Chapter 31
Stunned, he did not move.
She wept, hugging herself.
A child. He had a child, Jane’s child. The shock faded. Understanding flared. The enormity of her deception—her lies. He wanted to kill her.
She sensed it, because she stopped crying and took a step back.
“Were you ever going to tell me?”
Jane did not answer. It was answer enough.
The earl came toward her, reaching for her, his temper raging.
She didn’t move. If she had, he probably would have gone after her and hurt her.
But her frozen fear made him sane, or was it her desire for punishment?
He stopped, letting his hands fall to his sides. “God!” he cried, the sound agonized.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
He whirled. “Where is he?”
“She is in Brighton with Molly.”
It was a daughter—his child was a daughter. Jubilation soared, mixing with the pain of her betrayal. “A daughter,” he said softly. “What is her name?”
Tears filled Jane’s eyes. “Nicole.”
It was like a blow to his gut, and he could not breathe.
Jane turned away from him, shoulders slumped.
Defeat etched her posture. He forgot himself.
In that moment he wanted to go to her and cradle her and comfort her against his big body.
But he didn’t move. “I will go to Brighton and get her. Where are they staying?”
Jane snapped around. “No! I will go! You wait here!”
She was afraid of him still, and he did not understand why. Nor did he care anymore. He only wanted to see his daughter. “You perform tomorrow,” he said coldly. “You cannot go. I will leave immediately. Where are they staying?”
“No, no, no!” Jane cried.
He was tired of her games, and he moved past her and down the hall. Brighton wasn’t large and he would find them. She ran after him. “You can’t go at night!”
He didn’t bother to reply.
She stumbled on the stairs. “Can’t you wait until the morning? We can go together!”
He paused in the foyer. “And what about tomorrow’s engagement?”
“I will cancel it,” she said frantically.
He took her chin in his hand and held her face immobile. He squeezed only enough to apply pressure that indicated his mood. Her lips parted on a breath.
“Do you think I want your miserable company another minute?” He snarled. “Like all women, you are a selfish liar. I can’t stand the sight of you.” He released her. “Stay away from me,” he warned. “And I mean it, Jane.”
He flung open the door and disappeared into the night.
His words immobilized her.
I am not selfish, I am not a liar, she thought, the tears falling again. She sagged against the banister, her strength suddenly gone. And then the truth of his words hit her with such force it was painful. She had lied, she had been selfish. She had cheated him of his daughter.
“God forgive me,” she whispered.
And then her urge to protect her daughter took over.
She had to stop him. She had to stop him from finding Nicole.
He would take her and she would never see her again—especially the way he felt about her now.
There was the heartbreaking pain again, that he should hate her so, but she shrugged it off.
He had never cared for her, not ever—in fact, if she collected all her memories it was as if he had always hated her.
So what did it matter that he hated her still?
Only Nicole mattered.
Jane grabbed a cloak and ran outside. Once she was on the deserted street she realized her predicament.
She would have to walk a good distance to a major thoroughfare to find a hansom at this time of night.
And she was a woman, alone. At this hour only thieves and prostitutes were about, and the homeless.
Her neighborhood was a decent one, with no such riffraff, but a few blocks away were the worst dregs of society. Jane hesitated only briefly.
Her daughter gave her courage.
As she walked, half running, she thought frantically of how to stop the earl.
She must go to Brighton directly, take Nicole and run.
But she did not have enough money, she needed help.
She thought of Robert and dismissed him.
Gordon would cave in to the earl easily.
All along he had disapproved of her keeping Nicole a secret from him.
Lindley. Lindley was big, strong, and not afraid of the Earl. And he was rich enough to help her.
It was frightening traveling through London on foot at night.
She passed prostitutes on street corners and beggars asleep or passed out on front stoops.
She stopped once to hide from a gang of unruly, roughneck teenagers intent on vandalism, her heart in her throat.
And she passed two burglars picking the lock of a mercantile shop.
Where were all the Bobbies this night?
