by Regina Darcy
“It is not the first time such a rumour has been circulated,” the Marquess began, throwing a glance towards Ann that had her delighting in his smile. “It is one of the difficulties that come with being a gentleman of both title and fortune, I fear. The gossip mongers have nought to do but to make up stories about you.”
“That must be very trying for you my lord,” Ann said, breathlessly, her eyes fixed upon his. “To know that they are constantly whispering about you.”
To her surprise, the Marquess merely shrugged.
“I confess that I do not often think about it,” he replied, rather blandly. “It is easiest simply to ignore such things altogether. I am not a gentleman willing to engage with such dullness.”
Ann nodded, feeling as though she had been left stranded, unable to think of something else to say now that he had made his feelings on the matter more than clear. Instead, she simply remained standing beside her sister, smiling incessantly, as the Marquess turned his attention back to the Duke.
“I must say, however, there are a good many young debutantes being introduced to society this Season,” he continued, without even glancing at Ann again.
“I suppose one might catch my eye – although I am more inclined to favour my bachelorhood at the present!”
“Another benefit of being both titled and wealthy,” the Duke replied, dryly, throwing a glance at his wife that told Ann that the Duke was not particularly pleased with the Marquess’ comments.
“I do hope that you have an enjoyable Season, Penderstone.”
The Marquess said nothing more but nodded, smiled briefly and then turned away, clearly bringing an end to their conversation. Ann felt her spirits sink low as he left her side, feeling as though their first introduction had not gone as well as she had hoped.
“So now you have met the Marquess of Penderstone,” her sister murmured, as she drew closer to Ann. “He is not everything you expect, I suspect.”
Ann did not speak for a moment or two, watching him depart from her and wondering if there was something more she could have done to catch his eye.
“It was all entirely my fault,” she said to Theodora, in a quiet but firm voice. “I did not speak as well as I could have and certainly did not give him my full attention.”
Throwing her sister a quick smile, she drew in a long breath and let it out slowly.
“I am quite determined that I shall capture his affections before long.”
Theodora did not look to be particularly pleased with this suggestion, throwing Ann a warning look before returning her gaze to her husband, who was also shaking his head.
“I do not think that the Marquess would be a suitable match for you, Ann. After all, this is your debut and the aim is to secure a match that not only will provide wealth, but also, provide and protect you as the precious sister that you are to me,” she said, gently, reminding Ann that she was here in London and enjoying all of London society for a reason.
Theodora had provided her with almost everything she would need for the Season, including an entirely new wardrobe, but Ann had chosen everything with only one gentleman in mind.
She clenched her fists. As much as she loved and respected Theodora, Ann knew that she could not simply turn her back on the Marquess of Penderstone. He had stolen her heart and she could not give it to any other now that she had been introduced to him.
“Who is that?” she asked sharply, her brow furrowing as she watched the Marquess join with a lady who was dressed in the highest fashions, her dark red gown cut lower than Ann would have thought respectable.
The Marquess appeared to be a good deal more at ease in this lady’s company, laughing and smiling with her almost from the moment they joined together.
Ann’s stomach twisted upon seeing the light in the Marquess’ expression. She now realised she would have to fight if she wanted to secure her heart’s desire. When her competition had been other debutants she had been sure that he would be unable to resist her eventually. But how could she compete with such a lady as this?
The woman was confident and strikingly beautiful with her dark curls, flashing blue eyes and full lips. Ann was flaxen-haired and green-eyed and, whilst she knew she was considered an English Rose, she shrunk into the shadows when compared to this particular lady. The woman was clearly an incomparable beauty.
“That is Lady Serena Hedley,” the Duke muttered, his expression a little dark as he let his gaze linger upon both her and the Marquess. “It is rumoured that she used to be the mistress of the Prince Regent, but that has never been confirmed.”
“Sotheby!” Theodora chided her husband, clearly thinking that Ann did not need to know of such things, but Ann simply threw the Duke a quick smile of gratitude and then returned her attention to the Marquess and Lady Hedley.
“She is a widow,” Theodora continued. “And a wealthy one to boot. Lord Hedley was a good deal older than she and died only six months after they were wed.”
Ann swallowed hard.
“I see,” she replied, softly, hardly able to imagine the Marquess becoming enamoured with a widow but yet witnessing with worry the ease of his manner with the lady.
“It is,” the Duke said, somewhat gruffly, “another reason why mayhap the Marquess is not worth your consideration, Ann. There are many other respectable and worthy gentlemen who will seek to capture your attention. It may be worth considering them also.”
Ann dragged her eyes away from the Marquess and looked first at the Duke and then at her sister, watching them both looking back at her with concern. She knew that they were being wise in their suggestions and in their worry about her fixation with the Marquess, but neither of them could see her heart. Neither of them could see the longing that tugged at her soul, leaving her almost breathless whenever she caught sight of the gentleman.
“No,” she said, slowly, watching Theodora’s face fall. “I shall do what I can to draw the Marquess’ attention and, if nothing comes of it, then I can say that I have, at the very least, done my utmost in attempting to satisfy my heart’s desire.” She shrugged, looking back towards the gentleman in question.
