She bent her head. “I wish I understood why. I feel as though you and Colin believe Ishould, but I don’t. In fact, I thought that by coming here, perhaps I could learn more about the barriers which separate me from my husband. Perhaps I could find a way to earn the trust you don’t yet have for me. Thathedoesn’t have for me.”
Arthur’s eyes narrowed, and then he surprised her by breaking out into a long, chilly laugh. When he had regained his composure, he leaned forward, fingers steepled on his knees. “Even after all he’s done, you care for him still, don’t you?”
She blinked, for there it was. Oh, Arthur mocked with his tone, of course. But he had said it nonetheless. And if she wanted to overcome what stood between her and Colin, she had to admit he was right.
“Yes,” she said softly. “I do care deeply for your cousin. Despite all that has happened, I want our marriage to be real. To be happy. I know you care for him, Arthur—please, won’t you help me?”
He arched a brow. “YouknowI care for him?” he repeated.
She nodded. “Of course.”
He smiled, and Jane caught her breath. There was something so sinister in his expression. And in that moment, all her nervousness rushed back to her. Not because of what she was here to do, but because of his demeanor. She suddenly felt like she was in the room with a dangerous animal, one she had underestimated.
“Then you know only what Iwishyou to know,” Arthur said, his voice rough and hard.
“I…don’t understand,” Jane said, rising slowly and backing away because it felt like the right thing to do. The thing that would protect her.
He got to his feet too and moved toward her without hurry. “You think I called you here because I might be able to help you repair your marriage? You stupid girl, I’m the one who broke it in the first place.”
Chapter Seven
Colin shrugged out of his coat and handed over his gloves to Simmons with a sigh.
“I hope your appointment went well, my lord,” the butler intoned.
Colin flinched. He wouldn’t say it had gonewell. Arthur had set the entire thing up for him, convincing him that meeting with Lord Massingale was the right thing to do and that the important earl could be moved. His cousin had been wrong, though, and the exercise had been in futility. Not only did Massingale have no interest in his legislation, but he had never even considered it. Worse, Colin had not been able to argue his case thoroughly because he was too distracted.
Too distracted by thoughts of Jane. Thoughts of the past, but also thoughts of what they’d shared since she returned to London. The night before, after the ball, she had seemed truly confused by his anger toward her. Completely unaware of any reason he might have to hold her at arm’s length. She had begged him to explain it to her. To say those things that had hung between them in silence for half a year.
He had not done that since their wedding. At first because he was too sick to say those words out loud. Later, whenever he’d been tempted to confront her, Arthur had been the calm voice of reason, guiding him away from such foolish notions.
But Arthur was not in that carriage last night. Arthur was not in this marriage, in the end. A marriage that was beginning to feel real. If he did what she asked, if he sat down with her and told her everything he knew…he was beginning to wonder if there wasn’t some way they could work out the past. Overcome what she had done, perhaps find a way to move forward…
Together.
With those thoughts burning in his addled mind, he’d left the meeting hours early in order to come home and finally talk to her.Reallytalk to her. His heart throbbed at just the thought of it and what it could do to change his life.
“Where is Lady Wharton?” he asked the butler.
Simmons wrinkled his brow. “I’m sorry, sir, I thought you’d be aware. She received a message from Mr. Wharton to meet with him. She should be there now.”
Colin drew back. “My cousin, Mr. Wharton?Arthur?”
“Yes, sir.”
The butler withdrew from the foyer, leaving Colin to stand there in confusion. Why would Arthur wish to speak to Jane? He’d never made his contempt for her anything but plain. He’d only ever encouraged Colin to stay away from her and not be taken in by her wiles.
But perhaps that was exactly why he’d called Jane to his side. Arthur wanted to protect him and now he foolishly thought he had to save Colin from her.
“Damn it,” Colin muttered. “Simmons!”
The butler rushed back, Colin’s things still in his hands. “Yes, sir?”
“I’m sorry, but I’m going back out again.” He took back the items and ran to the drive. He motioned to the boy who was just trotting off with his horse and swung up on the beast.
As he exited his drive and raced back onto the street, he couldn’t ignore the fissure of worry in his chest. And wonder at the cause, beyond a fear that Arthur would scold Jane or tell her to leave Colin alone.
His worry felt more driven than that. It felt more serious and he couldn’t place why.
