Claiming the Chaperon's Heart (12 page)

‘No, perhaps not,’ he said ruefully. ‘I had looked forward to our dances, my lady, but they must wait for another time. Perhaps you will sit with me and take a glass of wine—or walk out on the balcony...’

‘Yes, of course,’ she said. ‘I had reserved two dances for you...’

‘I am glad you remembered that I asked for them,’ he murmured throatily and Jane’s heart jerked and then raced in a manner it had not done for some years. For a moment as she looked into his eyes it was as if her heart reached out to his and her breath came faster, making her aware of something she had not felt for a long time—a desire to be kissed by a man other than her late husband. Yet in an instant the desire was replaced by regret. She could never...must never let herself love again: that way lay too much pain and hurt. It was safer to remain where she was, in her own little bubble.

‘Yet should you truly be here?’ she asked as she realised she had been silent too long.

‘If one always did what one ought it would be a dull life,’ Paul said and laughed as her brows rose. ‘I have often taken risks, as this gentleman may tell you...’

Jane saw that Major Harding had come up to them and was giving Paul a quizzical look. ‘What mad escapade brought you to this, Captain Frant?’

‘That is fine talk, coming from the wildest fellow I ever had under my command.’ Paul laughed and offered his right hand, which was gripped and held. ‘Jack Harding—how are you? A Major now, I hear?’

‘Yes, but unlikely to go further now that Boney is safely tucked up out of harm,’ Major Harding said, grinning. ‘I am thinking of setting up a stable—and Lady March told me you have a similar idea. We must dine together one evening and talk of this...’

‘Yes, indeed. I should enjoy that,’ Paul told him. ‘Perhaps tomorrow at my club—at eight?’

It was agreed and then Major Harding left them to claim a partner for the next dance.

‘This was one of your dances,’ Jane told Paul. ‘Would you care for a turn on the balcony, sir?’

‘Only if you stop calling me sir,’ he said. ‘Frant if you must, though I prefer Paul. I believed we were friends, Jane?’

‘You know we are,’ she said as he offered his arm and they made their way through the crowds to one of the long doors that stood open to admit fresh air and passage to the various small balconies. Her heart had opened to him earlier but now she had herself under control and was the polite society lady again. ‘Now, tell me the truth—what happened to you?’

‘My horse was spooked by a stray ball as I rode home from Newmarket yesterday.’

‘You were shot at?’ Jane felt severely distressed by the very idea and it must have shown in her face for Paul squeezed her arm against his side comfortingly.

‘No, I fancy it was a poacher or some such thing—unless he was a poor shot. Unfortunately, my horse was not trained to the sound and reared up, sending me crashing to the ground—though I held on to the reins, luckily, and Adam was there to help me up...’

‘Viscount Hargreaves was with you?’

‘Yes, thankfully. He helped me to mount and got me to the nearest inn, where I was seen by the local doctor. A good man, who informed me that I had no broken bones and would live but must take it easy for a day or so.’

‘Thank God someone was with you...’ Jane was shocked to discover how much the idea that he could have lain hurt...particularly if the shot had wounded him.

‘It was fortunate, but it is not the first time Adam has come to my aid,’ Paul told her. ‘I suffered from a fever on the ship returning from India and I believe I should have died had Adam not cared for my needs.’

‘I did not realise that he had been such a good friend to you.’

‘No, he does not speak of it, but he is a decent fellow,’ Paul said and smiled as they took a turn on the small balcony and looked out at the pretty gardens, which were enhanced by fairy lights strung in the trees and bushes. ‘It was a successful meeting for both of us and we leave for Ireland next week to buy land for our young horses—of which we now have six.’

‘So it is definite that you will set up your stables in Ireland together?’

‘Yes, I see no reason for it not to go ahead now,’ Paul said softly, speaking almost to himself. ‘I believe Adam intends to purchase a house there, where he will live for some part of the year, though he enjoys Society too much to bury himself there for ever.’

‘Did he not come with you this evening? Melia thought it was his intention...’

‘I believe he has another engagement, one more to his taste...’ Paul frowned but shook his head, apparently wishing to leave the subject of his friend there. ‘I was determined to keep my word and come—though I fear I present a sorry appearance. We must hope the sight of me does not distress the ladies...’