“If I fail, if he does not so much as glance at me, then I shall do as you have suggested, Your Grace, and allow my affections to be caught by another.” She smiled at Theodora, wishing there was a way to satisfy her sister’s concern.
“Will that be suitable, Theodora? You will, at least, allow me the opportunity to do what I can when it comes to securing the Marquess’ affections?”
Theodora drew in a long breath and let it out slowly, looking at Ann carefully. With another quick glance towards her husband, she finally nodded, although her expression did not look to be cheerful in any way.
“I suppose that I cannot unduly withhold my consent,” she agreed, making Ann beam with delight. “Although do be careful, sister dearest. You must always act with propriety, no gentleman worth his salt seeks matrimony with a woman who has no regard for her own worth. Besides, the rumours about the Marquess may be true and I should not like you to be caught up in any sort of scandal.”
Ann nodded, trying not to show the extent of her exuberance on her face.
“I shall do my very best to be prudent in my pursuit of his affections,” she promised, her hands clasping tight in front of her. “Thank you, Theodora.”
TWO
Miss ANN Winters to Miss CAROLINE Winters
Mayfair. London.
Dear Caro,
I know you have not had the opportunity to provide an answer to my first missive, but I cannot help but write to you again. There is no-one here I can share my hopes and dreams with. Theodora only indulges me – I know deep inside she thinks I have lost my marbles somewhat.
Love and destiny are surely intertwined. My heart knows the truth of it. But my mind frets over the fact that we are halfway through the Season and I have only had a small modicum of success in catching the Marquess’ interest. But I am not giving up.
I know there is someth
ing between us.
I think I caught him staring at me at my debut ball. Could it be? I certainly hope so. My heart aches for him.
I shall not be dissuaded. No I shall be bolder.
I am sure there is a ball in the next couple of days that will offer me that opportunity.
I must make haste, the maid shall soon arrive to arrange my hair. Truth be told I am not looking forward to tonight’s soiree as the Marquess will not be attending, but Theodora insists that I keep up appearances.
Your exhausted sister,
A.Winters
Charles Forester, the Marquess of Penderstone, smiled satisfactorily to himself as he walked into the townhouse of Lord Henstridge. The room was filled with a motley crowd and he knew almost immediately that he would have an enjoyable evening.
The London Season was always one to enjoy and he knew that he would have no end of entertainment this evening, given that Lord Henstridge’s soirees were well known to be particularly jolly occasions. The man always had excellent wine, the best brandy on offer, and with exceptional entertainment always ready to amuse the gathered crowd, Charles found himself looking forward to what was to come.
“Welcome, my dear Penderstone,” Lord Henstridge called out.
Charles grinned and bowed to his friend.
“Henstridge,” he murmured, looking all about the room. “You seem to have started without me.”
Lord Henstridge chuckled.
“No, indeed I have not! Although there are a good many young ladies here who I am certain will be glad to make your acquaintance this evening, Penderstone. We will begin the evening’s entertainment soon, which will, unfortunately, begin with a few songs from some of the young ladies present.” He winced, as though this would be a great trial. “I cannot promise that all of them will sing in tune, however.”
“And thereafter?”
Another laugh escaped from Lord Henstridge.
“You know me too well, Penderstone. Yes, yes. Thereafter, there shall be an acrobat of sorts and someone who claims to be able to do all sorts of tricks.” He grinned at Charles’ look of delight. “It will make for a very entertaining evening, will it not?”
“It will indeed,” Charles agreed, thinking silently to himself that he could endure all manner of young debutantes attempting to display their accomplishments, by way of singing or playing the pianoforte, in the knowledge that there was something a good deal more entertaining coming thereafter.
“The Duke and Duchess of Sotheby are also present.” Something changed in Lord Henstridge’s voice, making Charles frown as he glanced back at his friend. “And there is a young lady with them. The Duchess’ sister, I believe.” Lord Henstridge arched an eyebrow.
“She is a beauty, I must say, and seems to be entertaining a good many gentlemen with her conversation and wit.”
Charles frowned.
“Why should I care about such things?”
Lord Henstridge laughed and slapped Charles on the shoulder.
“Do not deny that you enjoy the company of young ladies, and particularly those who are both beautiful and quick-witted.”
Shaking his head, Charles’ frown remained.
“I do not deflower young debutants, as well you know.”
“I did not so much as suggest that!” Lord Henstridge replied, with mock disapproval in his voice. “But merely that you may enjoy her company. It seems that she is a most willing conversationalist, although I have noticed that her gaze has, these last few minutes, barely strayed from you.”
He jerked his head a little to his right and Charles could not help but look in that direction. He saw a young lady looking back at him, her vivid green eyes grasping his attention at once. Her fair curls were pulled back neatly, with a few wisps gracing her temples. She had an oval face, a touch of colour to her cheeks and was laughing at something someone said, which only added to her beauty. Her gaze, however, remained fixed on his and as Charles looked back at her, he felt something within him shift.
