The Unlikely Lady (Playful Brides #3)(51)
Jane tugged at a dark curl that had fallen over her shoulder, and Garrett had to resist the urge to reach out and stroke it too. “They did indeed,” she replied. “That’s why it was so much better after I remained at home. I only had to endure their teasing when I went out with Mama or at church on Sundays.”
Garrett lurched in his chair and planted both boots on the floor. “They made sport of you at church?”
“Oh, my, yes. At every opportunity. Being a portly child is a grievous sin.”
“No it’s not, Jane.” His voice was low. He met her gaze.
She glanced away and laughed a shaky laugh. “Tell that to those children. I suppose they’re all hideous adults now. I see some of them from time to time and I want to hide from them.”
“Still?” The rough edge to his voice remained.
“Yes. You know what the worst part is?” she asked with a wry smile.
“What?”
She scrunched up her nose. “The truth is it makes me want to eat even more teacake.”
Without thinking, he reached out and squeezed her hand. “Those children were wrong, Jane. You are even more lovely than the lilacs.”
Her breath hitched a bit and she slowly pulled her shaking hand away and placed it on her lap. “Yes, well, that’s why books have always been my closest friends. They never tease you, they’re always there for you, and they couldn’t care less how many teacakes you have gobbled.”
He looked at the flowers where they rested on the white coverlet. “I should have brought you teacake instead of lilacs.”
She laughed. “It’s probably best that you did not.” She waved a hand in the air. “Enough about me and my sad past. Speaking of hideous adults, has Mrs. Langford asked about me?”
He shook his head. “Only to inquire as to whether you’d be able to attend the wedding. I assured her you would.”
“I’m certain she’s delighted.” Ah, Jane’s sarcasm had returned full force.
“I truly wish she hadn’t come here,” Garrett murmured.
Jane met his gaze with her own steady one. “I think she sees me as competition for you. You say she’s not your mistress, but what exactly is she to you, Garrett?”
He expelled his breath. Hearing his name on her lips did something unexpected to his insides, but how had this conversation taken this turn? “It’s complicated.”
Jane nodded softly. “But it’s not … intimate?”
“No, nothing like that. She’s Harold’s widow.”
“It seems she would like to be more,” Jane replied. “Do you want more too?”
Was that regret in her voice? Or was he merely reading that into it? “No. I’ve been sending her— I feel a responsibility toward Harold. That’s all.”
Jane nodded. “I see. So you’ve been kind to her, and she’s interpreted that as opening the door to a courtship.”
“I don’t believe I’ve done anything to lead her on, to allow her to hope … The widows of deceased soldiers have been treated poorly by the government. That’s why I’m in support of Swifdon’s new bill.”
“A noble cause to be sure,” Jane murmured. Once again, she looked him directly in the eye. “What happened over there, Garrett? Were you with Harold Langford when he died?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Garrett hadn’t answered. He’d said something vague about war being hell and promptly left the room. But Jane was certain Garrett knew more about Harold Langford’s death than he wanted to say, something that tied him to Harold’s widow.
Frankly, Jane had her suspicions about the widow when it came to the accident. She’d seen Mrs. Langford’s footman in the stables and wondered if he’d done anything to tamper with her saddle. Tampering with a saddle and then challenging your opponent to a race? A bit predictable, was it not? Of course there was no way to prove it without accusing Mrs. Langford outright. Perhaps that was what Jane deserved for being so quick to race that woman. She shouldn’t have trusted her for a moment. She wouldn’t make that mistake again.
Jane rang for Eloise to help her put the lilacs in water. Then she settled back against the pillows to continue reading her book. She didn’t have much more time to enjoy the peace and quiet. Mama would be here this afternoon. Jane could only hope the Mrs. Bunbury plan would work. As for the idea of starting a scandal, she was beginning to realize how dangerous that particular plan had been. She’d do well to stay far away from scandal until the house party ended.
*
Thankfully, by the late afternoon, Jane was able to walk on her ankle again. It was still a bit tender and she had to rest it more than she would have liked, but she was no longer confined to bed.
After the hunt, the wedding guests began to arrive. Along with Jane’s parents, Lucy’s parents, Lord and Lady Upbridge, came. Garrett’s mother, Lucy’s Aunt Mary, bustled in, hugging everyone and declaring that Cass had never looked more lovely. Derek’s brothers, Adam and Collin Hunt, arrived as well, and so did Lord Berkeley, one of Garrett’s good friends from school whom they had all met in Bath the previous summer.
The wedding was to be held the next morning and the festivities would last well into the night. Jane was torn. Part of her was relieved that the house party would soon be over and she could go back to reading her books and ensuring that Mrs. Cat and her kittens had enough to eat. But another part of her … a part she didn’t want to fully admit to, was a bit melancholy over the thought of leaving the party, and Garrett.