by Jane Charles
Roxburg shrugged. “Somehow we lost them.” His wife turned nearly the shade of a poppy and Sam could guess how they’d been left behind. They had been married less than a week, and Sam was certain Roxburg would rather be alone with this wife than at a damn picnic.
“Mr. Storm was telling me of Barbados,” Jillian said. “It sounds lovely.”
“The most beautiful place on Earth.” Roxburg took his wife’s hand in his. “And I can’t wait to show it to Bianca.”
“You will not remain in England?” Jillian seemed rather stunned, which was to be expected. Roxburg was a new duke with vast holdings.
“Not in the winter. I will not be here when it is cold.”
“The very idea of no more cold winters sounds very appealing.” Her Grace grinned.
“There the two of you are,” Stalter called out, as Hannah followed with Mr. and Mrs. Stanwick.
“We got distracted by the many trees.” Roxburg offered an unrepentant grin.
Hannah looked at Jillian and her leg propped over the log and frowned. Samuel quickly explained, as he would to each group that came across them, what had occurred.
“Where is the clue?” Roxburg finally asked and Sam pointed to it.
He and Stanwick read over it and said “barn” at the same time.
“Why not stables?” Stalter asked.
“Thorn would never let anyone near his racers,” Stanwick answered.
Samuel turned back to Jillian as the latest group returned to the path. “I believe you have made more out of the situation than you should.”
“Her Grace is being kind, but she doesn’t even know the rest.”
“There’s more?” His stomach tightened, unable to imagine anything worse than what she alluded to.
“The topic of my marriage.”
“Marriage?” his blood chilled. Lady Jillian was married? Then why the blazes wasn’t she with her husband?
“I was a bride for a very short time, but never a wife.”
Did that mean she was still an innocent? Not that it mattered to Sam, but what else would make her a bride but not a wife except lack of consummation. “When?”
A fter this, Samuel would surely turn from her. Any thoughts of love he might have had a few moments ago would disappear. As much as she wished to hold his heart, it was unfair to him, and eventually he’d come to hate her like everyone else. It was better to suffer the pain of rejection now instead of later. “Two years ago. A Lord Hopkins,” Jillian finally answered. “Father determined he was to be my husband. Hopkins had no intention of asking for my hand.” It was better to say it quick, and get it over with. “When Lord Hopkins told me that he was returning to Cornwall, I panicked, as I did with Felding, and threw myself at him. My father found me kissing Hopkins and ordered him to marry me.”
“How come nobody seems to know about your marriage? And, where is Lord Hopkins?”
“Father didn’t want the marriage to appear rushed, thus bringing my reputation into question, so there was a very quiet wedding because Father didn’t want to risk Hopkins crying off, then my betrothal was announced.” She shook her head. “Father is very good at manipulating situations to his liking and buying silence when necessary.” She sighed. “The wedding was to take place at Hopkins’ parish church in Penzance after the banns had been cried.”
Samuel nodded, listening intently.
“Before we even arrived at his estate, Lord Hopkins met his wife at an inn.”
“Wife? He was already married?”
“It’s not as bad as you’re imagining,” Jillian smiled sadly. “She had disappeared at sea and been presumed dead. She was actually stranded on an island south of Cornwall and finally rescued.”
“What happened? Hopkins can’t have two wives.”
“No.” Jillian chuckled. “Father saw to an annulment, very quietly of course, and the marriage was as if it had never taken place. Nobody knew, save a handful of people, and they were too afraid of my father to breathe a word of it.”
Samuel simply stared at her, his mouth agape. She’d thought it was what she had done to Felding that disgusted him, not Hopkins.
He finally leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest, studying her. At least he now knew the horrible truth. Jillian expected Samuel to remain kind until the picnic was over, but she didn’t expect to see him again. Not after today.
“You’ve yet to tell me anything that changes my opinion of you.”
She blinked at him. How could he not see what a horrible person she was? “I threatened and trapped gentlemen into marriage with the same cold-hearted deliberation as a general goes into battle. I’m not a nice person.”
“Wasn’t.”
“Pardon?”
“Hopkins was what, two years ago, you said?”
“Yes.”
“Who have you tried to trap into marriage since?”
“Nobody.”
“Is that because your father hasn’t chosen anyone.”
Jillian sighed. “He’s chosen several, I just didn’t want to end up married to someone who will hate me in the end.”
“You no longer fear your father?” Samuel asked.
“I’m terrified of him. But the worst he can do is marry me off to someone who is cold and indifferent, or horse mad,” she chuckled. “The last person I was to land was Roxburg. I fully intended to charm and point out what a good match we were, but I would no longer trap anyone.”
Samuel grinned. “Did you take dancing lessons?”
Her face heated. Roxburg had disguised himself as a dancing master before the season opened so that he could meet the eligible ladies in a setting where they were more likely to be themselves. “Yes. And, as he happened to fall in love with the accompanist before the first ball opened, I didn’t even bother to try and charm him.”
“Did you know he wished to pursue Miss Valentine?”
Jillian grinned. “No. However, I was very aware that the dancing master, Mr. East, was falling in love with Miss Valentine. It was clear to everyone, and nobody ever dreamed he was the prodigal duke.”
