by Quinn, Ella
He did not even want to think of his father’s reaction to him wishing to marry an American. The duke had no love for the former colonies. Now he was getting way ahead of himself. He had no idea if he and the lady would even suit, or if he would like her enough to attempt to persuade her to set aside her dislike of the English. Well, he’d find out tomorrow if his initial impressions were correct. He gave himself a shake. What the deuce was he doing? Meeting an American had obviously made him reckless. Still, he would stay the course for the immediate future.
Chapter 3
Jenny’s eyes popped open at six o’clock exactly. Or so the clock on the mantle told her. She had an hour to be ready for her trip to Green Park. However, after having had to stand up with several gentlemen of Lady Heathcote’s choosing, Jenny wasn’t sure she could stomach being in the company of another Englishman. They appeared to believe that she should be honored to spend time with them. Still she had agreed to the outing, and it would be rude to back out at this late date.
She tugged on the embroidered pull then rose from the bed. Fortunately, the fire had already been stoked, so only the wash water was chilly.
Several minutes later, just as she was wondering where her maid, Jasper, was, the door opened, and the servant stepped into the bedchamber. “Miss, are you ill?”
Naturally that would be the only reason for a lady to be up this early. “No, I have an engagement and must dress.”
For a moment, the maid appeared stunned, then she turned to the wardrobe. “Are you going for a walk or a drive?”
“A drive. I must hurry if I am to break my fast before I leave.”
Jasper took out a carriage gown of Pomona green, laid it on the bed, and tugged the bell-pull. “I shall have breakfast brought to you immediately.” A moment later, another maid knocked on the door before opening it. “Miss MacGowan requires a baked egg, toast, and tea as soon as possible.”
Jenny was stunned. The lady’s maid had never before seemed so eager to please. “Thank you, Jasper.”
“It is a pleasure to serve you. Now, allow me to dress you and arrange your hair.”
What could have gotten into the woman? “Thank you. I must be ready no later than seven.”
“That early!”
In less than twenty minutes, Jenny was ready.
“I am surprised Lord Pomfry rises so early,” Jasper said as she arranged the breakfast dishes on the table.
Lord Pomfry? Who was . . . Oh, yes. Jenny remembered now. Lord Pompous. The man had been good looking in a soft sort of way, spoke with a bored drawl, and talked of nothing but his family’s illustrious history and horses. Horses she could understand. She liked them as well. Still, the idiot had actually had the nerve to ask her if she’d met one of his younger brothers, a captain in a unit that had been stationed in New York during the last war. “I have no idea when his lordship rises.” And she did not care to know either. “I have an engagement with another gentleman.”
The maid’s eyes widened. “But I was told the earl had expressed an interest in you and will call today.”
Like pieces of a puzzle falling in place, Jenny understood why Jasper was being so helpful. She would expect to remain with Jenny when she married, and how much more prestigious than to be lady’s maid to a countess. “I hate to disappoint you, but I am not interested in Lord Pomfry. In fact, I doubt I shall be here when he arrives.” If at all possible, she must make plans to remain gone until late afternoon. “Thank you, you may go.”
She tucked into her breakfast as the maid practically ran out of the room. Obviously someone was going to be notified that Miss MacGowan was being difficult. She missed her own maid. It was never necessary to actually have to dismiss Rose. She just knew when to leave. She also wouldn’t tell on her. Glancing at the clock, Jenny was pleased to see the hands had moved. She had less than ten minutes before Lord Frank arrived. She brushed her teeth, donned her bonnet, mantle, and gloves, then made her way to the hall, just as the front door was opened by the senior footman.
Lord Frank handed the servant his card. “I am here to collect Miss MacGowan.”
“My lord the ladies are—”
“I am ready.” Lord Frank smiled at her and for some strange reason, her heart began beating faster and butterflies took up residence in her stomach. He looked as handsome in his buff pantaloons and dark blue jacket as he had last night in evening wear. Even more so.
Smiling, he offered her his arm. “Shall we go?”
When she placed her fingers on his arm, her whole hand seemed to become warmer. She couldn’t help but to smile back. “Yes, indeed. I am looking forward to our excursion.”
“Miss,” the footman said. “May I inquire as to your destination and when you plan to return?”
“I shall be perfectly safe with his lordship.” Even though she didn’t wish to worry her aunt, she did not want Lady Heathcote to be able to find her.
A few moments later, she was seated in a glossy dark green curricle with gold piping. He took the reins, and started the pair of horses.
“This is a very nice carriage.”
“It’s my brother’s. I do not own one of my own.”
“It was good of him to lend it to you.
“I agree.” Frank glanced at Miss MacGowan. He’d never been rushed out of a house so quickly in his life. “Why do I have the feeling I am helping you escape?”
Rather than looking at him, she arranged her skirts. “Because you are.”
Despite the way his body reacted to her light touch, part of him, the responsible part, seriously considered returning her to Lady Heathcote’s home. The other part asked, “Will you tell me the reason?”
“I have the distinct impression that her ladyship is attempting to arrange a match between Lord Pompous and me.”
Surely he had not heard her properly. “Lord Pompous?”
