Chapter Five #2
“Yes, Lady Joy. Right away.” Widow Bankerton slipped out just as quietly as she’d slipped into the room, and no one seemed to notice. Of course, all eyes were currently locked on Aurelia, Connie, and Prudie. Freddie had also joined the fray, siding with Aurelia, just as predicted.
Joy marched over to the arguing women, who were hissing and growling like a quartet of angry cats.
“Stop it. All of you. Unless you’ve tired of the Reader’s Dare Club and wish for it to be done with because of your abysmal behavior.
If ladies cannot trust us, they will not only cease to come here, but will more than likely spread the word to their men about what goes on here.
Is that what you wish? If so, say as much, and I will announce to one and all that this afternoon is over, and there will not be another.
Or you may announce it yourself. I really do not care either way. ”
“But I was defending you,” Freddie said, hurt feelings on her sleeve.
“I know. And I thank you for that, dear Freddie and dearest Aurelia. But if Lady Constance and Lady Prudence wish to behave like selfish, backbiting hussies, I would rather they show their arses by attacking me and no one else. I assure you, their behavior does not bother me in the least. Now, decide what you wish to do and do it, because I have a meeting downstairs”—she glared at Connie—“with my intended.” Then she turned and stormed from the room, smiling at the round of applause following her.
Upon reaching the ground floor, she found herself so lightheaded that she leaned against the wall and concentrated on deep, calming breaths to cool the rage sweeping through her.
“Joy!” Jansen rushed over, swept her up into his arms as if she were a babe, and carried her to the cushioned window alcove perfect for reading. “You are as white as bleached parchment. Lie here while I send for a coach to see you home so a physician might be called to attend you.”
She caught him by the sleeve. “Stop overreacting! I simply need to catch my breath after a rather unpleasant argument upstairs.”
“With Aurelia?” He settled down beside her on the cushions, looking shocked. “But she is always so good natured and absolutely adores you. What on earth could have happened?”
Joy bowed her head and massaged her temples.
Closing her eyes, she tried to calm her pounding heart.
The excitement of being swept up in Jansen’s strong arms and held against his rock-hard chest had nearly undone her.
“Aurelia and Freddie sided with me against that pair of sorry hussies, Connie and Prudie. They betrayed me.”
“I see.”
She narrowed her eyes, struggling to hold back angry tears and keep her voice low. “This is not humorous at all. You have no idea of the seriousness of this matter.”
“I believe I do.” He scrubbed a hand over his eyes, seeming suddenly weary. “A friend of mine visited to congratulate me on our engagement. I came here to ensure you knew it was not I who made this announcement to the ton. Is that the serious matter to which you are referring?”
She sighed and nodded. “Yes. What are we going to do?”
The hurt and loneliness in his eyes made her sorry she had asked.
“I had hoped we would be engaged,” he said quietly. “But apparently, that is not your preference.”
It broke her heart to hurt him so. He was such a good man.
And Aurelia would make a good sister, even though the last thing Joy needed was another sister.
She allowed herself another heavy sigh. “Forgive me. I am not well today, and being stabbed in the back does little for my mood. Since the ton believes we are engaged, then we are engaged, as long as you have no problem with a long engagement?”
He eyed her with a leeriness she found most insulting. She never broke her word. Why would he think so?
“I mean it,” she said. “We are engaged, and I do not say that lightly. All right?”
A slow grin made him even more handsome. “Such a stern beginning to an engagement, but I shall take it and be thankful.” He brushed a kiss to her gloved hand, making her catch her breath. “I am the luckiest man in all of creation to have found such an angel.”
She couldn’t help but snort. “You won’t consider yourself so lucky when you have been around me longer. I am anything but an angel. Especially when I am as out of sorts as I am today.”
“Oust those two from your book club,” he said. “Shall I go upstairs and escort them to the street for you?”
“No.” She caught hold of his hand and held it tightly. “Aurelia and I handled it. You must allow ladies to take care of matters involving ladies…or women who claim to be ladies. If you ask me, they are a sorry couple of cows.”
