Was she truly so wanton that the attentions of such a man might reduce her to a puddle of maidenly nerves? She had never felt like this around anyone else of the opposite sex. So whyhim— and whynow? She was only supposed to be distracting him from the activities that would be taking place the night of the ball, not falling in love with him.
Fanny nearly groaned aloud, for she realized that she was in danger of making the biggest blunder possible when it came to human nature. She was allowing her heart to overrule common sense. Sheknewthat Jonathan would eventually leave Cornwall behind, so why was she doing something so foolish as to allow her emotions to become engaged? It’s not as if he would marry her and take her with him to London. The very idea that such a rake would allow himself to become attached to a mere country girl was preposterous. She had no connections, no dowry — while he was the son of an earl! Even if, by some miracle, he reformed his ways, his father would no doubt disapprove of a union between them.
She should have left well enough alone and put a firm end to their association yesterday, leaving things as they were. Instead, she’d allowed herself to be persuaded to continue this farce, taking her mother’s advice that she ought to make amends. Even then, she knew that eventually, she would have found her way back to him.
Because she was just that hopeless.
“Are you alright?”
Jonathan’s warm breath fanned near her ear, and Fanny clenched her hands in her lap. It made her want to snuggle closer to that firm body at her back, but she refrained, choosing to sit up straighter instead. “Of course. I’m perfectly fine.”
He fell silent, but she could almost picture the smug expression on his face at knowing he was the cause of her distress. To distract herself from his nearness, she concentrated on the passing scenery, even though she had traversed this path many times and practically knew every tree and blade of grass along the way.
When they finally arrived at Killigarth Manor, she waited with bated breath as he dismounted. When he turned to look up at her, she nearly faltered. The sun caught those green eyes, causing them to shine with a brilliance that was unlike anything she’d ever seen. As he captured her by the waist and swung her down from the saddle, his hands lingered, as if loathe to release her.
She watched his throat work as he swallowed. “Fanny, I—”
“Ah, there you are, Miss Grouseman.”
Jonathan stepped back from Fanny as Lady Marwood came upon them. Fanny immediately missed his warmth, although the day was sunny and mild.
The lady of the house glanced between them as a secret smile touched her lips. “I daresay Conner missed you this morning, Fanny. I was despairing that you might ever return.”
“I was merely detained,” Fanny replied softly.
Lady Marwood turned to Lord Castleford and made a shooing motion with her hands. “Be off with you now. I need to speak with Miss Grouseman on a personal matter.”
Jonathan grinned in that adorably crooked manner. He bowed lightly. “As you wish.” He shot one last heated look at Fanny before he disappeared into the house.
Once he was gone, Fanny turned her attention to Evelyn, who was eyeing her rather intently. “I fear I know that look all too well.”
A strange buzzing began in Fanny’s ears, although she forced a smile. “What do you mean?”
“Come, dear, we are women.” The lady’s face was kind, but knowing. “I think it’s in our nature to know when one of us is in love.”
Fanny allowed her composure to drop, her bravado dissipating. Her lower lip trembled because she realized that she could deny the truth no longer. “What am I going to do?”
Evelyn patted her hand. “For now, we just concentrate on the here and now. Elliot told me about the shipment this Saturday, so it’s imperative that we keep our dear guest oblivious to the secrets of Polperro.”
Fanny nodded in agreement.
“As for your feelings for Lord Castleford...” Evelyn said slowly. “He has certainly been a dear friend to Elliot, but he’s been known to have a rather unsavory reputation. And while it is said that reformed rakes make the best husbands—” She broke off and looked at Fanny rather expectantly.
“A leopard seldom changes his spots,” Fanny finished quietly.
Evelyn’s sympathetic expression caused Fanny’s chest to contract. “I shall see that Mrs. Thomas is sent to the ballroom straightaway.”
As Lady Marwood returned inside, Fanny was left behind to try and compose herself, and mend a heart that had suddenly cracked.
***
JONATHAN COULD TELLby the solemn expression on Fanny’s face when she entered the ballroom that something was amiss.What the hell had Evelyn said to her?
He intended to find out the truth, but as Mrs. Thomas entered, he was forced to hold his tongue. At least, for the moment.
“A waltz to begin, if you please,” he said somewhat brusquely.
The housekeeper’s eyes widened at his tone, but she did as she was bid.
