Lord Penforth’s voice was low, hissing between his thin lips, but Lady Almeria only laughed.
“Good gracious Lord Penforth, you cannot truly imagine that I would believe the word of a gentleman I have known only a few weeks over that of the gentleman I have known my entire life?” Lord Penforth opened his eyes and looked at her. She waved one hand in his direction, as though shooing him away. “Truly, you are a foolish sort. I am glad to be free of you.”
“Foolish?” Lord Penforth practically screeched. “My dear lady, only a few minutes ago you would have thought me the very best gentleman in London! Now, after speaking with Lord Coppinger, you state that I am the very worst! How can such a thing be? You do me an unfairness.”
Lady Almeria turned her head towards Lord Penforth and, after a moment, she rose to her feet.
“Understand this, Lord Penforth.” She spoke slowly, as she did not want him to miss a single word, her chin lifted, her gaze steady. “I do not think you the very best of gentlemen, nor do I think you an excellent gentleman. You told me that you sent me bouquets, but I now discover that you have lied to me about it – but before I even knew that, I was set against you. Your arrogance, your mockery of others, your lack of interest in anything which I have to say, as well as your continual disregard for my feelings and the feelings of others – none of your characteristics are traits that I find in the least bit delightful. I am afraid, Lord Penforth, that I was eager to remove myself from you. How glad I am, now that Lord Coppinger and Lord Trevelyan have made it so easy for me to do so. You and I will no longer be in company together. You willnotbe speaking to my father, and certainly, I will never allow myself to be courted by you. To hear that you have done as much as you can to threaten my dear friend, and Lord Trevelyan with him, simply so that you might attempt to gain my hand, is beyond despicable.”
“But I need you!” With a sudden ferocity, Lord Penforth flung himself towards Lady Almeria, his hand grabbing her arm, attempting to pull her to himself. “I need you, Lady Almeria. I have debts and only you–”
“Unhand her at once!” Marcus rushed forward, grasping Lord Penforth bodily, breaking his grasp on Almeria’s arm, and then dragging him towards the door. “You will make your way from this house, and you will never come near Lady Almeria again. You will not so much as breathe a word against either myself or Lord Trevelyan – or indeed, ever threaten another person again.” Lord Trevelyan opened the door wide for them both and Marcus shoved Lord Penforth through it, leaving him gasping for air, his eyes wide as he stared at them both. “And I am afraid that all of society will know exactly who you are, and of your many debts, as you yourself have stated,” Marcus finished, breathing hard. “Now leave my house! Your power is gone, your petty attempt at victory is broken, and you shall be the one to shoulder the consequences.”
Lord Penforth glared at them both, standing framed in the doorway, seemingly reluctant to leave, even though his entire cruelty had been laid out for all of them to see.
“Not everyone will believe you,” he hissed, a hint of a smile on his face. “It will be your word against my own.”
“You are aware that Lady Yardley has been sitting here with us?” Lord Trevelyan gestured to the lady and Lord Penforth’s face immediately went white. “She is well known and well respected, and her publication, ‘The London Ledger’ is known to always be truthful. Lady Yardley is most careful about what is printed within the Ledger, and I am delighted to say that this afternoon’s conversation will go within it. Then society will know that you are a man who often frequents gambling dens, has a great many debts, and who sought only to marry Lady Almeria for her wealth whilst pretending to care for her.”
Lord Penforth’s mouth opened and closed like that of a fish, but he could not say anything more – and much to Marcus’ delight, the butler appeared. With a grin, Marcus gestured towards Lord Penforth.
“Lord Penforth was just about to remove himself from my house. He is not to be welcomed back into my presence atanytime,” Marcus directed firmly, feeling such a great sense of relief that the matter was now at an end, that he could not help but chuckle at Lord Penforth’s stupefied expression. “Good afternoon, Lord Penforth. I am glad to say that we will never be in company again.”
So saying, he turned on his heel and he and Lord Trevelyan walked back into the drawing room, with Marcus closing the door firmly behind him. He immediately found himself laughing, overwhelmed with all that he felt, and within minutes the whole room rang with peals of mirth. There was relief in everyone’s expression and Marcus’ heart swelled all the more at the delight in Lady Almeria’s expression.
“I do hope I did not overstate things.” Lord Trevelyan tipped his head towards Lady Yardley. “You will write about this matter in ‘The London Ledger’, I hope?”
Lady Yardley chuckled.
“My dear Lord Trevelyan, of course I shall. I pride myself on writing nothing but truth in the Ledger and I will bemorethan delighted to reveal this to all of those who read my little publication. Whether he wishes it or not, Lord Penforth’s dark deeds will finally be exposed to all, and he will no longer be able to continue in such a way, not with anyone.”
“I would be surprised if he remained in society once the truth comes out.” Lord Trevelyan walked across to the room to pour brandy, but Marcus turned to Lady Almeria, seeing how she looked at him. She was sitting down again, but looking up at him with eyes that were brimming with obviously happy tears, her lips curved in a beautiful smile. Marcus’ heart lurched. He had something more to say to her, something all the more important, but for the moment, it had to remain hidden behind his lips, clasped tightly against his heart. Their time would come very soon, a time when he would be able to tell her everything and pray that she felt even the smallest modicum of affection in return. “To our victory.”
Handing a brandy to Marcus, Lord Trevelyan then gave one to Lady Yardley and a small glass to Lady Almeria, who accepted it somewhat gingerly. Then he lifted his glass and Marcus clinked it lightly with his own.
“To our victory,” Marcus repeated as he looked across at Lady Almeria, hoping their future would be just as bright as this moment.
Epilogue
“Almeria.”
The moment Marcus stepped into the room, Almeria’s heart quickened into a flurry. She remained precisely where she was, her legs all of a tremble, and thus she did not stand.
“Marcus, come in. Lady Yardley and Lady Sherbourne are just gone to…”
She did not know where they had gone but she was glad of their absence, especially when her eyes were full of Marcus. There was something unspoken and yet fully declared between them, something she knew would be the fulfillment of all of her hopes. How strange this Season had been, and yet how wonderful all at the same time. She was sure that Marcus was about to offer her more than she had ever expected, and she was ready to grasp it with both hands.
“You have seen ‘The London Ledger’, I assume?” A quick grin flashed across his face as she nodded. “I do not think that Lord Penforth will be much in society from now on.”
“I would highly doubt it.”
Her heart began to beat a little more quickly and she rose from her seat, as though it were urging her forward into the next part of the conversation.
“I must say, Lady Yardley did very well. She was tactful but clear.”
Marcus smiled at her and Almeria’s hand reached out, instinctively, grasping his own as he came a little closer to her, so that they stood together in the middle of the room.
“I am sure that all of the young women of thetonwill be careful not to go anywhere near him.” Did he feel the slight tremble that ran through her at his touch? Taking a deep breath, she tilted her head to one side, wishing now for him to talk about somethingotherthan Lord Penforth. “You are quite satisfied too, I hope?”
