Chapter 17
Joseph could not take his eyes from Lady Florence.
She was white faced and trembling, but there was a flicker of hope in her eyes that he wanted to blow into full life.
When Lord Cheswick had made his announcement, Joseph had not been able to prevent himself from striding forward, ready to interrupt the gentleman, and ruin his intentions for Lady Florence.
It had not been his plan to break into Lord Chester’s announcement and catch the attention of every guest present but he had not had any other choice.
Lord Cheswick could not be permitted to announce his engagement to Lady Florence and Joseph intended to ruin that notion completely.
“I think that Florence’s happiness is my responsibility, Lord Applegate.” Lord Grangemouth lifted his gaze just a little, his shoulders back. “Not yours.”
“That is quite true, Lord Grangemouth, but I am sure you would want to know the truth about Lord Cheswick and what he has done, would you not? For anything improper, anything untoward would make this fellow quite unsuitable.”
Lord Cheswick snorted. “I am afraid that Lord Grangemouth is already fully aware of my failings. I have made it clear that I intend to change completely and having Lady Florence beside me will encourage me all the more to do so.”
Joseph shook his head. “Alas, if only that could be believed.”
“It can be believed and it has been,” came Lord Cheswick’s retort. “Lord Applegate, there is really no need for this.”
Lady Grangemouth drew herself up. “I quite agree. Lord Applegate, you may be well intentioned but – ”
Her husband drew out one hand and, cutting through the air, silenced his wife with only an action. “Lord Applegate,” he said, as the other guests fell into quietness. “What is it that you wish to say?”
Relieved that Lord Grangemouth had granted him opportunity – though he would have shouted it over the commotion had he not been given any other choice – Joseph gestured to Lord Cheswick.
“This fellow is not as you think him, Lord Applegate. I have heard him say outright that the only reason he desires Lady Florence as his wife is because of the coin she will bring with her.”
A low murmur ran around the room behind him.
“I am sure that many a gentleman could say the same thing.” Lady Grangemouth sniffed and tossed her head. “That comes as no surprise to me.”
“That may be so, but have you not wondered why Lord Cheswick might require Lady Florence’s dowry and whatever fortune will come with her?
” Joseph lifted one eyebrow in Lady Grangemouth’s direction but her hard stare did not diminish.
It seemed that she did not care. Casting a look to Lord Grangemouth, he was relieved to see the gentleman frowning.
“I have done a little searching into Lord Cheswick’s standing at present,” he continued, seeing the flush that began to drive itself into Lord Cheswick’s face.
“This gentleman is not solvent. He has lost a good deal of his own fortune through gambling and visiting houses of disrepute. I do not think that he is able to sustain himself, never mind provide stability for a prospective wife!”
Another murmur ran around the room and Lord Grangemouth’s frown deepened.
“I am sure that many a gentleman has found himself in such a predicament!” Lord Cheswick threw up his hands.
“But I have every intention of using what remains of my wealth – as well as Lady Florence’s contribution – to improve things!
I will not return to my disastrous ways and you can be assured that none of this comes as a surprise to Lord and Lady Grangemouth.
I have already explained all to Lord Grangemouth. ”
Lord Grangemouth ran one hand over his chin. “No, Lord Cheswick, you have not.”
Joseph was forced to fight the smile that began to creep across his face as Lord Cheswick went very red indeed, beginning to stammer in a most awkward fashion.
“I – I am sure… I am quite sure that I – I spoke to you about…” Lord Cheswick ran one hand over his face. “That is to say, I was certain I had done but that does not mean…”
“No, you did not,” Lord Grangemouth said again, a good deal more firmly this time as the room fell completely silent; every guest now eavesdropping on the conversation between them all, something that Joseph had been hoping for.
Lord Cheswick was known as a rogue already, certainly, but this would ensure everyone present would stay well back from him for a good time to come.
“I am sure I…” Trailing off, Lord Cheswick pushed one hand through his hair. “It is not that I am so dreadfully in debt, however. It is only a minor amount of difficulty.”
Joseph, aware that Lord Cheswick was doing what he could now to salvage his reputation, grimaced. “That is not what I heard. Indeed, I was encouraged to never accept a vowel from you again!”
