AllFreeNovel
Share Us
James stood to greet them, and his eyes slid to Lady Marina involuntarily. He’d half wondered if the attraction he had felt for the lady the night before had something to do with the position he’d found her in. Perhaps now, when he’d had time to process, he would not find her so beautiful? Yet he was wrong. Her features were not classically pretty or demure, but she was striking.
Had they met in different circumstances, he would have happily pursued her as a passionate companion for one night. Yet the way they had met showed nothing of the sort could happen now.
“Lord Miller.” James bowed to the Earl who stood uncertainly before him. “I know this is a strange introduction and a peculiar situation for us to meet.”
“A little.”
“A lot,” James continued as the Earl bowed too.
“This is my wife, Lady Miller.” He didn’t bother introducing Lady Marina but just waved a hand toward her. “You will have seen the scandal sheets that mention you and my daughter this morning?”
“Yes, I have.” James waited, but they did not move further into the room. He was used to taking command of situations and found himself gesturing for the family to walk further into their own parlor.
Lord and Lady Miller hurried forward, taking seats on a rococo settee. Lady Marina followed and rolled her eyes a little, unseen by her parents. James had a feeling she would happily comment on the strange way in which he had the power in this room.
“Allow me to explain a little of what happened last night.” He kept his eyes away from Lady Marina, addressing her parents alone. “What happened… it was a misunderstanding. I had no knowledge your daughter was in that chamber before I went in.”
“Yes, thank you, we know,” Lord Miller spoke hurriedly. “Marina has explained as much to us.”
Now, James glanced her way, wondering what excuse she had given them. To his surprise, she didn’t join them in sitting but stayed standing on the other side of the room. She continued to stare openly at him, those rather bold green eyes not looking away or blinking.
“Whatever drew you both to enter that chamber though hardly matters at this moment,” the Earl began to speak in a rush. “As you will have seen in the scandal sheet and no doubt heard whispered between many, people believe you were there together for some sort ofassignation.”At the word, Lady Marina bristled across the room. She pinched her brow and looked away from her father.
James bit the inside of his mouth to stop himself from smiling. There was something to be said about being embarrassed by a parent in a matter as awkward as this. He could imagine his own father shuddering at such an idea had he still been alive.
“Her reputation is quite ruined,” the Earl continued on. “As her name is dragged down, so will our own position go with her. Today I have had two invitations for balls retracted.”
“Anyone who would retract an invitation over such a matter as this is no true friend, My Lord.” James’ words clearly startled everyone in the room. The Earl looked at him, wide-eyed, as did his wife. Lady Marina smiled a little across the room and nodded her head though her parents didn’t see the movement. “I speak out of turn; I only wish to be honest in this matter. Any true friend would not cast you aside so.”
“Perhaps you’re right.” The Earl fidgeted in his seat. “No matter the truth of this situation, I cannot stop what will happen to my daughter. She will be rejected by all. Even her true friends may leave her behind, fearing being tarnished by association.”
At the words, James stood taller, feeling as if a blow had been delivered to his gut. It was the same word that Neil had used many times before.
Tarnished… like we are some poisonous materials to our families.
He stole another look at Lady Marina who had walked to the window and stood far behind her parents. She leaned against the windowsill and huffed quietly. The distance between the Lady and her parents was noticeable, reminiscent of the number of times he’d separated himself from Neil in a grand room where the ton filled the spaces.
Perhaps we are a little alike.
“Lies are already spreading,” Lady Miller spoke for the first time, urging her husband on.
“Yes, you are right.” Lord Miller stood to his feet and reached into his pocket, pulling out what James recognized as a scandal sheet. “Have you read this, Your Grace?” He thrust a finger at the paper so hard, he nearly punched a hole through it. James carefully took the paper from him, his calm movements a contrast to the Earl’s own frantic manner.
“Let me read,” James said slowly, casting his eyes downward. Once more, the power of the room shifted toward him. The Earl hurried to sit and didn’t say a word for a moment. He read the line that had clearly caused Lady Marina’s parents much consternation.
‘… in her underwear…’
He glanced at Lady Marina, knowing it was the truth and seeing her cheeks had blushed red.
“Scandal sheets will say anything if they think it will get a rise out of people.” He returned the paper to the Earl. “We must consider where we go from here.”
“There is not much we can do.” The Earl shook his head. “Her betrothed has this morning written to us and rescinded his offer of marriage. That too will be in the scandal sheets tomorrow. Oh! The turmoil this family is to be put through.” He grunted and flung back with his wife patting his arm consolingly.
Betrothed…
James found Lady Marina’s eyes, noting her blush had grown worse. At once, he realized why she had been in that room at all last night. She had intended to escape one betrothal and possibly aim for another.
“Who was your betrothed?” he asked Lady Marina directly.