Samuel chuckled. “I leave him in London to return home and a month later find him in love.” His eyes met hers and the humor disappeared. “I now see how emotions can be engaged so quickly.”
Jillian blinked at him. “We still barely know one another.”
“You’ve shared the worst of yourself with me. I’m still here.”
“I don’t know why. I’ve treated others with cold indifference, kept them at a distance, and have spent most of my adult life looking down my nose at anyone who I deemed beneath me.”
“Which I believe you do more out of protection than anything else.”
She gasped. How could he see through her so clearly? She behaved as her father trained her, and it worked to keep anyone from getting close enough to hurt her. It was rather unnerving.
“And, you aren’t the same person as you were then. Otherwise you would not be spending time with me. Your father would never approve, and I’m not titled.” He sat forward. “You would still be bitter over Felding and, instead of holding their secrets, would be telling me everything since I already know what they held over you.”
Samuel stood and walked to her. “Further, you would have compromised Roxburg the first chance you got, even though he loved someone else.” He sat beside her. “And finally, you wouldn’t be so full of self-loathing as you are now.” He picked her hand up and squeezed. “If anything, my feelings may be even deeper.”
Tears stung her eyes. “I don’t deserve your kindness.”
“Yes! You do.”
Her heart swelled as hope blossomed, but did she have the courage to continue meeting Samuel in secret? Or at least keep it a secret from her father?
Before she could even finish the question, Jillian knew, without a doubt, she’d risk everything to spend as many moments as she could with Samuel Storm.
CHAPTER 16
Sam paced the library, a glass of rum in his h
and, warring with his emotions and thoughts of Lady Jillian.
What was it about her that inspired desire and quite possibly love? The familiarity with her appearance had been with him for four years, and had inspired lust, but there were many women in his life who had done the same.
The haunted look in her eyes had drawn him to the portrait. Now he knew why her eyes conveyed so many emotions, and that was even before she’d been told to land Felding and then Hopkins.
Jillian had only been a girl, not even out of the schoolroom, when she’d been painted, but she carried the maturity of someone much older. Most sixteen-year-old girls were immature, and the one emotion not portrayed in her blue eyes was silliness. Had she ever even been allowed to be a child?
His heart may be engaged along with desire, yet Sam intended to proceed with caution. He’d be a fool to leap after everything Jillian had told him. Was this just a rebellion against His Grace, a temporary situation in which she was using him but would marry the highest title in the end? That was where his concern lay.
Last night he’d been invited to Roxburg’s home, along with Lord and Lady Felding. The four of them wished to warn him about Jillian. While she’d not betrayed the Valentine’s secret, they told him what she’d threatened – to tell society that they weren’t the orphaned children of missionaries but that half of them were bastard children. The news was rather shocking, but Samuel understood why his friends still married their wives. When you find the one you are to love, circumstances of birth or titles matter little.
They, in turn, had been surprised to learn that Jillian had already told him everything, except the Valentine family secrets, which lessened some of the tensions that had filled the air when he first arrived. Once they were aware there were no secrets between them, they relaxed but still warned him away from Jillian because she was cold, indifferent, and held herself superior to everyone. They couldn’t believe there was any warmth or kindness to her, except Roxburg, who had glimpsed a different side of Jillian.
At first Samuel had been angry, as if they were not giving her a chance, but if he had heard the same about a lady one of his friends was pursuing, he might take them aside as well and warn them before it was too late. He also realized, they didn’t know her at all--only what Jillian presented to the world.
Jillian had told him many things that he should have found disturbing, and if he were thinking with his head instead of other parts of his anatomy, perhaps he would have put distance between them. But, her heart wasn’t black as his friends may believe. It was simply hidden out of self-preservation. One thing was certain, he needed to see her again and as soon as possible. Despite his concerns, he still wanted her.
“It’s been a bloody week!” Samuel complained as he paced while Nate and Benjamin watched on in humor.
“I don’t know why you’re even bothering with Lady Jillian. There are better-suited ladies,” Danby barked.
Samuel turned to find his great-uncle in the doorway. “Who I pursue is none of your concern.” Why the hell hadn’t his great-uncle been announced?
“I forbid you to have anything further to do with Lady Jillian.”
Sam gapped at his great-uncle. “You have no control over who I pursue or even marry.”
“I’m saving you time and heartache,” Danby announced.
“I’m not one of your grandchildren to be ordered about,” Sam reminded him. “If you wish to play matchmaker, pick on another great-niece or nephew. Not me.”
“Heed my words, young man, or you will be very sorry.” Then he turned on Nate, thrusting his cane in his direction. “You will cease visiting Kirkland House. You’ve served King and Country and there’s no reason to continue lowering yourself by associating with anyone connected with the soldier’s home.”
