In Search of Love: Convenient Arrangements (Book 2)
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In Search of Love
Convenient Arrangements (Book 2)
Rose Pearson
Landon Hill Media
Contents
In Search of Love
In Search of Love
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
My Dear Reader
A Sneak Peek of The Duke’s Saving Grace
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Join my Mailing List
In Search of Love
Convenient Arrangements
(Book 2)
By
Rose Pearson
© Copyright 2020 by Rose Pearson - All rights reserved.
In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document by either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.
Respective author owns all copyrights not held by the publisher.
In Search of Love
Prologue
Miss Julianna Martins sighed heavily as she stepped into the ballroom. Even with her dear grandmother beside her, she felt her steps grow heavy as her reluctance grew.
“You must try, my dear girl.”
“Yes, Grandmama,” Julianna replied automatically, even though she knew that there was very little hope of her being noticed this evening, no matter what she did. She was plain, thin, and quiet, and with a father whom most of the ton despised, there was very little interest in her from any quarter. This was one of the first balls of the Season but Julianna felt no delight in such a thing. Rather, she wondered just how long she would have to remain before Lady Newfield would give up and allow her to return home.
“I know that your father has been less than helpful,” Lady Newfield continued with a slight huff and a lift of her chin, “but I am here now and I fully intend to assist you this Season.”
Julianna smiled slightly, looking across at Lady Newfield and feeling a small flicker of hope begin to burn in her heart.
It was quickly extinguished.
“You are very kind, Grandmama,” she said honestly, looking back out across the ballroom and seeing that not a single pair of eyes had flicked in her direction as she continued to walk toward the left of the ballroom. “But everyone in the beau monde is well aware of who my father is and how little a dowry I have. Besides which, given that my father is a gambler, a drunkard, and very close to now being a pauper, I am quite certain that no sensible gentleman should want to come near to me!” She lifted one shoulder in a half-hearted shrug. “My father took great pleasure last Season to inform me that a gentleman spoke to him in the hope of courting me.” Her heart began to ache as she recalled it. “He refused him. He stated that the gentleman did not have enough wealth in order to satisfy him. What he meant, of course, was that he was not a suitable gentleman for him. My father has long wanted me to wed a gentleman of great wealth and pliable character so that funds can be easily transferred to my father.”
“All that is now at an end,” Lady Newfield said firmly. “Your father has been spoken to and I have sworn to have you wed and settled by the time this Season is at an end.”
Julianna did not know how to react to such a statement. She had long given up any expectation that the ton might show her even the smallest flicker of interest and certainly did not think that a gentleman of wealth, title, and good standing would even consider someone such as her. She knew precisely what she was to them. Nothing more than a wraith. A ghost that wandered through their midst without true form or any sort of worth.
Lady Newfield pursed her lips, her eyes narrowed and her gaze sharp. There was nothing said for a moment or two and Julianna knew that her grandmother was holding back all of the thoughts she would very much like to express about Viscount Fotheringhay, Julianna’s father. Julianna knew very well that the match between her own late mother and Lord Fotheringhay had not been one blessed by Lady Newfield, but that she had not had the opportunity to voice such concerns. But it appeared that her concerns over Lord Fotheringhay had been quite correct. Ever since Julianna could remember, she had known her father to be arrogant, selfish, and entirely unconcerned about both herself and her mother. Not that Julianna could recall much about her dear mother, given that she had passed away from a great and terrible fever when Julianna had been but a few years old.
“Even if your father does not care about your future, Julianna, I do,” Lady Newfield said eventually, each word forcible and determined. “I am all the more frustrated that he has kept me away from you these last few years.”
Julianna gave her grandmother’s arm a light squeeze. She knew all too well that the reason her father had kept Lady Newfield away from her was simply that he could not bear Lady Newfield’s blunt manner and harsh words that flung the truth at him whenever she had cause to do so. They had met only on very brief occasions as Julianna had been growing up and yet, this year, Lady Newfield had not only written to inform Julianna’s father that she would be in London to escort Julianna throughout society, but had also turned up at the door and walked straight through, without even a modicum of hesitation, and thereafter, had refused to depart without Julianna by her side.
Julianna was truly grateful to have her grandmother’s company and wished she could find the words to express such a sentiment. Whilst she had no expectation that this evening’s ball would be markedly different in any way from any previous balls, at least she now had someone by her side who truly cared about her.
“Your father, no doubt, left you to linger with the wallflowers at events such as these,” Lady Newfield muttered darkly, as Julianna shot her a small, wry smile which betrayed the fact that this was precisely the truth. “Well, you can be assured, my dear Julianna, that I shall not be so unconcerned.” She looked around the room a little more pointedly, her eyes assessing each and every face she saw. “We shall begin with introductions.”
