Chapter Ten

"I thought it was a little strange, seeing him come to your defence in that way."

Martha let out a broken laugh. "I did too, until I realised what his intentions truly were."

Miss Stockton clicked her tongue in obvious displeasure. "It seems most frustrating to me that he would behave in such a way but, then again, it should not be a surprise. After all, all he has ever done is live just as he himself pleases."

"And has done everything to make certain that he gets what he desires," Martha muttered, her irritation growing. "Though I will say, there was some pleasure in having the gentlemen look at me with a new respect."

"Because you are engaged to the Marquess of Granton."

Martha nodded then winced. "It is because of him, yes, as much as I hate to admit it."

"But no gentleman has shown you any interest as yet?"

Again, Martha shook her head. "Though it has only been a sennight. They will all now converse with me, which is a good thing. I was not certain that they would have all done so prior to his conversation with Lord Billington and Lord Rochester!"

Miss Stockton put her arm through Martha's by way of encouragement as they continued through the park. It was a warm summer's day and Martha found herself smiling contentedly, despite her own frustrating circumstances. She still had hope; hope that she would be free of this difficulty very soon and might then find herself by the side of another gentleman. A gentleman who would be nothing but the opposite of Lord Granton and who would consider her in a way that he never could.

"I am sure we shall find someone very soon."

Martha tried to smile while inwardly battling doubts that would not leave her. "It seems to me that there is a great deal of difficulty in this, greater than I had imagined." She glanced to her friend who was looking back at her with concern in her eyes. "It is not that I am without hope, for of course I am, but only to say that I did not realise that some gentlemen would be so unwilling to even consider my company! I thought that, with being engaged to the Marquess of Granton, I would find them all a little more willing to accept my company."

"And how can you find and secure another match if you cannot even have gentlemen willing to speak with you," Miss Stockton finished, completing Martha's concerns for her. "Is that what you mean?"

Martha nodded, her throat constricting with a sudden tightness. "What if I have no choice but to marry the Marquess after all? What if all my endeavours come to nothing?"

"Now, do not fear such a thing, not as yet," Miss Stockton said, firmly. "You are only just engaged, are you not? And the wedding date has not yet been set. All of society is talking about your engagement and though their conversation might focus on the Marquess and, thereafter, your father, that does not mean that there is no hope for you. Yes, society might have been reminded of your father's indiscretions but again, I am certain that we will find some gentlemen that are entirely willing to set that aside." She took in a deep breath and smiled though Martha was certain that it was rather forced. "We will find someone this very afternoon, I think."

"This afternoon?" Martha could not help the surprise which filled her voice. "I do not think that – "

"Look, there is a group of gentlemen and ladies there," Miss Stockton proclaimed, gesturing to a small, gathered group standing a little away from the path. "Might we not go and speak with them? I am sure that someone will be interested in speaking with you." Her eyes danced as she stopped suddenly, turning to Martha. "I have an idea! A thought as to what will make all of the gentlemen question why you are so favoured."

Martha frowned, hesitant. "What do you mean?"

"Well, there must be something about you that has caused the Marquess of Granton, the rogue and the scoundrel, to set that life aside in order to pursue you, must there not?" Miss Stockton's smile grew bigger. "Not everyone will have heard of the bet but even if they have, we can emphasise the fact that the Marquess himself has stepped away from the loves and the pursuits that he was once so eager to take a hold of, can we not? I can talk about how he no longer chases after every lady that he desires, how he has set his gaze solely upon you and quietly make the suggestion that there is something quite remarkable about you that has drawn the Marquess' attention. Think of it, my dear friend! The Marquess says he will make it quite plain that he is half in love with you – for his own purposes, of course – but even that guise might be just what is needed to have the attention of others drawn towards you."

A little uncertain still, Martha caught the edge of her lip, considering.

"It will be just what you need, I assure you," Miss Stockton continued, evidently seeing the concern in Martha's face. "I will do all the talking and by the end of it, I am quite sure that you will have every gentleman there eager to converse with you – or, at the very least, be willing to speak with you. That will be a good thing, will it not? After all, you do not want to be married to him, do you?"

"No, I do not," Martha answered, emphatically, her mind suddenly clear. "You are quite right, Anna. I must do whatever I can in order to break my engagement. Yes, do whatever you think will show even the smallest hint of success."

