Jane smiled that lovely smile that made his stomach do flips. “He will most certainly enjoy it.” She became quiet and it was deafening when coupled with that sadness that crossed her face. How he wished to know what disturbed her so.
“I will see that the carriage is waiting for you in the morning,” he said.
She hesitated for a moment and then said, “Michael, I need no such luxuries. I can walk; I am accustomed to doing so, and it is not far.”
He did not understand her desire to reject what he offered her. All he wished was to provide the comforts of his station, from a relaxing carriage ride to the purchasing of a new dress and gown. Yet, she continued to show reluctance at accepting them. “Please, I do not like the thought of you walking. It is far enough away that, by walking, you take away some of the time you could spend with your cousin.” He took a step closer to her. “Please, you must accept.”
Again she hesitated but finally whispered her agreement. Her gaze was on the floor, and he lifted her chin so he could look down at her lovely features.
“I do have one thing I would like to talk to you about,” he said as he searched those gray eyes. “Something that is important to me.”
“Of course,” came her breathy reply. “I am happy to listen and help if I am able.”
He smiled down at her and took her hands in his. She did not resist, for which he was pleased. “In just three weeks’ time, this room will be filled with people, some, I must admit, I will be happy to see again. Once the last person leaves, only Samuel, you, and I will remain once again. However, we cannot return to what we once were.”
Jane gave him a quizzical look. “I do not understand.”
“Since you have come into my life, I have never been happier. You know what you have done for me, so here is what I suggest. There is a cottage on this land that I believe would be to your liking.”
“You wish me to leave my position?” she asked with a gasp.
“No. Continue to instruct Samuel,” he replied. Then he cleared his throat to remove the huskiness that filled his voice. “Allow me to court you as a gentleman should.”
He waited for a sign of the happiness he had expected to see on her face, but when it did not appear, worry set in. Perhaps he had scared the woman or had been too forward. “I realize what I ask is unconventional, but courting a woman who resides in my home would not be appropriate. I simply ask you to give me the chance to court you as a man would court a woman, and this was the only option that was sensible.”
“Michael, what you have offered me is sweet, but I doubt I would be able to afford to pay for such extravagance.”
If this was the cause of her worry, then he had nothing to fear. “I will not ask for rent,” he said with a smile. “What I offer you is no different than what I offer you here—that is, room and board. Only rather than having a room within the manor, you will live in a cottage. At the moment, it sits vacant with only a maid who goes out to keep it up. She will continue to do so, even after you have taken up residence.” He pulled her hand to his lips and placed a kiss on her knuckles. “Please, allow me the honor of courting you properly and not in hiding.”
She glanced down at the floor for a moment, as if considering his words. Then she looked back up at him. “Will you allow me time to consider your offer?”
He nodded. “Of course.” Although his voice sounded certain, inside he worried. He had expected her to be joyful in her acceptance, yet that hesitancy was still there.
“I shall retire to my room then,” she said as she pulled her hands from his. “I hope your day with Samuel is enjoyable tomorrow.” Without waiting for him to reply, she turned and walked out of the room.
Michael knew he would need patience and understanding, for women tended to be strange creatures. His only hope was that whatever he needed to do to make her his for now and for always, he would be able to do it.
***
As the carriage made its way around the drive, Michael gave a slight shake to his head, Samuel silent as his side as they watched the vehicle pick up speed and disappear from sight. Although apprehension still plagued him as he wondered about Jane’s thoughts concerning his proposal, he had other concerns on which to focus, the most pressing his outing with his son.
The reasoning behind taking Samuel riding was not only to allow him the opportunity to spend time with the boy, but also to show him the expanse of the lands that one day would be his. He had spent so much of his time closed up within himself, that Samuel had missed out on such experiences that were of such great importance to who he would become.
“I do wish Miss Harcourt was my mother,” Samuel said with a sigh.
Michael looked down at the boy with a smile as he pushed back the unruly wave of hair from his brow. “Is that so?”
“Yes, Father,” he replied, as if he was imparting great wisdom. “I asked her to be my mother, but she said she could not.”
Michael scrunched his brow. “Did she explain why it was not possible?” he asked as they headed to the stables.
Samuel nodded. “She said that one day you would meet a woman and fall in love with her. Then that woman would be my mother. But Father, I want Miss Harcourt as my mother, and you have already met her.”
This made Michael smile. Those same thoughts had come his way as of late, but it was not befitting to tell a boy of Samuel’s age his intentions, at least not yet. “Miss Harcourt is a very special woman,” Michael explained. “However, she is correct; I cannot marry a woman unless I love her, and then I will ask her to marry me. Once we are wed, she will become your mother.”
Samuel stopped and looked up at his father. “Do you not love Miss Harcourt?”
The boy’s innocence made Michael laugh. “I believe it is time for us to prepare for our ride. We can discuss this another time. What say you?”
Samuel sighed but then smiled when the stable boy brought the horses from the stables. “Very well, I can wait, but not too long.”