‘There is nothing unpleasant in your appearance,’ Jane assured him. ‘I am glad to see you, Paul, though I am sorry if you are in pain.’

‘Sweet Jane,’ he said and gazed into her eyes for a moment before moving his hand to her cheek and caressing it lightly with the tips of his fingers. For a moment her breath caught and she almost swayed towards him as the need to feel his arm about her swept over her, but in an instant she had conquered the foolish desire. She must not let her longing for Harry confuse her; she did not know this man well enough to care for him—surely she could not be so inconstant. Only a few weeks ago she’d believed that she would never feel love or desire again. And now? Now she was not sure how she felt. ‘You look beautiful, as always.’

‘You flatter,’ Jane said and laughed, but the look in his eyes was having a disturbing effect on her. She felt young and excited again, like a girl at her first ball. ‘But it is most pleasant...and the evening would not have been the same if you had not come.’ She felt her cheeks flush as he smiled down at her and for a moment it was as if they were the only two people in the world. For a moment then Jane thought that if he had held her and kissed her she might have given herself to him...and then another couple came out onto the balcony and the lady called out to them, breaking the spell.

‘Is it not warm this evening, Lord Frant? I swear I thought I should melt if I did not catch the air...’

Paul moved back, turned and inclined his head towards her. ‘You are very right, Lady Catherine. It is the reason Lady March and I came out. Yet after a while it seems cool...do you not think so, Lady March?’

‘You are very right.’ Jane took her cue. Besides, it would be safer in the ballroom, for her emotions had almost betrayed her. ‘Take care you do not stay too long, Lady Catherine. We should go in, Lord Frant.’

‘Oh, but I wanted to hear what happened to you,’ Lady Catherine said, placing a hand on Paul’s arm to delay him. ‘Everyone is whispering different tales—is it true that someone tried to kill you and that they might have succeeded had Viscount Hargreaves not ridden up with your groom?’

‘Exaggeration,’ Paul said and smiled at her eagerness. ‘It was merely a little tumble from my horse. Excuse us, please, Lady March grows cool...’

Giving Jane his arm, he swept her back into the ballroom. Jane was aware of the pretty young lady staring after them. The daughter of an earl, she was betrothed to a marquis, but there were whispers that her father was desperate to get her married to curb her wildness. Some gentlemen spoke of her being no better than she ought, but as yet the remarks had not come to the lady’s ears or those of her father or betrothed.

‘I believe Lady Catherine came out in order to corner you, my lord,’ Jane said with a teasing look. ‘She enjoys excitement I understand...’

‘That young woman is the bane of her father’s life,’ Paul replied with an amused smile. ‘I knew her father years ago and his wife was a flighty one—unfaithful to him for years, though he believes that his first two sons are his own.’

‘You think Lady Catherine takes after her mother?’

‘I would not besmirch a young woman’s reputation, though others are less circumspect,’ Paul said. ‘I have heard tales but, gossip being what it is, I am inclined to discount most of it.’

‘I think she likes you,’ Jane teased but he shook his head.

‘No, I think her more interested in Adam. He has escorted her to some function or other on more than one occasion, for their families were friends...but I do not think the earl would countenance a union between them...’

‘You think Viscount Hargreaves might wish for it?’

‘As I believe I mentioned once before, he needs to marry money—but Lady Catherine’s father wants more for her.’

‘She is engaged to the Marquis of Barnchester.’

‘A man old enough to be her father,’ Paul said and frowned in disapproval.

‘Yes, that is a sad thing,’ Jane agreed. ‘I do not agree with such marriages, for they can bring little joy to either partner, I think.’

‘Barnchester needs an heir,’ Paul murmured. ‘After that, I dare say she will do much as she pleases...’

‘Yes, perhaps,’ Jane said but could not help feeling sorry for the lovely young woman who was so full of life. How must she feel about being married off to a man so many years older? Jane would never have agreed to such an arrangement. ‘Does she have money of her own—or is she in need of a fortune?’

‘Oh, her family is rich enough, but her father believes in keeping the coffers filled. The earl is full of juice, they say, but he wants a title and fortune for his daughter so if he has his way the match will go ahead.’

