Marguerite's Pledge for Redemption
[A Regency Era novel, #vengeance #weaktostrong #heiress #loveaftermarriage #noblefamily #dramatic #betrayal] "Lady Blanchard," the Marquess of Canterbury announced, his voice carrying a hint of surprise as he swept off his cocked hat and handed it to the waiting butler. He then stepped into the drawing room, his eyes immediately falling upon her. The cup of tea and a plate of pastries on the coffee table suggested that she had been waiting for his arrival for some time. "What a surprise," he continued, a hint of amusement creeping into his tone. "Do you require anything from me?" "Indeed, Your Grace," Maggie replied, her voice steady despite the weight of her proposition. The Marquess's amusement vanished, replaced by a flicker of suspicion. He crossed his arms in a haughty manner, his posture demanding an explanation. "And what might that be?" he inquired, his voice laced with a cool formality. "I would like to propose," Maggie began, meeting his gaze directly, "a marriage alliance between us." -_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- Upon her father's untimely demise, Lady Marguerite “Maggie” Delaney Antoine Blanchard was betrayed by the man he loved, Nicholas Cunningham, and the only other relative she trusted, Nicholas' father, Lloyd Cunningham. She found much-needed support in the Marquess of Canterbury, Percival Clement Duane Locksworth, whom she did not care for due to the unfortunate nature of their first meeting, but who turned out to be the lifeline she needed to exact his revenge and regain the Countess of Huntington title. When Maggie offered the Marquess a beneficial deal in exchange for his hand in marriage, would the not-so-charming gentleman say yes? And if he did, would Maggie be able to win the claim for the Earldom of Huntington and retain it within the Blanchard family's ownership? Or would she crumble under the storm of the Marquess's gaze, his presence a churning sea threatening to engulf her whole?
Chapter 47 - The Day Of The Exhibition
The Royal Academy's Exhibition Hall, a bastion of artistic prestige, traditionally opened its doors only four times a year, each occasion timed with the changing seasons. Two weeks before each exhibition, a theme was announced, and a flurry of activity ensued. Aspiring artists, both seasoned talents and noble offspring seeking recognition, submitted their creations for a hefty fee. This highly anticipated event was a social cornerstone, a chance for the elite to mingle and discover the next artistic luminaries.
However, this year, a dramatic departure from tradition was unfolding. The once-predictable doors remained locked to the usual participants. Instead, a murmur of intrigue spread through society as whispers of an unorthodox exhibition reached eager ears. The spotlight would not be on established artists, but on a collection of underprivileged children and youths, their talents raw and undiscovered.