Page 2 of The Marquess’s Forbidden Bride

‘You’ve learned much of my background,’ he said as they took their seats. ‘Won’t you tell me more about yours? Lady Englemere is your sister, Wexton said. And you are residing with the Englemeres for your first Season?’

‘True and true,’ she said with an odd little sigh. ‘We’re quite a large family. Lady Englemere is my eldest sister, who rescued our estate from my late father’s imprudent gambling by marrying Englemere, who had the good sense to treasure her despite her lack of dowry. The next eldest, Elizabeth, a Beauty and a talented artist, abjured a Season to marry a baron some years her elder, who dotes on her and leaves her to her painting. Then comes Meredyth, who took over running Wellingford Hall after Sarah married. Then me, followed a year later by Cecily, then my brother Colton and finally the baby of the group, my little sister Faith.’

‘No wonder you seem so assured,’ Charles said. ‘You’ve grown up with a wealth of people all around you.’

‘Indeed, and not just immediate family. From wrangling with my siblings to entertaining my sisters’ beaux to helping Meredyth manage the series of workmen engaged in bringing Wellingford back up to snuff after Sarah’s marriage gave us the means to do so, there was always a bustle of people and activity. Once the Hall was presentable again, Englemere often brought friends from Parliament or university to visit, your colonel so frequently he’s become like an uncle to us,’ she said with a nod towards Wexford. ‘So though I’ve only recently been presented, I’ve mingled with gentlemen outside the family since I entered my teens.’

Had one of those visiting gentlemen toyed with her heart, leading to that guarded response to his mild flattery? Charles wondered. Shelving that speculation—for he was finding Miss Wellingford’s company interesting and intended to seek out more of it—he said, ‘Are you enjoying your launch into Society?’

‘I suppose. I would have delayed a London presentation, as I’m in no hurry to wed, but my sister Cecily is anxious to embark on her own Season next year and hopes to have me settled and out of Sarah’s house before she makes her debut.’

Charles raised his eyebrows. ‘So she needn’t share the attention?’

Miss Wellingford laughed. ‘Not for the reason your disapproving tone implies. Unlike me, Cecily can’t wait to be a bride and have full charge over a household of her own. Which I suppose is only natural, when she’s had four older sisters running her life since she was a babe. As she’s even more beautiful than Elizabeth, she knows gentlemen would scarcely spare a glance for me if she were in the room. Far from resenting “sharing” Society’s attention, she’s sweet-natured enough to wish me to occupy the stage alone before she makes her debut—so she does not completely overshadow me.’

‘I doubt that would be possible,’ Charles protested. ‘You are quite attractive in your own right, as you must know.’

She waved a deprecating hand. ‘Attractive enough, I suppose, but I can’t hold a candle to Cecily. I may possess a “lovely” smile, but I don’t doubt you’ve seen many more brilliant than mine, if you’ve just come from Paris.’

Startled, and not sure whether to be annoyed or amused, Charles laughed. ‘Surely you won’t hold that compliment against me? And I assure you, you do have a particularly charming smile.’

‘I prefer plain speaking to empty flattery,’ she replied, the warmth of her tone taking the sting out of her tart remark. ‘Having been raised in a rough-and-tumble household, where sometimes-brutal honesty prevailed, I have a fair sense of my assets and faults and like to be acknowledged for what they are.’

‘So I’m to be allowed no pleasing flattery? No outrageous compliments or blatant flirtation?’ Charles shook his head. ‘You would deny me a pastime I thought all females enjoyed. My, but you are an unusual lady!’

‘Teasing wit is allowed,’ she conceded. ‘But you can save emptying the butter boat for more appreciative females.’

‘Teasing wit it shall be, then,’ Charles said, even more intrigued. Concocting pretty speeches came easily to him; he’d have to be on his mettle to frame compliments that ran close enough to the truth to please this lady.

‘Will you be taking part in the Season?’

A sudden lull in the conversation making her question audible the length of the table, Colonel Wexford turned to Charles. ‘That’s an excellent suggestion, Miss Emma. Marsden went straight from university into the army, so he’s never had a chance to participate in Society. Having a broader experience among the ton would prove useful, both for himself and his eventual employer, regardless of which position he ends up accepting. Do you not think so, Englemere?’

‘Quite right,’ the marquess said. ‘My dear,’ he continued, turning to his wife, ‘you must inform all your social connections of Lieutenant Marsden’s presence in London and encourage them to invite him to their entertainments.’

‘I do have some acquaintance among the ton,’ Charles said. ‘My two closest army friends, Rafe Tynesley, now Earl of Thornthwaite, and Hart Edmenton, now Duke of Fenniston, will both be arriving soon to attend Parliament.’

‘With the last of the army now returned from the Continent, you should find a number of other former comrades here as well,’ the colonel said. ‘Excellent! You should receive a number of invitations.’

‘I hope I may anticipate dancing with you at these entertainments,’ Charles said, turning to Miss Wellingford.

‘Are you as skilful at dancing as you are at giving compliments?’ she asked, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes.

‘Even better,’ he assured her.

‘Then yes, I shall dance with you. I may not be a Beauty, but I am an excellent dancer.’

‘I shall endeavour to match your skill. Are there other pleasures to be had in the city? I must confess, having spent so much of the last several years riding the countryside, London feels somewhat…confining.’

‘I should have thought spending so many years in the saddle would have inspired you to seek out a comfortable chair at a gentleman’s club where you might enjoy excellent dining, unlimited brandy and your favourite games of chance.’

‘I shall miss the riding, actually. And I do expect to avail myself of the pleasures of the gentlemen’s clubs, at least after Hart and Rafe…’ He broke off, shaking his head ruefully. ‘Fenniston and Thornthwaite, I should say. After knowing them so long as simple, untitled gentlemen, it will take time for me to remember to think of and refer to them by their rank.’

‘They only recently came into their titles?’

‘Yes. And both unexpectedly.’ As she continued to look at him inquiringly, Charles launched into a brief explanation about how his Scots-English friend Hart ended up heir to a duke, while the unexpected death of his older brother shifted the earldom’s mantle onto Rafe’s shoulders. ‘I intend to tease both of them unmercifully about their drastic elevation in rank and the heavy responsibilities that now burden them. If only to atone for them spoiling all our plans! With Hart not needed to oversee his mother’s modest Scots estate for some years yet and Rafe entirely unencumbered, we’d intended to go adventuring after the war was won, perhaps to India or the Americas.’ He sighed. ‘Exciting as such a prospect was when I anticipated travelling with my friends, exploring alone holds little appeal. And so you see me here, adrift in London, searching for some other occupation.’

‘I can imagine your disappointment. London must seem tame indeed, and the prospect of writing letters for some nobleman rather tedious compared to venturing to new and different lands.’ She laughed. ‘Although your prospects are still more enticing than mine! At least you can seek a position or remain in London at a club or visiting friends if you so choose before you take up managing your father’s estate. The most a gently born female can hope for is a short period of independence before she must become, in the best case, someone’s wife. Or in the worst, a governess, companion or maiden aunt, shuttled from relative to relative. No adventuring. No exploring new and exotic worlds. And never an establishment truly her own.’