The Unlikely Lady (Playful Brides #3)(71)

“Lord Berkeley! Of course, do come in,” Jane replied.

Lord Berkeley strode in with Garrett Upton behind him.

Jane sucked in her breath and concentrated on calming her pitter-pattering heart. She should have known Garrett would be with Berkeley. Garrett hadn’t looked at her. She stared down at her slippers.

“Lord Berkeley, Mr. Upton,” came Daphne’s bright voice. “It’s ever so good to see you. I didn’t realize you were at the theater tonight.”

“Upton, here, cannot resist a performance of Much Ado About Nothing,” Berkeley replied with a laugh. “As soon as I saw you two lovely ladies, I told him we had to come and greet you.”

“Funny.” Jane kept her eyes trained on Lord Berkeley. “I had the impression Much Ado About Nothing is Upton’s least favorite of Shakespeare’s plays.”

“No. That would be Romeo and Juliet,” Upton bit back.

“A close second then, is it not?” Jane replied with a tight smile.

Lord Berkeley waded into the deafening silence. “I rarely come to town, you know, and when I do, I always enjoy the theater.”

“Then you must come more often, my lord,” Daphne replied.

“As it is I don’t plan to stay the entire Season. I’m returning to Northumberland in a few weeks’ time and plan to spend the autumn and winter at my hunting lodge in Scotland.”

“That sounds dreadfully remote,” Jane said.

“And cold,” Daphne added.

“It is both,” Lord Berkeley agreed. “And that’s exactly why I enjoy it.”

“Lord Berkeley,” Daphne said. “I am just now about to go in search of Captain Cavendish. Have you seen him this evening?”

“I believe he’s in Lord Mountbank’s box.”

“Would you escort me there, please?”

Jane squeezed her reticule so tightly her fingers ached. Now Daphne wanted to leave? “Daphne, I don’t think—”

“You don’t mind keeping Mr. Upton company, do you, Jane? Whilst we visit Captain Cavendish? Please?” For a moment Jane wondered if she was helping Daphne or if Daphne was tricking her into spending time with Upton. At any rate, it would be beyond rude to say that she minded. Instead, she nodded tersely, sat back down, and faced the theater.

“Thank you for staying with Jane, Mr. Upton,” Daphne said with her usual friendly smile. “And for escorting me, Lord Berkeley.” The viscount held out his arm and Daphne wrapped her small one around it.

A moment later, the two had gone, and Jane was forced to concentrate on keeping her disobedient leg from shaking. She stared into the crowded theater completely unseeing.

“Do you mind if I sit?” came Upton’s even voice.

She turned her head slightly to the side but her gaze did not follow. “Not at all.”

“Thank you.”

Out of the corner of her eye, she watched as Garrett pushed up his black coattails and took the seat next to hers. She couldn’t turn to face him. What could they possibly say to each other? Discussing the weather seemed asinine, and discussing the play was covered territory. What else was there? Perhaps silence was the best policy. Apparently Upton didn’t agree.

“How is your ankle?”

“Recovered, thank you.”

“And your cat?”

“The cat is quite well. Her kittens too.”

“Glad to hear it.” She heard him take a deep breath. “I assume you were also told that we were duped?”

Jane didn’t take her gaze off the far wall. “Duped?”

“Yes, Claringdon informed me that while we were at the house party Cass told me that you fancied me while Lucy told you the same.”

Jane nodded once. “Yes, Lucy told me.”

Upton’s voice was unironic. “Seems I’ve finally fallen victim to my cousin’s penchant for trouble.”

“That’s a pretty way to say ‘lies.’”

“They were indeed lies.” He paused. “Are you angry with Lucy?”

“Lucy cannot help herself. Any more than you can.”

His head snapped to the side to face her. “What is that supposed to mean?”

Jane pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. Perhaps she shouldn’t have said that. She desperately needed to change the subject. She blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “Lucy tells me you intend to marry Isabella Langford.”

“Jane, I—”

“I think it’s for the best. I wish you both well.”

She took a shaky breath. She didn’t love him. He didn’t love her. So why did the thought of Garrett with Isabella make Jane sick to her stomach?

Thankfully, Daphne and Berkeley returned then. “Captain Cavendish sends his greetings, Jane,” Daphne said.

“I should have come with you,” Jane replied. Then I wouldn’t have had to sit here and have this excruciating conversation with Garrett.

“Ladies, what do you have planned for the remainder of the week?” Lord Berkeley asked.

“I intend to go shopping on Bond Street tomorrow,” Daphne announced. “But I cannot seem to convince Miss Lowndes to come with me.”

Jane laughed. “You cannot convince me because I’d rather have my eyes gouged out with hot pokers than go shopping. Unless a bookstore is involved, of course.”