“Do you always do only what is polite?” he shot back, teasing her.
“I do not have private conversations with people I do not know, that is for certain,” Marjorie answered without a trace of a smile. “I do know that it isn’t respectable for you to throw yourself in someone’s chair, ridicule the guests, and then pretend to know me.”
“But that does not tell me why you cannot acknowledge that we’ve met,” he said, a teasing note in his words. “It’s not as though I might stand up on the table and announce that I’d caught you in the vile act of riding your own horse.”
Marjorie shook her head earnestly this time. “You must stop it. I beg of you.”
“Oh, you beg of me now,” he said, smiling even more broadly. “So one might say that I have you at quite the disadvantage. I know your secret, and you’re fairly trembling at the thought that I might give you away!”
Marjorie seethed, her fear only eclipsed by her anger that this man would tease her so brutally. She thought to ignore him, but that might only make him do something rash.
“Forgive me,” the man finally said in exasperation, his voice somewhat softer as he begrudgingly tried to make amends. “But I’ve had a very trying day and this was literally the last place on earth I’d like to be.”
“I see. Well then, I shall not trouble you to make conversation or exchange pleasantries. I, however, only have the very shortest of lists of places I’d rather be, considering the graciousness of our hostess and the absent earl.”
The man scoffed and took another long drink, then set his crystal goblet down a little too forcefully. “It must be very pleasant indeed to have no other responsibilities in the world than to make appropriate conversation at a dinner party.”
“Begging your pardon,” she answered, gritting her teeth in anger, “but you neither know me nor my responsibilities. I happen to have quite a weight hanging on my shoulders, not that you would care anything about it.”
He grows less and less handsome with every utterance from his mouth!she thought angrily. Marjorie was about to rebuke the stranger somewhat further but was interrupted by a servant who appeared at the man’s other side.
“Pardon me, My Lord, but what course shall I bring you?” the servant asked quietly. The man looked around absently then pointed to Marjorie’s plate.
“Just catch me up with whatever they’re having now,” he replied.
“Very good, My Lord. Right away.” The servant left to bring something to eat.
Marjorie went pale. Of course. He was seated in the chair opposite the countess down the length of the very long table. The seat reserved for… the other host. She swallowed back a lump that had formed in her throat and leaned closer.
“Pray tell me you are not the Earl of Lanercost,” she said quietly, remorse coloring her tone.
“Would it matter if I was?” Evan asked darkly, already at odds with her and their conversation.
“Of course it would. First, because I would have to apologize to you for assuming you were someone else,” she began, but a look from the Earl silenced her.
“Think nothing of it. I attempted to bait you, and I’m the one who should apologize. Besides, you’ve already assured me that you’re far tooburdenedat the moment, so I won’t keep you from this lovely diversion,” he replied, waving his hand openly towards those seated at the table. He waved two fingers to summon a servant. “I’ve decided I cannot stay after all. Please have my meal prepared on something a little less fine than my mother’s plates, and also put in a box a fair amount of anything that is left. Have all of it sent to the stables immediately.”
“Yes, My Lord,” the somewhat confused servant said.
“I would bid you adieu, but only if it was theproperthing to do,” he said to Marjorie before waving slightly to the countess and getting up out of his chair.
“Surely you’re not leaving now,” his mother called as her guests turned to stare at him. “You’ve only just arrived… and rather tardy, at that.”
The Earl smiled weakly at the guests and bowed his head towards her. “Forgive me, My Lady Mother. There has been an urgent matter in the stables, and we’re already understaffed. I would be remiss if I did not step in and lend a hand when those in our employment have worked themselves to the bone without a chance for a meal. I’m actually on my way to bring them some food and relieve some of them for the night.”
Marjorie couldn’t help but notice the wrinkle of disgust on Lady Catherine’s nose, along with the whiff of disdain for an earl providing assistance to his own servants. His mother, on the other hand, beamed proudly.
At that, he turned and strode out of the room, casting one more glower in Marjorie’s direction and leaving her to simmer in embarrassment at the rude exchange. She glanced up to see if anyone had noticed their brief but difficult conversation, and saw her father glaring at her from where he sat.
Somehow, she made it through the rest of the courses without dissolving into a pool of repentant yet angry tears. Marjorie managed to keep up with the conversation around her, and when the men retired to the smoking room after dinner, she sought out Harriet and found two seats off to the side of the room.
“Who was that young man you were talking to?” her sister asked, wide-eyed. Marjorie fumed.
“Just another brute with no manners and no upbringing to speak of,” she replied, whispering behind her gloved hand.
“Here? At the countess’ house? How could he have gotten in?”
“Oh no, Harriet, I don’t mean an uninvited stranger!” Marjorie said, laughing as quietly as she could. “I mean only this: money might buy a fancy gown or a carriage or even a house, but it cannot buy class. You may meet the wealthiest among us who doesn’t have an ounce of propriety, and out there in the darkness might be the lowliest beggar who would be of far more service to mankind!”