He threw back his head and laughed so loudly that Widow Bankerton hushed him. “Beg pardon, Mrs. Bankerton,” he said before turning back to Joy. “Shall I escort you home, my lady? I am sure Mrs. Bankerton wouldn’t mind fetching Aurelia if you’re not yet ready to be seen without a chaperone.”
She hated leaving. That was tantamount to surrendering to Connie and Prudie.
But she had already said as much to them as she dared.
To say more, especially in front of the ladies who had applauded her, could brand her an unreasonable harpy.
At least her guests had considered her speech a success, and neither Connie nor Prudie had gotten the opportunity to react or reply.
There would be the devil to pay later. Of that, she had no doubt.
After all, look at the lengths Connie had gone to over a simple reminder that to be mean to others less fortunate than oneself was the epitome of pettiness indeed.
“Please do ask Mrs. Bankerton to fetch Aurelia,” she said. “While I believe she could hold her own quite well, I feel terrible for deserting her.”
“Consider it done, my lady, and then we shall ride home in style. My carriage awaits outside.”
“Then why did you offer to call for a coach?” She eyed him, wondering at that slip of a tongue.
“Because I had no idea how infuriated you might be about the announcement of our engagement. My greatest fear was that you would never wish to set eyes on me ever again, let alone ride in my coach with me.”
“You are very considerate.”
“Some might argue that point.”
“I would not.” Oh dear. She was very much developing the most tender feelings for this man. “Thank you for everything, Sir Jansen.”
“Jansen…remember?”
“Yes. Jansen.” Even saying his name felt oh so right. She was indeed in danger of becoming a servant to her heart.
*
“What a wonderful afternoon with my two favorite ladies,” Jansen said to Joy and Aurelia.
He couldn’t resist saying it, even though the both of them had plainly had a trying few hours.
From his perspective, this was an auspicious day.
Joy had grudgingly agreed to their engagement, and also agreed to sit beside him in the carriage and let Aurelia have the opposite bench to herself.
“Shall we swing through the park, or are you feeling well enough, my dear?” he asked Joy. She still appeared a bit wan, and that concerned him.
“Perhaps some fresh air would do me good,” she said with a hesitant smile.
“You are certain? If you need to go home, I understand completely.”
“I am certain I wish to enjoy the park. Carry on.” She nodded and appeared to pull in a deep breath, as if determined to put on a brave face. That concerned him too. What on earth had happened back there at the bookshop?
And while Joy appeared pale, Aurelia’s colors ran red as fury, a sure sign she was plotting someone’s demise.
“Who are you planning to murder, dear sister?” he asked her, only partially in jest. Something dire had to have happened to upset both the ladies, and instinct told him it was something a great deal more than the malicious announcement of his and Joy’s engagement.
And why had Lady Constance taken it upon herself to do that?
What had triggered her to turn on her friend?
There was a great deal more going on here than what he had been told. “Aurelia?”
She tore her gaze away from whatever she was glaring at off in the distance and fixed it on him. “What?”
“Such curtness for your favorite brother?”
“Sorry.” She rolled her shoulders, resettling herself on the carriage’s plush seat. “I fear I was reliving all that was said at the—”
“Aurelia!” Joy kicked at her like a horse, warning that there was worse to come if she continued speaking.
Aurelia snapped her mouth shut, her glower even darker.
“Forgive me, dear friend.” Joy leaned forward, reaching for Aurelia. “None of this is of your doing. I have no one to blame but myself. Please, please ignore my rudeness.”
“You know I adore you,” Aurelia told Joy with a sympathetic smile.
“And for what are you blaming yourself?” Jansen asked, bracing himself for the worst. It had to be something to do with their engagement.
She stared at him for a long moment, repeatedly wetting her sumptuous lips to the point of distraction.
“For trusting too many people. When one has a special secret, it should be kept to a select few, rather than sharing it with half the population and expecting it to remain undiscovered by the other half.”
“The secret of our courting?”
“No. This secret was well in place before my little game of dare that pulled you into the thick of this madness.”
“What in heaven’s name are you talking about?”
“She cannot tell you,” Aurelia said. “It is a womanly thing you would never understand.”
Egads. A womanly thing? But far be it from him to be a coward. “I think you will both find I can be very understanding, and possibly even helpful.”