Disclaimer: A Matter of Magic is property of Patricia C. Wrede,
I just like to dabble in her world.
Lord Franton was waiting for her in the drawing room. He looked up and smiled as she entered. Kim swallowed again, and he must have seen something in her expression for his smile became uncertain at the edges. "Miss Merrill-"
"Mairelon told me-I mean, I know-" Kim's face grew warm and she stuttered to a stop, unable to think of a way to phrase what she wanted to say. She should have just let him speak, instead of trying to refuse him before he'd even begun.
The marquis looked at her. His eyebrows flew up and his expression stiffened slightly. "Am I to understand that you are aware of my intentions, but are not willing to entertain my offer?"
"That's it," Kim said with relief.
There was a pause. "May I inquire as to the reason?"
Kim hesitated, searching for away of expressing her difficulties that would be neither insulting nor wounding. "We'd both end up being miserable. I'm no wife for a gentry cove."
"Is it your background, then?" Lord Franton smiled and shook his head. "That need not worry you. You're a wizard now; what you were before does not matter to me."
"Yes it does," Kim said softly. "Because part of the time you're sorry about it, and part of the time you think it makes me interesting, and part of the time you ignore it. But you never forget it." Mairelon was the only Tiff who truly didn't care that she'd been a street thief . . . but she'd best not think of him just now.
"I do not-" Lord Franton cut off his automatic denial before it was well-launched. He considered for a moment, his lips pressed tightly together, then looked at Kim once more. "I think I see what you are getting at," he said with reluctance.
"You never really forget it," Kim repeated. "And I don't think you ever would."
"I could try,"he offered tentatively. "That is, if your sentiments are such that you would reconsider. . ."
Kim stared at her hands; despite everything she and Mairelon had discussed the night before now that that Lord Franton was standing before her the offer was truly tempting. She had known for some time that she could not remain Mairelon's ward forever, and marrying Lord Franton was by far the most comfortable of her options.
Taking advantage of her hesitation Franton took Kim's hands in his. "Perhaps in my desire to make sure I was the first to make you an offer I acted hastily. If you would be so kind, I would beg that you forget that I was so rash as to make you an offer so early in the season when we are so little acquainted. Please allow me to court you Miss Merrill, and let us determine whether I can forget your background and whether you could learn to love me."
Kim swallowed. Could she do it? Could she love Lord Franton? She did not dislike him, after all. Looking up at him she nodded. "It's not a promise of marriage," she clarified, "just to try and get to know each other better - to see."
Franton smiled, "of course not. I don't consider us in anyway bound to one another. Although, I do suggest that we revisit the subject at the end of the Season.
Before Kim could answer Mrs. Lowe entered the drawing room. "Lord Franton, it is a pleasure to see you."
The marquis stood and bowed. "And you Mrs. Lowe."
As they seated themselves Mrs. Lowe inquired to Lord Franton's evening plans.
"I am not engaged for the evening, ma'am."
"Then perhaps you would like to join us for dinner. It is informal but we have excellent cook."
"I would be most obliged."
Kim gritted her teeth. The last thing she wanted at that moment was to spend more time in Lord Franton's company. What she wanted most was for him to leave so that she could have a few moments to clear her head and try to understand what she had agreed to; instead she forced a smile and joined the marquis and Mrs. Lowe in making small talk.