Page 2 of The Truth about the Marquess (Whispers of the Ton #3)
Chapter One
“ I do not understand.” Scowling, Oliver Marston, Marquess of Edenbridge, rubbed one hand over his face and then shook his head. “I have done all that I can to convince Lady Anna that I am sincere and yet, she continued to flirt with every gentleman present!”
“But you cannot blame yourself for that,” came the reply, a heavy hand settling on Oliver’s shoulder. “You know as well as I do that there are many young ladies here in London who will care nothing for any of the gentlemen that they might offer some attention to!”
Oliver scowled.
“I do not much like that.”
His friend, the Earl of Dunstable, grinned broadly.
“I am sure that you do not, but that is the way of things. The young women here are all seeking an excellent match, in way of both title and fortune.”
“Both of which I have.”
“Ah, but what of your fortune?” Lord Dunstable winced as Oliver threw him a sharp look. “You have been in London ever since you were a young lad out of Eton. The ton knows of your father and his lack of wealth when it came to the end of his days here on earth. Now, however, they also know that you have been bearing the burden of repairing that situation and that your fortune does not match the fortunes of others of your standing.” Oliver’s shoulders dropped as Lord Dunstable continued, a sudden heaviness planting itself upon his shoulders. “Yes, my friend, they will offer you smiles and bright eyes, but they may not offer you anything more than that. Not until they can be sure that you are their best choice!”
Scowling, Oliver looked away, heat on his face.
“I am aware that I do not have the very best of fortunes, all thanks to my father and his foolish investments, but I have worked hard to improve it.” Oliver rubbed one hand over his face. “Nor do I know if society believes me in that regard either, for no matter what I say, the words seem to be lost on the wind. I see the suspicion in their glances and hear the whispers being passed between them. I find it all quite exhausting, truth be told.”
“Making your fortune again has been tiring, I am sure, but does it still continue to be such a weight upon you?”
Oliver shook his head.
“No, it is not that which tires me, it is being amongst these young ladies!” He waved one hand vaguely across the ballroom. “It is quite ridiculous, is it not? I have young ladies themselves to impress at the first, and that is difficult in itself, despite my title and good standing! Thereafter, I have mothers or fathers to consider me and even then, it seems I might not find approval! What am I to do then?”
Lord Dunstable chuckled ruefully.
“I do not know. Mayhap you might seek an arrangement?”
“A match of convenience, you mean.” Oliver grimaced, looking out across the ballroom and finding his whole being removing itself from that idea. “No, I do not think so.”
“But you want to marry!” his friend exclaimed, throwing up his hands. “Many a happy match has been made in such a way, why would you turn from that?”
“Because many an unhappy marriage has such a match made,” Oliver answered, shuddering slightly. “I think of my own parents. My dear father and mother, though they were excellent parents and very dutiful towards each other, had no happiness. Indeed, I believe that my mother was at her happiest when my father was away from home! The times that he had to go abroad for business made her almost gleeful!”
Lord Dunstable’s mouth tugged to one side as he considered. There was quietness from him for a few minutes, only for him to then shrug.
“You cannot say that all are like that, however. There must be some matches which are very happy indeed! You might be fortunate and have such a match.”
“Or I might be unfortunate and have a match that brings me nothing but disappointment and upset,” Oliver answered, making Lord Dunstable’s expression pull into a scowl. “I hardly think that I should risk such a thing, do you?”
Lord Dunstable hesitated, then sighed.
“I do not have any further advice for you. I confess that I am uncertain as to what it is that has driven you to this desire to marry and thus, though I have said what I can to support it, there is nothing more for me to add.”
Accepting this, Oliver looked around the ballroom again and then closed his eyes briefly, feeling a sense of frustration building within him.
“It is my responsibility to find a wife,” he said, half to himself and half to his friend. “I must find a suitable match with a lady who is going to be kind, considerate, and dutiful. However, that does not mean that a match of convenience will bring me all of that. Instead, I fear it might bring me the opposite!”
“And so you are determined to find a match of love?”
Oliver considered this.
“Not necessarily of love, but of genuine care, and even a little affection, yes.” Sighing, he let his jaw tighten for a moment, pushing away some of his irritation by doing so. “It appears that such a thing is going to be very hard to find, however. I do not think that it will be as easy as I had first thought, given the way that I was just now rejected by Lady Anna.”
“You shall simply have to keep trying, that is all.” Lord Dunstable chuckled as Oliver scowled. “Or you can give up the notion and become a scoundrel, if you wish it?”
That made Oliver laugh, aware that his friend was jesting.
“I hardly think that such a thing would be agreeable to anyone, for I would be even less likely to find someone willing to marry me should I do so! Besides which, there are far too many rogues in London already, are there not?”
“There are.” This made the laughter fall from Lord Dunstable’s expression. “Far too many.” Heaving a sigh, he rolled his eyes. “One might think that the young ladies of London would then be drawn to gentlemen who were not such a way inclined, but it seems that there are many where that is not the case!”
It feels as though I may as well give up before I have even begun! Oliver ran one hand over his face, aware of a sudden heaviness in his limbs. He had come to London, hopeful and determined, had found himself drawn to one young lady and had pursued her carefully. Lady Anna had taken his attentions with evident gladness, smiling and blushing and expressing all manner of interest towards him – only for her to state that no, she would not accept his courtship… not as yet, anyway. Oliver had not understood, had thought that it might mean that she wanted him to fight all the more for her attention, only to then see her flirting and laughing with various other gentlemen at the ball this evening. Clearly, she was not as impressed with him as a potential suitor as he had thought, though she had given the impression that he was the only one she had any sort of interest in.
