A chance at love (The Winter Sisters Box Set) : Special Edition Regency Romance

by Regina Darcy

  “We must both do our best,” she replied finding her courage. “You are not the only one who is taken aback by the turn of events.”

  “But you wished for such a thing, did you not?” the Marquess snarled, turning back to face her with such vehemence that Ann shrank back in fright. “I saw how often you were looking at me, attempting desperately to capture my attention, Miss Winters.”

  Ann’s mouth went dry. Yes, she had been doing all that the Marquess had said but she had not thought that he would react in such a way to her attempts to engage him.

  “You have sought me for yourself and I have been unwilling to give you even a moment or two of my time,” he continued, harshly. “I have a good many young ladies seeking my attention and you did not stand out, Miss Winters. Not in any way.”

  There was silence.

  Swallowing hard, Ann forced her tears back, determined not to allow his words to pierce her heart. He was angry, she realised.

  He was taking his anger out on her, since she was the only one that he could speak to in such a manner. She was also the reason for the loss of his freedom. She simply had to endure it.

  In time, she told herself, they would rub along very well together and she had to hope that the Marquess would draw near to her in the same way as she longed to draw near to him. Once his anger and frustration had died away, he might come to realise that he had grown fond of her. Their marriage could be a happy one. She had to believe that such a thing would occur and, therefore, let his words wash over her without allowing them to penetrate her heart or mind.

  “I am sorry that you feel aggrieved over what has occurred,” she told him, looking out of the window so that she would not have to look into his shadowed features. “I confess that it has come of something of a shock to me also but that I accept it must be so without question. I will not pretend that there is not a gladness within my heart that I shall soon be your wife, for I have a great admiration for you, my lord.”

  He snorted with disdain.

  “I hardly think so, Miss Winters,” he sneered. “Most likely, you consider my title and my fortune and it is to those that your heart clings.”

  She blinked her tears away and turned to face him again, lifting her chin. “I saw you save my sister from what could have been a most fatal accident almost a year ago,” she stated, calmly. “I have found you to be one of the most admirable gentlemen of my acquaintance.”

  The Marquess remained quiet for a moment or two, then leaned forward in his seat, his expression calm.

  “You forget, Miss Winters,” he said, softly. “We have only been acquainted this Season. How then can you consider me to be such an admirable gentleman when you know very little of my character?”

  Ann tried to find something to say, tried to find some response that she could give that would tell the Marquess precisely why she could believe him to be both admirable and remarkable but discovered that her mind was unable to give her the answer she sought.

  What the Marquess said was quite true. Yes, he had done something incredibly courageous and yes, she had every reason to consider him to be a wonderful gentleman because of such an act, but that did not give her much of an insight into his character. In all other aspects, he might be cruel and selfish. Mayhap he had reacted and saved the lady from an accident out of nothing more than the need to do so at that moment – knowing that it would bring him a good many accolades from the ton and, in particular, the ladies of the beau monde. The thought made her gasp, one hand pressed against her mouth as she saw the Marquess’ face flicker with a small, dark smile.

  “You know very little about me, Miss Winters,” he stated, leaning back in his seat and turning his head away again, as though he could not even bear to look at her. “I hardly think that this engagement is something you should consider to be in any way a good thing.”

  

  It was in something of a haze that Ann walked into the ballroom, her hand on the Marquess’ arm. She had thought she would be excited at this moment, thought she would be overwhelmed with delight at the prospect of hearing her name attached to the Marquess’, but after what he had said to her in the carriage, she could feel nothing.

  She was numb.

  “Good evening, Lord Penderstone.”

  Their host, Lord Johnston, bowed first to the Marquess and then greeted Ann, who just managed to curtsy and murmur a response. Her limbs felt heavy as she placed her hand back on the Marquess’ arm, aware of the look of interest on Lord Johnston’s face.

  “I am engaged.”

  The Marquess’ voice held no joy, but was completely void of any sense of happiness, and yet Lord Johnston’s expression was one of sheer delight. His face split with a smile as he welcomed them into the ballroom, clapping aloud until the room grew quiet and the orchestra set their instruments down.

  “Might I announce the Marquess of Penderstone,” Lord Johnston began, as Ann grasped tightly onto the Marquess’ arm, feeling herself go cold all over. “And his betrothed, Miss Ann Winters!”

  A gasp ran around the room, sending another chill down Ann’s spine. Then, finally, a few people began to applaud and soon the room was filled with people congratulating them. The Marquess did an excellent job of speaking to each and every one, thanking them for their kind words and felicitations, whilst Ann could only hold tightly onto his sleeve, doing her best not to faint as she did so.

  Knowing that the Duke and Duchess were behind her and that her sister would be by her side in a moment should she need her, Ann forced herself to take in long, slow breaths in order to calm her fractious mind, silently commanding her lips to curve into what she hoped was a happy smile. Thankfully, they did so and she managed to walk around the room with the Marquess, until, finally, the congratulations slowly began to come to an end.

  “I think you should sit down and rest for a time, Miss Winters.”

  The Marquess’ voice was harsh as he deposited her near a chair, which Ann took without question, her legs wobbling as she did so.

