Chapter Nine

"I need your help." Seeing Lord Radford's flickering frown, James quickly explained. "It is to do with my betrothed."

Lord Radford snorted. "You need me to separate the two of you again? In case you are unaware, I have been doing that at almost every event and occasion we have attended."

"For which I am very grateful, but such a thing is no longer required of you," James told him, making his friend frown in obvious confusion. "In fact, I must beg of you not to do anything that will separate myself from Lady Newton. I am going to be doing everything I can to make certain that the ton believes me to be half in love with her."

Lord Radford's eyes flared and his mouth fell open, only for him to clear his throat and shake his head. "I do not understand. Why should you want to do such a thing?"

"Because," James explained, glancing around him surreptitiously in the hope of not being overheard. "Lady Newton has suggested that I find her another gentleman to marry."

This did not bring any clarity to Lord Radford's otherwise confused expression.

"If I can find her another match, then she will end our engagement and marry this other gentleman," James clarified, as light began to build in Lord Radford's eyes. "Then I will be free of her, you see? Though I must, for the moment, pretend that I am deeply committed to her and that means I must turn from all that I have been doing these last few years."

"So that, when she ends the engagement, you can pretend to be broken-hearted and will have the ton offering you nothing but sympathy and understanding."

James chuckled. "You understand me very well, my friend."

"That is an excellent idea!" Lord Radford slapped him on the shoulder, beaming at him as he did so. "You say that Lady Newton came up with the notion?"

"Her friend, Miss Stockton, was the one responsible but clearly, Lady Newton was more than eager to accept it. What a relief it is to me to know that my betrothed has no desire to remain attached to me! I do not know what I would do if the lady was determined to marry me. It would be unthinkable!"

Lord Radford chuckled, then tilted his head. "So you have a way of escape. Lady Newton's father will permit her free of the engagement so long as she has a suitable gentleman to marry her, yes?"

James nodded. "And Lady Newton will declare herself in love with him and the gentleman, whoever he turns out to be, will do the same. He must be convinced to do that, of course."

"Though he may find himself in love with the lady and that will not require any encouragement on your part," his friend put in, though James immediately snorted at the idea.

"I hardly think love is a notion which any gentleman with good sense would take into himself," he declared, a little caustically. "Now, this is where you play your part. I require your assistance in finding this gentleman, whoever he may be. Miss Stockton will also be helping in that regard."

"She will indeed."

James turned, blinking in surprise as he looked into the face of his betrothed. Next to her stood a young lady whom he presumed to be Miss Stockton but, for some inexplicable reason, James found that he could not bring his gaze towards the lady. Instead, he found himself almost transfixed, looking into Lady Newton's green eyes and wondering why he should find them so entrancing. Red curls danced lightly as she turned to introduce Miss Stockton to them both, her curls pulled back so they could cascade from the back of her head. A light flush touched her cheeks and the gentle green of her gown suited her perfectly. James could not stop his gaze from lingering on her figure, noting silently that his betrothed was rather comely.

Whatever are you doing?

That question snapped him back to the present moment, making him clear his throat and frown heavily as he bowed to Miss Stockton, realising that he had not taken in even a moment of introduction.

"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Stockton." Lord Radford's voice was warm as he bowed and James looked at him sharply. Was his friend going to attempt to flirt with Miss Stockton, the lady who was meant to be assisting them in securing Lady Newton another match? He could not permit that, for all their efforts had to be fixed on his own circumstances.

"I was just informing Lord Radford that you were to aid our search for a gentleman for Lady Newton," he explained, as Miss Stockton turned icy blue eyes to his. "I am very grateful for your assistance."

The lady laughed, though it held a mockery in it which James did not like and shook her head. "Do not think that I do this for you, Lord Granton! I do this solely for my dear friend, for I do not want her to be attached to you for the rest of her days. A scoundrel would hardly know how best to treat a young lady now, would he?"

James hesitated, then forced a smile which he did not feel. "You are quite right, of course," was all he said, seeing the frown which settled on Lord Radford's forehead. "I am grateful nonetheless."

"Do you have any suggestions, Miss Stockton?" Lord Radford asked, that smile back on his face which chased away his frown. "Any gentlemen that you think we ought to consider?"

Miss Stockton considered him for a moment, her eyes searching Lord Radford's face as though she were looking for an answer in his eyes. "You seem very eager indeed for Lord Granton to find a suitable match for Lady Newton, Lord Radford. Is there a reason for that?"

