Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid (15 page)

“I know you’re awake, so stop pretending.”

Jane ignored him for a moment, not wanting to give him the
satisfaction of being right.  But she also didn’t want to continue lying
against him, which was most disconcerting.

“I’m not pretending.”

“Whatever you say,” he chuckled, against her ear.  “But the
bed is small and I don’t want you falling off the other side.  You can sleep
against me.  I don’t mind.”

Of course the wretch wouldn’t mind!  The entire episode was
of no consequence to him.  But Jane felt his presence in every fiber of her
body.  How was she going to get any sleep with her heart racing and being
unable to catch a breath?

So she continued to sidle over to her side of the bed. 

She heard his soft chuckle.  “Good night, Jane.”

She ignored him as best she could and settled down to try to
get some rest.

*                    *                   *

“No, no, no!  Help me!”

Ned and Jane sat bolt upright at the sounds of Vi’s
nightmare.   Jane jumped out of bed to get to her, with Ned right behind.

“No!  I don’t want to go!  I don’t want to go!”

Ned lit a candle as Jane gently awakened the girl.

“Shh, shh.  Mama’s here.  Mama’s here.”

Vi’s tear-stained face looked up at Jane.  “They were trying
to take me!  I didn’t want to go.”

“No one’s going to take you, Vi.  Mama won’t let them.”

“I won’t let them,” said Ned solemnly.  And Jane knew he
would keep his word.

“C-c-can I sleep with you?” asked Vi.

“Of course,” said Jane.

Vi crawled into the big bed, then Jane got in and held her. 
Ned looked at the two of them together.  It was the most beautiful sight he’d
ever seen. 

He moved to get into Vi’s old bed on the floor.

“Sleep with us, Ned,” said a tired Vi. 

Ned met Jane’s eyes and she gave him a simple nod.  So he slipped
in behind her.

“Good night, sweeting,” whispered Jane to her daughter, who
was already falling asleep.

As Ned lay behind Jane he knew his life had changed
forever.  He just needed to figure out exactly how everything was going to work
out.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Jane awoke slowly.  Faint daylight was streaming into the
room, so she figured it was shortly after dawn.  Vi had already risen and was
now looking out the window at the activity below, a huge smile on her face. 
The girl was certainly enjoying her adventure.

Jane was much too comfortable to move.  The bed was
surprisingly soft, she was warm and she enjoyed the feel of the heavy arm slung
over her, with her back against….Jane sat up. 

“Shhh, go back to sleep,” said the hulking presence behind
her, as he pulled her back down to fit snugly against him.  She tried to
resist.  She truly did.   But he was so strong and she was so warm and
comfortable.

“Mama!  Look at the beautiful carriages.  Do you think
they’re all going to London, too?”

“A good many of them probably are, poppet,” said Jane,
realizing that since Vi was up, sleep was a hopeless cause.  She turned to face
Ned, only to find him staring at her.  “My lord, we should begin our day.”

“Jane,” he whispered, “you’re lying in my arms in bed.  ‘My
lord’ seems to be an excessive amount of formality, don’t you think?”

“I’m not lying in your arms, my lord,” she said quite
pointedly while willfully ignoring all evidence to the contrary.  “I’m simply
lying in the only space available.”

His eyes glinted with humor as he looked at her.

“Mama, Ned, let’s be off!  I can’t wait to see London.”

So, reluctantly, they rose.  After Jane and Vi changed
behind the screen, Ned dressed, while Jane tried not to think of him.

“Mama!  You pulled my hair with the brush.”

“I’m so sorry, love.”

“What’s the matter, Jane?” asked Ned from behind the
screen.  “Having a hard time keeping your mind on the task at hand?”

The infuriating man.

After a quick meal to break their fast, they loaded into the
carriage and began the final leg of the journey to London.

*                    *                  *

“What do you mean, Jane Wetherby and that brat of hers went
to town?”  Madeleine asked the idiot footman who was sweet on the blundering
kitchen maid she’d sacked several days earlier.             

The footman was cowering because Madeleine Merriman had
never met a messenger of bad news she hadn’t wanted to kill, and today was
surely no different. 

“All I know is wot Jen tol’ me, Miss Merriman.  Miss Jane
and Miss Vi left early yesterday for Lunnon.”

Madeleine glared at the unhelpful simpleton.  She was
already vexed that Lord Edward had left Marston Vale before he’d signed the
marriage contract.  And she didn’t believe that nonsense he’d used as an excuse
– he didn’t have vital business in London.  No one she knew had vital business
anywhere.  And now Jane Wetherby had gone to town, as well.  Jane Wetherby who
had no carriage and no two coins to rub together.  It made no sense that they’d
be together, but the timing had to be more than an unhappy coincidence.

“If that idiot who ruined dinner tells you anything else,
come to me immediately.  Do you hear?”

“Yes, Miss.  Thank you, Miss.”

“Get out.”

