Page 36 of Redemption of a Marquess

“There you go. You understand.”

Lady Guilford nodded, but something in the slight downturn of her mouth gave Jeanine pause.

“Surely, there are men to choose from other than Joshua,” Lady Guilford said. “You are young. Go home and let the young men court you.”

Jeanine shook her head. “Oh, I can never return home,” Jeanine replied. “My mother has remarried.”

“Your mother has remarried,” Lady Guilford began, then broke off when a man turned onto the path up ahead.

He neared. Something about him seemed familiar. Lady Guilford whispered unintelligible words under her breath. In the next instant, Jeanine recognized Lord Gordon. He lifted a hand and waved, then called out to them as he quickened his step.

He reached them, and they were forced to stop when he halted and bowed. “Lady Guilford, what a pleasure to see you.”

“Lord Gordon,” she replied in a cool voice.

He seemed not to notice, and looked at Jeanine. “A pleasure to see you, Miss Matheson. I did not know you liked to walk.”

Jeanine followed Lady Guilford’s example and replied in an aloof tone, “Of course, everyone likes to walk.”

He smiled. “Quite right. May I have the pleasure of your company for the remainder of your stroll?” The question seemed directed at Jeanine, which struck her as rude, for he should have addressed Lady Guilford.

“We will be returning home soon,” Lady Guilford said.

“It would be a pleasure to accompany you however far you go,” he said, clearly oblivious to her reticence.

To Jeanine’s surprise, he stepped to her right and winged an arm toward her. Jeanine looked at Lady Guilford for approval. She gave a curt nod and Jeanine wondered if she’d done something wrong, but slipped her hand into the crook of his arm.

“How is Lord Guilford, my lady?” he asked, and covered Jeanine’s hand with his as they started forward.

“Quite well, thank you,” she said.

Jeanine resisted the urge to pull her hand free of his as he prattled on about the weather, how lovely they both looked, and confirmed that they remained in good health.

“You must be terribly busy with plans for the ball your cousin is hosting tonight, Lady Guilford.”

She gave a careless laugh. “No more than usual.”

“I do believe all of Edinburgh is talking about the party,” he said.

“It will likely be the ball of the season,” she replied casually.

“With you at the helm, success is assured,” he said. “Miss Matheson, you must be looking forward to this evening.”

“Oh yes. I don’t think I have ever attended a ball quite so large. Grey says at least three hundred people should attend. I’m not sure his ballroom will hold that many.”

Lady Guilford shot her a warning look, and said, “Of course, it will.”

A carriage rattled past followed by two men on horseback.

“It is certainly larger than any ball I have attended,” Lord Gordon said.

“I cannot believe Gre—”

Lady Guilford looked sharply at her.

Jeanine realized her mistake, and amended, “—his lordship knows so many people.”

“He is the Marquess of Northington and 6th Earl of Edmonds,” Lord Gordon said. “He knows everyone.”