10. Questioning a Betrothal
CHAPTER 10
QUESTIONING A BETROTHAL
M eanwhile, at Hotel Aiolos
“Thank you for the tour,” Jane said as she curtsied to Marcus. She had already folded her parasol and retrieved the picnic basket from him, rather thankful he had offered to carry it down from the Acropolis.
Antonio had been oblivious to her struggle at managing her gown on the marble steps and the steep decline from the Acropolis. Marcus had been such a gentleman to offer his arm and the occasional warning should the ground be uneven or strewn with something over which she might trip.
“I look forward to hosting you for dinner this evening,” Marcus said. “The hotel assured me they will have a carriage to take you to Vouros Mansion at six of the clock.” He gave the picnic basket to the hotel clerk.
“So kind of you to have arranged it,” she said, watching him as he took her gloved hand to his lips. She inhaled softly when he didn’t merely brush his lips over the fabric but actually bestowed a kiss on the back of her knuckles. “Until then,” she said.
“Until then,” he replied, his gaze lingering on her perhaps a moment too long before he took his leave of the hotel lobby.
She and Antonio watched until Marcus was out of sight before making their way to their second-story rooms. After the day spent out in the sun, Jane was relieved to be in the cool confines of the hotel.
“I couldn’t help but notice Marcus’ regard for you,” Antonio said before he opened her door. He glanced in to ensure no one was in the room before stepping aside to allow her entry.
Jane swept into the room and immediately fanned her face with a gloved hand. “I find that difficult to believe,” she countered. “You practically ignored me all day long,” she accused.
Antonio displayed a grimace. “When one has a sister as pretty as you, I hardly need to add my eyes to the gazing party,” he murmured on a huff.
Gasping softly, Jane asked, “What does that mean?”
Antonio waved to a chair. She nodded and moved to sit on the edge of the bed while he took the chair, sprawling so his long legs were stretched out before him. “Your beauty attracts a great deal of attention?—”
“I cannot help that,” she said.
“—no matter where we go,” he continued. “But Marcus...” He crossed his arms and audibly sighed.
“What about Marcus?” she asked softly. Usually she didn’t care what men thought of her, but for some reason, she wished to learn what Antonio knew.
How he knew it. She had been with Antonio the entire day. He and Marcus hadn’t spent a moment together in private. She was sure she had heard everything the two had said to one another.
Antonio rested his head on the back of the chair and allowed a sigh. “He is... smitten with you.”
Jane inhaled softly. “Did he tell you that?”
“He wrote of it, yes.”
Blinking at hearing his words, Jane fell back onto the bed, her legs left dangling over the edge. Despite having shaken out her skirts before entering the hotel, she had a thought the hem would leave dust on the counterpane. At that moment, she didn’t care.
Marcus had written to her brother. About her.
“When?” she asked, suddenly sitting up again.
Her brother furrowed his dark brows. “Last year. Shortly after he met you at one of the balls we attended.”
Why couldn’t her brother be more forthcoming with his information? And why was she just now learning of the young man’s regard for her? “What exactly did he write?”
Antonio leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “He was smitten with you. Asked why I had never mentioned having such a gorgeous creature for a sister.”
“Creature?” she repeated, obviously not impressed by the term as it applied to a young woman.
Once again, Antonio chuckled. “Well, you are,” he accused. “When I mentioned you were betrothed to Penton, I couldn’t help but notice the look on his face.”
“Oh?” she prompted.
“The Green Monster appeared, I’m sure of it,” he claimed.
“He was jealous?” she asked in awe.
“Angry, too, I think, especially when Penton joined us and then kissed you on the cheek.” He rubbed a hand over his face and scoffed at seeing the evidence of his perspiration mixed with dirt. He took a handkerchief from his waistcoat pocket and wiped his face. “Did you know he was in Athens?”
Jane shook her head. “I only knew he had left England on his Grand Tour last year. He’s not one to keep up with his correspondence,” she replied, “but then, I haven’t exactly written to him very often, either.”
