Chapter 17 #2
Lord Cheswick closed his eyes as Joseph stood tall, looking back at the gentleman and seeing him shrink in front of him.
The room was quickly in uproar, murmurs building to loud exclamations and, when Joseph finally pulled his gaze away from Lord Cheswick and looked to Lady Florence, she was being held tightly by her cousin, tears staining her cheeks.
It had not been said to him outright, of course, but he had been quite sure that Lord Cheswick had done something to involve Lady Florence’s accident at his ball.
There had been too many single threads for him to ignore, for Lord Cheswick had not only appeared at the ball without invitation, but he had shown a distinct lack of concern over her accident when he had spoken to Joseph himself about the matter.
Indeed, he had stated outright that he was quite certain Joseph would not think to consider the lady again, given what had happened and the smile on his face as he had said those words had niggled away at Joseph’s mind.
Now, given Lord Cheswick’s complete lack of defense, Joseph knew without doubt that he had been correct.
It had been a risk to declare it as truth but the truth, it had been.
Satisfied, he let out a slow breath as Lord Cheswick spun on his heel and began to push through the crowd, screaming at them all to move out of his way.
“How dreadful,” he heard someone say behind him, turning to see two older ladies standing together, one being Lady Abernyte. “Thank you, Lord Applegate, for what you did.”
“But of course,” Joseph replied, recognizing the one who had spoken as Lady Venables. “I was very glad to have opportunity to reveal the truth.”
“Indeed.” Lady Abernyte’s eyes were thoughtful as they searched his face. “You came to Lady Florence’s defense, it seems.”
Joseph nodded. “I had no choice. My heart and my conscience would not permit me to simply stand by and watch Lord Cheswick act in such a terrible way towards not only Lady Florence, but also to Lord Grangemouth.”
The lady nodded, her brow furrowing. “I was wrong, I must admit. It does not give me a good deal of pleasure to say that aloud but when it comes to Lady Florence and the cake debacle, I was quite mistaken.”
A hint of a smile tugged at Joseph’s lips but he forced it down. It would not be good for him to delight in Lady Abernyte’s words, even if he very much wanted to. “You are very good, Lady Abernyte.”
She gave him a tight-lipped smile. “Yes, I am.”
Lady Venables reached out one hand and touched Joseph’s sleeve. “Are you going to pursue Lady Florence now that Lord Cheswick is no longer courting her?”
Glancing over his shoulder, Joseph frowned as he saw Lady Florence being led out of the room by her father. Her head turned and for a split second, their eyes met before she stepped out of the door.
“I – ” Joseph flattened his lips, deeply frustrated that he would not be able to speak to Lady Florence this evening.
He had thought that Lord Grangemouth would want a word with him, had expected that, after this conversation he could go directly to her, but now he was to be denied that opportunity.
A pain stung at his heart as his frown deepened, a desire to go after her driving into his heart.
Though I must think about how much she has endured this evening, he considered. Mayhap she was so overcome that her father thought it best for her to take time away from us all.
“I have every intention of speaking with Lord Grangemouth very soon,” he said, turning back to Lady Venables and Lady Abernyte. “As I am sure you can understand, Lady Florence will need some time to recover from this.”
“Of course, of course,” Lady Venables agreed, as a hand touched Joseph’s arm. “We shall let you go now, Lord Applegate but yes, yes, well done again.”
With a nod and a smile, Joseph turned his attention to the lady behind him, smiling back at Lady Wickton as she grasped his hand with both of hers. Her husband came to stand beside them also, his expression one of relief.
“Thank you, Lord Applegate,” Lady Wickton breathed, tears in her eyes. “You cannot know the depth of my gratitude.”
Joseph put one hand to his heart and inclined his head. “It was only because of you that I acted, Lady Wickton.”
“And acted you did!” Lord Wickton declared, reaching to shake Joseph’s hand as Lady Wickton released it.
“You did very well there, Lord Applegate. I know just how dreadful this situation has been and how it upset Helena. To know now that Lady Florence is safe and away from Lord Cheswick is both a relief and a joy.”
“It is to my heart also,” Joseph promised, as Lady Wickton beamed at him. “And yes, before you ask, I have every intention of pursuing Lady Florence myself.”
Lady Wickton closed her eyes and let out a long sigh of contentment, her smile soft.
“She has been taken home, I think,” Joseph continued, as Helena opened her eyes. “But I will go to speak with Lord Grangemouth as soon as I can.”
“I know Florence will be very glad indeed to see you,” Lady Wickton said, encouragingly. “She feared that this was to be the very worst Christmas she had ever had to endure… but now, I think, it will be the happiest.”
That remark made Joseph’s smile spread wide, a fresh sense of hope and joy exploding in his chest. “I hope it shall be,” he answered, as Lord Wickton put one arm around his wife.
“In fact, I have every intention of making not only this but all the Christmases still to come, the happiest Lady Florence has ever known.”