Her Notorious Viscount (15 page)

She shook her head, and still she would not meet his eyes. “No.”

“Did your cousin do something?” Nicholas asked, alarm rising in his chest. “Did he
touch
you?”

The way her chin jerked down gave him all the answer he needed. Alarm turned to pure rage in an instant. Rage so deep and dark that he could hardly see as it fell in a veil over his eyes.

With great effort, he reined the anger in. Jane was trembling in the seat beside him, and her fears, her upset, were far more important than revenge and wrath. At least for now. As much as he wished to have the carriage turn around, this was not the time to beat her cousin to a bloody pulp.

Gently he wrapped his arms around her and held her to his chest. Her fingers came up to clutch at his jacket, and she fisted the fabric there, holding tight to him as she shivered in his arms.

“Did he hit you?” he asked, low and even, although the idea made him so angry he could scarce control himself.

“No,” she whispered.

“Grope you?” he continued, and that idea infuriated him even more.

She jerked her head in the negative. “No, nothing like that. He just…grabbed me, trapped me against the wall. He was angry at something I said. Normally he is so calm. Nothing I do or say can make that mask fall away.” She swallowed. “Today it fell, and it made me wonder if what you believe is true. Perhaps he did do my brother a harm.”

Nicholas tilted her chin up. “I want you to hear me, Jane. Are you listening?”

She nodded, slow and timid, nothing like the normal strength she had in her gaze. He hated the fear in her eyes and hated her cousin for putting it there. But he also loathed himself. He never should have put the idea in her head of her brother being murdered by her cousin, without solid proof. He should have known that strong, honest Jane would not be able to keep herself from a confrontation. Her cousin could have harmed her, and it would have been Nicholas’s fault.

“I found no evidence in your father’s papers to suggest your brother was harmed in any way by your cousin. It is still only speculation.”

She hesitated, but then nodded again. “One I hope is not true with all my heart. But I have never seen Patrick like he was today.”

“But you are safe now,” Nicholas soothed.

She smiled shakily. “Yes. I’m with you.”

That statement hit him in the gut like a sucker punch. Moved him beyond reason. Without hesitating, he tilted her face up and then kissed her. She leaned into him, hungry and innocent passion pouring from her like the sweetest wine he had ever tasted. But behind that he tasted her fright. And he wanted to make it go away. To never let it return.

Breaking the kiss, he brushed more stray locks away from her face before he pulled back and withdrew his pocket watch from his waistcoat.

“Damn,” he said as he snapped it shut. “No time. You must go back.”

She nodded. “Yes. Lady Ridgefield will be home soon.”

He thought for a moment. “Will you be able to return to me tonight? Perhaps after Lady Ridgefield has retired?”

Jane dipped her chin. “Today has been very long and trying and confusing. I’m not certain I’m going to be much of a teacher if I return to you tonight.”

“If you come back, there will be a lesson,” he said softly. “But you will not be forced to teach it. I want to instruct you. I want to teach you how to defend yourself. Will you come back tonight and let me do that?”

Her lips parted in surprise. “Defend myself? Do you mean physically?”

He nodded. It was something he should have done from the beginning.

She shook her head. “I don’t know, Nicholas, I—”

He caught both her hands, and the motion silenced her. “Please, Jane. Please let me do this for you.”

The ardor in his words and touch seem to astonish her, but she nodded slowly. “Very well. I will come back tonight if it means that much to you.”

And as she settled her head against his shoulder and they rode back to Lady Ridgefield’s home, Nicholas sighed. For some reason it
did
mean a great deal to offer Jane protection. Whether or not he would remain in her life when their lessons were over.

Jane straightened her shoulders before she moved toward the room. It wasn’t that she feared Lady Ridgefield would care that she hadn’t been there when the ladies arrived, but some of the others might make remarks. After today, which had started out with Nicholas nearly making love to her and ended with her cousin’s shocking behavior, she was too shaky to deal with their scorn and distain.

But there was little choice. This was her life now.

With one final sigh, she pushed the door open and stepped into the room. Lady Ridgefield was seated on her favorite chair before a roaring fire, laughing. Beside her in another chair was Lady Bledsoe, her own smile wide and genuine and sweet. Three more ladies perched on the settee across from them, and Jane groaned. Her employer’s old friends Lady Campbell-Carlile and Lady Abebowale were two of them and the third was Lady Kirkwood, one of the most influential duchesses in Society.

“Ah, Jane,” Lady Ridgefield acknowledged her with a wave into the room. “We were just talking about you.”

Jane’s heart sank as she trudged forward. That was exactly as she feared, but she forced a smile.

“My apologies for not being here when you arrived, my lady. I lost track of the time.”

To her surprise, it was Lady Kirkwood who rose to greet her. She dismissed Jane’s apology with an elegant wave of her hand. “Posh, my dear. You are allowed to have your day off as your own, aren’t you?”

Jane wrinkled her brow in confusion, but managed to maintain her expected servant’s politeness. “Thank you and good afternoon, Your Grace. Is there anything I can do or fetch for you ladies before I withdraw and leave you to your conversation?”

