28. Chapter 28
Javenia let go of Algenon’s arm so he could lead Lord Falcross out of the assembly hall. Two weeks ago, the sight would have terrified her, but fear had little power anymore.
Algenon was hers.
Under the law and blessed by the Church of England, he could not be parted from her. She slowly turned to face Miss Weston. Sweeping her golden gown to the side with a flourish, Javenia smiled.
She had won.
Miss Weston straightened, her chin coming up, a forced expression of boredom clear even though a pink feathered mask covered much of her angelic features. As the wife of a baron, it was up to Javenia to acknowledge her first. So she waited, letting the tension stew.
A whispered conversation from a group of ladies nearby caught Javenia’s attention.
“Is it true?” One young woman asked.
“According to Miss Weston, it is. From other accounts I’ve heard she was caught half dressed… and in public.”
Javenia didn’t even bother looking in their direction, knowing while some rumors had a grain of truth, Miss Weston had started the rest. She closed the distance between them.
“Do you know what I find most interesting, Miss Weston?”
A mulish expression crossed the woman’s face. “I am not sure I care to find out.”
Javenia flashed her a condescending smile. “No, perhaps you wouldn’t, but I must ask why someone of your station would spend so much time gossiping about someone like me. I would think you have much better things to fill your time.”
Miss Weston flicked a look at the door, the motion undoubtedly an attempt to hide her eye roll. Algenon re-entered, followed by a much less confident Lord Falcross. That had not taken very long. Perhaps the man was more intelligent than she’d given him credit for.
“I have to admit,” Javenia continued, “I am flattered.” Miss Weston narrowed her eyes.
“All that time you spent with my name on your lips. I don’t think anyone has admired me that much before.
And the effort you put in to stay close to me, even seeking my husband’s approval…
” She flicked open her fan and beat it rapidly, as if she’d suddenly become overheated. “Oh, my.”
Miss Weston glanced at the people around them, her brow creased with worry. “I did not—”
Javenia stepped forward and placed a finger over her lips. Miss Weston’s eyes widened, but she didn’t move.
“Ssh… I understand,” she said softly, effecting as much allure as she could.
It took everything within Javenia not to laugh at the startled expression on Miss Weston’s face, but she’d come this far so she leaned close and whispered a sentence that set fire to Miss Weston’s cheeks.
Her eyes rounded like dinner plates, and an unladylike sputtering came out of her mouth.
Then Javenia turned and walked away, leaving the woman to whatever interpretation she would take.
Algenon met her near the door, his brow furrowed. “Are you well?”
“Most definitely.”
Javenia glanced over her shoulder to see Lord Falcross leading his daughter across the room to the refreshment table. Miss Weston’s face was still bright red.
“Is Miss Weston ill?” Algenon asked.
Javenia turned to stand next to him. “I do not believe so. Why?”
He glanced down at her, his lips pursed and his gaze assessing. “What did you say to her?”
Javenia adjusted the train of her skirt and puffed her sleeve.
“Vee, what did you say?”
She gave a flip of her hand. “Nothing much.”
He stared at her until she could not contain her smile any longer. A little smirk broke free. “I just told her it was flattering she’d spend so much time talking about me and trying to be in my presence, but…”
Algenon leaned closer, a smile hovering on his lips. “But what?”
Javenia bit the inside of her cheek, trying not to laugh. Then she took a deep breath and let the words spill out. “But I quite prefer gentlemen.”
A loud guffaw broke through the rhythmic motions of the dance. Ladies and gentlemen turned, a mixture of affront and curiosity on their faces. Even Melior and Livy glanced their way, their husbands following their lead.
Ducking his head, Algenon turned his back on the room to hide his mirth. “Just when I think I know exactly what to expect, you bring me up short.”
Javenia shifted her back to the crowd too. “I would not want you to grow too comfortable, husband. Where would the enjoyment be in that?”
She cast him a coquettish glance, and he grinned.
“Careful, wife. A smile like that might cut your night short.”
“Leave the ball early?” Javenia laid a hand on her chest, batting her eyelashes like she’d not a single intelligent thought in her head. “That might cause a scandal. Whatever would we do?”
Algenon took hold of her hand and placed it on his arm. “I have a few ideas, but I owe you another dance.”
“Two dances in one evening? Scandalous, Lord Roberts.”
“Yes, and the whole time I intend on showering you with sickeningly sweet compliments until all of Maidstone is quite convinced that I am most desperately in love with you.”
Javenia scooped up the train of her dress as he led her back to the floor for the next set. “So that is your plan, then. Make them all so disgusted with us that we are asked to leave.” He smiled down at her, and she lifted her chin in defiance. “I like it.”