“I admit to being deeply surprised by Lord Penforth’s behavior. I thought him just a quiet sort of fellow, only to realize much too late that he was not the sort of character I wished to have anywhere near me. You cannot imagine my horror to discover how selfish he has been – and how calculating.”
Lady Almeria smiled at him.
“Thankfully, Lord Wilson has managed to betray Lord Penforth entirely! I confess I look forward to telling Lord Penforth that I have set against accepting his offer of courtship. I have not, of course, ended our connection as yet, but I have every intention of doing so now.”
Lady Yardley chuckled, seeming quite pleased with this remark as Marcus let out a sigh of relief that he could not hold back. Lady Almeria’s eyes met his and the smile she shared with him was something so meaningful, it sent a flood of warmth to envelop him. Blowing out another long breath, Lady Almeria giggled and looked away, her cheeks now a gentle pink.
“I suppose the next question is - what you plan to do as regards Lord Penforth?” Lady Yardley looked first at Marcus and then at Lord Trevelyan. “Do you intend to simply continue on as though his threat is no longer viable? Or will you say something more to him, to make him clearly aware that he cannot do such a thing to anyone else in the future?”
Marcus considered for a full moment, looking toward Lord Trevelyan and seeing his friend grin.
“He certainly is a darkly calculating fellow. I do not feel it would be right to simply allow society to continue to think well of him when he is nothing but a scoundrel.”
“I will confess that I was taken in by him.” Lady Almeria suddenly frowned, her smile dropping away. “I did not think he was in any way cruel, but see how wrong I was?”
“You were not the only one Almeria.” Lady Yardley pointed one finger towards herself. “I have not heard a single bad word about him. He has hidden his true character very well from all of us, has he not?”
“Which makes it all the more desirous for us to speak openly to society.” Looking at Lady Yardley, Marcus took a breath. “And I think I have an idea. Lady Yardley, you will need to be present also, if you do not mind when the time comes for me to speak to Lord Penforth.” He glanced at Lord Trevelyan. “And you also, of course.”
“Do not think that I will be absent from this.” Lady Almeria rose from her chair and came directly towards Marcus, taking his hand in hers even though they were standing in front of Lady Yardley and Lord Trevelyan. Her chin tilted, her hazel eyes suddenly darkening. “I will not be absent from anything concerning Lord Penforth, I want very much to show him that I am no longer taken in by him and that my dislike of him is well founded.”
“I quite understand.” Smiling at her, Marcus waited until the shadows fell from her eyes as he squeezed her hand, wishing desperately that they were alone so that he might tell her about the bouquets, might confess his love for her. “Yes, you may be present and thereafter, once the matter is at an end, would you be willing to walk in the park with me? There is more I should like to say to you.”
Her eyes flared but her smile grew quickly.
“I should be glad to speak with you also, Marcus,” she murmured, and Marcus’ heart beat furiously with a flurry of hope. Perhaps there might be a joyous ending to the Season after all.
Chapter Sixteen
“There you are, Penforth. Hiding in the shadows, are you?”
Marcus watched as the gentleman’s eyes flickered, his lip curling in an obvious expression of dislike.
“Coppinger.” Lord Penforth twisted his head so that he looked away. “I do not think that we have much to say to each other unless it is that you wish to come and congratulate me?”
This time, Marcus lifted an eyebrow.
“Congratulate you?”
Chuckling, Lord Penforth grinned.
“Have you not heard? I am soon to ask Lady Almeria’s father, the very excellent Lord Fairburn, whether or not he will permit me to court his daughter.”
The urge to laugh and tell Lord Penforth that there was very little hope of him succeeding was strong, but Marcus instead dropped his head, forcing himself to remain stoic. It was not yet time to reveal the truth, and the requirement for him to look sorrowful and beaten down was important.
“I am quite certain that, come the end of the Season, I will be wed to the beautiful Lady Almeria.” Lord Penforth grinned and tilted his head back in a prideful manner as the soiree continued all around them. “I think her the most beautiful, elegant, and articulate creature I have ever met. She is also very willing to listen to me and spends a great deal of time in my company. She remains so very quiet because she is rapt with fascination for my words – a quality I confess I find very pleasing indeed.”
Try as he might, Marcus could not hide a snort of laughter, although he quickly covered this by ducking his head and pulling out his handkerchief to pretend to rub his nose. Lord Penforth was nothing but conceited, and yet, at this juncture, it was precisely what Marcus needed. The gentleman had to ooze confidence, to believe himself already victorious if they were to convince him to have another conversation. It did not seem to take a great deal to make Lord Penforth behave so, however, which again, was to Marcus’ advantage. Arrogance was a part of Lord Penforth’s character, and a most disagreeable feature, as far as Marcus was concerned.
“If I am making you uncomfortable then pray, do tell me.” Lord Penforth snorted, still grinning. “Though I cannot promise that I shall stop speaking of my victory – for I will admit aloud that it is pleasing for me to see you so. It makes me all the more delighted with my connection to Lady Almeria!” His grin grew ever wider, his eyes dancing with obvious pride. “Why is it that you so severely dislike my connection to Lady Almeria? Surely you must believe I have some fine qualities since she is clearly so enamored of me? Or is it that jealousy burns within you, and you find yourself painfully rejected?” His chest puffed out, his smile turning dark. “I amdeeplysorry that you feel so burdened over the matter, but that is the state of things. You cannot expect her to ever come back to you, to return to the connection as it was. That is gone forever, and she is quite lost to you. That is simply something you must accept.”
Marcus could only nod slowly, choosing not to say anything, and remain silent as Lord Penforth continued. Anger blossomed at the man’s conceit, but he held it within himself as Lord Penforth continued with his extensive explanation of why he was the most suitable of all gentlemen for Lady Almeria, of how much she admired him, and how often they spent time together. Marcus listened, taking in deep breaths and letting the air out again slowly so that he would keep his temper in check. How much he longed to throw everything back in Lord Penforth’s face in one moment, simply so that the gentleman would stop talking!
“And as I have said, I am quite certain that her father will agree within a few moments of my asking to court her. After all, he would not have allowed me to spend so much time with his daughter if he was not pleased with me, I am sure.” Looking away, Marcus gritted his jaw, fighting his desire to say something sharp in response. Again, Lord Penforth laughed derisively as a fire burned in Marcus’ veins. “There must be a reason for your arrival here, however.” Lord Penforth tilted his head and finally, Marcus looked back at him. “Are you simply going to stand there, sullen, or are you going to tell me what it is that you want?”
Marcus held Lord Penforth’s gaze steadily, aware of the ice in the man’s blue eyes. The grin on his face was a cruel one, and Marcus curled his fingers tightly into his palm, making sure to keep his voice measured.
“We are going to meet, Penforth.”