“But... you are betrothed to him.” He didn’t make it a question.
“Of course,” she replied. “In... in a manner of speaking.”
It was Antonio’s turn to straighten, and he stared at his sister with a look of confusion. “What does that mean?”
Jane allowed a wince. “Only that, well, I accepted his offer of marriage as a sort of... well, a betrothal of convenience, I suppose one could say,” she stammered.
Antonio blinked. “Penton gave you a ruby ,” he said, emphasizing the gemstone since it was the most valuable of all the stones found in jewelry these days.
Glancing down at her left hand, Jane wiggled her fingers and grinned. “He did,” she agreed. She quickly sobered when she saw her brother’s expression.
“You either are or you are not betrothed,” he stated.
She lifted her chin in defiance. “I am. Although I have David’s blessing to accept another offer should I decide I’m not willing to wait five or more years for him.” She watched as Antonio’s expression slowly changed, as if he was finally realizing what she had done.
“You accepted a ring from an heir to a marquessate knowing you would beg off?”
“Of course not!” she nearly shouted. “I had every intention of marrying David when I accepted his offer,” she argued. “He was ever so wonderful to have even suggested a betrothal when he did.”
“Go on,” Antonio urged.
Jane swallowed. “He knew I was in distress. He could tell how uncomfortable I was with all the attention. All those suitors. The bouquets of flowers that kept showing up every day?—”
“I thought they made our townhouse smell rather nice,” her brother remarked.
She gave him a quelling glance. “His solution—that I accept his offer as a means to ward off any other suitors—has worked rather well, don’t you think?”
Antonio shook his head, although he finally said, “I guess it has. But you said only moments ago you had every intention of marrying him.”
“Because I did,” she assured him.
“ Did . Not will ?” he countered.
Allowing a long sigh, Jane finally nodded. “I... thought I could wait for him,” she murmured. “Five-and-twenty wouldn’t be too late to begin having children,” she reasoned, although she couldn’t help the wince that crossed her face.
“But?” he prompted.
“I want to have children now,” she admitted. “I want to live in the capital?—”
“Not Bath?” he asked, obviously surprised at hearing her mentioning London.
“Oh, Bath is a fine town, and although it offers much in the way of entertainments and comfortable living, I found I rather liked our time in London during my come-out. All the shops. The theatres. All those soirées and musicales we attended. I adored them.”
“I thought you hated those,” he claimed.
“I hated the attention from all the men,” she countered. “They way they looked at me? It was as if I was a delicious morsel they wished to eat.”
A strangled growl sounded from Anthony, and she noticed his face had suddenly reddened.
“What?”
He closed his eyes and swallowed. “I’m not about to explain it to you now, but you would be wise not to use that particular metaphor again.”
Jane dipped her head, deciding it better she not ask why. “My betrothal with David has succeeded in ensuring I’m no longer pursued by unwanted suitors,” she stated.
Antonio once again scoffed softly. “Indeed, but now that you know you want children—sooner rather than later—perhaps you and David need to reconsider your arrangement,” he suggested.
“Perhaps,” she agreed. “But whatever happens, please, don’t tell anyone,” she pleaded. “You’re the only one besides David who knows about our agreement, and I shouldn’t want word to spread that I am open to having my mind changed on the matter.”
From his initial expression, Jane worried her brother might not agree, but he finally capitulated. “All right,” he said. “But if a man decides to challenge Penton for your hand, I’m not going to interfere.”
Jane widened her eyes as she nearly grinned. “You mean a duel?” she asked, managing to sound less excited than she felt at the prospect. “I rather doubt that’s going to happen.” She glanced toward the window. “What time is it?”
Antonio glanced at this pocket watch. “Nearly four o’clock,” he replied.
“I best change for dinner. Will you order a bath for me?”
He nodded. “Yes, Sister,” he replied. “I’ll come for you in a couple of hours.”
“Where are you going?” she asked in alarm.
“To take a nap,” he said, displaying a grin.
For a moment, Jane wished she could do the same. But time soaking in a tub would be the next best thing.