The Marchioness’ Buried Secret (Historical Regency Romance)

by Ella Edon

  “Well, she is.” Alexander crossed his legs, which put more pressure that he didn’t need on his crotch and folded his arms. “And I can’t exactly go anywhere. So, you’re stuck with me.”

  * * *

  “Lady Jane?”

  Jane could feel someone gently shaking her shoulder. Her neck was hurting, and she was cold. She shivered and shifted away from whoever was shaking her. Then the soft cushion that had been under her head was eased out and Jane felt something being draped over her.

  Her cloak. She had used her cloak for something to lean her head on. Someone was looking after her.

  Rachel? Jane remembered getting into the carriage with her friend back at the tavern. Rachel had been scolding her about sneaking away when they had agreed they wouldn’t go anywhere near the church. Jane didn’t remember agreeing to anything.

  Then Jane opened her eyes and the blurred figure leaning over her came into focus. Blue eyes were fixed on her, clouded over with concern. He was close enough that Jane could feel his breath on her cheek.

  Alexander Harrison. What was he doing here?

  “Mr. Harrison?” Jane rubbed at her eyes. “What...what’s going on?”

  “We’re at your family home.” Alexander eased back to sit across from her. “I thought it was best that you woke up.”

  “I slept the whole way?”

  “Yes.” Alexander shrugged. “Probably the easiest escort duty I’ve done in a long time.”

  Then Jane remembered. Alexander had found her outside the church. She had made a fool of herself clinging onto him after hearing Ian’s voice close by, bursting into tears when all her emotions came out. Jane couldn’t begin to think how embarrassing it must have been for her, never mind Alexander.

  But he had offered to escort both her and Rachel home. He brushed aside Rachel’s adamant refusal, saying that it would be on his conscience. Rachel was clearly upset about his presence, which did make Jane wonder. Had she and Alexander crossed paths in the past? It was more than likely, and it was something that Rachel was angry about.

  Still, she was too worn out to pry about it. And waking up to find him so close had started to make her heart pick up pace. Jane felt a little lightheaded from the sudden change in her pulse. She sat up, hugging the cloak around her. Other changes to her body were happening, changes that were making her skin tingle. All just because of his closeness. The throbbing between her legs was the worst. Jane didn’t know how to sit without making it worse.

  Why did she have to react like a wanton just because this gentleman was so close? He was the last person she should be around, and yet Jane couldn’t stop her reaction towards him.

  Chapter Four

  He was watching her closely. Jane looked away. She knew her face was going red, her cheeks warming.

  “I shouldn’t have done that,” she muttered.

  “Done what?”

  “Everything.”

  She felt like a fool. Pathetic and childish. That was now who Jane was. She had been raised to be something else, and this wasn’t it. But whenever it involved Ian Harrison, Jane forgot everything. First love was always the strongest, according to her mother, but it could become all-consuming and the most painful when it was broken. Jane was beginning to realize that. She couldn’t compete with anyone else for Ian, simply because there was never a competition. Ian had made his choice, and Jane would have to accept that.

  It was going to take some time to accept that and Jane didn’t know if she would be able to. Not for a while.

  “Jane.”

  Jane looked up. Alexander was sitting forward, his knees almost touching hers. His fingers, clasped together, brushed against her skirts. Jane felt herself shiver, and it wasn’t from the cold. She wanted him to touch her.

  Where had that come from?

  “You need to stop being so hard on yourself.” Alexander’s voice was gentle. “You were in love, and you believed that it would be returned. But life is not as straightforward as that, and things happen. You just need to pick yourself up, take a deep breath, and start afresh. That’s all you can do right now.”

  He was right. There was nothing Jane could do. She just needed to start again. Rachel had been telling her to let go for a while now, but Jane had refused to listen. With Alexander, it was something different. Maybe it was because it was the last thing that she expected him to say.

  “I never thought you would be the one to give out sound advice like that, Mr. Harrison.”

  Alexander gave her a lopsided smile. “I’m full of surprises.”

  “I’m sure you are.” Jane rubbed at her arms. Why did ladies’ fashion have to leave them in dresses that barely had any sleeves? “I’m sure your family wishes you were more like a decent human being.”

  “I’m a decent human being all the time.”

  “You call taking lots of women to bed decent?”

  Alexander winced. “Ouch. Ian did say you had some fire, My Lady.”

  “I tend to speak my mind.” Jane made a face. “Always gets me into trouble.”

  “I’m sure it does.” Alexander rubbed at his jaw. “Look, everyone knows what’s happening with me right at the beginning. I always make it known. If they don’t like it, they don’t have to comply. I always respect that.”

  “I’m sure you’ve had ladies who believed they could turn you around.”

  Alexander grunted. “They did, but it hasn’t happened yet.”

