The Marquis

Florence was reaching her limit while listening to the conversation. Her cousin had started boasting about her husband–her husband's money to be more accurate–the minute she arrived. The dowager countess encouraged her further with all her questions. Thus, Florence was forced to listen to them for the past hour.

"When will the guests arrive?" Hannah asked.

"Some guests are arriving early, tomorrow or the day after. People are attending from different parts of the country. I even asked your mother to prepare her manor, in case we can't host everyone here." Lina chuckled.

"Oh my." Hannah's eyes moved to Florence. "You must be excited about the party. I believe it is the biggest celebration we have had in a couple of years. Since my wedding, I reckon."

"I told mother that I would have preferred a smaller gathering with close friends and family." Florence shrugged.

"You know Florence, she does not like the attention," Lina joked.

"Oh my goodness, I remember at her coming of age ball." They both chuckled.

'It is always like this.'

Florence bit the inside of her cheek in frustration. She was tempted to just walk away, but she dreaded the lecture her mother would give her, especially in front of her cousin. So she endured.

She did for the following couple of days. She had hoped that when the guests started to arrive, her mother would be busy welcoming them and socializing. But it only got worse. Lina kept Florence by her side at all times.

Every morning, the dowager countess instructed the maids to make her daughter look flawless. It was like attending a party every day, morning, afternoon, and evening. It was exhausting.

"There you are," Lina's voice made Florence freeze. She was hoping to sneak away for some alone time. "Come, dear. I want you to meet someone."

'Dear? Her acting in front of the guests is superb.'

"Yes, Mother." Florence eyed the man standing next to her mother and felt the hair on the back of her neck stand. She had never met him before, but for some reason, she felt like she needed to run away from him.

"This is my daughter, Florence. Florence, this is Marquis Ano Galley."

"How do you do, my lord?" Florence curtsied, avoiding his eyes.

"You are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on, my lady." The man grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips. Florence's stomach turned at the contact. She could not even bring herself to respond to his comment.

"Oh my, Lord Galley, your words have left my daughter speechless." Lina laughed awkwardly.

"Th-thank you, my lord." Florence quickly pulled her hand from his.

"Join us for tea, Marquis," Lina uttered. "One of my good friends brought us special tea leaves from the south."

"It would be an honor to join two beautiful ladies for tea." Lord Galley offered an arm to each one of them. Florence reluctantly took it.

'What is this feeling?'

The three of them sat out in the garden under the shade of the pavilion, as the servants brewed the fresh tea. Refreshments and sweets were also prepared and brought out.

The man could not look away from Florence, which made her quite uncomfortable. She also caught him licking his lips a few times while his eyes roamed over her body. It was unsettling.

"It is a shame that the dowager marquise is too ill to travel, I would have loved to meet her," Lina started.

"Yes, mother has always had a frail body. She cannot travel for long distances." He took a sip of his tea. "In fact, I myself might not have been able to attend, had I not already been in Geiranger for business."

"Oh?" The dowager countess' face lit up. "What sort of business does the Marquis venture in?"

Florence almost rolled her eyes. She never understood her mother's obsession with money. Lina did not come from a humble family, her father was a marquis, and he was quite rich. Her late husband, Earl Kalwen, was also wealthy.

Suddenly, a thought crossed Florence's mind. Goosebumps spread through her body. 'Is she considering this disgusting man as a potential husband?'

"House Galley is the leader in the cotton and textile market," the marquis said proudly. "My great grandfather was the first to start the business, so we have the experience and knowledge of generations."

"Fascinating." Lina was satisfied with his answer, Florence could tell. "You must take some time to speak with my son, Richard. I am sure you could find a way to collaborate together."

"That was exactly why I was in Geirenger in the first place. It was to seek an audience with the earl. It must be destiny." His eyes traveled to Florence. Lina caught the action and a grin pulled on her lips.

After what seemed like hours to Florence, the marquis excused himself. She wanted to ask her mother whether he was someone she wanted her to marry. But she was too afraid to hear the answer. As soon as she mustered the courage to ask, her mother started speaking.

"I like the marquis," she said.

'I guess I did not even need to ask.'

"Such a smart gentleman, he is an only child, so his title is secured. A four-generation business must have great profits." She met her daughter's eyes. "He seems quite fond of you."

'Why can she not understand that there are more important things than money and titles to me.'

Florence squeezed her dress in her fists. "I do not like him." Her voice was low.

"What did you say?"

"I said I do not like him," she said, louder this time. "I will never marry him, or anybody like him." Florence's outburst shocked Lina.

"Calm down, child." She hated when her mother called her that. "What is there not to like?"

"Have you seen him?"

"I never took you to be a shallow girl. A man has more attributes than physical appearance."

"Ha," Florence scoffed. "Do you hear yourself, Mother?" Her voice was more screaming than speaking now. "I was not referring to his physic, I meant the way he looked at me, the way he kissed my hand. It was revolting."

"That just means that he fancies you."

Florence stared at her mother, dumbfounded. There was no point in carrying this exchange. "I will not change my mind about that man."

Lina was silent for a moment before she pushed to her feet. "Then, you better find a better candidate before the ball. Otherwise, I will be choosing and you will not be able to refuse." She walked away, leaving her daughter in turmoil.