Danby glared at Ben. “It’s bad enough that Stalter is sniffing around Hannah’s skirts, and I can assure you, nothing will come of that particular relationship either.” He lifted his cane. “Nobody in my family will ever be attached to the spawn of the late Marquess of Wingate, which includes, Lord Stalter.” He pointed to Benjamin. As the eldest, Ben was the one who decided who his younger sisters married. Then Danby pointed to Nate. “Isabella Valentine.” Then thrust that blasted cane at Sam. “Lady Jillian.” Danby straightened. “Nobody in that family is worthy of a Whitton.” With that he turned on his heel and marched out of the room.
“Bloody bastard,” Nate mumbled quietly.
Sam focused on his twin. “Isabella Valentine?” Was he aware of their family secrets, and was it his place to warn his brother?
“You concern yourself with Lady Jillian, and I’ll concern myself with Isabella.” He glanced back to the entry where their great-uncle had exited. “And Danby can concern himself with others.”
Her ankle was fine and without the least bit of tenderness, yet her father had not allowed her to leave the house. The injury was a week ago, and she was fully capable of going to entertainments. Further, she needed to attend functions. How else was she to see Samuel again?
With each day that passed, Jillian became more anxious. Samuel had admitted to caring for her, but was he still of the same mind and heart? He’d had a week to think about everything she’d said. What if he realized how horrible she truly was and didn’t wish to see her again?
That was her biggest fear, and with each day that passed, Jillian became more convinced that the next time she saw Samuel Storm he would cut her direct.
“I believe you could use a drive in the park,” Henry said as he came into the sitting room.
“Please.” Jillian stood. “Just let me get my hat.”
Henry nodded.
As soon as she reached the upper level, Jillian did not go straight to her room, but searched for Agnes, who was nowhere to be found. Blast. She needed to tell her where she was going. If Samuel didn’t show, then she’d know he had a change of heart.
Her maid was dusting her chamber when she entered. “I need to speak with Agnes. Where might she be?”
The maid bit her upper lip and lowered her eyes. “I believe her sister came to call again, which she has done daily. They are in the kitchens.”
Hope surged in Jillian’s heart. Samuel still wanted to know where she’d be.
“Oh, I see.” Then she turned toward the armoire. “My brother has come by to take me for a drive in the park.”
“Do you need my assistance, Lady Jillian?”
She shook her head wondering how she could get a message to Agnes.
“Then I believe I will go to the kitchens for a spot of tea, if you don’t mind.” Her cheeks pinkened, and there was a small smile on her lips. “I’ll be sure to let Agnes know you were looking for her but that you’ve gone to the park.”
“Thank you.” How many of the servants knew she was meeting Mr. Storm in secret?
She was almost afraid to find out because the more who knew, the easier it would be for her father to find out.
“You haven’t left the house since the picnic,” Henry said as he pulled his phaeton into traffic. “Is that Father’s dictate or your decision?”
“Father’s,” Jillian sighed. “At first it was my ankle, then he decided I did not yet need to return to Society.”
“If he wants you to marry, shouldn’t he allow you out of the house?”
Jillian shrugged. “I’ll be attending the Lo Sbaglio Fortunato on Saturday, but he’s mentioned no other entertainments.
“He’s also informed me I’d be attending the opera,” Henry complained. “I hate operas.”
“It’s better than sitting at home, reading or stitching. It’s not like I receive visitors.”
“I didn’t realize it was so bad.” Henry turned the phaeton into Hyde Park. “Would it help if I took you driving each day until Father finally allows you to go somewhere else?”
Excitement bubbled in her chest. “Would you?”
He smiled down. “Of course. How else is Storm going to court you if you never leave the townhouse? I
’m very much aware of his interest in you and fully support his courtship.”
“To what purpose?” she asked as dejection settled inside her once again. “Father would never allow it.”
“Any gentleman who would risk the wrath of Father deserves a chance at making you happy.” He grasped her hand. “You do deserve to be happy, Jillian.”
She wasn’t certain she agreed with him, but she had to try.
As they drove further into the park, Jillian looked for Samuel, and her heart sank.
He wasn’t there.
She tried to tell herself that Samuel hadn’t received the message, but was afraid that he had and decided not to join her. Maybe Agnes’ sister had been visiting so Samuel would know what places to avoid instead of wanting to find her.
“Perhaps we should just return home,” she finally said
“We just arrived.”
Jillian glanced down. “I’d hoped to see Mr. Storm, but I should have known better.” Jillian worried her hands together. “I told him.”
“Told him what?”
“Everything. About Felding, but leaving out the blackmail. About Hopkins and why there were portraits.”
Henry sobered and nodded. “What did he say?”
She blinked away tears of disappointment. “That he cared for me.”
“And you no longer believe him?”
“I think he’s had time to reconsider what kind of person I am and decided he no longer wishes to associate with me.”
“Then why did he just drive into the park with his sisters?”
Jillian glanced, afraid her brother was mistaken. But Samuel was there, with his three younger sisters. “He came,” she whispered.
CHAPTER 17
The moment Samuel spotted her, his pulse increased. As soon as Meg burst into the library to tell him that Lady Jillian was going to the park with her brother, he quickly gathered his sisters to accompany him. He couldn’t very well ride through the park on his own. Well, that wasn’t exactly true. He could, but he’d be subjected to matchmaking mothers or be stuck talking to those he didn’t wish to talk to.