Chapter 12
Chapter 12
As soon as dinner had concluded, Lady Richmond called for the ladies to join her in the withdrawing room so the gentlemen could enjoy their port and brandy. This was the first evening the sexes had separated after the evening meal, but Henry had requested Lady Richmond act as the hostess at that moment since she would never presume to do so without an invitation.
When Jane rose from her chair, she glanced at him, and he responded with a slight smile. She had consented to become his wife!
After she had accepted him, they had lingered in the folly, sitting side by side while they spoke and shared more kisses. It had been all he could do not to drag her into his lap! While they spoke of the future and their wishes, they had also agreed Henry would use this opportunity to ask Jane’s grandfather for his blessing. Henry had no desire for a protracted and exceedingly public ceremony, but whether her grandparents would agree was another matter—the matter of their short courtship was also a consideration. Would they require a longer public courtship or betrothal before the actual nuptials? Thankfully, Jane had not seemed to mind a small affair when they discussed it further on the walk back to the house.
“We have not separated until tonight,” said his brother. “What is the occasion?”
Henry shifted in his seat before he stood and cleared his throat. Would that his stomach would cease its churning. He had never been so nervous in his life. He had hardly been able to touch his meal. “Lord Richmond, Miss Montford has accepted the offer of my hand. I asked your wife to retire with the ladies so I could request your permission and blessing.”
“Ha!” Charles ceased pouring himself a brandy, set down the decanter, and embraced him, slapping him on the back. “I wish you joy, Brother. Miss Montford is an exceptional lady and will make an excellent duchess.”
Hatton stood and clasped his hands behind his back, but the earl held out his hand. “Stand down, Nicholas. I have no intention of allowing you to torture poor Albemarle for sport.” Henry could not help but give pause. He was to be tortured?
The viscount swung out an arm and pointed. “He should become accustomed to our vagaries if he is to join our family. Besides, I am certain he assisted Janey with her latest scheme against me.”
“Scheme? What scheme?” asked Lord Richmond.
“I had no part,” said Henry with a grin. “Though I do wish she would have included me. I am certain I would have been diverted indeed. What did she do this time?”
Without pause, Hatton tugged on the fingers of his glove, removing it to reveal his hands were a brown colour, significantly darker than his own complexion. “This!” he cried. He held out his arms so the rest could have a closer look.
Charles began to chuckle, but when everyone seated around the table looked at him, he bit his cheek. “I must admit to knowing what happened.”
Henry lifted his eyebrows and sat back down. “Well, spit it out, man!”
“I happened upon your betrothed and her maid in the corridor outside Hatton’s bedchamber. Their heads were together, so I asked if they required aid. Miss Montford had the appearance of a hare when frightened, but she told me what they hoped to do, so I aided them. My valet discovered Hatton and his wife were in the library, so I showed Miss Montford and her maid how to enter Hatton’s dressing room. I knew they had tampered with his riding gloves, but I could not see what they did specifically. After, I enquired, and Miss Montford told me all.”
“Do not keep me in suspense,” said Hatton. “I want to know what they put in my gloves, so I can remove it.”
“Ochre. ’Tis a pigment artists will use for painting. My understanding is that Miss Montford acquired the substance before departing town. Instead of adding water or oils as painters do, they sprinkled the dry substance heavily in your gloves, then rubbed the gloves together, ensuring the pigment was fine enough that you did not notice. Then, when you were sweating, the pigment took to your skin and likely dyed the inside of your gloves as well.”
Henry grinned and took a sip of his brandy. “I am impressed!” His love was intelligent and had a sense of humour behind her usual tranquil countenance.
Lord Richmond’s shoulders shook with his amusement. “Lizzybeth, Amelia, and Nicholas were cunning, but the pranks were not so unusual. I must say Janey’s are original and well-executed.”
“Is that all you can say?” Hatton’s voice was high.
“She got the better of you, Son. I am certain she would do nothing that is permanent.”
The viscount dropped back into his seat with a grimace. “Fiona could not stop laughing when she saw my hands. I washed them before coming to dinner. How much must I scrub to remove this?”
“I would imagine you just need to let it wear away,” said Charles. “She said you have teased her a great deal of late. Perhaps you should not do so if this is so distressing for you.”
“No.” Hatton growled it out as he tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair. “I must simply find a way to exact revenge.”
“Careful,” said Lord Richmond. “What if she puts this powder in your shaving soap? Dying your hands was effective, yet something you could cover in company. She could do worse.” How Henry would love to see it!
The older man turned to Henry. The nerves that had abated some during the recounting of Jane’s scheme returned with a vengeance. “As far as a betrothal between you and Jane, I know you treat my granddaughter with respect. Do you love her?”
He sat taller in his chair and bobbed his head. “I do, sir, and she has indicated my feelings are reciprocated.”
The earl gave a crooked smile. “Pray, calm yourself. You have naught to fear from me, although now I know why you picked at your food during dinner. If Janey has accepted you, she respects you and has feelings for you. Your courtship has been brief, which concerns me, but we can address that with the wedding date. In the meantime, you have my consent and blessing, now”—He gestured to a footman— “bring your master some food before that glass of brandy in his empty belly puts him in his cups.”
Once the footman had rushed off, Hatton swirled the Port in his glass. “You will treat her well?”
Henry met the viscount’s steady gaze. He could not dream of doing otherwise. “I love her. She will want for nothing.”
After Hatton nodded, his expression took on an odd look. “How will I play pranks on her after you wed? I suppose I must find some way before you take her from Richmond House.”