The gentleman blinked as James folded his arms, finding himself rather amused at Miss Stockton's questioning of his friend. Lord Radford blinked, looked away and then frowned.

"I – I am good friends with Lord Granton, that is all," Lord Radford explained. "I want to make certain that he is contented, that is all."

"Or could it be that you want your friend to be returned to you in the same capacity as he was before? From what I understand, both Lord Granton and yourself are just as much a rogue as each other."

Lord Radford's mouth fell open, perhaps as astonished as James himself was over Miss Stockton's bold words. One glance towards Lady Newton told him that she was not as astonished as they and seemed, in fact, to be enjoying it given how she was smiling. James found his own lips curving upwards, delighting in how Lord Radford's shock spread right across his face. He did not mean it to be mirthful, of course, but James could not help but chuckle, earning him nothing more than a scowl sent in his direction.

"I think you are quite correct there, Miss Stockton," James said, when Lord Radford said nothing. "I think that Lord Radford would very much appreciate a return to the enjoyment of the Season without Lady Newton's presence being a burden."

"I am not a burden, I thank you." Martha's smile had faded, her eyes flashing as James looked to her. "I believe that you were the one who took on this engagement when you accepted the bet my father placed on the card table. Is that not so?"

"There is no reason for argument," Miss Stockton interrupted, hastily. "In answer to your question, Lord Radford, no I have not thought of any gentleman as yet, though my eyes have only just now fallen upon Lord Billington." She gestured to someone behind James' shoulder and James turned quickly, seeing a tall, rather slim fellow smiling at something another young lady was saying.

"Lord Billington is an Earl, I believe," Miss Stockton continued, looking next to Martha as James turned away from the fellow, finding himself frowning. "He is not engaged and from what I know, not courting any young lady either."

"What say you, Lady Newton?" James cleared his throat, wondering why he was frowning at the thought of Lady Newton becoming acquainted with Lord Billington. "Are you already introduced?"

Martha nodded slowly. "I am, yes," she answered, though there was a hesitation in her voice. "I am aware – as you all must also be made aware – that there is bound to be some hesitation on the part of some gentlemen. Perhaps with them all." She sighed, her shoulders dropping and James' frown quickly returned. "This may be a very difficult task but I do think that it is worth attempting."

"Because of your father's reputation, yes?" James found himself saying, as Martha's eyes went to his. "That is why people will be a little more concerned about your company?"

She nodded slowly. "Yes, that is why," she answered, her eyes a little sharper than before. "You are already aware of that, however."

"I did not mean any embarrassment," James said, hastily, realising that she thought he had mentioned it simply to mock her. "I meant that if there was anything else that might cause the gentlemen to step back from you."

This did not make any difference. In fact, it made things worse for Martha's cheeks grew red and she put both hands to her waist, her eyes blazing. "There is nothing about me personally that would put any gentleman away from me," she declared, as embarrassment began to mount in James' chest. "I am not in the least bit rude or ill mannered, I have not many flirtations as some I could mention and I certainly have no intention of bringing any sort of embarrassment upon myself by behaving inappropriately!"

James made to apologise, only to stop himself. Why should he care if this young lady was a little frustrated with him? Why should he give her even a second thought? With a shrug and a sniff, he turned his head away and looked again to Lord Billington. "Permit me to go and speak with Lord Billington," he said, changing the subject entirely. "Let me make certain he is a gentleman worthy of you, Lady Newton, before you come to join us."

Martha's eyes were like shards of broken glass but she said nothing. Her hands remained at her waist but without another word, James turned and made his way across the room, ready to speak to Lord Billington. As he went, however, he felt Martha's eyes pushing into his back and it took all of his strength and determination not to look over his shoulder at her.

I truly did not mean to embarrass her, James thought to himself, as he forced a smile when Lord Billington looked at him as he approached. But, then again, I do not care. I do not care whether or not she is embarrassed. I do not care if she thinks poorly of me. I do not care what she thinks! All I care about is removing this young lady from my side so that we can both have our share of happiness.

***

"Well?"

James caught Martha's arm as she made to pass him, catching her attention. Martha, on the other hand, wrenched her arm away just as quickly as she could before crossing her arms across her chest.

"I am afraid I have not had any success in convincing either Lord Billington or Lord Rochester to consider me as their newly engaged bride," she said, a good deal of irony in her voice. "The first gentleman did not even speak to me. The second gentleman said only a few words and then quickly excused himself, leaving me to simply watch him as he took a brandy and sipped at it simply so that he would not have to converse with me. He has returned to Lord Billington's company now that I have departed, of course."