She had the grace to look the slightest bit guilty. “Lord Pomfry. I make names up for most of the gentlemen with whom I am forced to dance with.” Miss MacGowan was quiet for a moment then looked at Frank. “Not you. I wanted to stand up with you.”
He had never had such a remarkable conversation with a lady in his life. Were all Americans so direct? Now what was he to say? “Thank you.”
A sparkle entered her eyes, her lips tilted up, and she laughed. Not the type of laugh one expected to hear from a member of the ton, but one that came from deep inside her. “I should explain. This morning, the lady’s maid who is assigned to me told me that Lord Pomfry is to call on me. I do not wish to see him. Therefore, I have decided to remain gone all day.”
Extraordinary. She was the most refreshing person he had ever met. “I must confess, I would not wish to have to spend time with a man I had nicknamed Lord Pompous.”
A slight blush stained her cheeks. “I should not have said that to you. I hope I have not shocked you.”
“Not at all.” Frank was actually surprised it was the truth. He had been raised very strictly, but he understood the need to rebel. After all, that was what he was doing in Town. Despite what his mother had said, he was positive his father had not agreed to him leaving the estate. “Will your family worry about you?”
She gave a light shrug. “My aunt knows I am with you. At some point, I will send a message that I shall not return until late this afternoon.” He raised his brows, and she blushed again. “Not that I mean you must remain with me all day. I could not expect you to dance attendance on me for that long.”
Why not? He had nothing better to do, and it would give him the opportunity to get to know her. To sort out whether the physical feelings he was having were simply caused by her beauty or if there could be more. “We can make that decision later if you wish.”
A smile returned to her lovely lips, and it was as if the day was bright as summer rather than an overcast day in early spring. “Thank you.”
“Have you had much experience with cows?”
“A bit. My grandmother had cows, and we used to visit he
r.” Suddenly her joy was gone. This must have been the grandmother who died. “She is no longer with us.”
He should probably leave well enough alone, but again, some force inside him needed to know more about her. “Was she quite old when she passed away?”
“No.” Her lips thinned. “British soldiers occupied her house during the last war. Her heart was already bad, and she suffered an attack.”
He’d been told that Cromwell’s soldiers had done much the same to his family. He didn’t think anyone had died, but the house had been ransacked. To this day his father hated the Roundheads. Did she detest the English that much? “I am surprised you decided to come to England.”
“It was not my choice. I wanted to go home, but my aunt and Geoff decided to marry. Now I must wait until a suitable companion can be hired to return with me.”
Or a husband, but would she agree to marry one of his countrymen? “You have no desire to remain here?”
She shook her head. “I cannot. My father needs me.”
Then why had she traveled to Europe, and why was she looking for a husband over there rather than in America? “Miss MacGowan, I do not wish to be impertinent, but if you planned to go home, why are you husband hunting on this side of the Atlantic?”
Her head turned slowly and she stared at him for a moment. “You are the first man to ask me that. Do you really want to know the truth?”
He did, but it occurred to him that her reasons may indeed shock him. He took a deep breath and let it out. “I do.”
“My plan was to find a husband who would be willing to return to New York with me and help me run our family’s business. As in most places, a woman would have a hard time running a shipping line. Even our oldest customers and suppliers would not approve of me being at the helm in such a public fashion.”
Now he understood why she was having difficulties finding a husband among the ton and the French aristocrats. Even if they were in love, very few of the men he knew would give up what they had here and live in the colonies. As a wife, she would be expected to remain in her husband’s country. “That is disappointing for you.”
“It is, but I am a practical woman. I shall deal with what I have.”
And now for the other problem. “You have no reason to love the English. Could you even bring yourself to care for one of us?”
Yet another question no one had bothered to ask Jenny. She liked Geoff well enough, and her aunt had been able to fall in love with him. Sarah had even more reason to hate the English than Jenny did. Sarah had been there when her mother had died.
Jenny searched Lord Frank’s face. Would the fact that he was English stop her from falling in love? Would that be fair? She did not even know if he agreed with either the Revolutionary War or the War of 1812. Although none of the English she had met seemed to understand that was our second war of independence. In fact, they looked at her strangely when she mentioned it. Was she rushing? After all, she had known the man for less than a day. Then again, Mama said she knew right away. “I’m not sure. I guess it would depend on the man.”
“We are here.” He stopped the curricle. “You lad,” he called to a street urchin. “There is a yellow bob for you if you will watch the horses.”
“You’ve got it, Guvnor.” The boy grinned as he went to their heads and took charge of the pair.
The next thing she knew, Lord Frank was lifting her down. By the time her feet touched the ground, Jenny was ready to fall into his arms. Oh, dear. She had never been affected like that before. She ruthlessly shoved the attraction she was feeling down, tucked her hand in his arm, and grinned. “On to the cows.”
The beasts were just being led into the park when they arrived. “Miss,” Lord Frank said to the milkmaid. “We’d like two cups.”
The young woman deftly milked the cow and handed them cups of still warm milk. Even on her grandmother’s farm, Jenny had rarely had milk warm from the cow. She took a sip, then drank the whole cup down. “That was excellent.”
