by Quinn, Ella
She opened the message.
* * *
My darling Jenny,
All is well here, but we’ll be glad to have you home again. As you’ve not written me about any young men, I am guessing that you haven’t found anyone to your taste. Speaking of which, your Rose has decided to marry a man she met not long after you left. I’m sorry to say you’ll have to look for another maid when you return.
Your loving Papa
P.S. The ‘Elizabeth’ should be in London soon. Her captain will wait on you when they arrive.
* * *
That answered one of her concerns. She knew how she was going to get home. Jenny watched as Suky put away her clothing. Perhaps if she did a good job, the woman might like to go to America.
“Which gown will you be wanting for this evening, miss?”
“The yellow one should do.”
“Aye, that’s a good choice. I’ll just give it a bit of a press.”
There was something about the woman’s accent that was strange. “You’re not from here?”
“Nay, I’m from up in Yorkshire, but there’s not much there but working in mills and mines, so I decided to come south.”
Bearing what Frank had said in mind, Jenny asked, “Is working as a lady’s maid what you have always wanted to do?”
Suky shrugged. “It’s what I’m good at.”
“But?” Jenny smiled encouragingly.
“I had thought to save enough to get my own shop, but with having to send money home, there’s not much left over.”
Jenny nodded thoughtfully. Now that she knew how hard it was for people to improve themselves in England, there might be some way she could help the maid. “Perhaps your luck will change.”
“My da always said hard work is better than luck.”
“My father says a little luck will never go amiss.”
“That’s true enough, miss. Now I’d better finish up here.”
A few hours later, with her hair arranged more beautifully than it ever had been before, Jenny and her aunt waited for Geoff to fetch them.
Although the time had passed quickly, she found herself missing Frank more with each passing minute. Under the guise of tugging her spangled shawl tighter, she gave herself a hug. He’d begin courting her this evening, and she could not wait. Jenny even hoped he did hover over her all night. For she truly did not wish to stand up with anyone else. Her aunt must be wrong that Frank might be interested in her because he wanted to escape his father. She had learned to recognize the look in a man’s eye when he was calculating what she could give him, and she had not seen any of that in Frank. No, every sense she had told her that he really did want only her. Still, she would continue to watch him for a while longer. It wouldn’t do to make a mistake.
Frank strode to Jenny the moment her party was announced. “I missed you. Does that sound strange?”
She pulled her lower lip between her teeth, and blushed. “Not at all. I missed you as well.”
“Would you like a glass of wine?” he asked, leading her into the drawing room.
“Yes, please.”
Once he handed her a goblet, they moved to one of the two window seats. She sat, while he leaned against the wall. She seemed shy, something he had not noticed in her before. “Is everything alright?”
“I received a letter from my papa,” she replied.
Something, the tone or quality of her voice, told him the letter was important. “And?”
“One of our ships will be in London soon. The captain is expecting to take me home.”
Frank let out the breath he’d been holding. This was it then. There would be no time to see the rest of his family again. Even if his father was still in Scotland, he dare not go home. If his father had received word of Jenny, who knew the lengths the duke would take to keep him away from her. “I understand.”
She rubbed her temples as if they ached. “I must know if you would do almost anything to leave home.”
He studied Jenny for a moment. Something was worrying her. Sliding a look at her aunt, he found the lady staring at him. Perhaps the woman didn’t approve of Jenny aligning herself with him. “The question would be easier to answer if you tell me what exactly is troubling you.”
After a few strained moments of silence, she said, “It was suggested that you might be using me to escape your father.”
“My love”—he paused for a moment realizing that he meant the words—“there is no escaping my father. He shall do all he is able to punish me for choosing you. He will attempt to use his influence even in America. Realizing that, I still would not change a thing. The real question is whether you would still want me knowing he will make trouble if he can.” If she actually wanted him at all.
