Chapter Six
Janelle’s heart abruptly beat triple time.
Had her fiancé just been happy to call her a liar?
What exactly did he know? What did he think he knew?
But she couldn’t ask those things. Instead, she slowed her heart by using her best empty-headed miss expression.
She lifted her chin and tilted her head, then capped it off with a narrowing of her brows.
“I’m sorry?” she said. “I don’t understand.”
He chuckled and it was a warm sound even as his eyes narrowed in a subtle kind of warning. “Perhaps we should discuss what I expect of my wife.” He turned, holding out his arm to her so they could continue to stroll.
Part of her wanted to fight him. She wanted to demand exactly how he knew she was lying.
She wanted to defend her actions. But that would be to admit she lied, and so she did what she always did when faced with her own deception.
She smiled brilliantly and continued on as if the appearance of being an honest, honorable woman was enough to make it so.
“I am at your disposal,” she said, hating the exact meaning of that phrase. It made her sound like a pile of old clothes that he could use or discard at his whim. Which, of course, was exactly true.
He spoke congenially as they continued their stroll. His tone was matter-of-fact and yet so cutting to her self-esteem that she found it hard to keep her composure.
“I am an important man in the government,” he said without hubris.
“Several people will ask you questions, try to trap you into revealing my thoughts and plans. I expect you to be pleasant, charming, and completely blank, as if you haven’t the slightest thought in your head.
Exactly as you did just now.” He tapped her arm.
“But do try to control your breath better. Whatever happens, you should maintain an exactly even tempo. Should Lucifer himself appear before you, I expect your breath to remain at the same pace, as if you had just awoken from a pleasant sleep.”
“That is a tall order, my lord,” she said, working to keep her voice even.
“You can do it. I expect you’ve been practicing it since you were a young girl. Your father is not one to tolerate emotional displays, is he? Any type of independent thought or feeling had to be scrupulously hidden.”
What to say to that? Her father cared only that she appear in every way a lady. That meant polite behavior in public and absolute silence in private. Anything else was punished ruthlessly. Indeed, that was why she got very good at entertaining herself far away from her father.
As for emotional displays, Mrs. Sundy had stressed remaining calm when everyone else panicked. Her aspect must always be one of gentle reassurance. Indeed, the woman had her practice by calming frightened animals. If Janelle could get a barking dog to settle, then she could quiet an anxious mother.
“A lady is always serene,” she said softly, repeating a phrase written in a book about appropriate female behavior. It had been a gift from her aunt before her first season, and the basis on which she’d been judged since she was old enough to debut in society.
“My lady wife,” continued Lord Benedict, “will also not question my activities, wonder about my whereabouts, nor respond to any queries about my person.”
Gentleman always had a free hand with their lives. Unlike their wives. “I expect your work keeps you busy—”
“At all hours of the day and night.”
“Of course.”
“Similarly, I shall not question yours.”
She jolted. That was absolutely not what most men required of their wives. And while she stared at him in surprise, he frowned down at her.
“Breath, Miss Caddick. Keep it steady.”
She immediately inhaled and exhaled, smoothing her expression to one of bland happiness. “You…um…don’t wish to know my whereabouts? Ever?”
“I require you to be safe, circumspect, and chaste.”
She was mindful of her breath this time, for all that this was an extraordinary conversation. “My maidenhead is still intact, my lord, and I have never demonstrated loose morals.”
“I assumed as much, otherwise I would never have offered for you. However, I must point out that if Major Vance discovers a secret interest, others may as well. Therefore, you have two choices. Either cease your unusual activities or have Major Vance accompany you on all your excursions.”
It took a moment for his words to sink in, but when they did, she shook with outrage. “I will not!” she exclaimed. She would not have that disagreeable man dogging her every step.
“Breathing, my dear.”
She was not “his dear” yet, and if he thought…
She steadied herself. Inhale. Exhale. “Just what kind of excursions do you think I engage in?”
He patted her hand. “The Foreign Offices has many contacts. I made inquiries about you.”
“What?” she gasped, panic nearly choking off her word.
He patted her hand until her breath steadied.
“One of my contacts mentioned that you have a surprising education in medicine. Thanks to a Mrs. Sundy? Since women often do not get the best care, I find your childhood interest admirable. Provided that is all it is.”
Oh hell. Just how much did he know? “You are…” Aware? “Um, you find it acceptable? And will allow me to continue?”
“Provided you are safe, circumspect, and chaste.”
“I can be all of those things without Major Vance accompanying me.”
He nodded. “Perhaps you can, but until I am sure of you, he will be by your side.” He squeezed her fingers tightly. “Do not cross me on this. It will not end well for either of us.”
They were nearing the edge of the park. Their time together was almost over.
“I have been all three of those things for my entire life. I shall continue as such without any—” Interference. “—assistance from your secretary. Who undoubtably has more important matters to attend.”
