by Jane Charles
“Which functions will you be attending?” he asked once they were waltzing about the room.
“I do not know. Father rarely informs me until I’m required to prepare for whatever he deems worthy of our attendance.”
“There is a way to get word to me. Once you know, of course.”
Jillian bit her bottom lip and stared up into his eyes. “How?” Her father would murder her and then lock her in her chamber if he ever learned.
“Agnes, an upstairs maid, are you familiar with her?”
“My Agnes?” What did he know of the servants in her household?
“Her sister is a maid in my family’s home. That is how I learned where you’d be tonight.”
Her eyes grew wide. “It’s not a coincidence you’re here?”
“I had every intention of coming here until Danby demanded my attendance. Had he wished to attend another function, I would have refused so I could be here.” He glanced back at his great-uncle. “I’m not his servant to answer to his every demand regardless of what he may believe,” Mr. Storm bit out.
“He wanted you here on purpose? To what end?”
“Unfortunately, I know all too well what my great-uncle is up to.” Mr. Storm glared at Danby as they passed. “I’ll deal with him later.”
“How would Agnes get a message to you?”
“Because Meg’s new position in our household, is to sit in your kitchen until Agnes reports on your activities for the day.”
“What if she’s caught? Agnes could be sacked? And what of the other servants in the kitchens. How can you trust they won’t report to my father?”
“I believe you have far more support in that household than you realize.”
Jillian frowned. Was it true? She barely spoke to the staff, not since her personal maid had betrayed her. She wasn’t unkind, she just no longer shared any of herself.
“So, will you do it? Tell Agnes where you will be so that I can be there as well?”
Her heart began to hammer in her chest. Did she dare?
“Don’t let fear win,” he whispered.
Jillian smiled. She was tired of being afraid and unhappy. “Yes.”
He grinned.
She could meet him every day, but nothing would change. Father would still never approve. But this might be the only excitement she would ever have.
CHAPTER 9
A s the waltz ended, Sam had no choice but to relinquish Jillian back to her father. His Grace glared at both of them.
“You were to dance with Lord Lowery,” he reminded her.
“I did not see him,” Lady Jillian replied obediently.
“Had you been standing with me, where you belong, you would have noted him approach me.”
Jillian cast her eyes toward the floor. “I’m sorry, Father.”
“You will make it up to him by allowing him to drive you in the park tomorrow.”
“Yes, Father.”
At least Sam now knew where she’d be, not that he could pursue her in the park while with Lord Lowery, but Sam would think of something before then.
“Come.” Danby barked at Sam as if he were a pet dog. The only reason he obeyed was because he and Danby needed to come to an understating.
“Thank you for your company and the waltz, Lady Jillian.” He bowed and took his leave, following his great-uncle out of the manor, stopping beside him as he waited for his carriage to be brought around.
“Do not ever do that again.”
“What?” Danby demanded.
“Manipulate my life.”
“You wanted to dance with her. I arranged it. You should be thanking me.”
“I do not need your assistance or that of anyone else in my pursuit of Lady Jillian. You will cease interfering in my life.”
Danby turned fully toward Sam. “Do you know that Eldridge had the audacity to claim that you are not good enough for his daughter?”
Now that was a conversation Sam wished he’d been privy too.
“You. Grandson of a Whitton. The blood of my family is not good enough for the likes of his daughter?” Danby stomped his cane. “I never liked that dandiprat, and I never will. If you were wise, you’d give up on Lady Jillian too because you are far too good for the likes of her.”
Sam had seen Danby angry in the past, but never this enraged. “She is the daughter of a duke,” Sam pointed out.
“With a shameful past,” Danby returned.
Sam took a step back. Did his great-uncle know about the paintings?
Of course he did. Danby knew everything.
“Her past is not what matters,” Sam informed His Grace. “Nor does your opinion on the matter of Lady Jillian. And further, I will not stand by while you manipulate my life and determine who I can or can’t marry.” He took a step forward. “I am not one of your grandchildren that you can order about, so do not call on me, summon me, or track me down again, as I will evade you at every turn. Do we understand one another?”
“Bah!” Danby turned as the carriage pulled forward. “Don’t come begging for my help when you find you can’t manage this on your own.”
“Trust me, Your Grace. I won’t.”
Silence! And the longer it continued, the more nervous she became. After father told her last night that Jillian would ride with Lord Lowery today, he’d said nothing further to her. Surely, he was going to blast her for dancing with Mr. Storm, but he hadn’t.
Even now, he sipped his coffee while he read the papers, his breakfast dishes having been taken away. As she was finished eating as well, Jillian, quietly as she could, pushed her chair back with every intention of sneaking away and bringing no attention to herself.
The papers rustled as her father lowered them. “I’ll have you know that I informed Danby last evening that his great-nephew is not to contact you again.”
She swallowed and waited.
“As if I’d consider a mister,” he said with disgust. “Even if Storm held his brother’s title of Earl, I’d not consider him since he’s relate to that ass.”
“Yes, Father.”
