by Beers, Laura
“Do you suppose we will have a wedding shortly?”
Jane lowered the book to her lap. “Truly, Mother?”
The woman gave her an innocent look. “I hadn’t realized you were listening to our conversation.”
“What else can I listen to?” she asked. “You have been speaking about Lord Brinton for quite some time now.”
“I just find it encouraging that he is coming to call soon.”
“We are only going on a ride through Hyde Park,” Jane said, “and we aren’t even going during the fashionable hour.”
Madalene spoke up across from her. “But you may be seen together, which no doubt will get the busybodies going.”
“That may be true,” Jane admitted reluctantly.
“Well, I, for one, think that Lord Brinton is an excellent choice as a suitor,” her mother said.
Jane knew she was going to regret this question, but she asked it anyway. “And why is that?”
“I am dear friends with his mother, and you have known each other since your youth,” her mother pointed out.
“We are just friends,” Jane asserted, “and I have no intention of accepting his courtship.”
Emmeline smiled. “Oliver and I started out as friends, as well.”
“Our situation is entirely different from yours,” Jane pressed.
“Perhaps,” Emmeline said as she reached for her teacup on the table. “But you must not dismiss Lord Brinton so quickly.”
Jane lifted her brow. “Why?”
“Because sometimes love comes in the most unexpected circumstances,” Emmeline remarked, her smile still intact.
“Lord Brinton and I do not love each other, and it is ludicrous to even imply that we do.”
Madalene gave her a knowing look. “Just promise us that you will at least open yourself up to love.”
“I will,” Jane replied, “but it won’t change the fact that I consider Lord Brinton a friend, and nothing more.”
Her mother shifted to face her. “What are your reservations towards Lord Brinton?”
Jane shook her head. “I do not wish to continue this conversation.”
“Whyever not?” her mother pressed.
Jane placed the book next to her on the settee. “May we please discuss something else?” she asked. “The weather, perhaps?”
Madalene laughed. “I daresay we may have pushed Jane too far.”
Fortunately, Pratt walked into the room and met Jane’s gaze. “Lord Brinton is here to call upon you, milady,” he announced. “May I show him in?”
Jane rose and smoothed out her pale pink gown. “Yes, please show him in.” She turned her attention to the group. “I want you all to behave.”
Before they could respond, Percy walked into the room wearing a blue jacket, a maroon waistcoat, and buff trousers. He had an infectious smile on his face, which caused her to smile in response.
She dropped into a curtsy. “Lord Brinton,” she greeted. “It is a pleasure to see you.”
He stopped a short distance from her and bowed. “Enchanted, Lady Jane.” He then turned to the other ladies and greeted them politely.
“Shall we depart?” Jane asked.
Percy lifted his brow, but thankfully didn’t comment. “The carriage awaits, my lady,” he said, offering his arm.
As they walked out of the drawing room, Jane leaned closer and whispered, “You must think me terribly forward, but I fear that my family might make me go mad.”
He chuckled. “Surely it can’t be that bad.”
“I assure you, it is,” she replied.
Pratt met them at the front door and opened it wide. Percy led her towards a curricle and assisted her as she climbed in.
“Pray tell, what was so terrible that you wanted to flee from your own family?” Percy asked as they exited the gate.
“They were discussing my future,” she responded vaguely.
“I see,” Percy replied. “That can be a rather difficult conversation to have, with anyone.”
“True,” Jane agreed. “My mother can’t seem to understand that I am happy being alone.”
“Are you happy?”
“I am.”
Percy gave her an approving nod. “That’s good. One’s worth should not be dependent on another.”
“Well said, Percy.”
“I enjoy hearing my name on your lips,” he remarked, glancing over at her.
“It is just a name,” she contended.
“Have you had a chance to consider my offer?”
She clasped her hands in her lap. “I have, and I think it would be best if we remained friends.”
“Ah,” he replied. “I see it will be much more difficult than I anticipated to win you over, but it will be worth it in the end.”
“I don’t wish to be won over.”
Percy smirked. “We shall see.”
“You are an infuriating man,” Jane said, but there was no anger behind her words. She found she rather enjoyed bantering with Percy.
“I want to show you my favorite place in all of Hyde Park,” Percy said. “It is a little off the main path, but I assure you that it is worth it.”
“You have piqued my interest.”
“That was my intention,” he replied.
Jane shifted on the bench to face him. “How is your mother faring?”
“Much better.” Percy adjusted the reins in his hand. “I was pleased that I was able to convince her to come to Town for the Season, and we have sought out the best doctors for her care.”
“Has she been enjoying herself?”
“She has,” he said, “but she speaks of my father constantly. I’m afraid she misses him dreadfully.”
“Your mother must have loved your father very much.”
With a nod, Percy replied, “She did. They were a love match.”
“How wonderful.”
“I aspire to have a relationship similar to my parents,” Percy revealed.
Jane smiled at him. “That is admirable.”
“Were your parents a love match?”