Michael chuckled. “Not too long,” he agreed as he took the reins from the stable boy. He did indeed have strong feelings for Jane, although if it was love, he was uncertain. He had felt the same emotion toward Elizabeth when they first began to court, and that had turned into a love so powerful, nothing could have stopped it. Well, except for the woman’s death, and even this his love for her was great.
However, there was no use speculating where he stood with Jane, for he had known that Elizabeth had a great affection for him from the start. If Jane lacked the same capacity to love him as Elizabeth had, then the chances of them developing a true romance could be low. However, if she accepted his proposal to move into the cottage, it would be a great indicator of her feelings for him.
Chapter Nineteen
Jane took a sip of the perfectly brewed tea and relished in the calming effect it had upon her mind. Anne sat across from her at the small table, an occasional grunt coming from the garden as David worked the soil, at times mumbling words that brought a blush to Jane’s cheeks.
“That man complains about everything,” Anne said with a shake to her head. “Complains about not being home, and then when he’s here, he complains about not working. So, I put him to work, and then he complains even more.”
Jane laughed as the man of discussion let out another expletive to make a sailor blush.
“Quiet it down, you!” Anne shouted without rising from her seat. “People will think a goat is giving birth!”
Jane covered her mouth in an attempt to hold back another burst of laughter and then wiped tears from her eyes from the effort.
“We should have some bit of peace, at least for the time being,” Anne said firmly.
“I find it quite humorous, to be honest,” Jane said. “Although, I see even when you tell him off how much you love him.”
Anne let out a sigh that held all pretense of some great incumbency. “‘Tis true,” she admitted. “Although, he snores so loudly he would scare off anyone who would come to do u
s harm. And he fancies himself a gentleman, which I tell you he is not. But I do love him.”
Jane hid a smile behind the rim of her teacup as Anne tapped her fingers on the tabletop. Jane knew that gesture all too well and braced herself for the barrage of questions that were likely to follow.
“Oh, fine,” Anne spat as if somehow put out. “There’s no spirits in that tea to get you to talk, so it’s best if you tell me what’s going on rather than me asking.”
Jane chuckled. She could never get anything past Anne. “Much has happened since I saw you last,” she explained as she set her teacup on the table. “I am not sure where to begin.”
“Just tell me what’s on your mind, Love,” Anne said as she placed a hand on Jane’s. “You know you can tell me anything.”
Jane smiled. “I do.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I allowed him to kiss me.”
Tea sloshed over the edge of the teacup as Anne set it down in front of her, her jaw dropping open. “The Duke of Fire?”
Jane clicked her tongue. “I do wish you would not call him that,” she admonished. “But yes, I allowed the Duke to kiss me, and it was the most wonderful feeling in the world.” She sighed again. “I have grown quite fond of him, for I have seen the kind soul he hides within him. He is nothing like the rumors say; although there are a few things that have begun to bother me. Then there is his proposal…”
“Proposal?” Anne said. “He asked you to marry him?” She fairly shouted the words, making Jane cringe.
David’s voice came through the window. “Who’s getting married?” he asked.
“Our mother’s cousin’s sister,” Anne yelled back. “Now, mind your own business.” Then she turned back to Jane. “As you were saying, Love.” Jane was thankful her voice had returned to a normal volume.
“No, it was not a proposal of marriage,” Jane said. “Although he asked me to move into a cottage on his land…”
“A kept woman?” Anne gasped in horror.
“Of course not,” Jane said in exasperation. “If you would allow me to finish a sentence, you would have the entire story.”
Anne raised an eyebrow at her. “Go on,” she said with a theatrical wave of her hand.
“As I was saying, he wishes that I move into the cottage so he can properly court me.”
“Then that is a good thing, isn’t it?” Anne asked, now clearly impressed.
Jane sighed. “Perhaps. What concerns me is about that which you and another woman have warned me.” When Anne gave her an expectant look, she continued. “First, he offered me jewelry, which I refused. Then he insisted that I buy new dresses, which I did. Now, all this talk of moving into my own cottage, courting…I worry that what he wants is to get me into his bed. I have seen this before, and yet I do not feel his motives are the same as what I endured with, say, men such as Lord Clarkson.” She gave Anne a beseeching look. “Do you think I am blinded by my feelings for him?”
Anne sat quietly for a few moments before responding. Jane wondered if the woman would ridicule her for being a fool, but instead she replied, “My previous advice to you was meant to protect you, but I see now that it was not the best advice. You are not as naive as I once thought. I take it your feelings for this man have grown if you are even considering his offer?”
“Indeed. Very much so,” Jane responded with all honesty. “Being in his presence sends my heart into flutters, and when he takes my hand in his, I find it difficult to breathe. Yet, I cannot help but think that I am a servant, and he is a Duke. You, yourself, have said that such a match cannot be possible.”
Anne leaned back in her chair. “That I did,” she said with a sigh. “But perhaps I was wrong. Or is it that you are wrong?”
Jane shook her head. “I do not understand.”
