“Never mind that,” Penelope waved a hand in the air dismissively. “How did you end up with him? I thought you had already run away, just like we had planned? I did not expect to see you again at the church – much less arrive with him. What on earth happened after you left?”
Jane paused, twisting a napkin in her hand as she tried to formulate her thoughts clearly enough to explain things properly.
“Well... I did leave, with no intention of returning. But it began to rain as I was escaping with the horse and something startled it in the forest, and I fell off. The duke – Thomas found me and tended to my injuries. He recognized me as his bride-to-be, and pleaded with me to go ahead with the wedding. It is... only meant to last for three months. Afterwards, we will go our separate ways.”
As expected, Penelope was not pleased with the explanation she had received.
“What do you mean it is only meant to last for three months? Why? What was the point of taking you back to marry you for three months only? Why does he need a wife for that short period?” she questioned, looking visibly irritated.
“He doesn’t,” Jane murmured, her words sounding more like an uncertain question than a statement. “He needs a mother, for his son.”
Penelope’s expression tightened in confusion.
“His son? He has a son? How have we never heard about this?”
“I do not know, honestly. I was skeptical as well, and reluctant to accept his offer, but he was rather insistent. He promised that our marriage would only be a formal arrangement, and he had no intention of going beyond that. He claimed that the boy needed help and I... I just couldn’t say no. I felt foolish and scared, but if there was a chance that a child needed my help, I did not wish to deny the innocent boy whatever it was my abilities could have provided. I met the boy the next day – Reuben. That is his name, and he has not spoken a word in three years. Not until two days ago. His mother had passed away in the garden and he had been the one to find her body. The sight had greatly scarred him to the point that he had refused to speak. Thomas believed that if perhaps Reuben experienced the affections of a mother once more, it might make him feel comfortable enough to speak once more. I was still hesitant because I was unsure it would work. It was too uncertain, but I spent time with the child anyway. And he has been a sweet little child. Quite smart too – given by the books he has chosen toread. And two days ago, he spoke to me. Granted, it was just a word, but it showed immense progress!”
Jane did not know why, but she felt truly proud that Reuben had spoken to her. She had been unable to show her excitement then to Thomas because he had taken it in stride, and it was clear that he felt a little dismayed that he had been unable to accomplish what she had. Jane did not wish to make him feel as though he had any reason to feel as though he was lacking in anyway.
She wished she had told him he was no less of an excellent father because Reuben had not spoken to him. It was clear to anyone who bothered to look that Thomas loved his son and Jane needed him to understand that just because getting Reuben to speak appeared to be beyond his ability does not mean he did not deserve credit for the word the child had uttered.
After all, it had been his idea to bring Jane to help. He deserved to be acknowledged.
“All this sounds wonderful, but is he treating you well? The duke? I certainly hope he has kept his word and not acted in a despicable manner towards you.” Penelope folded her arms frowning.
Jane blushed and shook her head. “Certainly not! He’s – Thomas has been very cordial and is very much a gentleman. Despite what people think, he is nothing but a kind, respectful man.”
Penelope stared at her for a moment, then she smiled slyly.
“Well then, duchess,” she teased lightly, refilling Jane’s empty cup with some jasmine tea. “I am glad to hear that your duke has kept his promise and is behaving properly. If there is even a hint of poor manners or anything, inform me straight away.”
“Yes, mother,” Jane sighed, giggling when Penelope glared at her in annoyance. “I assure you; I am perfectly fine. Do not worry.”
“My sister is going to be very entertained by all of this when she learns what you have gotten yourself into, Your Grace,” Cecil said to Jane with a grin, laughing when his wife dropped her face into her hands.
Penelope sighed, rubbing her temples as though she was trying to soothe an approaching migraine.
“I can only imagine what Nora would do when she returns to find out that you have not only gotten married in her absence, but you were asked to do so to be a mother, and not a wife.” Penelope muttered, clearly not looking forward to that conversation.
“You have my full permission to tell her in my stead,” Jane beamed.
“Nice try, poppet, but I will leave that honour to you. In fact, you will be granted the chance to do so when she and her husband make their appearance at the ball I will be hosting to celebrate their return. You and your husband are invited, of course,” Penelope informed calmly.
“Ah. I suppose I will have to inform him first. I am not sure if he’ll –”
“Just ask him, Jane,” Cecil urged gently. “I doubt he possesses the willpower strong enough to refuse you.”
The duke of Westerdal rose to his feet, leaned down to steal a kiss off his wife’s lips – which earned him an indignant squawk – before he added,
“It was lovely to see you, Jane. I do hope that we are given the opportunity to meet your husband soon. Take care of yourself.”
Jane nodded, smiling and Cecil patted her shoulder fondly before slipping out of the room.
“I really am glad to see that you are all right. Even if this might have not been what you expected, at least you are now out of your parent’s preposterous ‘care’.” Penelope stated. “What they did to you was unjust. They should have considered your feelings at the very least. It was not right to simply toss you into a marriage with someone believed to be capable of hurting people.”
“But he is not,” Jane protested. “He is not as horrible as people make him out to be. He is gentle, and I can tell how much he cares for his son. He is so determined to have the child gain some semblance of wellness for the sake of his future and it is not fair to hear that he has been needlessly slandered for so long.”
Penelope smirked, “Well, well, if I did not know any better, I would say that you have fallen –”