  As if he had ever been turned away by a woman. From his good looks and his smooth, deep voice, Jane could very well believe that women were practically falling over themselves to get into his bed. Society may have focused on sensibility and that women needed to follow a strict set of rules, but everyone had a vice. Everyone wanted to break the rules just once. Alexander provided that for them.

  Was he like this with all the women? Gain their confidence before he swooped in for seduction? If it was, Jane had a feeling it was working. He could ask her for a kiss right now and she would be willing, even with people close by.

  Wait, what was going on with her? She was suddenly drawn to a gentleman who had notoriety for his actions? That couldn’t be right. Could it?

  “Come on, My Lady.” Alexander moved to climb out of the carriage. “We need to get inside. It’s getting dark. The storm is almost upon us.”

  As he spoke, there was a loud rumbling in the sky. Jane looked out and saw how dark the clouds were. They looked low enough to touch the top of the house, and she could see bright flashes behind the clouds. Alexander was right; the storm was closing in fast.

  Alexander reached in and held out a hand. Jane hesitated before taking it, biting back a gasp as his fingers closed over hers. His touch was so warm, so gentle. Jane looked into his eyes and saw his expression warm. He smiled at her, and Jane felt her heart stumble a few beats.

  She had to stop. This gentleman was the last person her parents would want around her. She couldn’t find him attractive, not with what she had heard about him. But Jane found herself drawn towards him as if he were some forbidden fruit.

  He wasn’t Ian. But then, Ian had never made her feel emotions as intense as the ones in her belly.

  Alexander helped her out and then put her cloak on her properly, clasping it into place. His actions were so gentle and caring, although he was careful not to touch her. Jane didn’t know where to look, instead looking at the pin in his cravat. She could feel her heart racing, her pulse stuttering as his fingers accidentally brushed against her cheek.

  Was it accidental? From the way Alexander momentarily paused, it had to be. Then he cleared his throat and stepped away.

  “Come on. I’ll escort you inside.”

  “Where’s Rachel?”

  “She’s already gone into the house to find your parents.”

  Jane groaned. She was not looking forward to this. Walter and Faith Malcolm were going to be furious. When she sneaked out the day before with Rachel in tow, Jane had only left a brief note saying she was going t
o see a friend. From the way she had been acting, her parents would have known exactly what she was up to.

  This was not going to be good.

  With Alexander walking beside her, Jane braced herself as she went into the house. Hopefully, she would be able to speak to her parents separately and not together. When they were together, the Earl and Countess of Crawley were a formidable pair. Separately, they were softer people. The two of them looked after each other through everything, which Jane admired.

  Yet she was still not looking forward to facing them.

  A tall, statuesque lady with snow-white hair clasped tightly at the nape of her neck wearing a dark green dress was stalking across the foyer towards them as Jane and Alexander entered the house. Rachel was just behind her, hurrying to keep up with the older lady’s strides. She caught Jane’s eye, and Jane knew she had told her mother everything.

  Scowling at her friend, Jane turned to Faith Malcolm, the Countess of Crawley, and dropped into a curtsy.

  “Mother.”

  “Jane.”

  Lady Crawley’s mouth tightened, as she held her hands clasped in front of her. She looked cool and composed, but Jane could see the angry fire in her eyes. For eight-and-sixty years of age, she hadn’t lost the ability to make people squirm, even her own children.

  “Rachel’s just told me everything.” The Countess’ voice was tight. “You said you were going to visit friends for a couple of days, not go and break up a couple at a wedding! Viscount Harrison’s wedding, at that!”

  “I didn’t go through with it,” Jane protested. “I had a change of heart and I backed away. Nobody knew that I was there.”

  “Nobody?” Lady Crawley looked up at Alexander, her anger seeming to build. “Then who’s this? I don’t need to guess that he’s a Harrison.”

  Jane turned to look at Alexander. How had she known that? But Alexander simply smiled at Lady Crawley and bowed.

  “Alexander Harrison, My Lady. My uncle was concerned about Lady Jane’s intentions and asked me to watch out for her. We had a conversation, and Lady Jane realized the error of her ways. Nobody at the wedding knew she was there.”

  Lady Crawley snorted. Clearly, his charm wasn’t going to work on her mother.

  “At least someone could talk sense into my daughter. We haven’t been able to do that since she started talking.” She turned back to her daughter. “What you did was foolish, Jane. It doesn’t matter if you stopped yourself in time or not, you were foolish. How could you do this to the family?”

  That riled Jane up. “The family?” she asked. “What about me? It was my reputation I was risking, not yours.”

  “When you do a pathetic stunt like that, it’s the family’s reputation at stake first and foremost.” Lady Crawley pointed at Jane, almost catching her in the face. “And you almost dragged us into the mud.”

  Jane wanted to argue back. She had already been scolded in different ways by Rachel and Alexander, as well as telling herself that she had been stupid. She didn’t want her mother reprimanding her also. That was guaranteed to make Jane feel worse than she already did.