“You will succeed in time, I am sure.” Lord Dunstable smiled briefly, but Oliver only shook his head. “Do not let Lady Anna dissuade you from trying to find the right young lady to marry.”
“Mayhap,” Oliver murmured, not in the least bit convinced. “As much as I do not want to have an arranged marriage, it may be that I will have to. If I get to the end of the Season without making any sort of progress, then I will have to consider it.”
“Lady Janice.”
Oliver inclined his head, then smiled as warmly as he could. Lady Janice was a young lady who was in her second Season and Oliver had been introduced to her the previous year. He thought her pretty, she seemed rather kind, and Oliver did find himself a little drawn to her.
“How very kind of you to call, Lord Edenbridge.” Lady Janice smiled, as she curtsied, along with her mother, Lady Kirkton. “Might I ask if you would like some tea?”
“I should.” Oliver sat down and smiled, finding himself a little pleased with how welcoming the lady was being to him. “Thank you.” He watched as Lady Janice poured the tea for him, appreciating all the more the gentle smile that the lady offered him as she set the tea down in front of him. “I thank you. Might I ask if you are enjoying the Season, Lady Janice?”
She nodded.
“I am indeed.” Pouring more tea, she offered a cup to her mother and then sat down herself, smiling still. “I think that there is a good deal still to come as well, which I am very excited about!”
“Tell me, do you enjoy the balls or the soirees better?” Oliver asked, only for there to come a knock at the door.
“Oh, do excuse me,” Lady Kirkton said, before calling to the butler to come in.
Oliver kept his smile fixed, looking across at Lady Janice and considering just how pretty she was. There was a lightness in her eyes, the gentlest of smiles on her face, and a hint of color in her cheeks. Surely this was someone that he might consider! And who, he hoped, might consider him!
“Lord Brackston!”
Oliver frowned as he watched another gentleman walk into the room. Lady Janice’s eyes lit up in a way that they had not done when he had come into the room and, instantly, Oliver felt all of his hopes begin to fade. Closing his eyes, Oliver let out a long, slow breath and then shook his head to himself.
“Lord Brackston, you are acquainted with Lord Edenbridge, I hope?”
Oliver rose to his feet quickly, smiling, though he felt like doing the opposite.
“Yes, we are. How do you do?”
He shook the gentleman’s hand and then sat down again, silently berating himself for his lack of belief. Yes, Lady Janice seemed to be pleased with the arrival of Lord Brackston, but that did not mean that he did not have a chance with her, did it? After all, they were not all that well acquainted and there was no reason why he could not pursue her! Clearly, Lord Brackston had not done so as yet, otherwise he would have heard of their courtship! Feeling a little more encouraged, Oliver settled back in his seat, smiling with ease now.
“Might I pour you some tea, Lord Brackston?” Lady Janice asked, as the gentleman she spoke to also sank into his seat. “I have only just now poured a cup for Lord Edenbridge, and it will be hot enough still, I am sure.”
“Though we can send for a fresh pot if you so require it,” her mother added quickly, sounding a little flustered. “Whatever you require, Lord Brackston.”
The gentleman waved one hand.
“Tea, as it is, will be more than acceptable, I assure you. Though,” he continued, as Oliver reached for his own cup, “I must say that I had come to speak with you, Lady Janice, in the hope of more than a simple cup of tea.”
Silence fell for a few moments, though Oliver’s stomach then began to tighten, a warning beginning to ring through his mind. Somehow, he knew what was coming.
“Might I beg of you to consider accepting an offer of my courtship?” Lord Brackston sounded a little breathless as Lady Janice froze in place, the teapot in her hand wobbling just a little. “You know that I think you quite wonderful and that I should very much like to court you, my dear.”
Oliver closed his eyes, hearing the way Lady Janice’s teapot now clattered onto the table. There was a sudden exclamation from her mother and Oliver, opening his eyes, rose to his feet, bowed, and left the room.
No one seemed to notice, for not a word was spoken to him. Instead, all he heard was Lady Janice’s excited voice accepting Lord Brackston’s request and the expression of delight that soon followed from Brackston. Wincing, he stepped out into the hallway and then after collecting his hat and cane from the butler, he hurried out of the front door and back towards his carriage, feeling a flush of embarrassment fill him.
He had not known that there had been any real interest between Lady Janice and Lord Brackston. Instead, all he had seen was a young lady who pleased him and, thereafter, had considered pursuing her instead of Lady Anna! If he had been a little more considered, a little more careful, then he might never have made such a mistake, nor felt such disappointment.
Sighing, he climbed into the carriage and, closing his eyes, sank back against the squabs.
It feels as though I am to have no success! That I shall fail in everything I try.
The carriage began to move, and Oliver tried to push away his embarrassment, though it still clung to him. He had to pray that neither Lady Janice nor Lord Brackston would tell anyone else in the ton that he had been present during their conversation, for no doubt someone would ask why he had been there – and he would have no choice but to tell them!
For the first time, the notion of an arranged marriage seemed a little pleasant to his mind, though he tried to steady himself and reconsider. He had always wanted affection and care in whatever future he had with a lady of the ton and he could not, would not give up now.
No matter how difficult it seemed.