Jane nodded, and then turned her head to look up at him. ‘My next partner comes to claim me, but I shall see you for the dance before supper.’

‘How ridiculous these customs are,’ Paul said. ‘If I could dance I should want to keep you to myself and dance the whole night long...’ He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it, and there was something in his eyes then that set her heart racing once more. ‘Yet I am not too selfish to keep you from the pleasure of dancing, Jane. Go to Brandt and enjoy yourself. He waltzes well, as do all Wellington’s aides...’

Jane moved from his side reluctantly, though she greeted her partner with a smile and went willingly with him to the dance floor. She enjoyed dancing and soon discovered that the man was an excellent dancer. Their dance was soon over, and though she looked for Paul she did not see him to speak to again as she went from one dance to the next with a succession of partners. When she caught the occasional glance it was to see him engaged in conversation with the Prince Regent and some political gentlemen.

However, Paul did not forget their second dance and came to claim her. The touch of his hand on her arm set her pulses racing and she wished that they might dance the beautiful waltz that was about to begin for she would have liked to be in his arms, swaying to the music.

Once again they went out to the balcony to take some air, before moving into the supper room. For some moments they strolled in the peace of the cool evening air, but others had the same idea and they were never alone. Jane looked at Paul and saw the slight frustration in his eyes, as if he too wanted some time alone with her, but then he asked if she was ready to go into supper and the moment passed. Here they were joined by various gentlemen, friends of Paul’s, Melia, Sarah and Jane’s brother.

‘Have you enjoyed your first ball in town?’ Jane asked of Sarah and was greeted with a bright smile.

‘Oh, yes, it is lovely to dance—and your brother dances so well, Jane. He has danced with me twice and introduced me to his friends; I have sat out no more than three dances—and on two occasions I spoke with Lord Frant. He is such a pleasant gentleman, Jane. I know he likes you very much, for he spoke of you in the warmest terms.’

Jane refrained from asking what Paul had said about her, but she saw that his eyes were upon her and her heart began to race. Until this evening she had not truly understood how much she had come to like the quiet gentleman—and how much she enjoyed his company.

All too soon the last dance was over and people began to drift away as the sound of the music ended. Paul remained until the last and came to her as she and her friends were preparing to leave.

‘I hope you will call when I return from Ireland, to see how my house improves,’ he said and held her hand for a moment longer than necessary. ‘Bring Melia and your cousin—and your brother, if he cares to visit.’

‘I cannot vouch for Will, because he always seems to have so many engagements,’ Jane replied and looked up at him. ‘Sarah and Melia will be delighted to accompany me, I know. Your ward must take an interest, for perhaps one day—when you have taken a wife—she may reside within the walls of your home.’

‘Yes, perhaps she may,’ he said and there was a hint of laughter in his eyes. ‘I shall hope to see you—the day after tomorrow, perhaps?’

‘Yes, in the morning,’ Jane said. ‘We shall look forward to it.’

‘Goodnight, sweet Jane,’ he said and his eyes spoke more.

‘Goodnight, Frant,’ she said and smiled up at him.

They went out to the carriage together. Will handed his sister, Sarah and Melia inside and then climbed in after. Jane caught a glimpse of Paul’s face as he turned away. She thought he looked tired and sad and her heart caught. She wished that she did not have to leave him... For a short time on the balcony that evening she had almost believed that she was ready to love again.

Alone in the darkness, Jane wrestled with her thoughts. How could she even think of caring for another man when she had loved Harry so much? She knew very little of Paul Frant and, from the way Lady Catherine had looked at him, Jane knew that he was a man who drew women to him—how could she be certain that he wasn’t simply flirting with her?

In truth, she knew nothing of him. His past was a closed book to her and he might be an adventurer or a rogue for all she knew—she had sensed that he was not telling her the truth when he’d spoken of his injury, so what was he hiding?

* * *

Paul’s arm was aching as he entered the house, handing his cane, hat, gloves and cloak to his manservant with a sigh of weariness. That country doctor had known what he was talking about when he’d told him to rest for a few days. He felt weary after standing for hours, talking, smiling, catching up with old friends—and all the time his eyes followed Jane, his mind could not quite shut out the ugly suspicions.