Chapter 15 #2
All of the air in Joseph’s lungs was pulled from them in an instant.
His chest began to burn, his hands curled into tight fists as he fought to keep himself composed in the midst of a great shock.
How could it be that Lady Florence was being courted by this gentleman – if he could even call him that?
She had been greatly upset by him, had she not?
He recalled how Emily had been doing her best to reassure Lady Florence, how Lady Florence herself had been distraught, and Lord Cheswick had been a part of that.
Why would she now be courting him?
“I have every intention to marry her, of course.” Lord Cheswick chuckled, elbowing Lord Stirling. “She is the last of her sisters to wed, and her mother informs me that a great deal of coin will come with her!”
Cold fury settled into Joseph’s frame. Lord Cheswick was not a gentleman with any honor, he decided. To speak so of his courted lady was despicable indeed, making it quite clear to them all that the only reason for their connection was to be the dowry or the fortune that would come with her.
“You are well acquainted with Lady Florence, are you not?” Lord Cheswick turned a sharp eye upon Joseph, who instantly flinched. “I have seen you speaking with her on a few occasions, and then there was that night when you sang a carol as she played.”
The ire which now clung to Joseph demanded to be let loose, but he contained it with an effort.
There would be no good reason for him to demand anything from Lord Cheswick, and certainly, he did not want to reveal the extent of his upset.
There had to be a way for him to prevent this…
if it was not what Lady Florence wanted.
“Thankfully, I was able to reassure Lord Cheswick that you were not in the least bit interested in pursuing Lady Florence,” Lord Stirling told Joseph, a flicker of pride in his gaze. “Lord Chester, who is known to us both, asked you about it. You were quite clear on the matter, if you recall.”
Joseph did recall, and he regretted it utterly. He had not spoken the truth in that moment, determined that no one should know of his feelings at that juncture. Never had he thought that what he had said would be used to push Lady Florence towards Lord Cheswick!
“You will not wish me well?” Lord Cheswick grinned, a look in his eyes that said he knew just how Joseph was feeling and was delighting in it.
“I suppose that I am not the very best sort of gentleman for the young lady, and you will be well aware of that, but the decision has been made. I will marry her very soon and shall be delighted to take her as my wife.”
Joseph held Lord Cheswick’s gaze without flinching.
“I shall not wish you well, no,” he said, clearly as Lord Stirling’s eyes widened.
“You say that you are not the very best sort of gentleman, and I can certainly agree with that.” You are a rogue, are you not?
A gentleman without honor, and I am astonished that Lord and Lady Grangemouth think you suitable for their daughter. ”
Lord Cheswick chuckled. “Come now, Lord Applegate,” he said, not taking the least bit offense at what Joseph had said, “you know as well as I that no other gentleman in all of London would go near to that creature! There has been one mishap after another, one clumsiness to the next. Think about what happened with your cake?” The gleam in his eye intensified as he grinned, making Joseph’s heart burn with fury.
“I am sure that you, with so critical a spirit, would have thought very poorly of her indeed for causing such an accident. The other gentlemen in the ton think the very same, I can assure you, so what other course could there be than this?”
Wanting to grasp the gentleman’s lapels and shake him hard until stopped speaking with such dark delight, Joseph took a step back.
There was more than one way to resolve this, he concluded, and it could not be found here.
Without a word, he spun on his heel and walked away, marching to the door of the drawing room and stepping out into the hallway.
Once there, his anger began to fade just a little although his hurried breathing remained.
He wanted to leave at once, wanted to go in search of Lady Florence and to demand to know why she had accepted Lord Cheswick but sense prevented him from doing so.
To drive to Lord Grangemouth’s house at this hour and to pound upon the door so he might speak to the lady was not something he could do.
He had to go about this very carefully indeed.
“Oh, Lord Applegate! I have been hoping to speak with you.”
Joseph blinked, pulled out of his thoughts as Lady Wickham grasped his arm. “Lady Wickham, good evening. I am afraid I – ”
“It is about Florence.” Taking hold of him, she led him to the library and to a quiet corner of the room. Lord Wickham, Joseph noted, was also present, along with his sister and Lord Chester. Clearing his throat, he looked at Lady Wickham and saw a gleam of tears in her eyes.
“You say it is about Lady Florence?” he asked, as she nodded. “I have only just heard the news. Lord Cheswick is present this evening and took great delight in telling me of his engagement.”
“She does not want it,” Lady Wickham exclaimed, only to cover her mouth and drop her head, aware she had spoken much too loudly indeed. “Oh, Lord Applegate, you must understand that this is not what Florence herself wants. She is distraught, utterly distraught, and there is nothing I can do.”
Joseph rubbed one hand over his eyes. “I do not understand. She has no interest in marrying him but yet her parents – ”
“I am sure it is her mother’s doing,” Lady Wickham interrupted, speaking quickly now.
“She has been determined to be the only lady in London to marry off each of her daughters during their first Season – even if this is Florence’s second time in London.
She has never tried to understand Florence, has never thought to show any sort of compassion for the anxiety that binds her whenever she steps out into society.
She cares only that Florence makes a match – and Lord Cheswick appears to have offered himself as a prospective husband although I do not understand why. ”
Recalling what the gentleman had said, Joseph scowled. “He mentioned Lady Florence’s dowry and money coming to him upon their marriage.”
“Despicable.”
“He also stated that he had come to my ball without my invitation,” Joseph said, speaking slowly now as thought after thought began to crowd in upon his mind. “He spoke of the cake, stating that no one would have any interest in Lady Florence after seeing such a disaster, myself included.”
Lady Wickton’s eyes rounded. “You cannot think that he had something to do with it?”
“As a way to make certain no gentleman would think to consider her? Knowing that I had some interest in her, he wanted to do what he could to push me from her because he is aware – as are the rest of the ton – that I have very high standards indeed of what is required for anyone in my company.” Running one hand over his jaw, Joseph shook his head.
“She must know of this. There must be a way to stop this engagement going forward.”
“She needs you, Lord Applegate.” Lady Wickton’s eyes fixed on his. “She is so very ashamed, she has practically hidden herself away in the house, certain that you are angry and deeply upset with what took place.”
Joseph let out a low groan. “I did not reach out to her either, which no doubt, would make her all the more certain of that.”
“Yes, it has done,” Lady Wickham confirmed. “But can you not do something, Lord Applegate? I will not tell you what I expect or hope for, but I know there is a connection between you. Perhaps it is a connection you should not like to see severed?”
Considering this, Joseph began to nod slowly.
“Yes, that is quite true,” he agreed, slowly.
“But I shall have to think carefully about what to do. Lord Cheswick’s motivations must be revealed to Lord and Lady Applegate, else, I am sure, they will not end the connection between their daughter and Lord Cheswick, not when it has already been announced. ”
“Oh, thank you,” Lady Wickham breathed, reaching for his hand again. “I pray that you can save her from this dreadful fate, Lord Applegate. You are the only one who can.”