The earl’s regard burned her. “Are you enjoying yourself, Jane?” His tone was biting.
She looked at him, eyes wide. “No. I have quite the headache.”
Amelia snickered, glued to the Earl’s side and pressing closer. “Maybe you should go home, tobed,”she said snidely, implying that Lindley would be in it as well.
“You’re quite right.” Jane turned to Lindley. “Would you take me home? I don’t feel well from all this smoke and noise.”
“Of course,” he said promptly. Then he looked at the earl. “Unless, of course, Nick wants to escort you back.”
Jane suddenly froze, her heart clamoring with sudden hope.
The earl’s lips curled up, baring his white teeth. “She came with you, she can leave with you. I have other plans.”
Jane closed her eyes briefly. His cruel words hurt. If only she could hate him. She took Lindley’s arm and they made their way out through the crowd.
So she didn’t see the earl start after them, only to stop as abruptly, wrestling with some inner demon.
“Let them go.” Amelia pouted.
“Shut up,” he said, his eyes never leaving their departing forms. He took another strained step forward, then cursed viciously, raking a hand through his hair. He stared after his wife, until she disappeared through the door.
And the demons howled deep within him.
42
Jane said nothing during the drive back to the house on Tavistock Square, and Lindley, after a few attempts at conversation, let her be. He handed her down from the carriage and walked her to the front door. Thomas let them in.
Lindley hesitated in the foyer, clearly reluctant to leave. “Don’t let him get you down, Jane. You deserve only happiness,” he said, low. Thomas was hovering in the alcove as he put away Jane’s velvet wrap.
Jane managed a shrug. “I’m fine, really I am.”
“How about a brandy?” Lindley suggested. “It’s still early.”
“Jon …”
“For God’s sake, Jane, am I your friend or not? You know you can trust me! And he’s out with Amelia.”
Jane nodded and ordered Thomas to fetch them some pâté and cold roast chicken. He grunted, moving off with obvious displeasure. Lindley followed Jane into the parlor. “He used to like me,” he said dryly.
“At leastheis loyal to the earl,” Jane said.
“You care for him, don’t you?” Lindley said, amazed. “Even after all he’s done to you.”
Jane colored, sitting at one end of the oversized sofa. “He is my husband. As such, I am loyal too.”
“Damn your loyalty,” Lindley cried, sitting near her. Jane tried to skitter away but couldn’t, as she was already at one end of the couch. He grasped her hands. “He does not deserve your loyalty,” Lindley snarled with passion.
“Please, don’t.”
“I thought I knew Nick, but I don’t!” Lindley stated savagely. “To flaunt that whore publicly while newly wed!”
Jane cast her eyes down. This sore, sore spot brought her close to fresh, yet old, tears.
“Ahh, Jane, I’m sorry.” He pulled her hands against his stomach. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“It’s all right,” she said softly, not looking up. “We have an—an agreement.”
“What kind of agreement?”