Finally she found a cab, and an hour after she had left her home, she arrived at Lindley’s.
Jane did not pause despite the fact that it was two in the morning.
She banged on the massive front door, pulling the bell repeatedly, creating a racket.
From around back, dogs started barking. Lights came on.
First in an outer wing, then upstairs, then all around the house.
Jane kept banging. She realized she was starting to cry.
She prayed that Lindley was at home. The door was opened by a sleepy-eyed, consternated servant, his jacket unbuttoned as he’d shrugged on his clothes with haste.
“I must see the earl!” Jane cried, barreling past him. And then she saw him, trotting down the stairs in a wine-colored, paisley men’s robe.
“Jane!”
“My lord, forgive me, this woman—” the servant began.
But Jane had rushed to Lindley, and he swept her into his arms. She clung. “What is it? What’s happened?” Lindley cried.
Jane gripped his lapels. “It’s him! The earl! He found out about Nicole and now he’s gone to Brighton to get her! Please! You must help me, I beg you!”
Lindley stared, comprehension slowly beginning. He put his arm around Jane. “We’ll talk in my study. Richard, bring us some tea and toast.”
“You don’t understand! There is no time to lose!”
Lindley led her into a large, magnificent library and steered her to the couch, pushing her down. He sat beside her, taking her small, cold hands in his. “No, I don’t understand. Take a few deep breaths, Jane, and explain what has upset you so.”
Jane closed her eyes briefly. “Jon, I sent Nicole to Brighton with Molly. I was afraid the earl had found out about her—why else would he have suddenly tried to see me? But he hadn’t!
I don’t know why the sudden interest in me.
He came to my house tonight. He found out about her.
Now he’s gone to Brighton to get her. You must help me! Please—will you?”
“Of course I will. But I still don’t understand.”
“He will take her away from me, don’t you see?” Jane pleaded. “I must get to Brighton first, take Nicole and hide.” She gripped his hands. “I need your help. Will you come with me, help me, lend me money to go to France?”
He stared.
Jane closed her eyes again, in frustration and prayer.
“Jane, this is not the way to act. Has Shelton said he’ll take Nicole from you?”
Jane looked at him. “No.”
“Then—”
“But he will! You know the kind of man he is! And he hates me so!”
“All right,” Lindley said. “We will go to Brighton. We will get Nicole. But then you and Shelton must talk.”
Jane opened her mouth to protest, then closed it. One step at a time. They would go to Brighton and get Nicole. Let Lindley think she was willing to talk to the earl. Once she had Nicole she would run—to India if she had to.
Lindley smiled, squeezing her hand. “We will leave first thing in the morning.”
“We must leave now! Please!” Again she gripped his lapels.
Her face was so close, he could have kissed her. And, unable to restrain himself, he did, briefly, softly, once. “All right. It seems I cannot say no to you.”
Jane slumped against the couch, relieved. It was what she had been counting on. Yet when they arrived in Brighton by midmorning, it was too late. Nicole and Molly were gone.
By the time Jane and Lindley arrived back in London late that afternoon, Jane was white-faced and gaunt.
No amount of reassurance from Lindley as to the earl’s intentions could reassure her.
Her frame of mind worsened when she was told at the Shelton residence that the earl had not been seen since yesterday evening, and his whereabouts were unknown.
“He’s taken her to Dragmore,” Jane moaned.
Lindley grimaced, for it certainly looked that way. “Go home, Jane, eat something and get a good night’s rest. Tomorrow we will go to Drag-more and talk to Shelton. What the hell is wrong with him!”
“He wants to hurt me,” Jane flashed. Then she groaned again, sinking deeper into the plush seat of Lindley’s coach. Lindley ordered his driver to take them to Gloucester Street.
“I want to go to Dragmore tonight,” Jane said, turning to Lindley. She placed her hand on his forearm. “Please? I need only to get a few things.”
“Jane, you’re exhausted. You’ll make yourself sick.”
