for more.

‘Shall we begin at once?’

‘The sooner the better,’ he agreed, a merry twinkle in his eye.

‘Two nights from now, we are to attend Lady Huntersby’s ball. She’s one of Sarah’s good friends, so she’ll see that you get an invitation. We can begin there.’