by Maya Banks
She turned and settled onto the settee, and the men followed suit, continuing in their conversation. Stuart sipped from his cup and looked off in the opposite direction of his father. Why had he changed so much?
The year of her sixteenth birthday had been an eventful year in her life, perhaps the most eventful by far. First, for her birthday, the viscountess had gifted her with a lovely locket and been most insistent that she never be without it. Then when she met with an untimely death just a few weeks later, Stuart had suddenly adopted a completely new attitude.
She hadn’t seen him in several years so she couldn’t be sure just when the change had occurred, but she knew how close he was to his mother. He couldn’t have been unaffected by her death.
A month after the viscountess’s death, her father called her into his study and informed her that she was to marry Stuart and that the marriage had long been arranged between himself and the viscount.
Stunned, she’d demanded to know why she’d never been told before, but her father didn’t have an answer for her. He told her in a quiet voice that she would make a lovely viscountess and not to let him and her mother down.
She’d stiffened her spine and resolved to be dutiful though on the inside she was dying. In the years since, she’d spent far too much time dreaming of things she’d never have. Or thought she wouldn’t. The only favor her father had done her was prolonging the engagement until she turned one and twenty.
“Jenna, are you well?” Sebastian’s voice filtered through her thoughts and brought her crashing back to the present.
“Yes, yes of course.”
“Lord Dudley was speaking to you,” he said reproachfully.
“My apologies, my lord,” she murmured.
“Stuart desired to escort you to the opera tonight if that is agreeable,” Lord Dudley said, his eyes narrowing.
“That would be lovely,” she said faintly. “I shall look forward to his escort.”
The viscount nodded. “I shall take my leave. I merely wanted to pay my respects now that your family is in London, though I was a bit surprised at your arrival. Surely there isn’t a need for a season what with the wedding to be held in a few months.”
Jenna gritted her teeth, but before she could respond, Quinn spoke up. “I believe our father and mother wanted Jenna to gain some experience with London society before she marries. It wouldn’t do for the future Viscountess Dudley not to have all the necessary social graces.”
His answer seemed to appease the viscount, and he turned to take his leave. As Stuart got up to follow, he turned back to Jenna. “I shall be around to collect you at seven if that is acceptable.”
“Of course,” she said, not at all able to show her irritation at Stuart.
As Sebastian showed the gentlemen out, Quinn dropped onto the couch beside her. “What the deuce was that all about?”
“I have no idea,” she admitted. “The viscount seemed awfully interested in whether or not I wore the viscountess’s locket.”
“Perhaps you should make the effort to wear it from now on,” Quinn suggested.
Jenna nodded still puzzled by the visit. The viscount seemed to be making a point though she wasn’t sure what it was. Perhaps he was concerned about her being in London without her parents. Her cheeks warmed as she realized he had every right to be concerned.
“Well so much for not having Stuart dog my every step.”
“It won’t be so bad,” Quinn said in an effort to comfort her. “You don’t have to attend every engagement with him. Just agree to one or two a week and everyone will be happy.”
She sighed, knowing he was right, but not happy about it nonetheless. “I’m going up to my room. Are you going to the opera tonight?”
“I hadn’t planned on it.”
She looked pleadingly at him. “I don’t suppose you’d go with us? We could sit in Father’s box.”
He smiled indulgently at her. “I suppose I can sacrifice an evening of debauchery for you just this once.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Debauchery, eh? It sounds a lot more interesting than an evening at the opera. Perhaps I should accompany you and not the other way around.”
He burst into laughter. “Not only would Sebastian string me up by my heels, but Viscount Dudley would likely suffer apoplexy.”
She winked at him and headed for her bedroom. As soon as she closed the door behind her, she sat down at her dressing table and began rifling through her jewelry chest. To her relief the locket was tucked away in the corner. She picked it up, viewing it in the light.
It was lovely. She frowned as she remembered the viscountess’s words to her as she opened the gift. “Always keep it safe with you, for locked within are things more important than you will ever dream.”
Jenna shrugged and clasped the necklace around her neck. She fingered the oval shaped locket and slipped a fingernail under the clasp to open it. But just as it had been when she’d first received it, the inside was bare. Perhaps the viscountess’s advice was more figurative.
Closing the locket back, she rose and padded over to the window to look out over the garden in the back of the house. Hopefully her evening with Stuart would pass quickly. She looked forward to another night with Gray.
Her entire body lit up as she remembered with great detail every caress, every kiss. He’d surprised her by not fully consummating their agreement, but perhaps tonight he would remedy that situation.
An aching pulse began between her legs, and she shifted back and forth to appease her discomfort. Her breasts tingled and grew tight. Her nipples hardened, and she imagined his hands and his mouth stroking over the buds.
A groan tore from her lips. It was going to be a long evening.
Chapter Seven
“It’s absurd. Completely unseemly,” Viscount Dudley huffed as he and Stuart climbed into his carriage and pulled away from the Penbury residence.
“I beg pardon?” Stuart said in a whiny voice that grated on his every nerve.
“The Penbury chit. She has no respect. If she is to bear the Dudley name, she must be taken in hand. Something the earl has obviously failed at.”
