“Lord Fairfax,” she greeted him, dipping into a curtsy. “What an unexpected surprise, my lord.”
“Is it?” he asked with a smile and a decided twinkle in his light green eyes.
Poppy thought his smile was particularly fatuous. He walked over to her, and it was the first time she had noticed the flecks of gold at the center of his eyes. Those very eyes stared at her with too much warmth.
Bloody hell. It felt good to curse, even if silently.
A few months ago, she had no suitors, and today she had one man presumably asking for permission to marry her now, another one with courting intentions…and another one she was falling in love with, but he did not believe in sentiments.
“Ah…yes.”
“I would like to invite you to a carriage ride in Hyde Park, Miss Ashford.”
Poppy took a deep breath. It was best to be truthful from the get-go. “My lord, if you will permit me to be frank and honest with you?”
“I would have it no other way, Miss Ashford.”
“I am excessively flattered. I cannot express how much, but I…I am not interested.” Poppy winced at how badly that was done. “Forgive me, I do not wish to let you hope in vain, so I must confess that my affections are engaged elsewhere.”
An arrested look appeared on the viscount’s face. “Ah, with Lord Kingsley. He has made it known to all who are watching that you are indeed special. Surely it does not escape your attention that he has not made an offer, nor is he really courting you.”
“I do not believe I said it was the earl.” Poppy smiled politely. “Thank you for calling, Lord Fairfax, if you will excuse me.” She whirled around and escaped the drawing-room. Another social gaffe on her part possibly, but she could not care at the moment.
Hurrying up the stairs and down the hallway, she paused at the sound of loud voices. They came from the small library on the second floor.
“Compromise the earl? Mama, please. I cannot do what you ask!”
“Rubbish! Lord Kingsley is determined to make a fool of himself over your sister. We must be prudent and plan several steps ahead. You saw how he has been, dancing only with her for the entire season.”
Poppy’s stomach lurched sickeningly, and she pressed a hand over her mouth.
“Mama, please, I do not wish to—”
“Do you wish to be a countess?”
Silence fell, and she imagined Rebecca fidgeting.
“You will do as I say. Lavinia and I have it well planned. Your sister will ensure a few society matrons arrive at the library at the opportune time at tonight's ball. You will ensure when the door opens that you are in the earl’s arms. Trip yourself or faint, but ensure you are in his arms and prevaricate to stay there until the door opens.”
There were several rustles, and their voices faded until Poppy could no longer discern their scheme. What a designing creature her sister and stepmother proved to be! It was quite fine for them to order Rebecca to encourage the earl, but to deceitfully entrap him into marriage was a selfish and despicable act. There was a peculiar and very heavy chill upon Poppy’s heart that Rebecca might succeed.
Poppy hurried down the hallway and into her room. She leaned against the door and listened until she heard Rebecca entered her own room. Taking a deep breath, Poppy left her room and made her way to her sister’s room. She knocked once and was bid enter. It shocked her to see the red puffiness of Rebecca’s eyes. A quick glance showed her stepmother had departed.
“You were crying,” Poppy said gently.
“What do you want?” her sister demanded mulishly, dropping a piece of lace she had been caressing. “Are you here to gloat about the earl once again dancing only with you?”
With another startling jolt, Poppy realized that might have been the only reason her stepmother decided to take matters into her hands.
“The earl is not attracted to me, Rebecca,” Poppy said, pushing the words past the aching tightness in her throat.
“That is because you do not see how he looks at you.” This was said bitterly. “He does not regard me at all, and if he does, it is to speak to me in a manner as if I am a younger sister.”
Poppy took a steadying breath. “I overheard what mother said to you just now. She wants you to compromise Lord Kingsley and start a scandal.” She hurried over to her sister. “You must not, Rebecca! To act in such a manner will surely destroy your reputation and create discord between you and the earl. He is not the sort of man to be forced against his heart and wishes. I do not believe he will offer you marriage even if you are caught in a compromising position!”
Rebecca’s face crumpled, and fresh tears sprang to her eyes. “Mama and Lavinia say I must if I wish to secure a happy future. But I do not love the earl; I truly do not.”
Poppy paused, assessing the pained lovelorn look on her sister’s face. “Is there someone…someone that you like?”
They had never confided in each other before, and it had always been Rebecca and Lavinia that had the close relationship, with Poppy looking inward and dearly hoping to be a part of their happiness. Rebecca flung herself in Poppy’s arms, startling her. There she allowed her sister to cry out her frustration while she patted her shoulders and muttered soothing nonsense.
Finally, when the storm had passed, Rebecca stepped away.
“You must think me a silly watering pot.”
“No,” Poppy said softly. “You are a young girl in her first season, and you face immense pressure to make a good match and not disappoint mother. It did not occur to me how hard this must be for you.”
A tremulous smile crossed Rebecca’s lip. “There…there is a gentleman I quite fancy.” She blushed and looked away for a few moments. “Mr. Langston is only two and twenty. He is very well-liked and comes from a good family. He…he likes me as well, I can tell!”
“Have you told mother?”
“Mama says I am not to dance with him anymore, and the drive out that I agreed to must be canceled.”
“Is Mr. Langston not from a respectable family?”
“He is not an earl,” she whispered miserable, tears pooling in her eyes. “How can I not agree with mama and Lavinia?”
“Does that matter very much to you?” Polly gently asked. She had always assumed Rebecca to be greatly persuaded by Lavinia. It cheered her to know that Rebecca’s feelings and emotions were not wholly manipulated to suit her sister and stepmother’s lofty aspirations.
“He is not bumbling or poor. He has an inheritance of five thousand pounds a year. Mr. Langston treats me with great cordiality and affection. He also scolds me when I am puffed up with vanity and say nonsensical things. No…no other gentleman has ever taken me to task. They are all too busy appreciating my beauty or trying to impress me.”
“I daresay it can be tiresome if no one looks beneath the surface of your beauty.”
“Oh, but Mr. Langston does! He is most amiable and charming, and when we speak, he asks my opinion on all matters and subjects. And he truly listens to what I have to say. He is most considerate. Wyatt…sorry…Mr. Langston makes me laugh.”
“Then be honest with mother and let her know you hold him in your regards.”
“I cannot,” she wailed. “How can I go against what mamma says? How do I dare?”