“You have not been, Miss Caddick. A chaste woman does not go out alone at night. Nor is that safe or circumspect.”
“I don’t think you understand the nature of my actions.”
“Let me emphasize that I determine the Major’s priorities, and I have absolute faith in him to see you brought in line.” Then he turned to her, his expression mollifying. “You have not wandered far, so it should not be difficult to rein in your intemperance.”
Not chaste? Her intemperance? “My lord, you have a vast misperception about—”
“Purity is not just about one’s actions, Miss Caddick, but also about one’s thoughts. Your investigations into anatomy are hardly modest. Indeed, I believe your discussions with Madame Florina to be the exact opposite.”
There hadn’t been many discussions with Madame Florina.
She’d learned last season by accident that the lady aided pregnant women—for a price—and Betty Gill had offered her services as midwife.
Any other discussions had not happened yet.
They’d been interrupted by Holly’s labor.
When they occurred, however, they would be about healing ointments and the exact location of the apothecary she trusted.
But she couldn’t say any of that without admitting she knew who Madame Florina was.
So she raised her hands with a frustrated flick of her palms. “Who is Madame Florina?”
He nodded as if very pleased with her. “You continue to impress, Miss Caddick.”
“And you continue to insult me! I am no liar,” she lied. “I am as circumspect and chaste as it is possible to be, and yet you accuse me of being a strumpet who—”
“I said no such thing.” His tone was hard and flat, effectively cutting off her tirade. She knew that tone from her father, and it was one she defied at her own peril. She buttoned her lip though she was still burning with fury.
“For the life of me,” she said through clenched teeth, “I do not understand you.”
“Then let me be clear. Marriage to me will elevate you considerably in lifestyle and opportunities. Your children will be titled, and you will be treated with respect and honor wherever you go.”
“I am well aware of your title, my lord, and the consequence you can bestow.”
“Were you aware that I can also introduce you to Caroline Hershel, Lady Hester Stanhope, and Jane Austen?”
Janelle searched her memory. Everyone knew of Caroline Hershel, finder of comets.
Her name had been on everyone’s tongue when she’d received a pension from the king.
People also talked when he’d bestowed a pension upon Lady Hester Stanhope, the woman who acted as the prime minster Pitt’s hostess and private secretary until his death several years ago. “Who is Jane Austen?”
Lord Benedict leaned in close. “She is the author of Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice.”
“Truly? But how do you know?” Everyone spoke about those novels, and many had speculated on who the author was. Her works were listed as written by ‘A lady’.”
He smiled. “You will find I know a great many things, and I can share some of them with you.”
“But at what cost, my lord? What do you think I’m doing?”
They were at the end of their walk, heading toward where his carriage awaited them. “That is why I have assigned the major to remain by your side.” He paused as he looked directly at her. “Let me be clear.”
“Yes, please!”
“I am marrying because Lord Castlereigh will not promote me unless I have wed. I also desperately need an heir. With Napoleon vanquished, there will be ample opportunities for advancement as new alliances are drawn throughout the continent. Therefore, I need a wife. But she must be above reproach and content to be left completely alone for months at a time.”
“I am such a bride.”
“So you appear to me after a cursory inquiry, but I need further assurance.”
“Such as?”
“Such as Major Vance’s approval. As I have said, his unfortunate birth has forced him to act at a level of morality that is unimpeachable. If you can assuage his concerns about you, then we can marry.”
She stopped just short of her carriage door. “My lord, you have already proposed, and I have accepted. I am the only one who can cry off now.”
He chuckled. “Then cry off, Miss Caddick. But you will never find another man who will allow you the freedoms I propose, nor give you the kind of life which I can provide.”
“Assuming I prove myself to your aide-de-camp? Surely, I must prove myself to you.”
His smile didn’t change as he handed her into his carriage.
“Major Vance has my utmost trust. He is driven to weed out the tiniest threats to my consequence. I have judged you worthy, but before we speak our vows, you must get his approval as well.” He stepped back from the carriage.
“Do try to be quick about it. I may need to leave for Vienna. There is talk of a congress there.”
She frowned as he shut the carriage door behind her, while he remained on the street. “Aren’t you riding with me?” she asked through the lowered window.
“I have a few things to accomplish nearby. I shall send Major Vance to you this evening. I believe you attend the theater?”
Yes, her aunt had accepted a seat at Lord Tomlin’s box, but Janelle planned to suffer a migraine so that she could study Madame Florina’s unguents. She wanted to see if she could figure out the recipe. “Er, yes, but—”
“He hates the theater, and so that should be an excellent time for you to get to know one another.”
With a man in a grumpy mood? That sounded like the worst kind of hell to her.
Nevertheless, her fiancé had spoken. Before she could find a way to get out of this ridiculous situation, the man doffed his hat and then spoke to the coachman.
A moment later, he was lost from view, and she felt doomed to a miserable evening with Major Vance.