“Lucky you’re wearing gloves, then,” Juliana murmured.
“I don’t even understand what it means.” A growl escaped him, even as a shiver borne not only from cold, but also from nerves, wracked his frame. “I grow weary of this emotional torment.”
“I’m glad that you’re well, brother,” Juliana put in.
Maria nodded. “All the more reason for us to remain alert.”
Jasper wanted to once more protest theirplanof going on as normal, but he knew that it was futile. These women were rather too intelligent for any sort of underhanded game. Despite the local magistrate and the Home Office doing their part, his sister and her friends were determined to see this through. And while above all he wanted them safely away from any danger, they’d proven themselves incapable of leaving things well enough alone.
A month before, he’d attempted to avoid Miss Roberts and Miss Morgan’s aid in dealing with Francis and Miles and finding Juliana. But he’d done abysmally, and his lack of trust in them and their abilities had rather cost them all valuable time, not to mention the strains it put on their relationships.
“Indeed,” Jasper agreed, his jaw tightening. “Alert.”
Another shiver travelled down his spine as a gust of warm wind blew past. He ought to have returned home and changed his clothes before attending. Christ knew the gossip mill would be busy on the morrow. He sodding hated that.
Glancing toward the balcony doors, he caught the watchful gaze of onlookers, and Lady Weatherby herself gestured toward him while in discussion with other guests. Her flushed cheeks and upturned brows implied concern and uncertainty, and he knew his time of private discussion would soon be over; the woman would surely join them to offer some sort of assistance. Hell, but he hoped she didn’t do that.
“Your Grace, would you believe me if I informed you that Miss Roberts spends the entirety of her days doing charity work?”
Jasper narrowed his gaze on Miss Morgan, curious about her intentions and entirely nonplussed by the abrupt change in topic. “What sort of charity work?”
She shrugged one shoulder. “Does it matter?” He arched a brow, and Miss Morgan sighed. “Finding homes for orphaned children.”
Turning his narrowed gaze on Maria, he twisted his lips in thought. The woman had the uncanny ability to command attention and obedience, and to encourage people tofeelthings…sometimes against their will. But to convince wealthy gentlemen and gentlewomen to adopt foundling children? Something inside him eased at the thought. Maria was caring—almost to a fault, inserting herself into the lives of others in order to aid them. She certainly had the soft heart for it.
“I would believe that, yes.”
“Aha!” Heather exclaimed jubilantly, turning to Maria. “Gullible! Most men are utter fools and will believe any nonsense that doesn’t challenge them. I believe you may safely choose any man to marry, and he should care nothing for your daily activities.”
Jasper’s heart nigh stopped.Marry?
Maria lifted an eyebrow at her friend. “Marriage that must first begin with a dance. Please excuse me; I must flirt my way into the life of some susceptible sod.”
With a swish of her skirts, she returned through the doors to the ballroom. But Jasper’s mind was stuck on that one word.Marry.
Something alarming was happening in his chest. There was a nervous tingling sensation. No, not nervous… Damnation, he couldn’t name the heart-twisting feeling. Whatever it was, it made him want to return to the overheated ballroom.
“…It is so unreasonable of Mr. and Mrs. Roberts,” Juliana was saying.
“No more unreasonable than any other society parents, I assure you,” Miss Morgan returned. “As a matter of fact, many would have forced her into a marriage long before now.”
“I beg your pardon?” Jasper asked, entirely perplexed by their discussion.
Juliana put a hand to his damp sleeve and gave it a gentle pat. “Maria’s parents have stated that if she does not surrender to their demands, she will be forced to become a chaperone to her cousin for a season and then a companion to her elderly aunt thereafter. They expect her to accept an offer of marriage within a fortnight and be married before Michaelmas.”
“So little time,” Miss Morgan moaned pityingly.
“She had more of a choice than I,” Juliana said, narrowing her gaze at Jasper. “Gratefully, I had the presence of mind to run away.”
Guilt suffused him, and he suppressed the scowl that threatened, focusing instead on the information at hand. A fortnight was, indeed, very little time in which to secure a match, especially for a woman already on the shelf, according to thehaut ton. But Maria…marriedby the end of the summer?
Before he was aware of his actions, Jasper was through the doors and scouring the ballroom for any sight of her. He caught a glimpse of brown hair, but it was not the right shade, then saw a flash of lavender, but the dress was wrong…
Conversations increased in volume around him. One group of women discussed theton’s newest favourite author, Mr. Mystery, and his upcoming novel. Juliana’s and Miss Morgan’s voices floated up to him from several paces behind.
“Mr. Mystery is truly a superior option for Maria,” Miss Morgan was saying.
Juliana made a noise of agreement. “Your suggestion is excellent, but I do see Maria’s point about it not working between them?—”