  “I shall fetch us both something to drink.”

  “Perhaps we might go for a walk in the park tomorrow, Lord Penderstone?”

  He stopped and half turned towards her, although he did not look in her direction.

  “Pray tell, what was that, Miss Winters?”

  She took in another breath, trying to find her courage.

  “A walk through Hyde Park tomorrow, Lord Penderstone,” she stated, choosing not to ask him to attend with her but rather simply make the arrangement. “We are engaged now and therefore, we must do what we can to court in the meantime.”

  He looked at her now, his lip curling.

  “I hardly think that it is necessary.”

  “You say that we are not well acquainted,” she said, plucking up her courage. “Therefore, we will walk in the park tomorrow so that I might get to know you better and likewise, you for me. Shall we say at three o’clock?”

  The Marquess said nothing, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked back at her. Then, with a grunt, he turned on his heel and marched away, leaving Ann sitting alone in the shadows. She did not mind, finding that she rather appreciated the quiet and the solitude so that she might regain her composure.

  “We will find a way together,” she murmured aloud, thinking of the disdain on the Marquess’ face as he had looked at her. “Whatever he may think, we will find happiness with each other than cannot be stolen from us. Once he knows my character better and once I am more acquainted with him, then I am certain he will discover that there is a happiness to be found in being wed.”

  This was said with a lift of her chin and a certainty in her voice that Ann did not truly feel. It was as though, if she spoke her hopes aloud, the words themselves would fill her with confidence; that they would be more likely come true.

  Her eyes caught sight of her betrothed, standing talking to someone she could not quite see. Straining to see who it was, her heart sank to her toes as he moved slightly and she realised that it
was none other than the widow. The one lady who had always managed to garner the Marquess’ attention no matter the situation. The one lady who had managed to make him smile with both ease and apparent happiness.

  Lady Hedley.

  SIX

  Miss ANN Winters to Miss CAROLINE Winters

  Mayfair, ENGLAND.

  Dear Caro,

  I fear I have made a mess out of everything. By now Theodora has likely already appraised you of the circumstances of my engagement to the Marquess of Penderstone. Oh how I wish matter had unfolded differently.

  Caro I fear the disdain in his eyes, the reproach and the unspoken accusation.

  I swear on the good book that I did not mean for events to unfold as they did. I am ashamed that somewhere deep inside there is a part of me that welcomes this marriage.

  But God smites the wicked and high minded. Just yesterday I saw the Marquess conversing with Lady Hedley, who is likely his current mistress. Surely once he is married this association will end?

  Still I cannot blame him. He did not ask for what is to come. But why oh why does my heart break asunder at the thought of their liaison?

  Last night I almost thought I saw a spark in his eyes as he laid them on me. We were called to sing a duet. Whilst I accompanied his beautiful baritone voice, he looked deep into my eyes. I swear my dear sister, that in that moment I felt the seed being laid. Later in the evening we spoke of his work in parliament – you shall be happy to hear, I did not sound like a fool, despite not being a bluestocking.

  But am I but a fool for love?

  Your distraught sister,

  A.Winters

  P.S Pardon my manners – how is Beatrice? And how did Papa take the news?

  

  “Good evening, Lord Penderstone.”

  Charles caught himself in time before he asked Miss Winters why she appeared so troubled. Instead, he merely offered her a simple greeting and turned towards the theatre door, offering her his arm as he did so. Miss Winters took it at once but said nothing more. Charles walked alongside her in silence, finding that he himself had nothing pertinent to say.

  It had been ten days since Charles had found himself engaged to Ann Winters and despite his determination to remain angry and frustrated, he had begun to find her company quite engaging. Of course, he had not said as much to anyone, having not even wanted to admit it to himself, but it was there within him, nonetheless.

  Unfortunately, Miss Winters had appeared despondent of late. She had lost her easy smile and had not held her gaze upon him for a long while. Instead, there had been nothing more than cautious glances, a few murmured comments and long pronounced silences that left him feeling more uncomfortable than ever before. What made things all the worse was that the constant company of Lady Hedley wherever he went was both a relief and a struggle.

  It was a relief because, deep down, he had to admit that he still cared greatly for her company and very much enjoyed her smiles. However, the struggle that came thereafter with Miss Winters made him lose a good deal of contentedness.

  He had caught Miss Winters watching Lady Hedley speak to him on more than one occasion and had seen her face fall and her shoulders slump. As much as he told himself he did not care what she thought or felt or did, Charles was beginning to find himself concerned for Miss Winters. He was beginning to wish for her to smile at him, for her to be able to seek his attention and conversation as she had once done, but it seemed as though she would never do so – at least, not until he set Lady Hedley aside. It was not as though he intended to do anything with regards to Lady Hedley and her offer of developing their relationship into something greater, for whilst he had to admit that he did enjoy her company, he had never permitted himself to consider anything more. It was not something he desired, which surprised even him.

  “You look very lovely this evening, Miss Winters.”

  Miss Winters looked up at him in surprise, her green eyes widening slightly.