“You will stay away from him.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Do not be a fool, Jillian. He’ll use you, as others have in the past. You will not shame me again.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Now, go on. Lowery will call at three. You will be in this evening because I need to be elsewhere. Tomorrow you will attend a picnic at the Thorndykes with your brother.”
“Thorndykes?”
“It’s been arranged so that Thorn’s wife can meet his friends and others in Society in a less formal setting. Your brother will be taking you because I have no interest in meeting some vicar’s niece.” He picked up the papers. “Now run along and cease bothering me.”
Jillian didn’t need to be prodded and quickly left the breakfast room and returned to her chamber. Agnes swept the hall just outside her door. She glanced up, question in her dark brown eyes at Jillian’s approach.
Her stomach tightened. Did she trust her? She’d trusted her personal maid before and had been betrayed.
Jillian opened her door and paused. As frightening as it was, she was going to take the risk. “Agnes, could you attend me please?”
“Right away, Lady Jillian.”
Jillian stepped into her room and the maid followed, closing the door behind her.
“Do you know where you’ll be so I can tell my sister?”
Jillian bit her lip as fear clawed at her heart. “You will not tell my father?”
“Heavens, no. It’s about time you did something for yourself and not be ordered around by the likes of him.”
Jillian blinked, surprised at her candor.
“Lady Jillian, if I might speak boldly.”
“Go on.”
“We’ve known you since you were a wee lass. You were such a delightful child. And, we know what happened, and saw the change. Your father has not done right by you, and if he has it his way, you’ll never be happ
y.”
Tears stung her eyes. Jillian had no idea this was what the servants thought. “I’m not a nice person. In fact, I’m horrible.”
“That’s His Grace’s doing and you don’t have to be that way if you don’t wish it.” Agnes patted her hand like she used to when she was a child. “We’ll keep your confidence,”
Her heart warmed just a bit. Perhaps it was the thawing of ice, but for the second time in as many days, Jillian decided to trust again and told Agnes her schedule.
CHAPTER 10
“Storm, to what do I owe the honor of this visit?” David Thorn asked as he came down the stairs, straightening his cravat.
“What do you know of Lord Lowery?”
Thorn frowned. “That he’d rather travel the racing circuit than attend any ball.”
“Couldn’t that be said for most gentlemen of our acquaintance?”
Thorn paused for a moment. “True.” Then turned down a corridor and Sam followed him into the library.
“Though, the gentleman is more horse mad than most, and he also has a weakness for gambling.”
Interesting. Was Eldridge aware of these facts?
“Why are you so interested in the chap?”
“He’s taking a particular lady for a drive this afternoon, and I wish to somehow steal her away for a moment or two.”
Thorn’s eyebrows rose and he grinned. “Something I was very good at once upon a time. But I preferred to think of it as rescuing unsuspecting souls from the unsavory and dull.”
Which was the very reason why Sam had come to Thorn for advice. Who better to ask than a former rake? “What and who would be the easiest distraction?”
“Look no further,” Thorn laughed. “Lowery’s been trying to set a meeting with me to discuss using my stud.” He studied Sam. “Who is this lady whom you are pursuing with such interest?”
“Lady Jillian Simpson.”
His eyes widened in shock. “Are you mad? I’ve already warned you that her father won’t approve, and after the way he glared at the two of you at Bentley’s ball, I don’t expect him to change his opinion.”
“So I gathered,” Sam answered dryly. “Not that I intend to let it stop me.”
If she had to listen to any more on horseflesh or racing, Jillian was going to scream. She and Lowery had no common interests, and after they’d divested of topics of weather, Lowery had decided to talk endlessly about his racers and his estate, which boasted the finest stables in England, according to him. Jillian couldn’t have gotten a word in if she wished. Though he wasn’t unpleasant, Lowery still talked to and at her.
She was just about to plead a headache and asked to be taken home when Lowery called out to Mr. Thorn. Thank goodness. Now he could talk at someone else for a bit.
Her breath hitched. Mr. Storm was riding right beside him, and Jillian couldn’t stop the smile forming on her lips.
“Lowery, Lady Jillian,” they greeted.
“See here, Thorn, I’ve been trying to arrange an appointment with you about that stu…” Lowery glimpsed at Jillian. “Yes, well, if we might talk in private.”
“I’d be happy to walk with Lady Jillian,” Mr. Stone offered.
“It’s very kind of you, Storm.” Lowery then looked at Jillian as if her were waiting for her to simply hop out of the landau so that he might continue his conversation. It was Mr. Storm who dismounted from his horse and came around to assist her. He tossed the reins to Lowery. “Do keep an eye on her.”
“Will do, and you keep an eye on Lady Jillian.”
“Yes, do keep an eye on me,” Jillian said with disgust once they were far enough away not to be overheard.
“Are you apt to run away? Should you still be on leading strings?” Mr. Storm teased.
“Some believe I should,” Jillian laughed. “Why are you here? And don’t tell me it was a coincidence because I won’t believe you.”
“It’s fully intentional, and my good friend Thorn intends to keep Lowery occupied so that we can walk.”
“And how will he manage to do that?”