“Leave us?” Lady Abebowale gasped as she leapt to her feet, shooting a quick side glance at both Lady Kirkwood and Lady Bledsoe. “Dear Jane, no. You
must
join us. We have something very important to discuss with you.”

Jane couldn’t help her stare now, despite how inappropriate it was. She expected kindness from Lady Ridgefield and even Lady Bledsoe. And she didn’t know Lady Kirkwood, so she could be no judge of her behavior. But Jane had sat in many a room and ball with Lady Abebowale and Lady Campbell-Carlile, and neither of them had sent her so much as a side glance, despite the fact that the widow Lady Campbell-Carlile had once had designs on her own father!

But now they were being completely cordial to her, as if they had suddenly recalled she once had rank and position. What could she do? Her head was spinning and she desperately wanted to hide, but a servant was expected to serve, no matter how ridiculous or odd the request.

“I-I will certainly join you, if you would like,” she said, stepping away to move one of the more uncomfortable wooden chairs from beside the table across the room.

“No, my dear, take my place on the settee,” Lady Kirkwood said, motioning to the empty place between the other two women.

“I couldn’t—”

“I insist.” The duchess arched a brow, and Jane shut her mouth and took the space on the settee.

Lady Bledsoe smiled at her as the others shuffled to move another chair into the circle and resituated themselves. Jane smiled back shakily and prayed Nicholas’s mother would not guess just how eventful her day with him had been. She doubted all this kindness would continue if she realized how far things had gone between her beloved son and a servant.

“Jane,” Lady Bledsoe said softly, once the room had settled and Jane had poured herself some tea at Lady Ridgefield’s insistence. “All day, I have been talking to these ladies about you.”

Jane swallowed as she cast a glance around the room at the others. They were all leaning forward, smiles on their faces, as if in anticipation.

“Have you?” she said weakly. “I don’t know what in the world would interest you about me.”

“I was once friendly with your mother, as you and I have spoken about,” Lady Bledsoe said. “And Lady Campbell-Carlile knew your father before his death. Your parents moved in our circles, and once you did, too. We have determined that it is a shame for you to serve Lady Ridgefield as little more than a common servant when your roots are far grander than that.”

Jane’s lips parted in surprise. That fact had never seemed to occur to any of the ladies before.

Lady Ridgefield leaned forward now, practically bouncing with glee. “Not that I do not adore your company, Jane. But I have often thought it was not right for you to be lowered to such a position. And now Lady Bledsoe has come up with the best plan in the world.”

“Plan?” Jane repeated weakly. Her world felt as though it had begun to spin ever faster and more out of control. This day…it was really quite mad. Perhaps it was all a dream.

Except when she surreptitiously pinched herself, she was most definitely awake.

Lady Bledsoe nodded. “The ladies and I all have influence in Society. We have connections, and together we are quite a force to be reckoned with. We would like to…
adopt
you, Jane…I suppose is the best way to put it. To sponsor you for a Season. You are a beautiful girl, my dear. I am sure you could make an excellent match, despite this last year of service.”

Jane opened her mouth and shut it as she tried to formulate some kind of response to this utterly unexpected offer.

To no longer serve, but return to Society, was appealing in a great many ways, but it was out of the question. She felt closer to finding Marcus than she ever had before. She couldn’t abandon that! Not to become the charity case of a group of bored Society women.

“I appreciate the sentiment,” she said carefully, not wishing to offend. “But I made many of the choices that put me in my current position. I would not feel right about accepting help from you. You owe me nothing.”

“Owe you nothing?” Lady Ridgefield gasped and leaned forward to grasp her hand tightly. “That is not correct at all, my dear! You have been nothing but kind to me, when I know I can be a bit…silly. No companion has ever been so thoughtful, nor indulged my eccentricities as sweetly as you have.”

Jane blinked, tears stinging her eyes. “But that has been a pleasure, not anything I ever expected this kind of reward for.”

Lady Ridgefield dabbed at her own sudden tears. “But whether you expected it or not, I wish to thank you for your wonderful treatment and friendship to me, Jane.”

Lady Bledsoe nodded slowly. “Yes. We want to thank you.”

Jane swallowed as her gaze slipped to Lady Bledsoe, and she found the woman smiling at her. Now she understood. Lady Ridgefield was the sweetest woman in the world, but in a year she had never considered doing this. It was all Lady Bledsoe’s doing. And it was an attempt to make some kind of…
payment
for her training of Nicholas. As if Lady Bledsoe felt that if she managed to marry Jane well to some person with a bit of money and position, it would balance out a debt.

A sting of disappointment worked through Jane, though she kept a smile on her face so none of the women would see. They meant well.

“I still don’t think I could—”

“Hush!” Lady Abebowale rapped her fan across Jane’s knuckles to silence her. As Jane lifted her stinging hand to her mouth, the other woman continued. “There will be no refusals. We will not accept it. You
will
be sponsored by us for a new Season and that is the end of it.”

