My One and Only Earl (Forever Yours #12) - Stacy Reid Page 0,46

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