***

"You must all know that this is Lady Martha Newton." Miss Stockton nudged Martha lightly, a bright smile on her face. "I am sure that you are all aware of the engagement which has taken place, are you not?"

"Between the Marquess of Granton and Lady Newton?" one of the young ladies said, as Martha's cheeks grew hotter and hotter, very well aware of all the attention which was being placed upon her at present. "Yes, I believe that the entirety of the ton knows of it!" She sniffed and looked towards Martha, a question in her eyes. "I must say, I was rather surprised to hear it."

Wondering silently if this young lady was one of the Marquess' many conquests, Martha spread out her hands, trying to smile. "I too was rather surprised, Miss Westerly."

"Ah, but the Marquess has been so devoted, has he not?" Miss Stockton asked, her voice loud enough to capture the attention of everyone present. "I have heard – and seen – that there has been a vast change in his character and his behaviour this last sennight."

One of the gentlemen cleared his throat and sniffed. "Yes, I suppose that is true," he admitted, his eyes now going to Martha's and settling there. "You must be rather remarkable, Lady Newton, to have captured the heart of the Marquess of Granton and altered him so significantly."

Not quite sure what to say, though finding herself glad that there had been that flicker of interest, Martha looked down demurely. "I do not know what that could be," she answered, quietly. "Though that is very kind of you to say, Lord Talbot."

"Indeed, and a good observation," Lord Childers agreed, offering Martha the first smile he had given since she had stepped in to join their group. "You must be quite remarkable, Lady Newton."

"Remarkable?" Another young lady laughed horribly and shook her head. "I highly doubt that. We are all aware of the difficulties your father has found himself in, Lady Newton. There can hardly be anything remarkable about that!"

Martha's heart beat hard for a moment, though she caught the way Miss Stockton's eyes narrowed, her chin lifting just a little as she prepared to come to Martha's defence.

"I hardly think that it is fair to judge a person's merits based on the failings of their parent, do you?" she asked, before Miss Stockton could say anything. "Besides which, my betrothal to the Marquess of Granton clearly shows that he does not have any concern in that regard." She laughed as brightly as she could, waving one hand in Lady Tabitha's direction, attempting to lightly dismiss what she had said. "Besides, if the Marquess himself does not seem to care about such things, then why should anyone else? Thankfully, he sees me just as I am rather than judging my merits based on my parent's character!"

This made a few of those present glance at each other, some with lifted eyebrows and some slowly nodding, but it was the small smiles on the lips of some of the gentlemen which brought Martha the most relief. They now appeared to be considering her, at least, which was a good deal better than otherwise ignoring her!

"All the same, I do think that – "

"Tell me, Lady Newton, what was it that first drew the Marquess to you?" A young lady with a warm, soft smile interrupted Lady Tabitha's attempts to dismiss Martha again. "What was it that called you together? I must confess myself to be rather intrigued."

Martha smiled though quickly trying to hide her sense of panic as she fought to find an answer – an answer which was not yet forthcoming.

"I heard it was because of a bet," Lord Gregory interrupted, folding his arms across his chest and glowering in an obvious attempt to push aside the brightness of the conversation. "Was it not because your father – "

"Do you really think that the Marquess of Granton would force himself to become engaged to a young lady in such a way?" Miss Stockton laughed aloud as a few smiles and giggles crossed the faces of others. "And even if that were the case, do you think that you can explain his adoration of her, his rejection of others and his complete change in character?"

"No, indeed!" Another of the young ladies broke in, her hand going to her heart as she let out a small sigh. "It is rather lovely to hear of it, Lady Newton. I do think that the Marquess has quite fallen in love with you, which is most extraordinary! I did not ever think that such a rogue would ever be willing to give up his flirtations and the like but it seems that you have convinced him to do so."

Martha managed to smile, her face still hot though she sent a look towards Miss Stockton, a look which she hoped spoke of gratitude and relief. The conversation continued on to some other matter and Martha let out a slow breath, aware of the tension which slowly began to fade away. She looked around the group again, feeling herself a little more hopeful now that the conversation had gone so well. Catching the eye of Lord Childers, who was still gazing at her with a thoughtful expression on his face, Martha resisted the urge to pull her eyes away from his. Instead, she returned his look with a long, lingering one of her own, smiling softly and then, after a few moments, turning her gaze away. Whether that and the conversation before it, would be enough to engage his interest, Martha did not know but mayhap, she considered, Lord Childers might be the very gentleman who could save her from the hands of Lord Granton.