Page 44 of Redemption of a Marquess

The woman gasped. “How dare you?”

“How can you tell such horrid lies?” Jeanine demanded.

“They aren’t lies,” the woman spat. “Everyone knows the Morning Star is the worst sort of man.”

“D-don’t call him that, you mean woman.”

The woman’s eyes shifted past Jeanine and a male voice drawled, “How very pleasant it is to find you here on the balcony, Lord Fletcher.” The marquess halted beside Jeanine. “You’re looking lovely, Lady Fletcher. I have been hoping for the opportunity to thank you both for attending tonight’s little party.”

“It is an honor,” Lord Fletcher said. “Thank you for the invitation. However, I believe it is getting late. I must get Margaret home.”

The marquess gave a bland smile. “I quite agree.”

Lord Fletcher cupped his wife’s elbow. “Good night, my lord.” He bowed. “Miss Matheson.”

They started away. Jeanine turned and watched them reenter the ballroom. “She is a mean and s-spiteful woman,” Jeanine said.

“There is no need to excite yourself, my dear,” the marquess said.

“But she said awful things about you.”

“If I got upset every time someone said awful things about me, I would be upset all the time. “

“Sometimes I d-despise people,” she said.

“You are a better person than me,” he said. “I despise them all the time. Come, let us sit.” He urged her back to the bench where she’d been sitting and lowered himself onto the seat as she sat.

“Why are people so cruel?” she asked.

“The reasons are far too numerous to name and not worth our time,” he replied. “Lady Fletcher has a love of gossip and isn’t above creating a juicy story if no real tale exists.”

“I know,” Jeanine said. “She lied outright about you.”

“It isn’t the first time someone lied about me, and will not be the last. In fairness, Lady Fletcher is not wholly to blame. I invite gossip by living as I please without regard for Society.”

“That only means you are courageous,” she said.

His brows shot up. “How, may I ask, came you to this conclusion?”

She waved a dismissive hand toward the open doors. “They are sheep who follow what Society dictates because they do not have the courage—or intelligence—to think for themselves. They are jealous that you do as you please, so they lie to salve their egos.”

He stared at her, a strange light in his eyes. “Just the other day, I was told you aren’t a grown woman.”

“Who said that?” she demanded.

He laughed. “My dear, you are contrary.”

Lady Guilford emerged from the ballroom and glanced around the balcony. When her gaze landed on them, she hurried to the bench. “There you are, Jeanine. You are to dance with Mr. Ross soon.”

Jeanine shook her head. “I don’t want to dance anymore tonight.”

“You promised him a dance.”

His lordship stood. “If you promised Mr. Ross a dance, then you must dance with him.”

“I don’t feel like dancing.”

His gaze locked with hers. “A lady does not break her promise without good reason.”

“I have a good reason. I am angry.”

That is not a good reason.” His expression hardened. “Lady Guilford has worked hard to make this soiree a success. You will not disgrace her or me.”

Jeanine jumped to her feet. “I would never do that.”

“I’m relieved to hear you say so.”

“I will not give those scorpions a reason to say anything bad about you on my account.” Jeanine grasped his hand. “You believe me, don’t you?”

Startlement flickered through his eyes before he gave a gentle smile. “Aye, lass. I believe you. Now, go with my cousin and do as she asks. She knows best what to do at parties like this. An old bachelor like me, I am too out of practice.”

She released his hand and snorted. “You may say that all you like, but I am not fooled. You danced with me better than anyone else I danced with tonight.”

He laughed. “Go, before I decide that my ward deserves a beating.”

She grinned. “You would never do that. But I will go.”