As the footman made a quick exit, Madeleine considered her
options.  Jane could easily upset all of her carefully laid plans.  But maybe,
just maybe, there was a way to turn this to her advantage.

“Papa!” she yelled.  “We must leave for London at once.”

*                 *                *

Vi was glued to the window as the carriage made its way
through the streets of London.  Her mother was almost as fascinated, noted Ned,
but seemed like she was filled with dread rather than excitement.

“I must once again ask you to reconsider your plan, Ned. 
I’m sure we can find a hotel in a safe part of town that will charge a
reasonable rate.”

“And I have told you in no uncertain terms that Vi’s and
your safety are of paramount importance to me.  And that can only be assured by
your residing under my roof.”

“It is most improper.”

With any luck, mused Ned, it would be. 

Lynwood would most certainly not tolerate having Ned’s lover
and illegitimate daughter in residence with their sister.  But it was now late in
the evening and likely everyone at Lynwood House would be out.  Ned could
smuggle Jane and Vi in, settle them in rooms far from the family wing just for
the one night, then arrange for safe housing for them nearby where he could
join them.  He had a friend whose mistress had recently vacated his
pied a
terre
.  It wasn’t an ideal situation, but it would do until Ned could
resolve the issue with Jane’s grandfather.  Plus, it’d give them some needed
privacy, which Ned fully intended to take advantage of.

The carriage drew to a halt outside Lynwood House.

“Mama!  We’ve come to see the King!”

“I’m afraid not, puss.  It’s only my family’s home,” said
Ned.

“How many people are in your family?” asked an incredulous Vi.

Even Jane, who’d surely visited the palatial homes in
Mayfair during her debut, seemed stunned.  But as Ned looked up at his
ancestral home through Vi’s eyes, even he had to admit it was grand.

A footman opened the door and helped Ned alight.  As he
helped the others, the door to Lynwood House opened and Heskiss appeared.

“Master Edward, welcome home.”  If Heskiss was surprised to
see Ned return from the country with a child and woman in tow – a woman who
most certainly wasn’t the one he’d gone to get engaged to – he showed no sign. 
He only made a few discreet motions to set off a flurry of activity among the
footmen.

“Heskiss, this is Miss Jane Wetherby and Miss Violet. 
Please place them in the east wing.  And, as this is Miss Violet’s first trip
to the capital, I would ask you to conduct yourself with only the finest
manners, as befitting a representative of our fine city.”

“Very good, sir.”

Vi looked at the very proper butler.  “I believe you
would’ve behaved with good manners even if Ned hadn’t asked you to.  But thank
you for making a special effort for us.  Sometimes Mama has to remind me to
mind my manners, too.”

Jane glanced quickly at Ned when Vi mentioned their
relationship, but the butler had no reaction, other than making a solemn bow –
slightly lower than usual, Ned noticed – and thanking Vi for her kind words of
support.

They followed Heskiss into the house.  Ned put an arm around
Vi’s shoulders, to escort the girl through the huge entryway.  His destination
was the servants’ stairs – the best way to avoid any members of his family who
might be home.  Another few moments and they’d be safe.

“Ho, brother!  What do you mean by sneaking about?”

Ned looked up with some dread to see Hal standing on the
landing above, looking curiously at Jane and Vi.  Arthur joined him, then they
both walked downstairs.  Ned’s luck had most assuredly run out.

“Miss Jane Wetherby, Miss Violet, may I introduce you to my
brothers, Lord Arthur and Lord Henry, better known as Hal.”

Jane had no sooner made her curtsy, than the voice Ned had
been dreading made itself heard coming down the stairs.

“Welcome home, Edward.  To say your arrival is a surprise is
a gross understatement,” said the Duke of Lynwood as his gaze passed
assessingly over Jane, then rested on Vi.

There was nothing to do but to carry on.  “Lynwood, may I
present Miss Jane Wetherby and Miss Violet.  Ladies, this is his grace, the
Duke of Lynwood.”

Jane sank into a deep curtsy, wishing she’d convinced him to
let them stay at a hotel. 

Lynwood’s bow was respectful, but there was no doubt he’d
accurately sized up the situation when he very pointedly said he’d like to see
Ned in his study.  Immediately.  Hal offered to give Miss Wetherby and Vi a
tour of the house and Ned was just about to firmly decline on their behalf,
when Elizabeth came running down the stairs.

Why did none of these people have plans for the evening?

“Ned!  You’ve finally returned!”  She gave him a hug, then
looked at their guests.  “I’m so sorry to interrupt.  Please introduce me to
your friends.”

Ned did the honors, with Lynwood sending him black looks and
Jane quite desirous of a hole in the earth to open up through which she could
disappear.   Or through which she could dispatch Ned and his inquisitive
family.

“You’ve got eyes just like mine,” said Vi to Elizabeth. 