  Before she could protest, Alexander spoke instead. “If it’s any consolation, Lady Crawley, Lady Jane was about to walk away from it all when I caught up with her. She was not going to embarrass anyone, at least not in public.”

  “That is no consolation at all, sir,” boomed a low, bristling voice from the corridor.

  Jane’s heart sank when she heard the voice. Her father had arrived. Indeed, striding across the hall from under the u-shaped stairs, was Walter Malcolm, Earl of Crawley. For a gentleman of seventy years, he moved very quickly with hardly a stumble. He was much thinner in recent years, his face gaunt and pale and his iron-gray hair thinning. But the light in his eyes was always there and it was intense. Jane found herself shuffling back, almost putting Alexander between her and her father. Alexander glanced back at her, his expression not changing but the look in his eyes softened and he gave her a brief nod. At least someone was there to protect her.

  Crawley scowled at Alexander as he moved to join his wife. Rachel darted out of his way, dropping into a low curtsy and bowing her head. It was a wonder she didn’t fall over.

  “There is no consolation here, sir,” Lord Crawley growled. “Our daughter should not have been there at all. She could have brought this family into ill-repute with her actions. I’m sure everyone knows about her behavior towards Viscount Harrison by now, which is embarrassing enough. Having a fancy for a gentleman about to marry is one thing, but when it’s your brother-in-law…”

  “I was instructed by my uncle to intercept Lady Jane before there was a scene,” Alexander cut in abruptly. “I made the decision to escort her home, so she didn’t come to any harm. Viscount Harrison cares enough about her to keep her safe, even if her comportment had been frustrating.”

  Jane stared at him. Nobody spoke up to her father. Never. They weren’t brave enough to do so.

  Lord Crawley grunted. “At least he didn’t feel the need to make a scene with my daughter, but this shouldn’t have happened in the first place.” He fixed his harsh glare on Jane. “You’re not to go off this estate, Jane. I want you to stay in this house, and you are not leaving to go anywhere without either myself or your mother present and with our express permission.”

  “But Father…”

  “Don’t.” Just that one word had Jane falling silent. “That’s what I’ve decided. Or do you want to be locked in your room for the foreseeable future?”

  Jane closed her mouth. Arguing with him was going to be futile, and in front of Alexander as well. Things just couldn’t get any worse. She lowered her head and stared at the floor.

  “No, Father,” she mumbled.

  * * *

  Alexander watched as Jane went to the stairs and started up to the next floor. Rachel went after her and touched her arm, but Jane pulled away abruptly, giving her friend a glare. Then she glanced back at Alexander, who felt it like a punch to the gut. That look of sadness. It made him want to run to her and hold her again.

  This lady was far too dangerous to be around, and Alexander knew he had to get out of there. But he just couldn’t. He couldn’t walk away from her.

  As Jane disappeared upstairs, Rachel hurrying after her, Alexander turned to Lord Crawley. Both he and his wife were looking at each other with an expression of despair. They were Jane’s parents? They looked more like her grandparents.

  “That was a little harsh, Lord Crawley.”

  The words were out of his mouth before Alexander could stop himself. Lord Crawley turned to him and raised his eyebrows.

  “I beg your pardon, sir?” His voice was startlingly quiet. “Did you say something?”

  That was the same type of voice Alexander’s father used on him. It had an effect on him and would make Alexander tremble. Not now.

  “Lady Jane is already upset about it all. She realizes that she’s done wrong and she backed away before she made a bigger fool of herself. She didn’t need her parents admonishing her when she’s already beaten herself up about it.”

  Lady Crawley was watching him with a bewildered expression. Clearly, they didn’t often have people talking back to them. Lord Crawley stalked towards him. He was not quite as tall as Alexander, barely coming up to his chin. Alexander could see a slight hunch in his shoulders. Old age catching up to him?

  “You will not tell me what to do in my house, sir.” Lord Crawley’s voice was tight, almost a growl. “I don’t care who your family is, I am the one in charge in this house. Not you.”

  His words had Alexander wanting to take a step back. For an old gentleman, he was certainly formidable. But Alexander held his ground. He wasn’t about to be bullied into silence, and Jane needed someone on her side. He was probably not the best person for her, but he wanted to be the one in her corner.

  Suddenly, there was a loud rumble outside the house. Lady Crawley looked up at the ceiling and pursed her lips.

  “The
re’s a storm coming, and it’s getting late.” She sighed and looked at Alexander. “You can stay here for the night, Mr. Harrison, and then you’re going home tomorrow. While I’m grateful that you decided to be a gentleman and bring our daughter home, I don’t want you in this house for longer than you have to be. Not after questioning us over how we punish our daughter.”

  “She’s not a child anymore, My Lady.” Alexander pointed out.

  Lord Crawley snorted. “She acts like a child, so that is how she’s going to be treated.” He turned away and stalked back in the direction he had come. “Now, get out of my sight before I decide to rescind my wife’s invitation and turf you out into the impending storm.”