Claiming the Chaperon's Heart

by Anne Herries

  The four of them ate supper together in a discreet restaurant and enjoyed each other’s company, Sarah and Will seeming to find a great deal to talk and laugh about. On being told that Melia and Captain Smythe were not to be of the party, Jane’s brother had decided to accompany them after all.

  ‘Your cousin is a pleasant girl,’ Paul said softly when the other two were laughing at some jest of their own. ‘Your brother seems happier than he was a few weeks ago.’

  ‘How observant of you,’ Jane replied in the same hushed tone. ‘I think they like each other but it is early days yet, of course.’

  ‘Of course.’ Paul looked into her eyes with such longing that her heart caught. ‘Would that I was free to follow my heart, Jane. I long to speak but I may not for the moment. Indeed, it would have been wiser had I not come at all this evening, but I could not forgo the pleasure of being with you...forgive me if I seem reluctant to be plain, but I may not speak openly yet.’

  ‘You do seem to speak in riddles,’ Jane said and frowned, for she did not care for this mystery. ‘If something troubles you, I would be happy to listen.’

  ‘You are everything that is lovely and precious to me,’ Paul told her. ‘Yet I have good reason to keep my silence—but know that I care for you deeply. If I could I would ask you to be my wife.’

  What impediment could there be to his asking her to be his wife if he really wished for it? Jane was puzzled but, even though her honest nature would have preferred things to be plain, she sensed that his secret was something he felt unable to share with her.

  She touched his hand. ‘I see that you are sorely troubled, my friend. I must tell you that I value your friendship and perhaps more, but if there is some barrier...’ She was puzzled for he seemed so strange.

  ‘One that I hope may soon be overcome,’ Paul replied and pressed her fingers. ‘Now, may I order more champagne?’

  ‘No more for me. I think perhaps we should be leaving.’ She looked across the table, catching her brother’s eyes. ‘Are we ready to leave, Sarah—Will?’

  ‘Yes, quite ready,’ Sarah said. ‘It has been an exciting day and I grow a little tired.’

  It was agreed that they should leave and Lord Frant called for his account and asked that the carriage should be brought round. Sarah and Will seemed content and did not say much as they were driven home but, after they had gone in, Jane asked if Paul would care for a nightcap before he left.

  ‘Just for a moment in private,’ he said and followed her into a small parlour, but, as she would have rung for brandy, he stayed her hand. ‘Now that Melia will no longer be with you, I must visit her aunt and make arrangements for the contract for her marriage—and then perhaps I may visit you at home?’

  ‘Yes, certainly you may, Lord Frant. I have already asked Will to invite you for the shooting in September, but if you wish you may call at any time.’

  ‘I would hope to be with you before the month is out,’ Paul told her. ‘I can only pray that circumstances are more favourable by then...’

  ‘Yet you will not tell me why you are troubled?’

  ‘Jane, my love...’ He reached out and drew her against him, looking down into her face for a long moment before he kissed her, softly at first and then with increasing passion. She felt a little shudder run through him as though he controlled his passions. ‘I love you beyond reason, have done so since we first met—but I dare not ask you to be my wife until this business is finished...’

  Jane felt herself melting into him as he held her close, her lips still warm and tingling from the passion of his kiss. ‘I believe that I have come to love you, Paul,’ she whispered. ‘I did not think it could happen again but, though it is different this time, I know that I care deeply for you.’

  ‘Oh, Jane, my love, I adore you,’ Paul said and now she could not doubt it for she saw his love for her blazing in his eyes. ‘I vowed to keep my distance to hold you safe, but how can I not speak now when my heart cries out for it? I want you for my wife, Jane—will you be mine, sweet love?’

  ‘Yes, I will marry you—if it is what you truly wish.’

  ‘I wish for it with all my heart, yet I must ask you that our love remains secret for a time—will you do that for me? Will you trust me, Jane? I think it better for your peace of mind that you do not know all my reasons, but hope that you will believe in my sincerity and wait until I can come to you freely.’