Hearing the note of pain in her voice, James hesitated as he looked down into her green eyes. He wanted to say something to her but could not think of what it might be. It was a very strange sensation indeed. To want to encourage her in some way while, at the same time, telling himself that it was the last thing he ought to do, left him in something of a quandary.

"Come."

Surprising even himself, he turned and, taking her hand, set it on his arm. Making his way back across the room, Martha's protests started dying away as they drew closer.

"Lord Billington, Lord Rochester, good evening." James' voice filled with strength as both gentlemen turned to look at him. He had already greeted them once before, but that was in the past when he had allowed himself to become distracted, leaving Lady Newton there to converse with both gentlemen alone, albeit with Miss Stockton standing by her side.

"Good evening again, Lord Granton," Lord Rochester replied, throwing a quick glance towards Lord Billington. "Is there something the matter?"

"Yes," James stated, quickly. "I believe that you did not so much as even glance at my betrothed when I had to step away for a few minutes, Lord Billington. And you, Lord Rochester, were more interested in your brandy rather than in conversation before yourself becoming distracted by someone else… though I see that the moment my betrothed was called away, you returned to Lord Billington's company." He looked from one gentleman to the next, "Might I ask if there is some reason for that?"

The two gentlemen looked at each other again, their expressions now a little dark. "Of course not," Lord Rochester replied, sounding a little awkward. "I found myself a little distracted by Lady Hannah, that is all. When she would not offer me any conversation, I returned to Lord Billington's company."

"I see," James told him, though he made certain that his tone was nothing but disbelieving. "And you, Lord Billington? Is there a reason that you will not talk with my betrothed?"

Lord Billington's mouth open and then closed again, frowning as he looked to Lord Rochester, perhaps hoping that his friend might offer him some sort of excuse.

"I am well aware that Lord Hampshire has made some difficulties for himself the last few years, but since the debts are paid and all is as it ought to be, is there any reason to treat both himself and his family with such disdain?" James asked, seeing the two gentlemen drop their gaze, finding himself satisfied with how they were responding to him. "Do you not see that, in ignoring my betrothed, you also insult me?"

"I must beg your pardon," Lord Billington said quickly, only for James to hold up one hand, palm out towards Lord Billington. "It is not to me that you must apologise, Lord Billington."

The gentleman nodded quickly and then looked again to Lady Newton who, rather than looking to Lord Billington, was gazing up at James instead, confusion written into every part of her expression.

"I humbly beg your pardon, Lady Newton," Lord Billington said, quietly. "I will never do such a thing again."

"Nor shall I," Lord Rochester agreed, bowing towards Martha. "Pray excuse me for my boorish bad manners."

Martha swallowed and then nodded. "But of course," she said, quietly, though her astonishment appeared to be all the greater as she returned her wide eyes to James.

"I thank you," James said, grandly. "Come now, my dear." He walked away with his betrothed by his side, finding himself rather proud in all that he had managed to achieve. The two gentlemen had been properly scolded for what they had done and that, he was sure, would please Lady Newton.

That thought wiped the smile from his face. Please her? He blinked furiously, his chest tight. Why should I want to please her?

"I – I thank you for doing that, Lord Granton." Martha frowned. "I did not think it necessary but – "

"But of course it is necessary!" James exclaimed, seeing her frown line her forehead all the more deeply. "You do not understand, I am sure, but I said those things and berated those two gentlemen to make certain that all of the ton knows how dedicated I am to you." It was a good explanation and James smiled broadly, relieved that he would not have to give the truth to her. He could not exactly confess to her that he had found himself wanting to make certain that she was not treated in that way again, not when he was so unsettled by that himself!

"I see." Martha let out a small sigh and then looked away from him. "You want society to think well of our connection so that when the engagement ends, they will be sympathetic towards you, just as you have explained."

"Yes, yes, that is quite right." James himself drew in a steady breath, pushing away the confusing thoughts within his own mind and settling himself again. "The ton must see me defend you, must be quite certain that I have come to care for you so that, when the time comes, I can be adequately heart broken and all will go as I hope."

Martha smiled but it was not a smile of gladness, of happiness or of understanding. Instead, there was a sadness to it and though James did his best to ignore it, there was something about that look, something about the weight in her expression, that made him suddenly very confused indeed.