The Mysterious Lord Marlowe (16 page)

One thing he was determined on. That rogue Blake would not be allowed to come near Jane again. She would be watched every time she left her home and Price’s men had been told to shoot to kill. Jane must be protected whatever the consequences.

Perhaps one day, when she had had time to recover from her distress, she might find it in her heart to forgive him for what had happened to her.

‘D
o you feel able to attend Lady Astley’s ball?’ Lady Mary asked two days later. ‘It may be an ordeal for you, my love, because the gossips will have heard something—but I think it should be attempted, if you can.’

‘I shall certainly attend,’ Jane said, lifting her head to meet her godmother’s anxious gaze. ‘If anyone asks me, I shall tell them the truth—at least I shall say that I was abducted and held to ransom. However, the rest shall remain our secret.’

‘I think you are wise, dearest. Some of the strictest hostesses may cut you from their list, but that must be accepted. We cannot reverse what has happened to you, Jane, but if you act
properly it is my belief that most will think you a heroine. This will be our last engagement in town, for we shall go down to Bath the day after tomorrow. I have many friends there and I assure you, you will not be ostracised there whatever happens this evening.’

‘I have no reason to be ashamed,’ Jane said, ‘yet I would not bring disgrace on you, Godmother. If we meet with criticism in Bath, I shall go home.’

‘Do you imagine that anyone who cut you would remain my friend?’ Lady Mary looked affronted. ‘You are very precious to me, dearest. I shall support you to the last. Indeed, those who malign you do so at their peril. I am not without influence and I should use it in your support. Some might find themselves being excluded from certain circles.’

Jane’s eyes felt damp. It meant everything to have her godmother’s staunch support, because she knew that girls in similar cases had been rushed abroad by their embarrassed families or forced into a convenient marriage—some might even be sent to a house of correction, though it was not their fault.

Her throat caught as she remembered the quarrel she had heard between Andrew and
Lord George. If her hot-tempered brother had not denied him, she might never have known anything about his gallant offer. He would most certainly have disguised his reasons for asking her and she might well have accepted his offer of marriage.

Jane was aware of a deep searing regret. How happy she might have been had Lord George truly wished to marry her for his own sake.

Forcing the regret to a tiny corner of her mind, Jane prepared for the evening ahead. She had been quite popular at the dances they attended, sitting out only a few times. This evening she might discover that she had far fewer friends than she believed.

* * *

Lady Astley welcomed them to her house, giving no sign that she had heard any gossip concerning Jane. Moving on into the crowded reception rooms, Jane felt a fluttering in her stomach. She sensed that most eyes in the room were upon her and for a moment it seemed that a hush descended. Her nails curled into the palms of her hands as the hush was replaced by a buzz of voices and she heard some of the whispers as she passed by.

‘An elopement gone wrong, do you think?’
one woman said in a slightly too-loud voice, only to be shushed by her husband.

‘I heard she was abducted and escaped from the rogues without assistance,’ a gentleman told his wife. ‘In my opinion, Jane Lanchester is a very brave young lady.’

‘I should not dare to show my face in public if such a thing had happened to me…’

‘It shows great resilience on her part…’

Jane managed to keep a show of unconcern on her face. Lady Mary stopped to speak to some friends and Jane smiled, inclining her head in response to enquiries about her health.

‘I am very well, thank you, ma’am,’ Jane replied with dignity. ‘I was a little frightened, but quite unharmed.’

‘Then it is true? You were abducted?’ The lady seemed astonished that she was prepared to admit it.

‘I believe I must have been mistaken for an heiress,’ Jane said in a calm clear voice that people standing nearby could hear. ‘My brother was asked for an impossible ransom, but I was able to escape and he was not forced to ruin himself for my sake.’

‘Oh, I say, bravo, Miss Lanchester,’ Sir Tobin Marshall said and clapped his hands. ‘May I
hope that you will grant me the favour of two dances this evening? I should like to hear more of your remarkable adventures. It is the duty of all gentlemen to stand up to these rogues and see they pay the price for such infamy.’

‘I could not agree more,’ a voice that made Jane’s pulses race joined in. ‘You will please save two dances for me, Miss Lanchester.’