“I frequently visit our dairy when the cows are being milked. Nothing can compare.” He finished his cup as well, and gave it back to the milkmaid. “Shall we stroll for a while?”
“Will your horses be safe?” Once again, she tucked her hand into his arm. She had never felt as comfortable with any gentleman before. It was a shame she could not spend the whole day with him, but that would be too much to ask. After all, they had only met last night.
“Yes, the children are accustomed to watching them, and we will not be overly long. It is a small park. Where would you like to go next?”
She jerked her head around so fast it should have hurt. “Are you sure you do not wish to take me home?”
“Quite positive.” His blue eyes seemed to warm as he looked at her. “You said you have not seen much of London. It would be my honor to escort you around.”
For the third time this morning, her cheeks became warm. “Thank you. It would be my pleasure to accept your escort.”
“I suggest that before we leave Mayfair we stop at my brother’s house so that you may write a note to your aunt.”
She really should tell Sarah where she was, still his suggestion surprised her. He really must be used to taking care of people. “Very well.”
Not an hour later, Jenny found herself being ushered into a moderately-sized town house. Lord Frank handed his hat and gloves to a staid-looking butler, then he removed her mantle and took her gloves. “Saunders, has his lordship come down yet?”
“Yes, my lord. He and her ladyship are in the breakfast room.”
“Thank you.” Lord Frank took her hand. “We shall join them.”
She glanced around the freshly-painted hall. “Everything seems new.”
“It is. My brother and sister-in-law bought this house late last winter after he married. Our father has a house in Town, but Damon and Meg thought they would have more privacy in their own home.” Lord Frank grimaced. “My father is not the easiest of persons to get along with, and he still does not approve of their marriage.”
How odd. As far as Jenny had been told, Lady Hawksworth came from an old, well thought of and respected family. “I do not understand. They seem perfectly well suited.”
“They are extremely happy. I do not think my brother could have made a better choice. The duke, however, is difficult to please.”
Jenny’s hackles rose. The man would probably not think an American was good enough for his son. “How sad for your family.”
“Damon and Meg are able to ignore him.” His lips formed a line. “I wish the rest of us were as lucky.”
The breakfast room was hung with pale yellow silk, making it bright and cheerful. Doors and windows to a small garden filled one wall. A sideboard held a number of chafing dishes, and Lord and Lady Hawksworth were seated at one end of the table sharing a newspaper.
Lord Frank cleared his throat. “I brought a guest.”
His brother rose as his sister-in-law grinned up at Jenny and Lord Frank. “Miss MacGowan, welcome. Please have a seat. I shall ring for more tea. I am delighted to see you are an early riser as well.”
“Thank you, my lady.” She allowed Lord Frank to lead her to a seat on the other side of his brother.
“Can you eat again?” he asked as he pushed in her chair.
“Yes, please.” She watched him as he strolled to the sideboard. No mincing steps for him, but a long, confident stride.
“Please call me Meg. My husband is Damon. I do not think there is any reason we cannot be informal when we are alone.”
Jenny dragged her gaze from Lord Frank. “My name is Genevieve, but I am called Jenny.”
Lord Frank glanced over his shoulder. “If we are going to be on a first name basis, I insist you call me Frank.”
This was the first time since she’d met Geoff that she had been asked to call anyone by their first name. A little thrill of pleasure at being so easily included ran through her. “Is there anything interesting in the paper?”
She took the paper as Frank—how lovely it was to be able to call him that—placed a plate filled with eggs, ham, and roast beef before her. “I do miss it. It’s so hard to find a newssheet that has much about the United States in it.”
Meg chewed a piece of toast then swallowed. “How long do you plan on staying in England?”
Yesterday at this time, Jenny would have said not longer than a week, but now it might be worth remaining just a little longer. . . She resolutely kept her gaze from Frank. She should not stare at him so much. “At least until my aunt marries.”
Or until she discovered what her feelings for Lord Frank Trevor were, and if he could have any feelings for her.
Chapter 4
Penelope, Countess of Heathcote, rushed into the breakfast room while Sarah and Geoff were enjoying an intimate, quiet breakfast. Sarah sighed. Only one more week, and she would be in her own house and not subject to Penelope’s complaints about Jenny.
“She is not in the house,” Penelope announced in an insulted tone.
Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, Sarah glanced up. “By she, I assume you mean Jenny.”
“Yes, the wretched girl. I had plans for her today.” Penelope took her seat at the head of the table, signaling for fresh tea to be brought. “My maid told me she left with a man at seven o’clock this morning and refused to say where she was going. It is now past eleven, and she has not returned. What am I to tell Lord Pomfry?”
Sarah had never known her niece to break plans she’d made with someone, yet she would not have put it past Jenny to ignore Penelope’s plans. The two had not got along since the day they’d met. Jenny saw no reason to placate a spoiled peeress, and Penelope was not pleased with what she considered to be Jenny’s lack of respect for her rank.
“Did he make arrangements to visit her?” Geoff asked. He and Sarah had just been having a conversation regarding his sister’s interference with her sister.