Stuart looked at him in puzzlement. “Jenna is the model of propriety. Whatever do you mean?”
“Does it not pain you that she has no regard for your dead mother?”
“Jenna has always had the utmost affection for Mother. What would cause you to say such a thing?”
“She doesn’t even wear the locket your mother gifted her with. It is a valuable family heirloom. Been in the Dudley family for four generations. Yet she treats it like a common trinket.”
He shook his head in disgust, but glanced sideways at Stuart to gauge his reaction. He nearly smiled in satisfaction when he saw a frown mar his son’s face.
“What is so important about the locket?” Stuart asked, his expression turning pensive.
“Nothing of import,” he hastened to say. “I merely hoped it meant more to Lady Jenna than it apparently does. She is the future Viscountess Dudley. Our heirlooms should be of great importance to her.”
“I suppose I see your point,” Stuart said rather grudgingly as if it pained him to be in any sort of agreement with his father.
“You should encourage her to wear it,” he prompted. “Perhaps she would take direction better from you since you are her fiancé.”
“I shall mention it to her,” he murmured. “Perhaps at the opera tonight.”
The viscount sat back in satisfaction, careful to hide his smug smile. His constant coddling of Stuart was wearing his patience thin, but if the imbecile knew of his true intentions toward Lady Jenna, he would likely balk.
###
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many people at the opera,” Jenna said as she laid aside her opera glasses. She sat forward and surveyed the crowded boxes that dotted the upper level of the lavish opera house.
“I say, it is quite a crush,” Stuart agreed.
He turned to face Quinn who sat behind Jenna and Stuart in the earl’s private box. “I had no idea you were fond of the opera, Quinn.”
“Yes, well, I’ve only recently become enamored,” he said with a wink in Jenna’s direction.
“Oh, look, the performance is beginning,” Jenna said excitedly as the lighting dimmed and the curtain rose. She leaned back in her velvet-covered seat, eager to take in the evening’s entertainment.
She cast a sideward glance at Stuart, who, as usual, sported an interesting array of fabrics and hues. Attired in a gold satin waistcoat and matching gold gloves, he shone as brightly as a street lamp. His silver ruffled shirt was contrasted by a red cravat and red formal breeches. And lastly, his feet were adorned with gold-colored half boots with rubies dotting the tops of the toes.
She shook her head and turned back to the stage, losing herself in the entrancing melody. But even as mesmerizing as the performance was, her thoughts still strayed to her impending meeting with Gray. A dreamy smile curved her lips. She quickly glanced sideways to make sure Stuart or Quinn were not observing her.
She needn’t have worried. Stuart was riveted to the stage, a look of rapture on his face, and Quinn looked like he would fall asleep at any second.
A sudden movement to her right startled her and drew her attention to the side curtain of their box. A shadowy form appeared, and Jenna found herself looking down the barrel of a pistol.
Stuart let out a gasp, and the intruder waved the gun menacingly at Stuart’s head. “Don’t utter a sound, me boy, and no one’ll get hurt,” the man growled in a low voice.
Jenna’s eyes flitted to Quinn who sat behind the pistol-waving lunatic. Had the man not seen him? He stood with his back to Quinn and now leveled his gun directly at Jenna.
“Oi’ll have all yer pretty baubles, me lady. Hurry up now or I’ll be forced to shoot ye.”
Just then, Stuart swooned. Heavens above, the dolt had fainted dead away. He hit the floor with a resounding thud. The pistol wavered in the man’s hand, and he looked completely baffled. Jenna stared in stunned disbelief then let out a scream as Quinn launched himself at the man, knocking the pistol to the floor.
Heads turned in all directions as Jenna let out another shriek. “Someone help us! We’re being robbed!”
The thief broke away from Quinn and knocked over chairs in his haste to be gone. Quinn started to give chase, but Jenna caught him by the arm. “Let him go. You might get hurt.”
“Devil take it, Jenna! He could have killed you.” He looked down at Stuart in disgust. “No thanks to Stu.”
“Help me get him up,” Jenna said with a sigh.
They lifted and tugged at Stuart until they had him propped in the chair. “Wha...what happened?” Stuart demanded, as his eyes flew open.
“Nothing,” Jenna said in exasperation.
The lights were hurriedly lit, and every eye was on them, much to Jenna’s chagrin. Footsteps approached and several men burst into their box. “What goes on here?”
Stuart quickly explained and the men were horrified. “A thief, in here? It’s a crying shame that we aren’t safe in our boxes,” one grumbled.
“Are you unhurt, my lady?” another asked Jenna.
She nodded and turned to Quinn. “Can we take our leave now? We’ve managed to stop the performance, and tongues will be wagging for months to come.”
Quinn nodded and thanked the gentlemen for coming so quickly. They exited, all vowing to speak to the door keepers about keeping a better watch on who came and went from now on.
“You better help Stuart,” she told Quinn as he turned back to her. “He looks as if he needs assistance.”
“Come along, Stu,” Quinn said, pulling him up on his feet. “We’ve had enough excitement for one night.”