Jane glanced at Lord George. His smile was warm and approving and she felt relieved. He was not angry with her. She handed her card to Sir Tobin and then to Lord George, feeling grateful for their kindness. Their outspoken support had brought a small queue of gentlemen to request a dance and it was not long before at least two-thirds of her card was filled.

‘Thank you for helping to rescue me,’ Jane said as she danced with Lord George later. ‘I was not sure you would be here this evening—and I thought you might be angry with me. I believe I was a little abrupt with you the other night.’

‘I have no reason to be angry with you,’ George said and it seemed to her that his eyes held a smile for her alone. ‘Your brother was just in his anger against me, Jane. I understood
his feelings—and yours—but you must know in your heart that I did not speak out of duty.’

‘You did not?’ Jane’s heart raced. ‘I thought…’ Her cheeks were warm and her heart was racing wildly. ‘May I ask why you did speak, sir?’

‘That is a matter for private discussion,’ George said. ‘If I called on you at eleven tomorrow morning, would you grant me a few minutes of your time?’

Jane hesitated, then inclined her head. ‘Yes, sir. I should be happy to do so.’

‘Then we shall continue our discussion tomorrow. This evening you must dance with everyone and give the gossips no reason for spite, Jane. I would not have you feel coerced in any way.’

* * *

‘Thank you.’ She gave him a tremulous smile. It was quite foolish of her, but her eyes pricked with tears. ‘Lady Mary thought I might be ostracised this evening, but we believed it a risk worth taking.’

‘Your godmother is a very wise lady,’ George said. ‘You have done nothing to be ashamed of, Jane. I think you as courageous as you are beautiful.’

‘I would not think of myself as either brave
or beautiful,’ Jane said and laughed. ‘Attractive, perhaps—but I am not a beauty.’

‘You must let me be the judge,’ George said. ‘I am persuaded you are not in the habit of looking much in the mirror. Your eyes reach into a man’s soul, Jane.’

Jane was lost for words, her cheeks warm. The music ended then and she glanced at him shyly as he returned her to her aunt. Almost immediately, she was claimed by another partner. George left her to join a party of friends, many of them gentlemen who had asked her for a dance earlier.

* * *

As the evening progressed, Jane was aware of coolness from more than one lady present, though the gentlemen seemed universally on her side. She was not allowed to sit out one dance, and at supper she and Lady Mary were surrounded by gentlemen. One or two of their closest female friends joined the party.

Jane danced again with Lord George. Afterwards, he kissed her hand and reminded her of their appointment the next day.

* * *

Lady Mary had nodded her head, but made no comment until they were in the carriage being driven home later that evening.

‘Well, it all seemed to go very well, dearest. Better than we might have hoped, which was due to Sir Tobin and Lord George to a great degree.’

‘Both gentlemen were very kind, Godmother.’

‘Yes, indeed. However, I think your honesty and deportment had much to do with it, Jane. One lady told me that she had been inclined to think there was some truth in the rumour of an elopement, but this evening she realised that you were too sensible a gal to behave so recklessly. And I had a message from one of the prince’s aides, telling me that we are both invited to visit Carlton House when we return to London.’

‘How kind of his Royal Highness—and your friend.’ Jane smiled. ‘You speak of my bravery, Godmother, but you also took a risk. You could have lost a great deal by being seen to condone my shame.’

‘I did not consider it,’ Lady Mary said not quite truthfully.

‘I can only thank you,’ Jane said and waited. Her godmother made no further comment. ‘Lord George is to call on me in the morning.’

‘Is he, my dear? He will wish to say goodbye before we leave town, I dare say.’ A little
smile touched Lady Mary’s mouth, but she said no more.

Jane smiled and leaned back against the squabs. Her godmother was resisting the question and her tact was appreciated. Jane believed that she might have some news for Lady Mary after the visit, but it would be immodest to speak before she was certain.

She yawned behind her hand. ‘I believe I shall sleep very well tonight. I am exhausted by all that dancing.’

‘I have not danced, but I believe I shall rest tonight,’ Lady Mary agreed and touched her hand. ‘You know that all I want is your happiness, my dear. I would not persuade you to anything you did not want.’

* * *

Jane dressed in a simple but elegant grey silk gown. She fastened a large cameo brooch at her throat and touched her hair, which was caught up in a knot at her nape. Her hands fluttered nervously. Supposing she had been mistaken? Supposing Lord George did not truly care for her? Yet he knew her feelings. He would not ask her again simply out of duty, surely?

