She turned and left her room, walking across the hall to Sebastian’s door. Before her fears spiraled out of control, she wanted to make sure she wasn’t wrong. She knocked and heard his call to come in.
“Ahh, you’re home,” he said as she walked in.
“Sebastian, did you take my locket to be repaired?”
He frowned. “No, I hadn’t the opportunity yet. Why do you ask?”
“No reason, it wasn’t on my dressing table, but I am sure Margaret picked it up for me.”
“Is it missing?” he asked in a concerned voice.
“No, no, I told Margaret to make sure it was safe. I just thought you might have taken it to the jeweler.”
“Very well then. I’ll take it tomorrow if you like.”
“No hurry. Stuart knows it was broken,” she lied. She turned to leave. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Jenna.”
She returned to her room, her nerves a jumbled mess. Was she being overly dramatic? She walked to the window and looked out then down. Her window was open a crack. Throwing it open she looked down at the trellis leading up to her window. A piece was broken from the top. Someonehadbeen here.
Fear gripped her insides. Had Stuart purposely invited her on an evening out so that someone could rifle through her room? Had he hired the man at the opera to rob her? Had he hired the two men that Gray had rescued her from? Why else would he suddenly ask her about the locket’s significance?
Bile rose in her throat burning a trail back down to her stomach as she fought to keep control. Did he plan to kill her as well? God, if he had killed his mother because she knew then the viscountess had consigned her to death as well by telling her the truth.
She couldn’t marry him.
For one thing she loved another, and secondly she would not go meekly to her death. Honor be damned. Nothing would persuade her to go through with this marriage.
It was time she stopped being so meek, and take an active stance in her future. No more would she depend on someone else for her happiness.
Her parents loved her, and she could not believe they would consign her to a life with a murderer. Furthermore, she was perfectly capable of making her own decisions.
She felt free, truly free, for the first time since her engagement had been announced. The decision not to marry Stuart, no matter the consequences, released the heavy burden she’d borne for far too long.
And in the back of her mind, she was already plotting her future with Gray.
Chapter Twenty-Three
After a restless night, Jenna woke with new resolve. She intended to take the reins of her future and wasn’t about to relinquish them to anyone.
She hummed a melody as Margaret styled her hair. After Margaret helped her into the cream silk gown and fastened the back, Jenna waved her away and finished her toilette.
A quick rehearsal of her excuse for going out, and she headed down the stairs. In a calculated measure, she’d sent Margaret ahead to summon the carriage. As luck would have it, when she stepped into the foyer, Thomas came around the corner to announce the carriage’s arrival.
“Inform my brothers, should they inquire, that I am going out shopping.”
“Yes, of course, my lady.”
She strode purposefully out to the carriage, her determination fueling her steps. After giving Stuart’s direction to the driver, she settled back in her seat, a satisfied smile relaxing her face.
When she arrived at Stuart’s, she descended the steps of the carriage and squared her shoulders. Firming her lips into a determined line, she walked briskly up to the door and knocked.
If the butler was surprised to see her again he didn’t show it. He took her bonnet and led her into the drawing room. “I’ll summon Mr. Eglin at once.”
She nodded and once again waited. But this time anticipation, not dread, filled her chest.
“Jenna, this is becoming a pleasant surprise,” Stuart said as he ambled into the room, though his expression didn’t quite agree with his words.