“Lowery’s been pressing Thorn about the use of a stud.”
“Stop!” Jillian put her hands over her ears.
“I apologize. The topic is too delicate to discuss with a lady.”
“You misunderstand.” She laughed. “If I have to hear any more on the topic horses, I shall scream.”
Storm grinned. “I take it he isn’t exactly a delightful conversationalist.”
“Unless you are horse mad, then no.”
“I enjoy hearing you laugh,” he said after a moment. “I don’t believe I’ve heard it until now.”
“I rarely have cause,” she admitted. In fact, Jillian couldn’t remember the last time she felt free enough to laugh. It wasn’t appropriate behavior, ever.
“It is a shame.” He stopped and turned toward her. “Your eyes sparkle, much like the stars upon the Caribbean Sea.”
“Such flattery, Mr. Storm.”
“Sam. I would have you call me Sam or Samuel.”
“Samuel.” She liked the way the name rolled off her tongue. “And you may address me by Jillian, unless someone is close enough to hear.” She leaned closer to him. “We wouldn’t want that reported back to Father.”
“No.” His emerald eyes softened as he offered an arm again and they continued to walk.
“What possessed you to return to England after five years, Samuel?”
“Roxburg. He needed to return to claim his inheritance. I was simply here for support.”
“When will you be returning?” Did she want to know? What if it was soon?
“I had planned on leaving at the end of the month.”
Disappointment flooded her. Even though she knew whatever was developing between her and Samuel was only temporary, a month was just not long enough.
“However, we had not yet met when that decision was made. Now, I’m no longer in as much of a rush to return to Barbados as I was when the Season first began.”
Her face heated. He was charming and most likely a rouge, but Jillian didn’t care. She’d never been so delighted to spend time with someone, and she was going to enjoy every moment she was allowed to steal.
“Storm!”
Jillian and Samuel turned to find Lowery waving to them and they both sighed.
“I shall return you to your escort.”
“Thank you.”
“As long as you know, I’m relinquishing you on a temporary basis.”
If only that were true. Unfortunately, every moment spent with Samuel would be temporary.
CHAPTER 11
“Is that her?” Hannah whispered. Thorn had asked him to bring a female guest because his mother did not do well when the numbers were uneven. This was a picnic, not a formal dinner, but Lady Thorndyke could be very peculiar at times. This also explained why so many of the bachelors were escorting a cousin or sister. Sam had chosen his oldest sister, Hannah, to accompany him to the gathering at the Thorndyke estate only an hour away from London because she really did need to be free from their mother, if only for a short time. As she was also the same age as Jillian, Sam hoped the two would hit it off.
“Yes.” Sam answered his sister and watched as Jillian entered the garden on the arm of her brother. Where was His Grace? Had his luck turned that he’d be able to have Jillian by his side today?
Jillian glanced up and saw him. Her lovely blue eyes widened and a small smile came to her lips before her attention was drawn away by her brother.
“She is very pretty,” Hannah said after a moment. “Why aren’t you courting her?”
“Her father wouldn’t approve,” Sam answered quietly. “I wish to know her better before I risk the wrath of Eldridge.”
His sister nodded.
“I would appreciate it if you keep this between us. I have no desire to hear Mother’s opinion on the matter or anyone else’s.”
“You have my word. She has scared away every gentleman who may have con
sidered courting me since my first Season.”
Something had to be done about that woman. But, not right now. Once his own affairs were in order, Sam would see to looking out for his sisters, if he wasn’t back in Barbados, of course.
The Earl of Stalter stepped into the garden with his sister on his arm. Stalter and Lady Eve were related to Jillian, cousins removed, he believed. It might be in his best interest to renew their former friendship as he intended to do with Broadridge. The three of them were the same age and had attended school together. His living in Barbados for the last five years is the only reason their friendship was not what it once had been.
Hannah sucked in a breath. Sam looked down at her. “I take it Mother’s plans have not kept you from wishing for courtship outside of Northumberland.”
Her face turned a pale shade of pink. “He’s never noticed me,” she admitted with sadness.
“Perhaps you simply need an introduction, then I’m sure he’d notice.”
The pink in her cheeks deepened to a red. “He is an earl,” she hissed as if she was far beneath him.
“As was our father, and now Ben,” Sam reminded her. Where had Hannah gotten it into her mind that she was beneath others?
“It doesn’t matter. He’d not be interested in someone like me.”
“What the blazes do you mean by that?” When had Hannah developed insecurities?
“I don’t wish to speak of it here.” She smiled up at him. “Let’s enjoy ourselves without Mother’s interference.
He nodded, but this conversation was far from over.
Sam watched Jillian move from group to group on the arm of her brother and waited for his afternoon to be ruined by the entrance of the Duke of Eldridge. It never came and soon they were filling plates.
He and Hannah were too far away from Jillian and her brother, but at least he could gaze upon her during the meal. Several times their eyes locked and held. He couldn’t wait for the blasted meal to be over and for the entertainments to begin, whatever those entertainments were. It didn’t matter as long as he could find a way to be at Jillian’s side.