“Thank you for being honest with me.” She smiled at him, and he had never seen a more beautiful look or a more exquisite lady. “And I do not care at all what your father might try to do. He has no power in my country.”
He did not agree with her last remark, but decided to let it pass. There was no way he knew of to convince her how dangerous the duke could be. “I’m glad you asked instead of allowing it to continue to bother you. Still, I know it wasn’t easy.” In situations like this, it rarely was. There was too much of a chance to have one’s feelings hurt, and the urge to protect herself must be strong. “I would like to have complete honesty between us.”
“As would I.” Her deep blue eyes studied him. “With our countries being at war twice and our dissimilar cultures, we already have so many differences.”
“Then we are agreed.” Taking her hand, he kissed her fingers. “We shall not hide our concerns or feelings.”
“We are agreed.” Jenny glanced up almost shyly.
He would have liked to take her out to the terrace, but his brother’s butler announced dinner. Meg had very helpfully seated him and Jenny together, giving him the opportunity to select from the dishes the footmen brought around for her before they were set on the table.
“What is dinner like in America?” he asked as he placed some of the peas in lemon sauce on her plate.
“Nothing so elaborate”—she slid him a playful look—“not at my home in any event.”
There would be a great deal to learn and get used to if she agreed to marry him. “I assume you have been mistress of your father’s house. How would you have planned the meal?”
She finished swallowing the bite she’d taken. “As here, I would begin with a soup. The next course would be either some sort of meat, fish, or poultry, as well as vegetables or a salad. For dessert, we’d have a pie or fruit.”
“Simpler more than different.” He watched as she daintily dabbed her mouth with the serviette.
“Yes. I suppose that’s it.” They ate quietly for several moments. “I take it you have a large family.”
“I have fifteen brothers and sisters including Damon.”
“Are you”—her fine dark brows drew together slightly—“are you close?”
Suddenly honesty was not all it was cracked up to be. “Yes, it will be difficult not to see them again. I’m used to having the younger ones around almost every day.” He wished dinner was over and he could speak to her alone. “However, if things work out between us, they will understand. What I mean to say is that my brothers and sisters would not expect me to lose you.”
She gave an imperceptible nod. “I think I understand. Even though my aunt will miss her friends and family, she must follow her heart.”
Damon, who was on Jenny’s other side, leaned over slightly. Keeping his voice low he said, “I will assist in any way I am able.” He grinned. “You never know when someone in the family might take it into his or her head to visit America.”
Her shoulders dropped as if the tension Frank had seen rising in them fled. He gave his brother a grateful smile. “I know you will.”
The gentlemen decided to take their port and brandy into the drawing room when Meg rose, signaling to the ladies it was time to withdr
aw.
When the men entered the corridor, Frank gathered Geoff and his brother. “I fully expect trouble from the ducal member of my family.” Frank’s gaze focused on the earl. “If you cannot bring yourself to defy my father, I’d ask that you do not hinder our efforts.”
Geoff returned Frank’s look. “I have come to think of Jenny as my family. I would no sooner desert her than I would my own sister.”
That was what Frank had hoped the man would say. “Thank you.”
Damon then told Geoff how the duke had attempted to stop Damon and Meg from marrying first by hiring a former suitor of Meg’s to abduct her, and then by trying to compromise them both by having other people enter their bedchambers the night before the wedding.
“Good God!” Geoff said. His voice full of disgust. “He really will stop at nothing.”
Frank was relieved the man seemed to understand the threat to Jenny. “She must be kept safe in the hotel.”
“And elsewhere,” Geoff agreed. “Hawksworth, could I borrow a couple of your larger footmen?”
Frank was glad the earl was taking the threat seriously, but he couldn’t convince himself that Jenny would be safe even if he told her all his father was capable of.
Chapter 7
Jenny entered the ballroom on Frank’s arm and surrounded by his family. Still, she was dismayed to see not only Lady Heathcote and Lord Pomfry were present, but Lord and Lady Thornfield as well.