The longcase clock in the hall was striking a quarter to the hour. She took a deep breath and
went downstairs to the front parlour. Picking up a book of her favourite poems, she tried to read a few lines, but found it impossible. After that dreadful scene when she interrupted a quarrel between her brother and Lord George, she had thought all her hopes at an end, but now…

‘Miss Lanchester.’ The housekeeper’s words broke into her thoughts. ‘A gentleman to see you—Lord George?’

‘Yes, I am expecting Lord George,’ Jane replied and rose to her feet, clasping her hands before her. ‘Please show him in.’

‘Yes, miss.’

Jane breathed deeply as the housekeeper went away. She was so very nervous!

In another moment Lord George walked into the room. He looked extremely elegant, his cravat arranged in an elegant waterfall, his blue coat moulded to his shoulders and his breeches a delicate shade of cream. Her gaze flew to his face and the look she saw there made her heart pound. She looked down, studying the shine on his boots.

‘Jane, you are well?’

‘Yes, very well, thank you, sir.’ She dipped a small curtsy. ‘I trust you are recovered from the wound to your shoulder?’

‘As if it had never been.’ He took a step towards her. ‘I think you know why I have come.’

‘I am not certain. You know my feelings on the matter of your making me an offer out of a mistaken desire to protect my reputation.’

‘I think any rumours were nipped in the bud last night, do you not think so?’

‘I believe so, sir.’

‘Then I think we need not consider a marriage of obligation on either side. Indeed, I have not come to ask you to marry me this morning.’

‘Oh.’ Jane blushed. ‘Forgive me…’

‘Please do not be embarrassed. It was my intention to ask if you would accept me as your suitor. I think you must know that I have a high regard for you. If we discover that we enjoy each other’s company sufficiently, it is my hope that you might listen to an offer in time.’

‘Oh…’ Jane stammered, her heart racing. ‘Yes, I see. I think that would suit me well, sir.’

‘I believe we shall suit, Jane. I think you’re exactly the sort of lady I had hoped to wed one day. My sister and mother—much as I love them—are clinging vines. You are a lady of spirit, a lady I think might be as much a companion as a lover.’

Jane’s heart soared. His words were music to
her ears—it was exactly the kind of marriage she had hoped to find.

‘I think that might please me very well, sir—as long as you are certain that you do not feel obliged to offer.’

‘I am quite certain. I shall take it that we have an understanding, though not yet an engagement?’

Jane nodded, her cheeks warm. ‘If you wish.’

‘I do not wish you to be coerced into anything by your very charming godmother—and I have yet to win your brother’s approval.’

‘Andrew will approve once he knows you. He needs a little time to accustom himself to the idea.’

‘As you do?’ George’s smile made her heart race. ‘I know I do not deserve your regard after the way I behaved at the start, but I hope to earn it in time.’

‘Please, do not,’ Jane said and put her fingers to his lips. ‘You must not abuse yourself to me, my lord. You have nothing to apologise for in my opinion. I know how much you risked for my sake. You acted impulsively for another’s sake and became involved in an unworthy act—but, had you not done what you did, both
Lady Fanshawe and I would have been in terrible trouble.’

‘You are too generous, Jane,’ George said. ‘I know I do not deserve your love—but may I hope that you care a little? You have said more than once that you had no wish to marry.’

‘I was not sure that I should find anyone who would be a friend and companion as well as a husband. I am used to ordering my own life. While I realise that marriage must change things, I should not like to become one of those wives who dare not answer back and fear to displease their husband if the cook throws a tantrum.’

‘God forbid! I should hate such a marriage. You must never be afraid to speak your mind to me.’

‘I think you really mean that.’

‘What is in your mind?’

‘I believe we should allow the world to think us at least close to making a match, if not actually engaged. While Blake is in hiding he remains a danger to us all. If he thought we were to marry…’

‘You think it would draw him out.’

‘He would wish to be revenged on us. He
might do something reckless and reveal his hand.’

‘You understand the danger?’

‘Yes, of course. What is our alternative? If we wait and pretend we are no more than friends, we shall never be at ease. Only when he is caught shall we be certain we can live our lives safely without fear of being suddenly murdered by our enemy.’