Chapter 7 #2
“And you must swear that no one else will hear it.”
“I swear.”
Jane looked around once more. The nearest walkers were far enough away that their conversation would be lost beneath the breeze.
She lowered her voice. “The duke and I… We’ve been searching for Colin together.”
Lavinia blinked. “I’m sorry. I believe I misheard you.”
“You did not.”
“The Duke of Sunderford?” Lavinia asked.
“Yes.”
“The same duke who barely smiled during Mother’s garden party?”
“Yes.”
“The one everyone says scarcely speaks unless absolutely necessary?”
Jane nodded. “The very same.”
Lavinia stared at her. For several moments she said nothing. Finally, she whispered, “Jane… what?”
Jane almost laughed despite herself. “I thought that might be your reaction.”
“My reaction?” Lavinia stopped walking altogether. “My reaction is remarkably restrained.”
Jane smiled weakly. “I can think of several stronger words.”
“I can think of dozens.” Lavinia took both of Jane’s hands. “Start from the beginning.”
Jane hesitated. She cleared her throat. “The night Colin disappeared…”
Slowly, carefully, she recounted everything. She spoke of the duke arriving through the servants’ entrance of the pleasure house. That one in particular earned another horrified expression. Then she told her about Foxglove, about the attack in the alley.
This time Lavinia actually stopped walking. “They attacked you?”
Jane nodded. “There were three men.”
“And you neglected to tell me this?”
“There was very little time.”
“There is always time to tell your best friend that criminals attempted to assault you.”
Jane looked down. “I know.”
Lavinia searched her face. “Were you hurt?”
“No. The duke protected me.” She realized only after speaking that her voice had softened. “He fought all three men. He barely allowed them near me.”
“And?”
“And…” Jane struggled to explain. “I never doubted for a moment that he would keep me safe.”
The admission lingered between them.
Lavinia’s expression gentled. “You trust him, then.”
Jane was silent. Did she? She trusted him with her life. She trusted him to protect her. She trusted him to search for Colin as relentlessly as she herself would.
“I… I do not know, Lavinia.”
Her friend tilted her head to the side. “I think you do.”
Jane looked away. “The point is that our search is progressing.”
Lavinia smiled knowingly but let the subject pass. “You know, I am glad that you are making progress in the search for Colin, but…”
“But?” Jane repeated.
“Well, you have to think how this will look if society finds out about your…arrangement with the duke,” Lavinia said in a low voice.
Jane regarded her friend. She knew that Lavinia was right, but she couldn’t help but feel a flash of disappointment. Part of her had hoped for Lavinia to tell her that there was nothing wrong with the situation.
They resumed walking, and after several moments, Jane spoke again. “There is something else.”
Lavinia immediately looked concerned. “What is it?”
Jane’s smile disappeared. “My uncle Zachary.” Just hearing her uncle’s name seemed to chill the warm summer air. “He came to our home today. With a solicitor.”
Jane went on to recount everything that had happened that morning.
Lavinia gasped. “He laid hands on you?”
Jane nodded. “If it had not been for something the duke taught me…” She left the sentence unfinished. She clasped her hands tightly together. “Lavinia… my uncle acts as though Colin will turn up dead. As though Colin’s title has already passed to him for good.”
Lavinia looked horrified. “That monster! He cannot know that.”
Jane nodded. “He intends to frighten us.” She took a slow breath. “And… he implied that if Colin is not found, Zachary will remove Mother and me from Wynten House.”
Lavinia stared at her. “He truly said that?”
“He all but promised it.”
Silence settled between them. The breeze stirred the branches overhead. Somewhere nearby, a child laughed. The ordinary sound felt strangely distant.
Jane’s voice dropped to little more than a whisper. “That’s why I have to find Colin. Even if I must walk all over London with the duke at night… It’s my only hope, Lavinia. Otherwise my mother and I will lose our home.”
“Oh, my friend!” Lavinia reached for her without hesitation. She wrapped Jane in a fierce embrace. “I wish I could help, I wish I…”
Jane closed her eyes. “You are helping,” she whispered and squeezed her friend back.
For several precious moments, Jane simply allowed herself to be held.
When they finally separated, Lavinia’s own eyes glistened. “You should never have carried all this alone.”
“I did not wish to burden you.”
“You are my dearest friend,” Lavinia said.
Jane felt tears spring to her own eyes. “I know.”
“You are never a burden.”
Emotion tightened Jane’s chest. “Thank you. Still… there is one thing I must ask.”
“Anything.”
Jane looked directly into her friend’s eyes. “You cannot tell anyone.”
Lavinia did not hesitate. “I swear it.”
Jane searched her face. She believed her completely. Relief washed through her. “I cannot risk anyone learning that I have been wandering London at night with the duke.”
Lavinia laughed softly. “No. I imagine society would expire from the excitement.”
Jane groaned. “Precisely.”
“I shall take your scandal to my grave.”
Jane smiled. “I appreciate that.”
Lavinia linked their arms once more. “So… I had a thought. What if we find you a husband?”
Jane sighed. “I feared you would return to that.”
“It remains an excellent plan.”
Jane’s smile faded again. “I do need to marry.” The words tasted strangely hollow.
“If… If Colin is not found, Mother and I must have somewhere to go. Though I am not certain anyone wishes to marry the sister of a kidnapped earl. Especially after my previous fiancé abandoned me before the candles burned out.”
“He was a spineless coward,” Lavinia said.
Jane smiled despite herself. “There must be at least one gentleman in London with more courage than Lord Maltby.”
“I should hope so. There are many,” Lavinia insisted.
Jane looked doubtful. “Perhaps.”
“I refuse to accept perhaps.” Lavinia’s expression brightened with sudden determination. “I shall make it my mission.”
Jane smiled. “You sound alarmingly enthusiastic.”
“I absolutely am.” She grinned. “I shall introduce you to every eligible gentleman with respectable character before the Season ends.”
“Every one?”
“Every single one.”
Jane shook her head affectionately. “You are truly the most wonderful friend I could hope for.”
“I am devoted.” Her friend squeezed her arm. “And I promise you this: you and Lady Wynten will not face this alone.”
The words settled warmly inside Jane’s heart. Her friend had always possessed an uncanny ability to make the world feel smaller, gentler somehow. Even now, after hearing everything Jane had confessed, Lavinia had not looked at her with judgment.
They reached a quiet marble bench overlooking a small ornamental pond where ducks drifted lazily through the water.
Lavinia gestured toward it. “Sit with me.”