She hoped, dear Lord, she hoped.
She wanted this so very much.
She started guiltily when the door to the library creaked open, and her hand flew from her mouth.
Eliza entered, her expression somewhat smug. Shutting the door behind her, she leaned against it. “Still waiting?” she said with an affectation of a sigh.
Jessie’s stomach turned, for she recognized Eliza’s mood.
“Really,” Eliza carried on. “Even should Lord Christian wish to wed you, I should think you’d desire better for yourself, Jessamine. The man is a miscreant, after all.”
Jessie bristled. “Why? Because he’s a younger son?”
God’s truth, she’d never been anything but sympathetic to Eliza’s plight, but of late her brother’s wife had become implacable in her resentment. “What sin is there in that? Amos, too, was a younger son once upon a time,” she pointed out. “Though how convenient for him—and for you—that Thomas perished when he did.” It was rude, she knew, but she couldn’t help herself, Eliza’s condescension grated upon her nerves.
Eliza’s face flushed as she came forward, angry now. Jessie could see it in her eyes. “Lord Christian is naught but a debaucher of women!” she maintained. “Mark my words, Jessamine!”
Something in Eliza’s expression gave Jessie pause. “Perhaps you know something I do not?”
Her stomach floated a little, for Eliza seemed to think on the question a minute too long. And then she narrowed her eyes, and her expression lost all trace of pretense. “I came to advise you, Jessie, so listen well... You’re fair enough, it is true, but Amos isn’t foolish enough to give you a dowry to wed the likes of that man. Penniless, you’ll be nothing to Lord Christian. Your brother knows it, too. Why else do you think he’d agree to such a farce, if not in hopes that once you discover the truth, you’ll wed Lord St. John without further ado? I came to tell you that you’re making a blessed fool of yourself!”
Jesse blanched. “I don’t believe you. Amos would never withdraw my dowry!”
“Who do you think sent me here?” Eliza asked, lifting her brows. “Amos would see Westmoor prosper, dear. If you truly must, then go ask him.”
The ensuing silence was excruciating, for the truth weighed heavily upon Jessie’s heart. Amos would do anything it took to win, she knew. Even as a lad, he’d fought his battles ruthlessly. Good Lord! She should have realized when she’d managed to convince him to reinstate the betrothal that he’d only done so because he’d never intended to play fair. Her brother never gave anything willingly. She should have known, and yet she’d been blinded by hope.
As though she’d not already said enough, Eliza broke in once more. “Do what you will, say what you must, my dear. Charm Lord Christian to your heart’s content. Though I fear I must caution you...” She glanced pointedly at Jessie. “You must endeavor to keep your virtue intact.”
Jessie’s intake of breath was audible. “How dare you!”
Eliza offered a self-satisfied smile. “I see you take my meaning. You see,” she continued coldly, “Lord Christian will not have you without a dowry, and I doubt even Lord St. John, who is silly with lust for you, would embrace a soiled wife. Unlike the others, he’ll take you penniless, but not despoiled. He’s much too proud a man.”
Jessie rose from the chair. Her eyes stung with tears. “You above all should understand! Good Lord! Were it such a simple matter as a mere lack of affection, I might wed Lord St. John without a backward thought, but I can barely tolerate that man! He’s old enough to be my father!” she added, somewhat hysterically.
Eliza simply shrugged. “As I’ve said before, love has little to do with anything. ’Tis a simple task to lie back and think of”—she offered a long-suffering smile—”more pleasant diversions. Really, I’ve no idea why you persist in this, Jessamine. Marriage is a contract, nothing more.” She met Jessie’s gaze. “Take Amos and me for instance... We’ve no affection between us at all, and yet we suit perfectly well.”
Jessie’s heart twisted. “Do you?”
“Now, dear,” Eliza advised balefully, her hand going to her breast in supplication, “you might go into this union willingly, with your brother’s blessing... or with his fury upon your head. But he shall prevail. Best you realize, at last, that he’ll not be swayed in this matter. He needs this affiliation with St. John.Weneed this affiliation.”
“He cannot make me wed if I am not here for him to command! Now, can he?” Jessie countered, feeling trapped, panicking. She hadn’t meant to say it, but it was out now, and she found she meant it fiercely.
Eliza’s brows lifted in amusement. “No?” She laughed softly. “Where else would you be if not here? Really, dear! Don’t be addlepated!”
Jessie sat a little straighter. “Charlestown! I shall appeal to Uncle Robert!” If she could but send a missive to the colonies, alerting her uncle of her arrival, he would surely give her refuge. There was little love lost between the two, after all.
Eliza rolled her eyes. “Really, and how do you presume to accomplish such a feat? How would you go?” she asked. “Fly with the wind, perhaps?”
It was a very good question, though Jessie wasn’t about to admit as much to Eliza. At the moment, she almost resented Lord Christian for leaving her to worry so. God’s truth, she didn’t know what she’d do without him. Swallowing the bile that rose in her throat, Jessie composed herself and said with as much aplomb as she was able, “I’m sorry you were forced into wedding my brother, Eliza.” Her limbs felt liquid as she moved towardthe door. “Though why you seem to fault me for it, I shall never know.”
Eliza blinked at the accusation.
“You might inform my brother,” Jessie added smartly, once she reached the door, “that if he persists with this—this—travesty of a union, he shall, indeed, have earned my enmity! As to Lord Christian, hewillreturn, I assure you! I will not marry that vile Lord St. John!” She opened the door and slammed it shut behind her, praying to God she spoke the truth.
Jessie was blameless.
For two miserable weeks Christian kept himself otherwise occupied so as not to call at Westmoor. He’d rebuffed every attempt Amos had made to contact him.
