“I’d say so, young lady,” Margaret said with a sage nod. “You don’t think I didn’t notice that you came in with someone else’s dress on, do you?”
Jenna flushed and dropped her eyes to her hands. “I suppose you think me a harlot.”
Margaret took Jenna’s hands into her own. “Me and Thomas love you dearly, m’lady. Always have. Why, we’ve watched over you since you were a wee babe. I know what kind of young lady you’ve become, and it’s never crossed my mind to change that opinion.
“I know my loyalty should lie with his lordship, but I could never bring myself to betray you that way. Thomas and me, well, we’ve talked it over and don’t see no reason why we should go running to the earl.” She released Jenna’s hands and set back, a disapproving glint in her eye.
“I think I know why you’ve chosen to do what it is you are doing. I don’t agree with it, m’lady. Let me get that straight right now. But I understand it.”
“Thank you, Margaret,” Jenna said, smiling over at her. She had the urge to reach out and hug her, but knew it would make Margaret uncomfortable.
“Now suppose you tell me just how much of what you are doing you have done?”
Jenna laughed. “Oh Margaret, you are incorrigible.”
“And at least tell me who this gentleman is. I assume he is a gentleman?” Margaret’s voice sounded hopeful. “I don’t want to be even more worried than I already am.”
“He is a perfect gentleman,” Jenna said softly. “I never thought to meet a man such as he.”
Margaret looked at her in surprise. “You’re in love, aren’t you?”
“No! I mean, no,” she said in a calmer voice. “I am not in love with him. I barely even know him.”
“You knew enough to come back with a different dress on.”
Jenna flushed again. “It’s just an affair. There, I said it. Married women have them all the time. I just didn’t want to wait that long.”
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Margaret said quietly. “Those kind of men are used to flitting from bedroom to bedroom. They don’t get their heart involved like you are doing.”
“My heart is perfectly safe.” But even as she said the words, heavy foreboding settled over her like a rain cloud in the English summertime.
“If you say so, m’lady.” Margaret looked away, but not before Jenna caught the blatant disbelief reflected in the older woman’s face. After a long moment, she turned back and pinned Jenna with a concerned stare. “Many a girl has found herself in the family way despite the best of intentions. I don’t want that to happen to you.”
“Neither do I,” Jenna whispered. Thank God Gray felt the same because she sure hadn’t given it thought before last night.
“If you are discovered, m’lady, it will mean complete ruination. You ought to give consideration to whether or not your trysts are worth it.”
“They are, Margaret. They are.” She turned away, knowing she would never be able to explain to her life-long maid. Never be able to make her understand what drove her to pursue an affair before she was ever married.
###
“Hullo, Hembly,” Viscount Dudley called out as he approached Sebastian’s table.
Sebastian laid aside the newspaper he was reading and gestured for him to sit down. “My lord, it is good to see you this afternoon. Are you faring well?”
Dudley sank down in the chair opposite Sebastian and gestured the footman over. After he’d asked for a drink, he fixed his gaze on Sebastian. “Any word from your parents?”
“No, but then I hadn’t expected any. They aren’t due to return for nearly a fortnight.”
“Yes, yes, well, there is a small matter occupying my mind. I wonder if I may speak freely with you? You being the head of the family in your father’s stead.”
Sebastian cast him a curious look, but straightened in his chair and shoved the paper out of his way. “Of course. What is it?”
“Well, I hadn’t wanted to say anything, not wanting to upset anyone, but Stuart is a little vexed that Lady Jenna hasn’t taken to wearing the locket Viscountess Dudley gifted her with on her sixteenth birthday.” He broke off as the footman returned with his drink.
Sebastian frowned. “I wasn’t aware of the significance of any locket.”
“No, and rightly so. Stuart is...well he’s a bit wedge-headed sometimes, but he was close to his mother. Perhaps too close, but that is neither here nor there.” He leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially, “If you could just speak to your sister. Have her pacify Stuart by wearing the bloody locket. It would mean the world to him.” He stared hard at Sebastian and went for his trump card. “I’d hate to see this put a strain on their engagement. Stuart is contrary about things he sets his mind on. And really, it is a simple enough request.”
