“I’m gratified to see you smile. It partially soothes my trepidation,” he said wryly.
Jane laughed. "You, sir, afraid?” The man had much to answer for; still, he was astonishingly disarming.
“A gentleman—nay, any man—is afraid to admit to softer emotions to notions of love and tenderness.”
“And are you?”
“You know it, Miss Grantley,” he said seriously, his gray eyes searching her face.
Jane’s smile faltered. "In the past, you have had an odd way of displaying your feelings,” she reminded him.
“Damn it, I know it,” he said angrily, turning away from her to stare blindly down the long hall. "Miss Grantley, the day I came upon you in Berkeley Square, I was on my way to your home to bid you good-bye. I thought it fortunate to have met you as you set out on your afternoon visits. Contrary to the words you whipped me soundly with that day, I had not been lying in wait for you. And while it is true that I requested you join me in my carriage, it was to allow us private conversation rather than standing about on some street corner like any common person.”
“Oh, come now, Sir Helmsdon. I am not such a gudgeon as that. The carriage you guided me to was a rented traveling coach piled high with baggage. If I had deigned to step up into that carriage, I doubt I would have stepped out again until my reputation was in tatters, leaving me no alternative but to marryyou. Or you would have avoided that sullied middle part and led me directly to the anvil!”
Sir Helmsdon smiled. "A delightful thought. I would that it had occurred to me, be I later termed a knave or worse. Seriously, Miss Grantley,” he drew her small hand into his and covered it with his other. "I do most sincerely love you and wish to make you my wife. There, I have said it without roundaboutation."
Jane laughed. "Almost, Sir Helmsdon, do I believe you. There still are several plaguing questions. I know I should ask what your reason for the loaded traveling coach was, but we shall leave that aside for the time. Instead, let me ask, what brings you to my Aunt Serena’s company? And what of your pursuit of Millicent? According to my aunt, you have been a most diligent suitor.”
He shrugged. "She was a means to an end. When I returned to London, you’d already gone, and no one could, or would, tell me where. I happened to remember your relationship to Mrs. Hedgeworth and presumed upon our friendship to ascertain your location. It was merely fortuitous Mrs. Hedgeworth and Lady Tipton were planning a trip down here. I quite shamelessly invited myself along.”
Jane eyed him askance. "Knowing my dear relations, I would say there is a host you are not saying. Well, we shall leave that for now. I must tell you, sir, and quite firmly, that I do not wish to marry. You or anyone.”
“But why, Miss Grantley? As modern as our times are, it is still difficult for an unmarried woman to make her way alone in this world. At least with marriage to me, your security and safety would be assured.”
“In exchange for my bank account,” she said dryly. "No, do not protest. Let me say this in my defense. I, too, would not wish to marry where there is not love on my part.”
“And you do not love me.”
“No, sir, I most definitely do not.”
“And I am thereby hoisted upon my own petard?”
Jane smiled. "So it would seem, sir. Now please, do not make me have to request you leave Penwick. It would be quite awkward. If I hear no more talk of love or marriage, I may begin to believe your story. You would be better to offer your hand to Millicent, you know.”
Sir Helmsdon grimaced. "No, thank you. Besides, it appears she has the Devil’s Disciple in her sights.”
“I wish her joy. He is not a man I would choose to wed!” Remembering his voice’s impact upon her sense, she shuddered delicately. "But come,” she said, rising from his side. "It is time we rejoined the company or I shall stand in danger of ruining my reputation!”
He stood beside her, again offering his arm. "I shall make what promises you desire if you, in turn, will grant me the honor of the next dance.”
She laid her hand on his. "That is a bargain I should be happy to deal, sir,” she said, walking with him back to the ballroom.
She felt a great weight lifted from her soul. Sir Helmsdon would not be the problem she dreaded. She still wasn’t sure whether she believed his story or not, but she trusted that he would make it be the truth if she allowed herself to believe that way. Sir Helmsdon had displayed a side of his personality that evening that she never saw before. Gone was the cynical man about town. In its dust was left a strangely sensitive and humorous gentleman. This was not in keeping with the persona society talked about. Was his reputation another example of society’s imaginative gossipmongers?
She frowned slightly as they entered the ballroom, unaware she was observed. She shook off the haze of confusion that curled around her like morning fog. Her cloak was once againwhole. She accompanied Sir Helmsdon to the dance floor to join a set forming for a spirited contredanse.
The Earl of Royce leaned against a pillar in the ballroom, his arms across his chest. He watched Sir Helmsdon lead Miss Grantley onto the dance floor. Royce raised a hand to lightly stroke his chin. He’d observed Miss Grantley leaving with Helmsdon some fifteen minutes earlier. Unfortunately, his position in the dancing set precluded him from following her as he’d wished to do. He did not trust Sir Helmsdon. Miss Grantley’s manner when she left the room had been prickly at best. Now, after being gone alone with that gentleman for an unconscionable time, she had returned in better—though unsettled—spirits. But she did not seem to hold the aversion to Helmsdon that he’d earlier observed. Curious. It also appeared she’d managed to rebuild her barriers. Perhaps under the current circumstances, that was for the best.
He straightened, his arms falling to his side. What business of his was it whom she smiled upon and whom she did not? It was none. He was a mere observer, and that was the way he wished to keep it. Her antics and those of her guests would relieve his boredom. The country was not a place for a man of his parts. The sooner he could return to the continent, the better for all concerned, he decided. Yet there remained a tiny irritating grain, a wisp of a thought without form, in his mind. It nestled deeply in his consciousness. If the country was so dull, why was he content?
CHAPTER 9
“Iknew, sister dear, I should find you up and about early,” cooed Lady Serena, breezing into the small breakfast parlor early the next morning. Her ornate morning gown was made with layer upon layer of gossamer yellow muslin. It fluttered as she walked.
“Since I was a child,” her sister returned placidly. "What has you up this early? I was sure we wouldn’t see you for hours yet.”
Lady Serena nodded. "I wished to talk to you,” she began. She looked around for a footman, then shrugged and pulled out a chair next to Lady Elsbeth. "Privately, sister to sister. It is difficult when one is entertaining and must see to the guests’ comforts. I should never have brought the Willoughbys. They are so—so frightfullyrural, don’t you think?” She grabbed the coffee urn and filled her cup.
