Chapter 5
“You will have to apologize to that young lady.”
Joseph closed his eyes and sighed aloud. “Emily, I do not want you here.”
“And yet, this is where I am.”
Shooting a sharp look at Lord Lanark – a look which his brother-in-law steadfastly ignored – Joseph rolled his eyes in what he knew was a childish manner, but he did not care.
He was weary enough of Emily’s incessant chatter on the subject of Lady Florence, for it had begun last evening and, despite a night’s respite, had begun again this morning when they had called upon him without invitation or notice.
“I came because I thought it would be very pleasant to spend the festive period here in London, with you,” Emily told him, firmly. “Yet you appear greatly displeased! Why are you so upset at our arrival here?”
“I am not sorry for that,” Joseph said quickly, not wanting her to think that he was criticizing her for being present in London, “but as I have said before, I do not want you to think that I require your support in finding a wife.”
“Given the state of things last evening, I am quite certain you do.”
Letting out a loud groan, Joseph flung back his head, silently begging Lord Lanark to do something about his wife.
Unfortunately for him, Lord Lanark did not appear to hear this desperate plea, for he said nothing at all and instead turned the page of the newspaper he was reading.
“You struck Lady Florence in the face, brother.” Emily spoke gently now as a twist of embarrassment turned in Joseph’s stomach. “Thereafter, you did not even think to apologize!”
“That is because she was standing too close to me. If she had been more careful, then that would not have happened.”
Emily shook her head. “You were the one who moved towards her, Applegate. When I came towards you, you were so surprised, you stepped back. Lady Florence did not move an inch.”
Joseph opened his mouth to defend himself, to tell her that she was not at all correct, but the response died on his lips.
He remembered now. It had been just as she had said.
Emily’s arrival had been so surprising, he had stepped backwards, away from her.
With a drop of his shoulders, he frowned.
“I suppose, then, I could blame you for it.”
Emily laughed brightly, making Joseph’s jaw tighten.
“You will do anything other than take responsibility for your own failings, will you not? There is always some criticism to give, some words of reproach that must be given to others instead of yourself.”
Joseph glowered at her.
“My dear brother,” she continued, her tone gentling, “have you never wondered why you have such few close friends? Why the ton do not warm to you as they have to others?”
The change in this conversation struck Joseph with confusion. He shifted in his chair, catching Lord Lanark setting the newspaper down and looking askance at his wife.
“It is because you have such high standards for everyone and everything, as I have told you before,” his sister continued, as Joseph’s lips flattened. “It is also because you do not hold to these same standards yourself, just as you have demonstrated here.”
“I most certainly do!” Joseph exclaimed at once, before he could stop himself.
“No, you do not.” Emily spread out both hands on either side. “You will have a remark to make about some gentleman and his conduct, appearance, or the like, but you will never say anything about your own failings, despite how obvious they may be.”
Anger began to burn in Joseph’s veins.
“You have always a critical word about a soiree or a ball, but you have never even thought to throw a ball of your own!”
The heat in Joseph’s veins threw itself up into his heart, and he spoke without thinking. “You are quite mistaken, Emily. I have every intention of throwing a Christmas ball, I shall have you know! And I will expect nothing but perfection from it.”
This brought silence between himself and Emily for a few moments, although the triumph he felt quickly faded. None of what he had said was true. He had not thought at all about hosting a ball and yet now, he had said it to Emily… and he would not be able to step back from it.
“I am very pleased to hear it.” Emily let out a small sigh. “I do not mean to injure you by speaking as I do, Applegate. I hope you know that.”
Getting to his feet, Joseph walked across the room towards the fireplace, the heat from the fire within it matching the anger in his frame. “You have not injured me. As I have just demonstrated, you are not speaking the truth.”
“Except that she is.”
A little astonished to hear Lord Lanark speak in defense of Emily, Joseph turned on his heel and faced his brother-in-law.