“What I mean is this. Before, I gave you my warning about men that prey on women for their beauty. But now you say that what has developed between you and the Duke is different.”
Jane nodded. “I believe it is, or at least I want to believe it is.”
“Then you must confront him and ask him his true intentions,” Anne stated firmly. “If you do not, you can only guess what those intentions are, and you may never learn the truth. That is, until it’s too late.”
Her words sounded a wise counsel and what she said made sense. Perhaps she could speak with Michael and tell him exactly what was on her heart. Yet, as she considered this, a new question came to mind.
“How will I know he is telling me the truth?”
Anne stood and collected the teacups. “The same way you know how you feel about him. Your heart will tell you.”
Jane smiled as relief washed over her. Although she did not particularly care for the idea of questioning a man of his position, it was what needed to be done. Furthermore, as Anne had said, her heart would tell her what was truth. And the heart never lied.
***
The following night, filled with both worry and excitement, Jane walked through the doors of Wellesley Manor. Jenkins, the ever-attentive butler, smiled as he bowed his head toward her.
“How was your time at your cousin’s?” he asked.
“It was wonderful,” Jane replied before glancing down the hallway. “Do you know where I might find His Grace?”
“His Grace is in his library,” the man replied as he closed the door behind them.
Jane thanked him and removed her wrap as she made her way toward the library, her heart picking up an extra beat the closer she got. It was time to confront the man and ask him his exact intentions. Simply saying he would court her meant nothing, especially if he was planning to use and discard her. However, she would never allow this man, or any man, to treat her like some common object. She had never permitted it before, and she would not begin now regardless of any feelings she had for him.
When she opened the door—without knocking, she realized with horror, but she pushed the feeling away—and found Michael standing in front of the window, his broad back toward her. She entered silently, and she hoped she did not startle him as she walked up behind him.
“Your presence lights up any room into which you walk,” he said without turning from the window. “A feat that amazes me and yet makes me smile every time.” He turned to face her and his wide smile almost disarmed her.
She stopped just within arm’s length of him, recalling how shocked she had been the first time she had seen the scars on his face. Even today, just as she had back then, she found that face handsome despite its imperfections.
“You are too kind to me, Michael,” she said. “I do not deserve such praise.” Wishing to change the subject, she asked, “How was your time with Samuel?”
The joy on his face tripled. “It went very well. Samuel seemed to enjoy the outing as much as I.”
An awkward silence fell between them, and Jane found herself wondering how she would proceed. She had had the entire conversation mapped out in her mind, but his appreciatory comment had disarmed her.
Perhaps he sensed her discomfort, for he took a half-step toward her, which only increased her discomfiture that much more. Regardless, she had a task to complete, and even the musky smell of his nearness would not distract her from what needed to be done.
“Jane, I feel that a rift has grown between us,” Michael said in a sad tone. “I must admit that I am confused. What have I done to offend you?”
Jane shook her head. “You have not offended me,” she replied. “It is just that…I need to ask you a question, and I do not wish to make you angry.”
He lifted her chin so she was forced to look him in the eyes. “You can never make me angry. Please, ask me anything.”
Having him so near brought about a sense of disorientation, so she took a step back on the pretense of smoothing her skirts. She walked over to a chair and placed her hand on its back. “The dresses were a beautiful gift,” she said once she was able to produce the words. “Yet I wonder if they are for your pleasure more than for mine.” A
tear rolled down her cheek, much to her chagrin, and she hurriedly brushed it away before he would be able to see it. “My heart tells me no, but I cannot help but think there is another motive.”
“There was a motive behind the dresses,” he said, suddenly behind her. She had not even heard him approach, and the feel of his breath on her neck was disconcerting. “I wished to bring you joy and place a smile on your face, for that is what you do for me each time I lay eyes upon you.”
She turned to face him, and he was so close that she instinctively leaned back against the chair. “The cottage?” she asked in a breathless questioning. “What are your intentions there?” The air had become heated around them, and she had to grasp her skirts to keep herself from fanning a hand to cool her face.
“To court you properly as a lady should be courted,” he said, his voice a light rasp.
“I am no lady, Your Grace,” Jane whispered. “At best I am a high-ranking servant and thus do not deserve such treatment.”
“You are more than that,” he growled. “I care for you deeply. My intentions are pure.”
Then she found herself wrapped in his embrace, his lips pressed against hers in a fervent kiss that sent bolts through her body and made her legs grow weak. All worry washed away. It did not matter what Catherine and Anne said, nor what rumors abounded. Had she truly considered those tales, she would have learned that lesson with his recounting of the sad passing of the man’s wife. Her heart told her that his words were true, and she knew that she could no longer doubt the man, nor his intentions, ever again.
When the kiss ended, she looked up at his handsome face. “I am sorry for asking such questions,” she said. “I know you would not deceive me, so I pray you will forgive me for questioning your motives. I know now that you are telling the truth.”
“How do you know?” he asked, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
“For I care for you,” she replied. “It is unlike anything I have ever felt before.”
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