“I don’t care. My daughter is at stake!”
Lindley fought with himself, and lost. “All right. But we need fresh horses, for these are finished. Get what you need. But for God’s sake, Jane, have a hot soak and eat supper. I’ll pick you up later.”
Jane agreed, compromising. “Thank you,” she said seriously, gratitude in her eyes. Again she touched his arm.
He touched her chin, lifting it. He waited, and she did not flinch away.
He knew it was only gratitude, but he hoped it was more, and he took advantage despite better intentions.
He leaned forward and kissed her, for a long moment, sensually, softly.
Jane didn’t respond, but she didn’t pull away either.
“Give me a chance,” Lindley said, drawing back.
She didn’t say anything.
The coach stopped in front of her plastered house. Lindley walked her to the front door and waited until she had unlocked it. “I’ll pick you up at ten,” he told her.
“Thank you so much,” Jane said huskily, kissing his cheek. He smiled and left, and she closed the door behind him.
“Mum, where have you been!”
Jane jumped, stunned, to find a joyous Molly behind her. “Is Nicole here?”
“Nicole is upstairs, asleep,” the Earl of Drag-more said, from the doorway of the parlor.
Jane went white.
“Where have you been?” His tone was casual.
Jane stood very still. Her heart was racing wildly. “Mum?” Molly questioned. “Are you all right?”
Jane sagged against the door. He hadn’t taken Nicole to Dragmore. He hadn’t stolen her away. He had gone to get her—and had brought her back here to Gloucester Street. Slowly, her eyes filling with tears of fatigue and relief, Jane slid down the wall to sit on the floor.
“Mum!” Molly cried, kneeling. “What is it, are you ill?”
Her exhaustion was so great, she could not move. She closed her eyes, her head against the door, and managed to shake her head negatively. She felt Molly’s hand on her forehead, seeking a fever.
He hadn’t tried to abduct Nicole.
She felt the earl’s arms as he lifted her.
Jane tensed, opened her eyes, and tried to protest. His face was white, his body big, solid, hard, and warm.
All thoughts of protest died. Jane let her lids fall shut and leaned her cheek against his chest, her chin touching the bare flesh exposed by his open shirt. She smiled.
He hadn’t tried to steal her daughter from her.
The earl stood outside Jane’s bedroom door, the waiting endless. What was wrong? Was she ill? And why the hell did he give a damn! He reminded himself of her deceit, but still, he remained glued outside her door.
Molly appeared, and the earl strained to see past her into the bedroom. Jane was curled up on the bed, fast asleep, her profile toward him. Platinum hair spilled from the bed to the floor. She looked like an angel and his entire body tightened at the sight of her. Molly shut the door in his face.
“How is she? What’s wrong? I want you to go and fetch a doctor,” Nick said.
Molly smiled. “She’s just tired is all. She went all the way to Brighton and back, my lord.”
“What!”
Molly nodded. “Didn’t sleep a wink, she said. She’s fine, just worn right out.”
“Why in hell did she go to Brighton when I told her I’d get Nicole?” the earl asked, turning away. Wisely Molly didn’t answer.
The earl ran a hand through his hair. He felt some of the tension draining from him.
He’d expected to confront Jane today with his decision.
Now it would have to wait. He tried, for the hundredth time, to imagine her reaction when he told her.
Anger, tears, stubborn opposition? Inanely, he pictured her face lighting up with joy.
He grew grim. Why was he indulging in foolish fantasies? Jane clearly hated him—and he bore her no fondness. She was a liar and a cheat, and he would never forget it. She had tried to keep him from his daughter, from his flesh and blood. She was his enemy, and he would remember this well.
She was also the mother of his child.
He refused to feel the thrill.
He paced to the nursery and looked in. His daughter was sleeping peacefully, but the earl did not smile. No, Jane would not be happy when he gave her his decision. He had not a single doubt that she would fight him tooth and nail when he told her they were getting married.
And it was just too bad.