“They were,” she said. “My mother also mourned the loss of my father deeply, as did all of us.”
Percy pulled back on the reins and the curricle came to a stop on the path. “We are here,” he said.
Her eyes scanned the woodlands, and she admired the bright flowers growing along the well-traveled footpaths. “What makes this place so special?” she asked.
“This is where my father used to take me when we would go on our morning rides,” Percy shared, growing reflective. “They are hard to see, but there are benches along these paths. We used to sit down and discuss whatever came to our minds.”
“That sounds perfect.”
“It was,” he said with a sad smile. “I miss those carefree days.”
“Perhaps we could bring a chaperone with us next time and walk in these woods together,” she suggested.
His smile grew genuine. “I would really enjoy that.”
As her eyes roamed the woodlands, she saw two people sitting on a bench set back from the path, and one of them looked remarkably like Lord Evan. Dear heavens, what was wrong with her? Why couldn’t she seem to stop thinking about Lord Evan?
“Did you hear me, Jane?”
She brought her gaze back to meet Percy’s. “I’m afraid I was woolgathering.”
He gave her an understanding smile. “I was just asking about your father.”
“What do you wish to know?”
“I know you and your father were close,” he started. “How have you been since his passing?”
Touched by the compassion in his voice, she replied, “I must admit that I have struggled. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t miss him.”
“I feel the same way about my father.” A wistful smile came to his face. “I remember the time when your father suggested you go hunting with us.”
Jane laughed. “Your poor father had the most stunned look on his face.”
“I’m afraid it had never occurred to my father that a woman would want to go hunting.” Percy chuckled. “But you are not like most women.”
“No, I am not,” she agreed. “Which greatly irks my mother and brothers.”
“I can’t imagine that to be the case since I believe you to be a delight.”
Jane grinned. “You are resorting to flattery now?” she teased. “I had expected better from you.”
With an unapologetic shrug, he replied, “I had to at least try. Besides, I am only speaking the truth.”
Jane had yet to respond when she heard a pistol cocking, followed by the words, “Do as I say, or I will kill you.”
She turned her attention towards the short, stocky man with a shabby beard beside the curricle, his pistol aimed at her. His clothes were tattered, and his boots had holes along the top.
“Get down from the coach,” he ordered.
Percy spoke up from next to her. “We don’t want any trouble,” he said frantically. “What is it that you want?
“I’m not talking to you,” the man barked before spitting on the ground. “I’m just here for the girl.”
“Take me instead,” Percy attempted. “I am worth far more than some silly girl.”
The man waved the pistol in front of him. “I don’t want you,” he said firmly, bringing his gaze back to Jane. “Now, get down, or I will drag you off myself.”
Jane hesitantly exited the curricle, and the man grabbed her arm, jerking her towards him. He pointed his pistol towards her head and shouted up at Percy, “If you follow us, I will kill her!”
Percy put his hands up, his face growing increasingly pale.
Her abductor lowered the pistol and forcefully led her deeper into the woodlands. “Just behave, and I won’t have a reason to kill you,” he ordered.
“Why are you doing this?” she asked.
“I have my reasons.”
Jane tripped on a fallen tree branch, and the man swore under his breath. “Worthless girl,” he muttered, helping her up.
She heard the sound of another pistol cocking from behind her, and the man grew still. He turned back around, keeping his hand firmly on her arm.
To her surprise, Lord Evan stood there next to a burly man, and both of them had their pistols drawn.
Lord Evan met her gaze and offered her a brief smile, as if letting her know that everything was going to be all right.
“What do you want?” her abductor demanded.
“I’m afraid I can’t let you take this particular lady,” Lord Evan said. His manner was casual, but there was a sternness in his voice that indicated he was not to be trifled with.
The man squeezed her arm tighter. “Why does it matter to you?”
“I’m afraid I am rather fond of her,” Lord Evan replied.
“Clear off.”
“If you let Lady Jane go, then I will think about letting you live,” Lord Evan said.
Her abductor chuckled dryly. “You are not in a position to negotiate.”
“I think I am,” Lord Evan stated. “There are two of us, and there is only one of you.”
The man’s eyes darted between the two men, his smug smile dimming. “What if I give you a cut of what I got paid?” he asked.
Lord Evan glanced over at the burly man. “Should we accept his offer?”
The burly man shook his head. “I think not.”
“I am inclined to agree with you,” Lord Evan replied.
“What do you want, then?” the man asked, his voice taking on a nervous edge.
Lord Evan’s voice was firm. “Hand over the woman, or you will die.”
Her abductor moved Jane in front of him. “I don’t think so,” he responded. “If you try to shoot me, then you will kill the girl.”
“I should warn you that I don’t miss,” Lord Evan remarked. The way he spoke, she knew he was in earnest.
Jane could feel the man tense behind her. “And I don’t want to go to jail.”
The burly man spoke up. “It’s too late for that. I’m a Bow Street Runner, and I’m afraid I witnessed you abducting this young woman.”
“If I release the girl, will you let me go free?” her abductor asked.