Julianna felt her stomach drop, the light smile falling away from her face almost at once. “Introductions?”
“Indeed,” Lady Newfield said briskly. “I am certain that you know very few people here and I have no intention of allowing you to continue in such a small sphere.”
She began to walk purposefully toward a group of ladies who were standing a little away from them, with Julianna noting how a few gentlemen were also making their way toward the group. Her stomach began to swirl in a most unwelcome manner, making her heart pound with trepidation. She wanted to pull her grandmother back, to inform her that she had no need to be introduced to anyone, given that they would do nothing other than bow or curtsy, exchange a few pleasantries, and then allow their gaze to drift away from her again, as she had seen so many times before.
But it was much too late. Before Julianna could protest, before she could even think to say that such an idea was not worth their while, Lady Newfield had tugged her into the group, curtsied, and then exclaimed so loudly that Julianna was certain that everyone in the room had heard it.
“Lady Tillsbury!” Lady Newfield cried, throwing her hands up in evident delight. “My goodness, I am so very glad to see you!”
There was a moment of silence and Julianna winced inwardly, certain that this would bring nothing but embarrassment
to both herself and her grandmother, only for a second loud exclamation to rip through the ballroom as a lady seemingly acquainted with Lady Newfield tottered forward and threw her arms about her.
Julianna’s mouth dropped open in surprise.
“I can hardly believe it!” Lady Tillsbury cried, holding onto Lady Newfield’s upper arms and smiling broadly at her. “I did not think I should ever see you in London again!”
“It has been some years,” Lady Newfield admitted, throwing a quick glance toward Julianna. “It has not been for lack of trying, I assure you, but you find me here at last.”
Lady Tillsbury said something that Julianna could not quite make out and Lady Newfield laughed gently, before turning to Julianna. Julianna, aware of Lady Tillsbury’s immediate scrutiny, curtsied as gracefully as she could, feeling heat rise in her cheeks as she noted the others around them also showing her some interest. As she stood, she placed her hands gracefully in front of her but kept her head slightly bent, so that she would not be looking Lady Tillsbury directly in the face. It was not a matter of respect, however, but rather a habit that Julianna had become well used to, fearful that some sort of insult would be thrown at her, and thus she would be able to hide her expression rather well from such an angle.
It seemed Lady Tillsbury was not the sort of lady to insult others, however.
“I am very glad to meet the granddaughter of my dear friend,” Lady Tillsbury said warmly, and Julianna looked up in surprise. The lady was smiling brightly, a sparkle in her eyes as she reached out to grasp Julianna’s hands. “Tell me, have you long been in society?”
Julianna flushed. “Yes, my lady,” she said, a little awkwardly. “This is now my third Season.”
A small titter of laughter came from someone in the group and Julianna’s color heightened all the more. Lady Tillsbury frowned at someone over Julianna’s shoulder and immediately, the sound died away.
“Then I am all the more glad to make your acquaintance,” she said firmly. “Allow me to introduce you to some of my acquaintances, who I am sure would be delighted to sign your dance card.” This was said with what Julianna knew to be a pointed look at one or two others, and her blush continued filling her cheeks as she turned around to greet those Lady Tillsbury wished to introduce her to. She did her best to remain as dignified as she could, curtsying and greeting each person in turn with a quick smile, even though she could not bring herself to allow her eyes to linger on them for long.
It was not in vain that such introductions were made, however, for within a few minutes, Julianna found her dance card no longer entirely empty. Instead, she had three dances with three separate gentlemen, and although she knew that they were doing so simply to do as Lady Tillsbury asked, she could not help but feel a growing sense of delight deep within her. She was not going to be a wallflower this evening, it seemed!
“I thank you for your kind introductions, Lady Tillsbury,” Lady Newfield said warmly. “If you will excuse me, I can see another dear friend that I simply must greet this evening.”
Julianna smiled her thanks at Lady Tillsbury and took her leave, catching the victorious smile on her grandmother’s face and unable to keep her own smile from growing steadily.
“You see?” Lady Newfield said triumphantly as she led Julianna through the crowd. “This evening shall not be as all your others have been, Julianna. I am quite determined that you will not hide in the shadows any longer!”
“You are very kind, Grandmama,” Julianna answered truthfully, wishing she could express her sense of overwhelming gratitude to the lady and finding that flicker of hope beginning to burn again in her heart. This time, she did not immediately quench it but allowed it to burn, feeling it ignite her very soul. Her head lifted a little more, her shoulders straightened, and her chin held itself up a little higher. This evening, it seemed, the ton were going to take a little notice of her, whether they wished to or not.
Suddenly, quite out of nowhere, a long arm reached out and caught hers. With a gasp of astonishment, Julianna turned around to see a dark-haired gentleman with half-closed eyes, leering at her as he tugged her toward him.