They exited the box to discover most of the other attendants were leaving as well. Excited chatter buzzed about the grand foyer as they weaved through the crowd. The three rushed for the entrance, knowing the wait for their carriage would be interminable as the people flocked out of the opera house.
Jenna couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being watched. Her gaze flitted around the people milling about, but nothing seemed untoward. Her nerves were a mess after her encounter with the thief, and now she was envisioning men jumping out at her at every turn.
Mentally shaking herself, she focused her attention on the street and waited for their carriage to pull up. It would do no good to fall victim to her imagination.
As Quinn ushered her into the carriage, she collapsed into the seat, shaking uncontrollably.
“Are you all right?” Quinn asked gently.
She nodded, too numb to speak. It all had happened so fast, she hadn’t time to react, but now it was catching up with lightning speed.
To her surprise, Stuart reached over and laid his hand over hers, patting comfortingly. “There, there, Jenna. Don’t let that brute ruin your evening. I daresay Quinn is the hero of the hour.”
She smiled wanly at Quinn. “Indeed, he is.”
Quinn scowled. “I’d like to know how he got into our box in the first place. You may be certain Father will hear of this.”
Jenna sighed and leaned heavily back in the carriage seat. “What time is it, Quinn?”
He pulled his fob chain from his breast pocket then said, “It’s nearly eleven.”
“Then you’ll excuse me if I retire as soon as we return home.”
The carriage rolled to a stop in front of Stuart’s London residence and he clamored out. “Do rest well tonight, Jenna. I’ll come around tomorrow to see how you are faring.”
She forced a smile to her lips and nodded as he closed the door behind him.
They rode the rest of the way in silence, and when they arrived at their home, Jenna shook off Quinn’s arm and hurried up to her room. Pulling off her gloves and wrap, she tossed them onto her dressing table and sank into her armchair.
What a night it had been. And yet it had only begun. The flutter of anticipation warred with her desire to delve into her covers and close her eyes.
She eyed the bed with longing, but the thrill of seeing Gray again overrode all else. A quick check of the clock told her she still had plenty of time to dress and sneak out before his carriage came to collect her.
Just in case he planned another game, she took care to wear all the things she’d left off the previous night. Once she was attired in a nondescript day dress, she settled back into her armchair to wait.
As the minutes ticked by, she replayed the events of the night over and over in her head. Her heart still beat wildly in her chest, and her legs felt suspiciously jam like. She closed her eyes and wondered if she should even venture back out after such an encounter.
She battled back and forth, and she started to rise to undress, but then changed her mind and sat back down. If Quinn hadn’t accompanied her and Stuart to the opera, they might both be dead right now. She shivered and rubbed her arms in an aimless attempt to ward off the daunting thought.
She didn’t envision Gray ever fainting in such a situation. No, he would have likely disposed of the gunman in short order. His mere presence would likely have been a deterrent, as he proved to be an intimidating figure up close.
Chastising herself for even making the comparison, she shook her head and forced her thoughts elsewhere. There was nothing to be gained by lamenting what she couldn’t have.
At fifteen minutes to midnight a knock sounded at her door, and her heart leaped into her throat. In a panic, she launched herself from the armchair and threw back her covers. She crawled beneath and pulled them up to her chin.
“Jenna, are you awake?” Sebastian called from the other side of the door.
She kept silent, praying he would think she was asleep and go back to his room. Quinn would have told him what happened at the opera, and he was likely checking in on her.
Her eyes flew to the still-lit candle at her bedside, and she cur
sed her forgetfulness. The door quietly opened and she closed her eyes, doing everything in her power to quiet her breathing. His footsteps sounded closer, and she heard the whoosh of his breath as he blew out the candle.
He paused a moment and dropped a hand to the top of her head before continuing out the door. When the door shut, she cautiously opened her eyes. After a few moments they adjusted to the darkness, and she could see she was once again alone.
A trembling hand went to her chest and she took several calming breaths. Careful to make no noise, she eased from her bed and walked over to the door. She pressed her ear to the wood, straining to hear if anyone was in the hall. She paused for a long moment as she wrestled with indecision. Finally, she drew herself up and resolved that she would not be swayed from her appointment with Gray.
After fumbling in the darkness for a few moments, she was able to locate her shoes. On tiptoe, she slipped out of the door and began the long venture down the darkened hall. She paused outside of Quinn’s door but saw no light shining underneath nor heard any noise from within.
When she came to Sebastian’s room, however, the door was open wide and several candles were burning on his desk. She flattened herself against the wall wondering how on earth she would get by undetected.
“If you are looking for Lord Hembly, he is below stairs in the earl’s study.”
Jenna jumped and nearly cried out in her surprise as she looked up to see Thomas regarding her calmly. “Oh, Thomas, you startled me.”
“My apologies, my lady.” He turned to walk away, but hesitated. Turning back to face her, he said, “By the way, my lady. I would advise using the front entrance tonight as Lord Hembly is sure to see you if you use the servants’ entrance.”
He disappeared down the stairs leaving Jenna with an open mouth. She should have known nothing would escape his notice. Certainly not her sneaking out at odd times of the night and not returning until dawn. From his comments, she assumed he was going to keep quiet, but for how long?