“I am sure we will have a lovely time,” she said with false excitement. She licked her lips nervously as he offered his arm. She searched his face for some sign of menace, some hint that he meant to throw her out of the moving carriage. But all she saw reflected in his pale green eyes was sincerity.
They rode to the Hawthorne’s in awkward silence. Jenna’s heart was in her throat. Several times she tried to form a question, something to find out what she needed to know, but what? She couldn’t very well just come out and ask him if he was a spy or if he had killed his mother.Think, Jenna, think.
She turned to him and finally asked, “Have you ever been to France?”
He looked at her strangely. “Yes, many times. Why do you ask?”
Her breathing accelerated. “I see. When did you go last? And why did you go? I have a fascination with France. I’d love to visit someday.” Lud, but she was babbling.
“Perhaps we can go for our wedding trip,” he said with a smile.
Ha! He hadn’t answered her. But which question. She’d asked a dozen. “Will you remain in town to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Wellington’s victory?” Let him get out of that one, she thought with triumph.
“I suppose it will depend on whether your parents decide to stay on.”
Another non-answer! Her suspicion was growing with each vague response he generated. “Have there been many French spies discovered in England since the war?” She stared hard at him, gauging his response.
“Why the sudden interest in the war?”
Anxiety had her stomach in turmoil. “Oh, no reason,” she said airily. “I’ve been reading an account of our war with France. My curiosity was piqued.”
“We will have to make a point to visit then.” He beamed at her across the carriage.
Not if I can bloody help it.
###
Jenna fidgeted through dinner, forced to keep up polite conversation with the two gentlemen she was seated between. She picked at her food, grateful that ladies weren’t expected to eat much anyway.
Her gaze was repeatedly drawn to where Stuart sat several seats away. He kept up animated conversation with the ladies at his side, waving his hands theatrically as he gasped and exclaimed. But then he caught her eye and the act stopped. His gaze seemed to pierce her and a chill snaked down her spine.
She dropped her eyes and took another bite of her entrée. What was she going to do? It mattered not at this point whether she had proof. The seed of doubt had been planted, and she’d never be able to trust him.
When the last course had been served, the guests filtered back to the parlor where tables were set up for gaming. Stuart asked her to partner him in a game of whist, but she hadn’t the concentration for cards tonight. She agreed to watch as he partnered with Madame Devere against Lord and Lady Alban.
“Tu jous tres bien, monsieur,” Madame Devere said to Stuart.
“Merci bien, madame. Vous etes un joueur accompli vous-meme.”
He spoke French! But then so did she, and so did most of theton. But he spoke it well. His accent was perfect. Not a butchery like most of the English’s attempt.
She’d never really studied him. Most of her time was spent avoiding anything to do with him. But she took the opportunity to do so now. His movements looked too practiced, not at all natural. Blast her wretched wayward thoughts. She was making far too much of Lady Dudley’s ramblings. Or was she?
No, she was not imagining this. Far too many coincidences had piled up for her liking. Lady Dudley must have known something. And evidently, someone else knew she did and now suspected Jenna did. What else could explain two attacks in such a short time?
Fear began to eat at her as she acknowledged the full force of Lady Dudley’s allegations. She wasn’t equipped to deal with a murderer.
There was something about Stuart that wasn’t quite right. She’d felt it all along, but had been too absorbed in her own misery to consider his oddities.
And now it was up to her to figure a way out of the mess she’d gotten herself into.
Finally the game was over and Stuart excused himself from the table. He took her elbow and escorted her to the refreshment table. “I thought you might like some punch.”
She nodded and took the cup he offered. Her hands shook slightly as she sipped the watered down concoction.
“Is there something wrong, Jenna? You seem distracted tonight.”
She managed a weak smile. “No, of course not.” Her heart beat thunderously in her chest as her nervousness increased.