  ‘Yes, if you wish it,’ she said, for how could she refuse? She was swept away on a tide of happiness. ‘I know there must be a good reason for what you do...’

  ‘Believe me when I say I ask for your discretion only because I love you and seek to protect you from those who might seek to harm me through you. I have an enemy, Jane, and, though I am almost certain of his identity, I cannot name him yet.’

  ‘Then I shall tell no one; even my brother and Sarah shall remain in ignorance.’

  ‘Thank you, dearest Jane.’ He kissed her softly. ‘I shall treasure your promise and will return tomorrow after luncheon to bring you a token of my love...and now I must leave you.’

  Jane smiled and kissed his lips and then allowed him to leave her. She was lost in a sweet dream as she walked up the stairs to her own bedchamber. Paul loved her and she knew that she loved in return. The future looked bright, for surely this time she would not be robbed of her happiness...

  Leaving her, Paul felt a flickering of unease. He had meant not to speak openly yet of his feelings for Jane. Indeed, it would have been better for her sake if he had not taken her to the theatre—but he had needed to see her and then when she’d smiled his feelings had overcome him. He could only pray that his weakness in speaking would not endanger her safety. Yet surely what had passed between them was unlikely to reach the ears of his enemy...

  * * *

  Jane went shopping in the morning for some items she had remembered she would need when they got home. Paul was not coming until the afternoon and so she seized the last chance she might have to visit various establishments.

  On her return she glanced through the visiting cards on the silver salver in the hall, a little surprised to find one from Lady Catherine. Flipping it over, she saw an urgent message.

  I must see you privately. Please come to tea at my house this afternoon. I have something I must tell you.

  Catherine Radcliffe

  Jane stared at the message, frowning over it, for she could not understand why the lady should need to see her urgently. They knew one another but could never have been called friends and Jane had thought the other woman disliked her... But stay, perhaps she feared that Jane would speak of what she’d seen on leaving the theatre the previous evening. The young woman had clung to Captain Hershaw’s arm, fluttering her lashes at him and flirting with him—at least until she became aware of Jane’s gaze.

  Paul meant to call that afternoon and Jane had no intention of perhaps missing him by answering Lady Catherine’s summons. She did not wish for private conversation with someone she did not particularly care for. Instead, she would write and tell her that she was too busy to call that day but would be at home the next morning if Lady Catherine wished to see her.

  She sent her letter off and spent the time during luncheon talking to Melia of her plans to leave London the next day with Miss Smythe and her brother, and discussing with Sarah any errands that needed doing before they too left London.

  Will had promised to take Sarah driving and they left the house soon after the meal was finished. Melia went upstairs to write a letter to her aunt in her room and Jane retired to her parlour to wait for Paul’s arrival.

  He came at three, looking distinguished in a blue coat, long riding boots and pale breeches, his hat of beaver and bearing a silver buckle at the front. His gloves were of finest leather, his linen pristine and he looked every inch the wealthy gentleman about town.

>   Jane rose to receive him, holding out her hands. Paul took them and kissed them, and then handed her a flat red leather box. When she opened it she saw a beautiful diamond necklace.

  ‘This is lovely, Paul,’ she said. ‘But we are not formally engaged; I ought not to accept it.’

  ‘I have ordered a ring to be made, and perhaps tomorrow you could visit the jeweller and have your finger sized,’ he said. ‘The necklace was my mother’s, given her by her father when she married and passed to me when she died. I know she would like you to have it, dearest Jane.’

  ‘Thank you, I shall treasure it,’ Jane said and closed the box. She looked up at him. ‘I wish I understood why we cannot speak of our engagement to the world.’

  ‘Forgive me—I want to shout it to the rooftops. I ought not to have spoken until these matters were settled, but I have waited too long already and feared to lose your regard. Please try to understand, Jane—it is difficult...’

  ‘Hush, you do not need to tell me,’ Jane said, making up her mind that she must trust him. ‘You have your reasons and I accept that we must wait...’