“And you gave me a vowel last evening!” A gentleman that Joseph did not recognize pushed himself to the fore, glaring at Lord Cheswick. “You said you would pay it within a few days!”
“I intend to!” Lord Cheswick exclaimed, only for another gentleman to step forward, declaring the very same thing as the previous.
Then there came another and another until the room seemed filled with voices, all declaring that Lord Cheswick owed them coin.
Folding his arms over his chest, Joseph smiled grimly.
His task had been completed, his hope fulfilled and now, he prayed, Lord Grangemouth would do the only thing required of him.
He did not have to pray for long.
“I declare that there is no connection between Lord Cheswick and my daughter, Lady Florence!” Lord Grangemouth declared, his loud voice crashing over the top of the others and catching the attention of all present.
“Lord Cheswick intended to marry my daughter, as you have all heard, but I, hear and now, refuse him utterly.” With narrowed eyes, he turned on Lord Cheswick.
“You are to stay far from my daughter and from my wife and I,” he said, angrily.
“You have deceived me and I, in my foolishness and in my eager hope to find Florence a husband, gave in far too quickly.” A quick glance towards Lady Grangemouth spoke of his disappointment, making the lady in question bow her head.
“You shall not marry Florence, you shall have no connection to her or to us. I never wish to set eyes upon you again!”
“I think it would be best if you were to take your leave, Lord Cheswick.” A commanding voice filled the room and Joseph turned, seeing their host stepping forward. “You are no longer wanted here.”
Lord Cheswick’s face, which had been very red indeed, now began to pale. He stared back at the gentleman, only to turn his gaze towards Joseph. Holding it, Joseph let one eyebrow lift gently, his lip curling as Lord Cheswick’s mouth opened in a snarl.
“This is all your doing,” he hissed, as Joseph nodded in agreement.
“You, who are the most judgmental, the most critical of all gentlemen here in London – if not in all of England – and you wanted to ruin me, did you not? You take great pleasure in ruining the happiness of so many, it had to be my turn, yes?”
With a shake of his head, Joseph cleared his throat, fully aware that near every eye was on him.
“While I will not deny that I am someone who has been far too disparaging and much too interested in fault-finding, it is not because of such traits that I came here this evening.” He lifted his chin a fraction and narrowed his eyes.
“It is because you are a scoundrel, Lord Cheswick. It is because you lie and cheat and manipulate those around you to get whatever it is you want – and I was not about to permit you to take Lady Florence.”
Lord Cheswick’s jaw tightened.
“You lied to Lord Grangemouth, pretending that you were not insolvent and that you would change dramatically so you might be worthy of his daughter.” He drew himself up, anger beginning to ball in his stomach. “You manipulated the situation at my Christmas ball, did you not?”
Lady Florence caught her breath in a gasp and, for the first time in some minutes, Joseph let himself look at her. Her eyes were rounded with astonishment, tears glistening there but Joseph did not stop his explanation, returning his gaze to Lord Cheswick.
“You knew that I was showing an interest in Lady Florence, even if my words to others stated quite the opposite. That was a foolishness on my part, uncertain of my own feelings and determined to hide what I felt from my friends and acquaintances. All the same, you were quite determined to make certain I would not continue on with my interest in the lady, for you had settled on her as your chosen bride, seeing her as a solution to your lack of funds.”
“You… you were interested in Florence?”
Joseph’s stomach tightened at the shock in Lady Grangemouth’s voice. “Can you truly think that so surprising, Lady Grangemouth?”
The lady only blinked and Joseph continued on, knowing he had the room’s attention.
“When the cake was knocked to the floor, everyone in the room began to blame Lady Florence, for she was the one who stumbled into it. But it was not her fault, was it?” Hearing a few murmurs begin to run around the room, Joseph glanced at a few of those present, seeing their wide eyes staring back at him.
“She was pushed, deliberately, so that she fell forward and into my servant. It was a cruel act, meant to not only have the entirety of the ton laughing at her but also ensuring that there would be no other gentlemen interested in furthering their acquaintance with her- myself included. That meant that you would have a clear path towards her. With her parents despairing and the ton laughing at her, there would be nothing to hold you back from her.”