And it was at that moment as the entire family looked from Vi’s
eyes to Lizzie’s, then much more importantly from Vi’s eyes to Ned’s, that
everyone knew for a certainty what Ned had hoped to have remained hidden.

“Ned,” said Lynwood.  “I should like that appointment with
you.  Now.”

“If you please, your grace, I would like to accompany him.”

Lynwood turned to Jane with a look his siblings recognized
as one of this most formidable.  “It does not please me, Miss Wetherby.”

“It does not please me, your grace, to be the subject of the
silent speculation I sense in this room, nor the more pointed vocal discussion
which I suspect will go on in your study.  While I do not know if I have been
accorded the status of guest in your home, I can only assume that you would never
do anything to make one feel ill at ease.  And while you may shortly turn me
out on my ear, until you do I would ask that you grant this favor.”

Other than Elizabeth mumbling something that sounded
suspiciously like “good show,” the silence which followed was one of the most
uncomfortable of Jane’s life.  Even Vi was quiet.

After another moment of quiet, Lynwood responded.  “Very
well, Miss Wetherby.  Please accompany Lord Edward and me into the study.”

Jane turned to Vi, not sure what to do with her.

“If it is all the same to you, Miss Wetherby, I should like
to give Miss Violet a tour of the kitchens,” said Elizabeth.   “From time to
time, Cook is known to have biscuits on hand.”

“Biscuits!  May I have one, Mama?  Please?”

“If you are offered.  But please pay Lady Elizabeth special
attention.”

With that, Vi put her hand in Lady Elizabeth’s and they went
in search of biscuits, accompanied by Arthur and Hal, who said their escort
would be vital in both the hunting down and disposal of said treats.

“Miss Wetherby, shall we?” asked the Duke of Lynwood, as he
motioned for her to precede him into his study.

*                    *                    *

Jane wasn’t sure if she’d ever seen a room quite so elegant
yet intimidating in all her days.  Her grandfather’s study certainly had its
share of male accoutrement:  crystal decanters of brandy, ledgers from various
holdings prominently displayed so no one would be in doubt of his wealth, an
ornate desk coupled with a chair that was slightly raised so all others would
feel dwarfed in comparison. 

But Lynwood’s study was filled with books.  Shelves lined
the walls, floor to ceiling.  And those were most likely in addition to a full
library elsewhere in the house.  In other circumstances, she would’ve loved to
have browsed the shelves at her leisure.  It was too bad her residence at the
house was about to come to such a quick end.

“Edward,” came Lynwood’s voice from the other side of the
desk, “before we get to the matter at hand, may I ask how you left the
situation at Barrington?  Am I to offer my congratulations on your betrothal?”

“It might be described as a complicated situation.  Shall I
pour us brandy, and a ratafia for the lady?”

“I do not feel beverages are called for at this time,” said
Lynwood.  “But thank you for the kind offer of my brandy.  Why might one call
the situation ‘complicated’?”

“I came to the conclusion, regrettable of course, that Miss
Merriman and I would not suit.”

“Did you relay this decision to Lord Barrington and his
daughter?”

“Not in so many words.”

“That seems regrettable, indeed.”

Ned explained the situation at Barrington Manor, with heavy
emphasis on the trap that had been laid and his complete innocence. 

“So you are engaged,” stated Lynwood, as he surreptitiously
glanced at Jane’s bloodless face.

“No, although I might not have been as clear on that point
as one would wish.  I didn’t want to humiliate the girl for pouncing on me, nor
did I want to accuse her parents of entrapment although, sadly, both of those
actions had occurred.  So I hemmed and hawed, hedged just a bit, then when danger
to Miss Wetherby and Violet presented itself, I escorted the ladies back to
London.”

“Please know, Edward, that you and I will have more to
discuss on this topic – much more, unless I miss my mark completely – but let
us move on to Miss Wetherby.”

Before Ned could try to explain and muck things up further,
which Jane felt was all but a certainty, she stepped in. 

“Two ruffians tried to kidnap my daughter.  Lord Edward
fought them off.  He was concerned for our safety and felt it necessary to
bring us to London.”

“I am most sincerely sorry to hear of the threat to your
child, madam, and am pleased my brother was of assistance.  But, Edward, why
did you believe a journey to London was necessary, and, perhaps more to the
point, why did you feel the need to take such a personal interest?  Vivid green
eyes notwithstanding.”

So the duke knew.  Jane’s face flushed bright red.

“Perhaps you recall my telling you of the woman who saved my
life in Belgium.”

“Yes, the Miss Johnston you so assiduously tried to find.”  
Realization dawning, Lynwood turned to Jane with a long, appraising look. 
“Miss Johnston, I presume.”

Jane met his eyes and nodded. 

Ned continued.  “As you know, I tried for quite some time to
find the lady.  Imagine my surprise when I found her and Vi in Marston Vale.”

“I can imagine it was rather a surprise.  Was Lord
Barrington aware of the development?”