  ‘You fill my heart with joy every time I look at you,’ he said and moved to take her in his arms and kiss her once more. ‘I love you, Jane, and I want to marry you—as soon as it is...possible.’

  She sensed that he had almost spoken a different word and wondered at it, but to question every word would show a lack of faith and she let the moment pass. Paul had told her that he loved her and she must accept and believe.

  ‘Then I shall wait patiently for you to come to me,’ she said and smiled up into his eyes.

  ‘Tomorrow I have business I must see to,’ Paul said, ‘and the day after I leave for the country to visit Melia’s aunt. I must see the date for the wedding set and talk contracts with her aunt and her husband-to-be—and by then you will be in the country. I may be able to call on you again tomorrow for a few minutes, but cannot be certain, so do not wait in for me.’

  ‘Come if you can,’ Jane said. ‘You will stay to take tea with me now? Melia will be down shortly, though Sarah and Will have gone for a drive and will not be back until later.’

  ‘Yes, I shall stay. I wish I had no engagements for this evening, but there are people I must see and I am engaged to dine with Major Harding...’

  ‘Ah, yes, I believe he stayed in the country with you when you were last there?’

  ‘Yes—and I was very glad to have him. If he had not...’ Paul shook his head. ‘I may have been wrong to ask you to tell no one of our understanding, Jane. You should feel free to tell your cousin and Will...perhaps your mama, if you wish? Yet it would be better if it went no further than your immediate family.’

  ‘My brother and Sarah,’ Jane said and smiled. ‘I do not think Mama needs to know at this time because she would swear to keep it private and then tell everyone—and nor does Melia. She is a friend but no more and...she might not keep our secret.’

  ‘No, she might not,’ Paul agreed. ‘I shall speak to your brother when I visit you at your home.’

  ‘Yes, he will expect it,’ Jane said. ‘I am of an age to please myself in the matter of marriage, but my brother would think it a courtesy, I know.’

  ‘I shall have your ring when I come down,’ Paul said, ‘but...’ He broke off as Jane shook her head and realised that they were no longer alone. Turning, he saw Melia standing just inside the door.

  ‘Forgive me,’ Melia said. ‘I did not wish to intrude, Jane, but I thought you might be waiting tea for me.’

  ‘And so we were,’ Jane said, smiling at her. ‘Please come and sit down, my dear, and I shall ring for tea. Lord Frant wanted to speak to you, I believe. He intends to follow you down to the country in order to speak to your aunt about the wedding preparations...’

  ‘Yes, I am sure my aunt will wish to discuss them with you, sir,’ Melia said, but she did not look at him and Jane thought there was a sulky look about her mouth again, almost as if she had begun to regret her promise to wed Captain Smythe.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jane was writing letters in her private parlour the next morning when the door was suddenly thrust open and Lady Catherine walked in, followed by a harassed maid, who apologised to Jane.

  ‘Milady insisted, ma’am,’ she said. ‘I asked her to wait but...’

  ‘It’s all right, Tilly,’ Jane said calmly. ‘You may go. I was expecting Lady Catherine...’ She stood up and greeted her guest with a smile and extended hand. ‘I am pleased to see you, Lady Catherine.’

  ‘Are you?’ the other woman said rudely. ‘I quite expected to be refused entry after your note.’

  ‘Forgive me, I expected guests and could not come to meet you, as you asked.’

  ‘You might be sorry that you did not. I’ve been told your guest was Lord Frant—and when you hear what I have to tell you, you may wish you had not been at home to receive him.’

  Jane was puzzled. ‘I’m sorry. I have no idea what you mean.’

  ‘Have you not heard the latest gossip concerning Lord Frant?’ Lady Catherine’s eyes gleamed with spite. ‘I know you two have been close so perhaps that is why you have not been told...’

  ‘Told what?’ Jane asked, her gaze narrowed. She had coldness at her nape and knew that she would not care for whatever it was that this woman had come to tell her.