“This is what comes of attending early,” Frank whispered in a frustrated tone. “One cannot blend into a crowd when it has not yet assembled.”
Despite the irritation she had been feeling, Jenny giggled.
In front of them, Meg signaled to someone across the room. “Never fear. We shall have more than enough help to keep the wolves at bay.”
In less time than Jenny had imagined possible, they were surrounded by friends of Meg and Damon.
Damon turned to Jenny and bowed. “Miss MacGowan, may I introduce you to the Earls of Stanstead and Beresford.” Two tall gentlemen, one with blond curls, the other with dark hair, bowed.
“I am Nick Beresford,” the dark-haired man said.
“And I am Rupert Stanstead,” the blond said. Another man with almost identical hair stood next to him as well as an older man. “My cousin Robert, Viscount Beaumont, and my step-father, Lord Malfrey.”
“I am pleased to meet you.” Jenny smiled and held out her hand, pleased when the men in turn shook it.
Meg touched Jenny’s arm, and she was suddenly face to face with an older lady dressed in the most vivid red gown she had ever seen. “My lady, this is Miss MacGowan whom I hope will soon join our family. Jenny, Lady Telford.”
“Oh, no, my dear.” The lady turned to a tall gentleman who appeared to be in his fifties. “I told you we should have made the announcement earlier. I am now Lady Sudbury. Miss MacGowan, I must tell you that I adore Americans. May I introduce my husband?”
Once again, Jenny had her hand shaken without the look of distaste she’d received before. “My pleasure.”
“I’m not sure you should say that so quickly,” Lady Sudbury said. “He’s an old roué. Although I am quickly reforming him.”
Jenny grinned. These people were much more entertaining than anyone else she’d met in London or in France. In a short period of time she was made known to, Vivian, Lady Stanstead, Serena, Lady Beaumont, Silvia, Lady Beresford, Marcus and Phoebe, Marquis and Marchioness of Evesham, and Lord and Lady Thornhill. To Jenny’s surprise and delight, she was invited to call all the younger ladies by their first names.
Lady Thornhill shook Jenny’s hand. “I understand you have already had the misfortune to meet Lord and Lady Thornfield. It’s a pity our names are so similar. They are as stuffy as we are liberal.”
The opening set was a country dance. Lord Pomfry got almost close enough to ask Jenny to dance, when Lord Stanstead stepped in front of the man. “Would you do me the honor of dancing with me?”
She smiled gratefully. “I’d be happy to.”
For the rest of the evening, every time one of the gentlemen she had not wished to dance with approached their circle, one of Damon and Meg’s friends stood up with her. Frank, of course, claimed the waltzes, and she once again felt as if she were floating on air.
This time, he did hold her too tightly and too closely. “You are going to cause talk.”
A wicked looked entered his dark blue eyes. “It is hard to be chastened when I enjoy holding you so much.”
“Devil.” She tried not to smile, but felt the corners of her lips turning up. “Flattery?”
“No, the truth.” His warm breath brushed her ear. “There is a reason I am courting you, and it has nothing to do with my circumstances.”
So he thought now, but what of later? Would he truly be able to leave his large and close family? Or would he begin to resent her for not being able to live in England? If only it did not feel so right to be in his arms, and be able to talk easily with him. No matter that they had met only a little over a day ago, she felt as if she had known him all her life. If only she could be certain that if he asked her to marry him and she agreed, that they would be happy. Then again, even if they were from the same county, there were no guarantees all would be well.
Perhaps she should do as her father had advised and follow her heart. On the other hand, Papa also told her not to bring home an Englishman. She winced inwardly. Frank had been so concerned about his father she had not wanted to tell him about hers.
“Jenny, my love, what is bothering you?”
She wished they had not agreed to be completely honest. “Aside from the possibility of me taking you away from your family if we wed, nothing. Except that my father told me not to bring home an Englishman.”
