“I don’t know yet,” Kingston admitted, his jaw tightening. “You would know before I would when he arrives.”
“If and when he does, I will ensure you’re notified immediately,” Easton said, his voice firm. “He will not stir up chaos in my house.” He blew out a breath. “What are you going to do?”
Kingston met Easton’s gaze, his heart hammering. The truth was there, undeniable now. He wanted Jaclyn. But the question that lingered in his mind was how to convince her they could have a future together. He nodded slowly. “I know what I want. But it’s not that simple, is it?” He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “There’s Oakley, there’s her pride... I’m not sure where I stand with her.”
“Then it’s time you find out,” Easton said, clapping him on the shoulder. “You’ve never shied away from a challenge before. Why start now?”
Kingston looked out at the grounds once more, his heart heavy with a mix of excitement and fear. The time had come. He would make good on that promise and seduce her. But not for one moment in time with her. Kingston wanted far more than that. He wanted forever.
Ten
The afternoon sun filtered through the windows of the sitting room at Easton Abbey, casting a soft, golden light across the delicate dishes of the tea service. Jaclyn sat with Charlotte and Georgina, still weak but well enough to join them for a quiet tea. She had been plagued by a lingering illness for several days, though the worst appeared to be behind her. Her head still ached, and her body longed for rest, but the warmth of the fire and the company of her dear friends gave her solace. Alone she had far too much time to become lost in her own wayward thoughts.
A soft knock echoed through the room and moments later a maid entered to announce, “Lady Ella Winslow has come to call, my lady, with Miss Abigail Spencer in tow.”
Ella and Miss Spencer entered the room upon that announcement. They both were a little windblown but as lovely as ever. Ella’s light blonde hair was disheveled and she attempted to tame it back into place. Miss Spencer smiled as she met Jaclyn’s gaze.
Charlotte, ever the gracious hostess, rose to greet her guests. “How lovely to see you, Lady Ella,” she said warmly, her smile as bright as the day. “Miss Spencer, welcome.”
Jaclyn inclined her head, offering a weak but polite smile to them both. “Thank you for visiting,” she said softly, though her voice still carried a trace of her recent illness. She did not like feeling so wretchedly weak and she prayed that she would have the strength to move more freely soon. She cursed Melisande for her condition. If not for that awful girl she would never have fallen into the pond.
Lady Ella stepped forward, her golden eyes glistening with concern. “I am so sorry for your poor health,” she said kindly, taking a seat across from her. “I do hope you are feeling better. The halls of Havenwood Academy have been empty without you.” She wrinkled her nose. “And Melisande has been…” She sighed. “Well, you know how she is. I cannot wait until you return. You are the only one that seems to be capable of making her listen.”
“I am recovering, thank you,” Jaclyn replied, her voice warm but weary. “I am afraid I am not quite up to returning just yet.” She blew out a breath. “Nor do I have the strength to have any battle of wills with Melisande.” She nearly shuddered at the possibility of such a feat. Though she was inclined more towards strangling the headstrong hellion. Not that she would ever indulge in such an action but, oh, how wonderful it was to imagine it. She nearly smiled at how Jaclyn believed the hoyden would react to her wrapping her hands around Melisande’s delicate neck.
Lady Ella nodded sympathetically. “Indeed, I can imagine the difficulty of being away from the academy. Everyone misses you.” She turned toward Charlotte, raising an eyebrow. “I do hope she is being well taken care of here at Easton Abbey. Has the doctor given any indication when she can return to Havenwood?”
Charlotte glanced at Jaclyn, her expression thoughtful. “I believe it will be a little while longer yet,” she said. “But we are not in any hurry to send her back. Jaclyn’s health comes first.”
Before Lady Ella could respond, the sound of boots on the gravel path outside grew louder, and the door opened. The three gentlemen—the Duke of Amberwood, the Earl of Foxmoore, and the Marquess of Easton—entered the room, all still flushed from their ride. They greeted the ladies with nods and smiles, though it was clear from their stiff postures that they had not entirely escaped the chill of the wind. They appeared as disheveled as Lady Ella and Miss Spencer had been upon their arrival. Though their appearance might have more to do with their brisk ride than anything else.