  ‘You may think Frant intends marriage,’ the lady said and a cruel smile played over her mouth as she taunted, ‘but you shall be sadly disappointed if you hope to be his wife. No decent woman could consent to marry him now...’

  Jane’s fists clenched at her sides, but she refused to be drawn. Lady Catherine had come here hotfoot to tell her this news but Jane would not press her.

  ‘Don’t you want to know?’ The other woman laughed. ‘Oh, you think yourself so secure—but I had this from Lady Moira, and she has been in his confidence...as well as from other lips...’

  ‘Lady Moira was to have been Miss Bellingham’s chaperon but Melia chose to stay with me. I do not see what you think so amusing in this...’

  ‘Lady Moira told me herself. She was shocked when she heard it and confronted him, for she would never have agreed to chaperon the girl in the first place if she’d known...’

  ‘Melia is a perfectly respectable young lady,’ Jane said, feeling angry; although the girl had hurt Will she would not allow her character to be besmirched.

  ‘It is not the girl but Lord Frant himself...’ Lady Catherine’s eyes gleamed with malice as she chose her words with deliberate spite. ‘Lady Moira has been told by someone who knows the facts that he was married to a girl...a half caste Indian whore...’

  ‘Ridiculous!’ Jane said. ‘Paul would never...’ Her words stuck in her throat because Paul had spoken of circumstances that prevented his announcing their engagement or marrying her. ‘He couldn’t be married to a girl of that class...’

  ‘Oh, she isn’t of the lower class,’ Lady Catherine said with great satisfaction. ‘Her mother was the daughter of an earl but she became an Indian prince’s concubine and her daughter is a whore—she gave birth to Lord Frant’s child soon after he left India. It seems she claims he wed her in secret and she named him as her child’s father...’

  ‘No, I do not believe you,’ Jane said. She refused to believe the other woman’s spiteful words; they must be spoken out of malice, for there was no other reason to come here and speak so to her. ‘Paul does not have a wife or...a child...’

  She looked proudly at Lady Catherine. ‘I do not know what you hoped to gain by coming here this morning, but you have failed if you believed I would listen to your lies. I do not know the truth of the matter, but I am certain Lord Frant would not have left his wife in India, nor would he have kept her existence a secret.’

  ‘Men are all deceivers,’ Lady Catherine said coldly. ‘
You may believe what you wish, Lady March—but I have been your friend in this by coming here. People are whispering about the way he is received here. You have no chaperon and you have been to his house with just his ward. Some say you are his mistress—a single gentleman and you still too young to be a true chaperon to any girl...’

  ‘I hope I know Lord Frant well enough to be certain that it is perfectly proper for his ward and her chaperon to visit during the morning hours.’ Jane raised her head proudly. ‘We were hardly alone, for there were servants present. You will please leave my house, Lady Catherine. I have no wish to continue this conversation.’

  ‘You will learn soon enough,’ the other woman said. ‘Be careful that you do not lose your reputation in the meantime. Believe me when I say that several ladies believe you to be his mistress. If you continue this way you may find you are not welcome everywhere, as you have been in the past.’

  Jane took a step towards her. She was seething with anger and wanted to slap Lady Catherine’s sneering face but held her temper in check, her hands clenched at her sides.

  ‘Leave now or I shall ring for a footman to escort you from the house.’

  ‘I’m leaving...’ The other woman laughed scornfully. ‘At least I know what I’m getting when I marry. I shall give the marquis an heir and take as many lovers as I choose—but I shall not be fool enough to lose either my heart or my reputation...’

  Jane stood frozen to the spot as Lady Catherine swept from the room. Tears were burning her eyes but she refused to let them fall, despite her humiliation. She stood motionless for some minutes and then sank down to her chair. It couldn’t be true—Paul could not have a wife in India and a child...

  He would not have spoken to her of love if that were the case. She could not believe him so false and yet...he had begged her to keep their attachment secret for the moment. He had seemed so strange but she’d thought he was telling her his own life might be at risk when he’d spoken of an enemy.