He lifted his gaze to the ceiling. “And here I thought all our problems were on this side of the ocean.”
They danced without speaking for a few minutes as Frank pondered Jenny’s concerns. He would miss his family. There was no doubt about it. Yet, his father would not live forever, and all but the youngest ones would understand. Even his mother would want him to marry for love, and he did love Jenny. As to being an Englishman, well, America could give him several things Britain could not, chief among them, the right to vote. The ability to make a difference. “What must one do to become an American?”
She stumbled, but he held her steady. “You would give up your citizenship?”
“I dearly want to be able to vote, and I doubt I could do it without becoming an American.” Jenny stared up at him as if in shock. “Am I correct?”
“Yes—yes, you are.” A faint line appeared in her forehead. “All that is necessary is for you to declare yourself an American, once you arrive, that is.”
Then that is exactly what he would do, if she agreed to marry him. That also solved the problem of her bringing home an Englishman.
The set ended and he led her back to their circle. Glancing around, he noticed Jenny’s aunt and Geoff were not present. A shrill voice caused him to look toward the stairs where Lady Heathcote stood next to her brother and Sarah. “I have the feeling Geoff is bearing the brunt of Damon and Meg’s maneuvering.”
“Oh, dear.” Jenny turned and frowned. “I do feel sorry for him. She can be such a shrew.” She clapped her hand over her mouth. “I should not have said that. I am probably just as much at fault for us not getting along.”
“Somehow I do not think her temperament has anything to do with you.” Frank watched as the earl said something to his sister, and the lady’s expression changed from petulant to interested. But interested in what? He shook his head. “I believe it is warm enough to brave the terrace, if you would like to stroll.”
“I would be delighted.” Jenny tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. “Lead on.”
They wove their way through the now crowded ballroom toward the French windows. Once outside, he noticed that he and Jenny weren’t the only ones seeking relief from the heat of the room. Torches
lit the way down the steps and out into the garden where lanterns hung from tree limbs and from stands. Birds, Nightingales most likely, sang, and white flowers sent their perfume into the air.
“It’s beautiful,” Jenny said, leaning more heavily on his arm. “Almost like a fairy world.”
“What do you know of fairies?” He stopped and stared down at her in surprise.
“You must remember my father is from Scotland.” She laughed. “Fairies may be beautiful, but they can be dangerous and sometimes cruel. I have always preferred to focus on their beauty and forget the rest.”
“Could that not be dangerous?” A smile played around the edges of his strong well-shaped lips.
She tucked her arm more securely in his, and began to stroll. “More dangerous than ambling down a dark garden path with a gentleman?”
“I suppose that depends on how far down the path you intend to go.” His voice, deep and rich as warm maple syrup, caused her to shiver with anticipation. Would he kiss her?
They had reached an arbor and he drew her into the shelter and his arms.
“Jenny?” His breath warmed her cheek, and one finger gently caressed her jaw. She lifted her chin, staring into his dark eyes, and his lips brushed hers.
“Yes.” She didn’t know if she was giving him permission or asking what he wanted, yet it didn’t matter. His lips touched hers again, this time more firmly, and she kissed him back.
Time stopped. She slid her hands up his strong shoulders, tangling her fingers in his hair. His tongue swept along the seam of her mouth, and she opened, allowing him to take possession of her in a way she had never experienced before. Frank slanted his head, deepening the kiss, holding her closer. Her breasts rubbed against the finely embroidered satin of his waistcoat. Tingles turned to fire as her skin heated, drawing her toward his flame. Oh, God. She rubbed against him, like a cat seeking more attention.
He started to pull back. “Jenny, my love, we must—”
“No.” Cupping his face, she drew him back to her. This . . . his touch . . . their kiss, her first one, felt so good. Like nothing she had ever experienced before. “I don’t want to stop.” Then music floated out into the garden. Another set must be starting. She could not even remember who she was promised to.