Jaclyn was riveted by the Duke of Amberwood. Her heart beat heavily inside of her chest and her breath hitched at the sight of his handsome visage. She had always found him so breathtaking, and it irritated her that she still found him so gorgeous. Not that his looks would have changed… It was more that she could not stop from finding him so blasted irresistible.
“We thought we would join you, ladies,” the Duke of Amberwood said, his voice calm and commanding as always. “If you’ll have us.”
“Of course,” Charlotte replied. “Please come in.” She motioned toward the tea service. “Shall I pour for you? We were just discussing Jaclyn’s health and her eventual return to Havenwood Academy.”
Foxmoore took a seat beside his wife, Georgina, his gaze briefly flicking to Jaclyn. “I do hope you recover quickly, Lady Jaclyn,” he said with a warm smile. “It is no fun being cooped up indoors.”
Jaclyn nodded, though her thoughts were not entirely on the gentlemen in the room. Her gaze shifted toward the door as she heard another set of footsteps approaching. Her heart gave a little lurch when Lord Finley entered, his tall frame filling the doorway. His easy smile immediately set her heart racing, but it was the flicker of something she could not name in Miss Spencer’s eyes that caught her attention. She had thought there was something between them previously. The marquess had an interest in the instructor and had been more than willing to join her for a stroll amongst the grounds of Easton Abbey as Jaclyn had a private conversation with Charlotte. Perhaps he would court the lovely Miss Spencer, though she would be sorely missed at Havenwood should a match between them occur.
Lady Ella greeted him politely, and as he crossed the room to join the group, Miss Spencer’s eyes lingered on him as he moved amongst them. The teacher’s normally composed demeanor seemed to waver ever so slightly, and Jaclyn couldn’t help but notice the way Miss Spencer leaned forward, clearly interested in Finley’s movements. There was an undeniable tension in the room now. As Lord Finley took a seat near the Duke of Amberwood, Jaclyn’s gaze flicked between the two, wondering what it was that sparked Miss Spencer’s interest. She had known Miss Spencer for some time now, but this—this subtle look of admiration—was something new.
Jaclyn’s mind began to race with thoughts she hadn’t quite processed before. Why did Miss Spencer look at Finley that way? Was there something more to their connection than what appeared? Her attention drifted back to the conversation at hand, though the nagging thought of Miss Spencer’s interest in Lord Finley lingered, unsettling her more than she cared to admit. Would Miss Spencer make her interest known? And if so, would it change everything between them?
When she was well enough, Jaclyn would have to make sure to start a pointed conversation with Miss Spencer. If she was truly interested in Finley, then she should know more about the marquess and the type of man she wished to become involved with. Not that Jaclyn knew him well. At least not nearly as well as her brother, Oakley or even Charlotte as Finley was his brother. But she did know his reputation and any woman wishing to become more acquainted with a man like Finely should be privy to such knowledge.
Despite her illness, she could not shake the feeling that something was quietly shifting in the room. She had seen the subtle exchange of glances before, but today, with Lord Finley present, it was more pronounced. The duke kept sneaking glances at Finely as if he expected the marquess to make some sort of trouble. What was she missing?
The tea continued, but the air was thick with the unspoken tension, and Jaclyn could not help but feel that this moment, in this room, was somehow the beginning of something far more complicated than she had expected. Perhaps it was her illness giving her that sense of foreboding. She could not be certain, though she was feeling a bit overtaxed and that could be making her imagination run wild.
“So, you are planning to return to Havenwood soon, Lady Jaclyn?” Lord Easton inquired. “I thought you were still too unwell to travel?”
“Well…” She had forgotten that Charlotte mentioned her return to the school when the gentleman had entered. She had been far too preoccupied with Miss Spencer’s interest in Lord Finley. “I will return eventually.”
“But not now,” the duke said firmly. “I have sent word to Mrs. Havenwood that you are staying here until the doctor gives you leave to return.”
Had he? How presumptuous of him… “I see,” she said softly. “And what if I wish to return sooner?” She should be irritated with the duke, but she was far too exhausted even for that. Still, she felt she should make some effort of protest against his actions.