She tried to call out but no sound left her mouth, such was her shock.
“There you are, Christina,” the gentleman slurred, his other hand now holding her fast. “I have been looking all over the ballroom for you.”
His eyes were dull, his smile sloping to one side of his face as he swayed heavily. Julianna’s heart was beating furiously, her panic beginning to rise as she looked into the gentleman’s face and tried her best to summon the strength to pull herself from him.
Unfortunately, even in his inebriated state, the gentleman’s hands were much too tight. Julianna looked desperately for Lady Newfield, but her grandmother clearly thought that Julianna was still walking behind her and had not turned around to see that she was now absent.
“Please, sir,” she said breathlessly, not wanting to speak too loudly for fear of drawing attention to herself. “I am not Christina.”
The gentleman laughed and Julianna’s face drained of color as he pulled her all the closer to him.
“You need not pretend,” he said softly, one hand letting go of her arm so that he might trail his fingers down over her cheek. “I know that you have been longing for my attentions.”
Julianna tried to pull herself free, shaking him off and turning on her heel as she did so, her breath quick and fast as she began to panic. She had to escape this cruel gentleman, to remove herself from him so that he would not make her shame and embarrassment all the greater—yet he would not allow her to depart.
His fingers grasped her arm firmly as she continued to try to wrench herself away, her eyes finally catching on Lady Newfield. Her grandmother was hurrying back toward her, her eyes wide with shock, clearly having realized that Julianna was no longer behind her as she made her way across the ballroom.
“Now, that is most unfair,” the gentleman said, leaning down as Julianna pressed both hands against his chest to push herself from him. “You cannot truly wish to hide from me, not when I know what you have long been waiting for.”
Before she could say anything, before she could raise a hand to slap him in an attempt to jolt him to his senses, the gentleman lowered his head and pressed his lips to Julianna’s.
It was a horrifying moment. His lips were warm but damp, sliding across her lips until they lingered on her cheek. Julianna went limp, horror streaking through her as she realized what this now meant.
Gasps of shock came from all around her and, as she stepped back, the gentleman’s fingers finally loosening on her arm, she saw the way those around her were whispering to each other, their hands at their mouths as they hid their remarks from her. The gentleman in question staggered to the right and then went crashing to the ground, bringing yet more shocked exclamations from those around him.
“Julianna!”
Lady Newfield was by her side, holding Julianna tightly as she stared, wide-eyed with shock, at the gentleman who now lay on the floor of the ballroom. “Whatever did he do?”
Julianna could barely find the energy to speak, such was her shock. Her fingers reached for Lady Newfield’s hand, her whole body beginning to shake.
“He… he called me Christina,” she whispered hoarsely. “I do not know who she is but he would not let me go.”
Lady Newfield’s eyes were flashing with fury but she maintained her composure with an effort. “It seems that he has tied you both together with his foolish actions,” she said as people began to point at Julianna openly, without any sort of hesitation. “Forgive me, Julianna, but this must be done in order to preserve your reputation.”
Julianna did not know what Lady Newfield meant, feeling the loss of her support keenly as Lady Newfield stepped forward, leaving Julianna to stand alone for a moment.
“I am very sorry that you have witnessed Lord Altringham behaving in such an inebriated and foolish manner,” she said, addressing the crowd who now all
watched Lady Newfield with great interest. “Evidently, he could not keep his admiration for Miss Julianna Martins, my granddaughter, to himself. I hope you will all join me in congratulating them both on their engagement.”
Julianna felt the ground shift beneath her feet as she stared at her grandmother, seeing the grim smile that settled on the lady’s face as she looked back at Julianna, a sharp look in her eye. Julianna tried to smile, her eyes filling with tears as Lady Newfield came back to her side, reaching out to hold her arm tightly as she did so.
“It will all be quite all right,” Lady Newfield said firmly as the onlookers began to whisper and chatter to each other again, a new eagerness in their voices and demeanor. “You will see, my dear Julianna. It will all be quite all right.”
Chapter One
“My dear Julianna.”
Julianna tried to smile as her grandmother held her hands tightly in hers for a few moments, tears springing to her eyes as she looked into Lady Newfield’s face and felt her heart tear apart.
“Are you quite ready?”
Julianna swallowed hard but nodded. “I suppose I must be, whether I wish to be present here or not.”
The last few weeks had been something of a whirlwind. Lord Altringham had not come to see Julianna after he had awoken from his stupor, but rather had gone to her father to make the arrangements for the wedding. Julianna had been a little surprised that he had agreed to it without any sort of hesitation, but it seemed that Lord Altringham had been made fully aware of his actions and knew that he could not simply push aside such behavior as he had displayed the previous evening without consequence.