  “I am very glad to be in your company this evening,” he managed, wondering why he was finding it so difficult to speak to Miss Winters when he usually found it remarkably easy to converse with any other young lady of his acquaintance. “I do hope you will enjoy this performance.”

  In truth, he had very little idea of what the performance was. He actually had never taken much interest in the theatre prior to this evening, for his usual company entertained him in other ways instead of requiring him to watch the performance and comment on it thereafter.

  “Thank you, Lord Penderstone,” Miss Winters murmured, her voice drifting away as they walked into the theatre. “I am sure this evening will be quite lovely.” There was no tone of excitement in her voice, no sense that she was, in fact, looking forward to spending another evening with him and Charles found that to be rather unsettling.

  “Oh, good evening Lord Penderstone!”

  The sound of Lady Hedley reached his ears almost the moment he had stepped into the theatre. Beside him, Charles felt Miss Winters stiffen even though she greeted Lady Hedley with the same gentility as usual.

  “Good evening Lady Hedley,” he replied, inclining his head. “I did not expect to see you here this evening.”

  Lady Hedley laughed and pressed his arm for a moment, before stepping away, ignoring Miss Winters altogether.

  “But surely you must recall just how often we attended the theatre together in the past, Lord Penderstone,” she cooed, whilst Charles shuffled his feet a little uncomfortable. “I am here this evening to enjoy what will be a wonderful performance, I am quite sure.”

  “And do you have company?” Miss Winters asked, quietly.

  Lady Hedley laughed again, although Charles sensed a slightly unkind tone this time. He stiffened, his brow furrowing as Lady Hedley tossed her head.

  “Of course I have company, Miss Winters,” she said, waving a hand. “I have Lord Stanton with me this evening, as well as an invitation to Lord and Lady Kettering’s soiree thereafter, so I shall be quite content, I assure you.”

  A breath of silence rushed between them and Charles swallowed hard, two different desires warring within him.

  Lady Hedley was looking at him as though she expected him to ask her to throw aside Lord Stanton and join him and Miss Winters in their box whilst Miss Winters stood silently beside him, her facial expression begging him for something he was not sure he was ready to give.

  “I think that we should depart, Miss Winters,” he declared, as Lady Hedley’s dark eyebrows slanted in a frown. “Do excuse us, Lady Hedley. The performance is soon to begin and I do not wish to miss even a moment of it.” This was nothing but a lie but Charles found himself eager to remove Miss Winters from Lady Hedley’s company as soon as possible. Lady Hedley did not say anything more to him, although her displeasure was more than a little apparent.

  “If you wish for Lady Hedley to join us, Lord Penderstone, then you need not fear to ask her on my account,” Miss Winters suddenly interjected behind clenched teeth.

  Charles blinked in astonishment. This was the first time he saw anything but affable sweetness from her and it piqued his interest. Maybe there was more to the young lady than it seemed.

  “I do not wish her to sit with us, Miss Winters. However, if you think that –”

  “Oh, no.” Miss Winters interrupted him quickly, looking straight at him for just a moment and then returning her gaze straight ahead. “I am quite content with things as they stand.” She gave him a tiny smile, although her eyes did not settle upon his, and Charles felt frustrated that Lady Hedley had, in her persistent manner, managed to dampen Miss Winters’s enjoyment of the evening.

  Silently they moved off to find their seats. The allocated box was quiet and shrouded in darkness. Her Grace the Duchess of Sotheby would soon be joining them, but for the time being, there was no-one else within.

  Charles heart quicken with a sudden sense of anticipation, although he put it down to the fact that his mind was returning to all the encounters that had
happened here before.

  “Might I ask, Lord Penderstone, if you miss it?”

  Miss Winters had taken her seat and was now looking out towards the front of the stage, even though she had asked him a question.

  “If I miss it?” Charles repeated, frowning as he came to sit down opposite her. “Miss what, Miss Winters?”

  She did not look at him, keeping her face turned away and her gaze lying straight ahead. Charles’ frown deepened as he saw her lip tremble. Clearly something was distressing her.

  “I know that I am not your choice of bride and that this engagement has come about in a rather unwelcome fashion,” Miss Winters continued, eventually. “I fear that you miss your life as it was and seek to continue on with whatever it is that brought you such happiness once before.”

  Charles hesitated for a moment or two, seeing the taut expression and hearing the way that she did not quite ask a question. Was it to do with Lady Hedley? Or simply that she feared he might turn from her entirely once they were wed? It would not be the first time that a gentleman courted his betrothed simply for appearance's sake, only to then return to his life of carousing, drinking and entertainment almost the very minute after he had become wed.

  “I have no intention of pushing you to a country estate whilst I remain here,” he told her, firmly. “Nor have I any thought to take a mistress, if that is what you are asking.”

  Miss Winters turned her head sharply and looked at him with such an intensity that Charles felt his very heart penetrated by her searching gaze. It was as if she could not quite bring herself to believe him, could not quite trust him to be speaking the truth and yet the desperate longing to do so was within her heart.

  “I know full well that my reputation as something of a rascal well precedes me,” Charles found himself saying, struggling to speak honestly and yet feeling the urge to do so rise up within him.