How curious, he did not remember the young lady having such an unusual effect on him the other day.
He frowned and looked away at once.
“I have been introduced to her already,” he told Lord Henstridge, who was looking at him with interest. “That is Miss Winters, I believe.”
“Oh.” Lord Henstridge’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, yes, I recall now being introduced to her some hours ago, when they first arrived.” One eyebrow arched. “They were not tardy, as some of my guests were.”
Charles found himself beginning to relax, now that his attention was away from Miss Winters.
“I am here now, am I not?” he protested, gesturing to the vacant pianoforte. “You may begin now, of course.”
Lord Henstridge laughed and shook his head, before turning around and announcing to the guests that they were to have some entertainment. Charles remained where he was, watching the gentlemen and ladies surging forward in an attempt to take their seats, with some young ladies seeking to seat themselves near the front of the room so that they might be able to easily stand to sing or to play. Miss Winters, Charles noted, remained closer to the back, sitting next to her sister whilst the Duke remained standing.
The musical part of the evening began in earnest but Charles found himself rather bored with it all. He had done this many times before, of course, having been a part of the engaging and charmed audience to many a young debutante’s performances. It was all the same. All so dull. All so predictable.
“You look a tad bit bored this evening, my lord.”
His skin prickled uncomfortably as he turned to his left, and watched as Lady Serena Hedley drew even closer to him.
“Good evening, Lady Hedley,” he murmured, as her hand touched his for just a moment.
It sent a shiver of awareness up his spine, his heart quickening at the dark enticement in her expression. Why he had not yet taken her up on her offer of making her his new mistress, he could not say, for it was more than obvious that her allure was unrivalled.
“Good evening, Lord Penderstone,” she replied, in a teasing tone. “Should you care to escape this and come for a walk with me in the gardens?”
A vision of what might occur if he did so crashed into Charles’ mind all at once, forcing him to drag in air. Lady Hedley smiled softly, her knowledge of gentlemen making it apparent that she knew precisely what sort of effect she was having on him.
“I do not think it would be wise to depart so soon after the performances have begun,” Charles found himself saying, even though his mind screamed at him to keep silent and to go with her at once.
His eyes roved across the room, aware of his quickened breathing, only to land upon Miss Winters, who was looking back at both him and Lady Hedley.
He suddenly felt uncomfortable, even though there was no explanation for it. It was not as though he were ashamed to be in Lady Hedley’s company, but the curiosity in Miss Winters eyes tinged with what could only be described as a bit of disappointment, seemed to have the most extraordinary effect on him.
His desire to entertain Lady Hedley suggestion suddenly cooled.
“I hear there is to be an acrobat,” he told Lady Hedley, by way of distraction, even though he could not quite make sense of what he was doing. “And I confess that I myself have only just arrived, so I should not like to bring Lord Henstridge’s irritation down upon my head.”
“Why do you fight so?”
Her question was smooth and gentle, running over him and making its way into his mind. His breath caught as her fingers ran down his arm, brushing against his hand again as though to give him the smallest taste of what she was offering.
“I have heard you are a gentleman who enjoys the company of ladies,” Lady Hedley continued, her emphasis revealing to Charles that she knew precisely the sort of gentleman he was. “Why not secure a continued enjoyment with me?”
Charles could give no answer. There was no simple explanation for it. However, the way
that Miss Winters continued to regard him seemed to bridle his tongue, even though he cared nothing for the lady and certainly did not think that she had any influence upon him.
“If it is that you are concerned that I am under the protection of another that can easily be set to rights.”
He jerked his head about and looked at her.
“You are already in another gentleman’s company?” Charles asked, suddenly feeling unease. “If that is so, Lady Hedley, then I cannot allow myself to even consider the matter.”
Lady Hedley did not appear to be offended by his outburst but instead smiled and leaned closer.
“You cannot expect me simply to linger in the shadows, waiting in anticipation for you to accept my offer, my dear Marquess,” she told him, her smile sultry and her eyes bright. “But I should be glad to give up my current circumstances in order to acquire your company instead.”
“Lord Penderstone?”
Starting in surprise, Charles turned back to see none other than Miss Winters standing before him, regarding him with her emerald green eyes. They glowed with wide-eyed innocence. She tentatively smiled and her visage was transformed into that of a tempting angel.
Charles almost dropped the monocle he had been fiddling with. Irritated with himself he frowned.
“Miss Winters,” he muttered, gruffly, as another young lady rose to play the pianoforte. “Can I be of some aid to you?” He held her gaze steadily, his facial expression emotionless.
Miss Winters smiled, although there was a tightness to her expression that she could not quite hide from him.
“I have heard, my lord, that you have a fine voice,” Miss Winters began, her words coming out in a rush as her eyes dropped to the floor before racing back up to him. “I did wonder if you might wish to sing and therefore, if I could accompany you?”
Charles stared at the young lady in shock, surprised at her bold question. Next to him, he heard Lady Hedley stifle a chuckle, as though there was nothing more ridiculous than the idea of him singing alongside a debutante.