The Bow Street Runner shook his head. “I’m afraid I can’t allow that, but jail is better than being killed by this man,” he remarked, gesturing at Lord Evan.
“He won’t kill me,” the man replied confidently.
Lord Evan’s eyes grew intense and his voice was devoid of any emotion. “I want you to listen very carefully to me. I will count to five, and if you haven’t released Lady Jane by then, I will kill you where you stand.”
Before he even started counting, the man dropped Jane’s arm and ran deeper into the woodlands. The Bow Street Runner took off after him, and Lord Evan cautiously approached, coming to a stop in front of her.
“Are you all right?” he asked, the concern evident on his features.
Jane took her hand and ran it along her reddened arm. “I am,” she replied. “Thank you for what you did.”
“That man was a coward, and I’m thankful I didn’t have to kill him.”
“As am I.”
Lord Evan lifted his hand as if to comfort her but dropped it to his side. “We should get you home,” he said.
“I would appreciate that.” She turned her attention to where she last left Percy, but she saw that his curricle was gone. “I came to Hyde Park with Lord Brinton, but he seems to have left.”
Lord Evan offered his arm. “I shall escort you home, Jane,” he said. “You are safe now and I can promise that no one will harm you.”
“Thank you,” Jane replied as she took his arm.
“You’re welcome,” he said.
As he led her towards his coach, Jane found herself leaning into Lord Evan for support. She couldn’t understand why someone would want to abduct her.
Chapter Ten
After he assisted Jane into the coach, Corbyn sat across from her, immensely relieved that she was safe. He had been conversing with Mr. Stewart when he witnessed Jane being abducted, and they watched as the man led her further into the woodlands.
His first impulse was to kill the man and retrieve Jane immediately, but Mr. Stewart had convinced him to speak to the abductor first. But the mere thought of that man abusing Jane in any way caused him to want to act irrationally. Which was unlike him; he was usually meticulous about how he handled things.
Jane’s voice broke through his musings. “Why would anyone wish to abduct me?”
“For many reasons,” Corbyn replied.
“Such as?”
“The person could have tried to ransom you or sell you to a merchant who would put you on a ship bound for India,” he explained.
“That is horrible,” she muttered.
“Sadly, it is a plight too many women are forced to deal with, especially in the rookeries, where very few would notice their absence.”
Jane glanced down at her clasped hands in her lap. “Thank you for saving me.”
He smiled at her. “You don’t need to keep thanking me.”
“But I do,” she pressed. “You’ve saved me twice now.”
“I’m not keeping track.”
“I am.”
“I don’t want harm to ever befall you. You must know that.”
She nodded. “I do.”
“I’m glad.”
Jane pressed her lips together for a moment. “It was most fortunate for me that you were meeting with a Bow Street Runner.”
“Yes, it was.”
“May I ask why you were meeting with a Bow Street Runner in Hyde Park?” she asked with a curious glance.
“Where else would I speak to a Bow Street Runner?” Corbyn joked. “Perhaps we should have met for some lemon ice at Gunter’s.”
Jane smiled, as he hoped she would.
“But to answer your question,” he started, “I was looking into hiring a Bow Street Runner because one of my household staff i
s stealing from me.”
“That is most unfortunate.”
“It is.” He felt the slightest twinge of guilt for lying to her, but he knew he had no choice. He couldn’t explain his true reason for meeting with a Bow Street Runner.
Jane shifted her gaze towards the window and wrinkled her nose. “That man smelled awful.”
“He did?”
“He smelled like he had just come from the rookeries.”
“That bad?”
She bobbed her head but didn’t say anything else.
Corbyn decided it might be best if they spoke about something else. “I couldn’t help but notice that you appeared to be enjoying yourself with Lord Brinton before that man attempted to abduct you.” His words sounded forced to his own ears.
“Yes, I suppose I was,” she replied, bringing her gaze back to meet his.
He clenched his jaw at her admission. “Are you of a mind to enter a courtship with him?” he asked begrudgingly.
“He’s asked me.”
“He has?”
She offered him a timid smile. “But I have turned him down; multiple times, in fact.”
“May I ask why?”
“I don’t love him,” she admitted softly.
“Then I am glad you turned him down.”
Jane’s smile grew playful. “My mother would disagree with you,” she replied. “She is planning the wedding luncheon as we speak.”
“I am sure your mother would understand your reasons.”
“I hope so, but sometimes I feel like a grand disappointment to her.”
“Why do you say that?” Corbyn asked, baffled.
“I know she wants me to marry, but I find myself in no rush to do so,” she admitted.
“There is no shame in that.”
Jane grew silent for a long moment, then said, “My father’s death changed me.”
“In what way?”
“I am no longer a carefree girl. I was forced to grow up and help take care of my mother.”
“That is admirable.”
“After Baldwin left, I even helped with managing the properties and investments.”
“That is an impressive feat.”
“At first, our man of business refused my assistance, but then he quickly realized that I could prove useful,” she proudly shared.