Then she got to her feet. “Now I must go. I will leave the details to the others. Lady Campbell-Carlile, will you go with me in my carriage?”

“And I must return home, as well,” Duchess Kirkwood said.

Lady Ridgefield rose to escort them to their vehicles, leaving Lady Bledsoe and Jane alone. As soon as the door closed behind them, the other woman moved to sit beside Jane.

She smiled. “I hope this pleases you, my dear.”

Jane hesitated. It seemed she was in a tricky position. If she utterly refused, all she would do was damage her relationship to these powerful women. In a battle between their will and her pride, she had no chance of winning.

Accepting their offer was her only choice. It was highly unlikely anyone would be interested in her, even with the ladies’ assistance. If she kept her head about her, there would be no harm in going through the motions.

“Yes, of course,” Jane finally said, her voice hollow even to her own ears. “I do appreciate your wanting to help me.”

“You are doing so much for my family,” Lady Bledsoe said, and her voice caught. “I must do something for you.”

“Just as I explained to Lady Ridgefield about our association, I am happy to help your son,” Jane whispered, her thoughts turning to the sweet draw of Nicholas’s unexpected kisses and the heat of his touch. She moved her gaze to a spot on the floor so Lady Bledsoe wouldn’t see too much. “You do not need to repay that.”

“How is my son faring?” Lady Bledsoe asked with a quick glance toward the door through which Lady Ridgefield had departed. In the hallway, the other women’s voices still echoed as they said their farewells.

Jane smiled, and this time it was not forced or awkward. “He is improving with each lesson. Most of the knowledge I am imparting is nothing more than reminders of what he knew from his youth. Today we discussed dining, and though the ideas frustrated him, he did well.”

“That is good, for he may need to test those skills soon. Tomorrow I will be sending him an invitation to a ball I plan to host in a few days’ time.”

Jane gasped as she stared at Lady Bledsoe. “But he—”

Before she could finish, Lady Ridgefield reentered the room, beaming broadly. “Were you telling Jane of your ball? We will need to quickly arrange for some new clothing to be designed for you, my dear, but I have the perfect seamstress for the job.”

Jane blinked, still reeling from the idea that Nicholas would be tested so soon. “What?”

Lady Ridgefield’s smile fell. “The ball, my dear. It will be your coming out with our support.”

“My coming out?” Jane pushed to her feet. When the group had said they would sponsor a Season for her, she hadn’t thought they meant
immediately
.

Lady Bledsoe nodded. “Yes, but do not worry.
All
will be well. I know it will be true. Lady Ridgefield, will you escort me to the foyer? Good night, Jane.”

“Good night,” Jane managed to choke out.

The two ladies departed the room, and Jane sank back down into the soft settee cushions. Never had she thought Lady Bledsoe would push Nicholas into Society so quickly. Although he was making strides, he continued to remain rough around the edges. She truly didn’t know if he was ready for the kind of keen observation and judgment he would endure at his mother’s party.

If he failed, it would be Jane’s fault. Hers for allowing distraction while they worked together. And hers for telling Lady Bledsoe about their secret meetings.

If he succeeded…well, that led to other issues entirely. He was a handsome, rich man with an influential, powerful family. If he made any kind of good impression with key parties, he would be accepted.

And their association would be over.

She pushed at the harsh, hollow sting that worked through her entire being at that thought. There was no time for that now. Tonight, when she returned to his home, she would have to confess what she had done. What she had revealed to his mother. And warn him about the invitation he was about to receive. Perhaps there was a way for him to refuse it without hurting her feelings.

“Did that not go splendidly, Jane?”

She rose to her feet and turned to face Lady Ridgefield. Her employer’s round cheeks were flushed pink with utter pleasure and her eyes were bright with excitement. Jane couldn’t help but smile. Lady Ridgefield only meant her the very best. She could have no idea how complicated things had become.

“Yes, my lady.” Jane sighed. “I do appreciate all your thought and care when it comes to me. Now, can I get you anything at all?”

Her employer stopped dead in the middle of the room and stared at Jane. Her face softened with a look so sweet and motherly, Jane almost turned away from it.

“Do you not understand? You no longer work for me.”

Jane blinked. “But I—”

“If you are to be a success, you cannot be a servant any longer. I am now your guardian in a way. Responsible for reintroducing you to Society. We shall find you a fine husband. Perhaps a rich squire or a second son of a viscount or an earl.”

Jane nodded slowly, still uncertain what else she could do.

“And Lady Bledsoe has high hopes that her son will be accepted back into Society that night, as well,” Lady Ridgefield continued. “So we will search for a wife for him, too. If he were to marry a daughter of a duke or some other high-ranking gentleman, it would solidify his return.”

Shutting her eyes, Jane ignored the pricking sensation that suddenly troubled her. Those were not tears. Just a sneeze she could suppress. Lady Ridgefield was correct. The fastest way for Nicholas to regain his position in Society was to have a good showing at his mother’s party…and to quickly woo and wed a woman of influence.