Lord Lanark had, to his mind, always been a serious fellow who spoke very little but thought deeply about whatever it was he wanted to say.
If he were choosing to respond now, then Joseph knew his words would carry weight.
That did not mean that he was willing to listen, however.
“My darling wife is doing what she can to help you, Applegate, even if you do not think her words much use. I can assure you that she and I have spoken at length about your situation and circumstances, and I am afraid, I quite agree with her.”
A stone dropped into Joseph’s stomach.
“Your friends are few and far between; you cannot disagree with that.”
Joseph’s jaw flexed. “That is because I am careful in my connections. A good deal more careful than others might be.”
“That may be so. But there might also be a suggestion that there are many in the ton who would not wish for a closer acquaintance with you, given your harsh criticisms, none of which you have hidden from society. You have spoken openly to many of the gentlemen and ladies in London about what you think is lacking in some such situation or in some person of the ton. Do you truly believe that every person present in society is eager to hear such things? That they would be glad to have you in their company again?”
A sharp sting struck Joseph’s heart, but he only shrugged. “Even if that were so, I would not care.”
“Emily is speaking the truth,” Lord Lanark said, garnering him a loving smile from his wife.
“She says it to be of aid to you, not to injure you. The fact that you physically hurt Lady Florence but did not immediately apologize speaks of arrogance, my friend. No doubt she will be deeply upset by what happened, made all the more troubled by the fact that you have said nothing by way of an apology. I would not be surprised if she or her cousin began to speak of your lack of response to others. The ton will think very poorly of your behavior, I am sure.”
Joseph wanted to state that he did not think so, that Lord Lanark and Emily were both being ridiculous, but as he looked into his brother-in-law’s face and saw the steadiness in his eyes, he could not respond as he intended.
A glance towards Emily told him that she was in full agreement with her husband, nodding gently as she waited for Joseph to reply.
He could not. The room seemed to shrink, the warmth from the fire stifling, and his heart burning furiously within him.
“I am afraid I must take my leave of the house for a time.” Joseph lifted his chin as Emily caught her breath in a quiet exclamation, her eyes rounding. “It is not to apologize, as you might believe, but to make some early preparations for my Christmas ball. I am sure you will not mind my absence.”
Emily’s lips tugged to one side. “You are being a little dramatic, are you not?”
“I do not think I am, no.” Aware that, yet again, he was refusing to take on even the smallest criticism, Joseph walked across the room and poured himself a small measure of whisky, even though it was much too early for such things – and that even by his own standards!
Throwing it back, he smacked his lips together and forced a smile, eager to hide his true feelings from his sister and her husband.
“I will inform you about the day and time for the Christmas ball, of course.”
“If you should like any help with it, then you know that I would be more than willing.”
Joseph clasped his hands behind his back, sending his sister a pointed look, one which she quickly ignored, sitting back in her chair and smiling at him.
“There is much to be done, is there not?” she continued, a gleam in her eye.
“You will have to have all the decorations for the house as well, yes? There will be the mistletoe bough in the corner for the dancing, and the ivy and holly wreaths adorning the walls. Oh, and you must have some mulled wine for the refreshments, for that is most important.”
“I am well able to see to such things myself, I thank you.” Gritting his teeth and realizing that his sister had no intention of doing anything other than offering her assistance and opinions no matter what he said, Joseph took in a long breath and then made his way to the door.
“I doubt I shall see you again today. Good day, Emily. Lanark.”
Lord Lanark picked up his newspaper again and waved one hand vaguely in Joseph’s direction while Emily rose to her feet, but then went to sit right beside her husband, cozying herself up to him as he turned to look down into her eyes.
With a low groan, Joseph walked out of the room and directed the butler to have the carriage prepared.
Evidently, Emily and Lord Lanark had no intention of quitting his townhouse any time soon, which meant he would have to find some excuse for being outdoors for some time in the hope of a peaceful and quiet house upon his return.