Caleb
How could he have abandoned her yet again? Surely, the sincerity she thought she heard in his voice when he came to her in her sitting room had been a product of her imagination, for if he truly wished to mend the rift between them, he would not have left her—for the third time.
Her heart was heavy, making it hard to draw breath. Was this to be the way of their marriage? Would she ever have the family she’d spent so many countless hours dreaming about?
Jane dashed away a rogue tear and dropped the note onto her desk. Scooping up her puppy, she quit the room. She had accepted an invitation to tea from her sister-in-law, Claudia, the previous day and had no time to tarry.
The idea of going out held little appeal at present. However, it was to be a small assembly, Claudia, Sarah, Lady Luvington, Grace, The Duchess of Abernathy, and Amelia, the Duchess of Goldstone, as well as her.
The thought did nothing to improve her mood. Nonetheless, she could no more reject an invitation from Claudia than she could the royal family. It would be a slight against her own family, something she would never do.
Carrying her puppy in the basket she had received it in, Jane made her way to the main door where she accepted her bonnet, reticule, and pelisse from the butler.
Perhaps, it would do her good to be among friends. She resolved to at least try and enjoy herself as she exited the house.
A short carriage ride later, she found herself sitting in Claudia and Henry’s dayroom, sipping tea with her friends.
“I am pleased to see you brought, Scamp along.” Amelia smiled. “That is, I called him Scamp, but that does not mean you adopted the name. Do tell, what have you decided to call the little beasty?”
Jane stroked the pup’s downy white fur. “I had not yet settled on a name. I thought it prudent to get to know him first so I could choose a name that fit him.” She lifted the mischievous fur ball and looked into his face. “I do declare Scamp is the perfect name. He is a very curious pup and troublesome in the most entertaining of ways.”
“I had the same impression of him.” Amelia reached out and patted Scamps head.
The puppy gave a low succession of barks and wriggled in Jane’s hand.
After setting Scamp down, she reached for a sweet cake as Grace recounted a bit of gossip she had read inTheTimesthat morning. It seemed one of London’s most sought after Lords had been brought up to scratch.
Jane nibbled on her cake as Grace continued relaying the story, and sipped her tea as the others discussed the match, theorizing on how it came about. Jane tried to muster some interest, come up with something to say on the topic, however, her mind kept circling back to Caleb. Why he had left her and what he was doing now. She’d go stark raving mad if she dwelled on it much longer.
“You are rather quiet, Jane. Is there something amiss?” Claudia asked.
Jane looked up from her china teacup. She had been lost in thought staring into the amber liquid. “Yes… No… I am not certain at all.”
Grace patted Jane’s hand, her gaze warm and sincere. “We are here for you, dear. You need only tell us what is afoot and we shall help you resolve the problem.”
“Very true.” The other ladies agreed.
“Allow us to help,” Claudia added.
Jane drew in a deep breath than imparted her troubles to her friends. She left out the most intimate details, but gave them enough for them to understand what had happened.
“I am so sorry, Jane. Why did you not confide this to me or Henry before you wed His Grace? With your virginity intact you still had options.”
“I was ruined regardless. The countess witnessed Caleb half naked in my bed chamber. No one would have believed I remained chaste, and even if they did, no reputable gentleman, lord or otherwise, would have had me with such a scandal blackening my reputation.”
“I suppose you are correct. Still, I wish it were not so.”
“Do not mourn for my lost choices. Honestly, I am pleased to have Caleb as my husband. My only regret is that he does not care for me. I had always hoped for a love match like all of you have.” She glanced sheepishly at Grace. “My apologies.”
“No need for all that. I had my love match years ago.” Grace took a delicate sip of her tea.
“What makes you so certain that His Grace does not care for you?” Sarah asked, her expression tender.
“He has abandoned me. Twice.”
“Men are a different species all together. We must learn their nuances and allow that they do not think as we do. Perhaps he cares a great deal and is simply unable to convey it.” Amelia dusted crumbs from her glove-covered hands. “He may not even realize it yet.”
“I can attest to how right Amelia is on that score.” Sarah gave a gentle smile.