“Remember what happened with your sister,” said Richmond wagging a finger. “She managed her retribution despite living under Greene’s roof. Your cousin is quick enough to do the same. She has proved it in the past as well as with this most recent prank.”
Henry held up his index finger. “And she would have my aid in the endeavour.”
The earl chuckled. “Amelia involved her husband in her revenge. They slipped away from a ball and sprinkled sand in his sheets.”
“They are more intelligent than we were with our schemes,” said Charles.
With a grimace, Henry leaned back so the footman could serve him a plate of cold meat and cheese. “If you could call Simon’s cruelty a prank.” He stared at the food and breathed. The mention of Simon caused that tightness in his gut to reassert itself. Would Simon act against Jane now that they were betrothed? She would always have protection; he would ensure it was so, but he could not stomach her coming to harm due to their engagement or even marriage.
“Do not let Simon ruin this day for you.” When Henry looked up, Charles was levelling a heavy gaze on him. His brother was the sole person who knew all of what Simon had done. Henry could not trust the whole of it with just anyone, and Charles would never betray him.
With a nod and a long exhale, Henry took a gulp of his brandy, then ate. He wanted to have some time to talk to Jane and he did not want to be in his cups!
Grandmamma sat close to Jane in the withdrawing room. “Do you know why the duke asked for the separation this evening?”
When Jane looked up, Fiona’s one eyebrow was lifted. “He has made you the offer of his hand, has he not?”
Gran gasped and took Jane’s hands. “Has he really?”
Her cheeks burned as she nodded. “Yes, this afternoon on our walk.” Henry’s proposal had been all she had dreamt of. He was wonderful, and they would have a happy life together. She was certain of it.
After hugging her and kissing her cheek, Gran clasped her hands. “We shall need to set a date, not to mention make an appointment with Madame Morisot. You will require a great deal as a duchess—certainly more than you have now.”
A portion of her revolted. At the moment, she had no interest in shopping for fabric and gowns. “Gran, I am uncertain how much we shall take part in the ton. His Grace does not seem inclined to attend a great many events, and I shall not complain if that is his choice.” She accepted an embrace from Fiona.
“You will still require new gowns and more.”
“I hope you are prepared,” said Fiona. “Your grandmother does like to shop.”
Jane could have groaned. Instead, she schooled her features as best she could. “I am not unaware of that fact.” She had been taken to the dressmakers and milliners many times since coming to live with her grandparents.
“We should start a guest list. Come, the duke should have paper in that escritoire in the corner.”
Jane’s hand shot out to take her grandmother’s forearm. “I do not require a grand affair. We spoke of a quiet wedding. I believe we will wed at the small chapel here at Hemel Hill.”
Grandmamma sighed and sagged some in her seat. “Four grandchildren and all four weddings were small affairs—and I was not even present for Nicholas’s to Fiona. I have not planned one grand wedding, and I would have expected it this time since you are marrying a duke. Was this your wish or his?”
“Both.” Thank heavens!
“I do not blame her, Gran,” said Fiona. “I am certain she would like Lizzy and Amelia to attend, but why make a spectacle of them? They will be curiosity enough since love matches are not in the common way. Why not let them be so at a ball where they can depart if the attention is too great or too intrusive?”
Gran sighed. “I suppose you make a point. The duke’s choice of sets at Lady Vranes’s ball will be enough to set tongues wagging. We shall not make a secret of the engagement, so when you wed, the announcement will not be a shock.”
At that moment, the gentlemen returned, and Henry strode straight to her and sat at her side. Just the sight of him brought her a calm she had lacked for a long time.
“He has given his blessing.”
“I did not expect him to refuse. Did you?” Her grandfather would never deny her happiness.
“He had let his nerves get the best of him, dear,” said her grandfather. “He had eaten so little during the meal; I requested a plate once he made his request so he would not starve.”
Lord Charles grinned as he took the chair across from them. “I am pleased you will be joining our family, Miss Montford. My brother is a fortunate man. I also enlightened him of the cunning scheme you played on your cousin.” Jane’s eyes surely bulged. Fiona covered her mouth while her shoulders shook with her amusement. Jane had yet to see Nicholas’s hands but an early report from the maids said her prank had been successful. The stablemaster had been witness to the removal of her cousin’s gloves. The man had said Nicholas cried out when he saw the results then attempted to remove the dye in a bucket of rainwater.
“Thank you for your praise.”
She returned her attention back to her betrothed. “Nicholas told you of what I did?”
His smile went a long way to relieving the nerves that had arisen when the practical joke was mentioned. “He wished to torture me with questions after I told your grandfather of your acceptance. When your grandfather told him to stand down, Hatton removed his gloves and showed us his hands.”
Jane could not help but bite her lip to keep from grinning. “How dark are they? The man at the shop told Sutton the longer it would sit on his skin, the browner it would become.”
“Fairly dark.” Excellent indeed! Thankfully, Henry obviously found humour in what she had done rather than become frightened off by her antics.
After a moment of holding his gaze, she glanced at the fire before catching his regard once more. “I told my grandmother we want a small wedding at the chapel here.”
“Yes, I have no care for inviting all of London to St. Paul’s.”
“Have the two of you discussed a date?” asked Grandpapa as he approached.
Henry shrugged. “We were certain you would want a month at least, although if you were to solicit my opinion, I would prefer a fortnight at the most.”
Her grandparents shared a look with their eyebrows raised. No doubt the rapidity of their betrothal and the short engagement would cause some wariness.
“Janey, how do you feel about so short an engagement?” asked her grandmother.
“We have made our decision. I see no reason to delay. We have no large ceremony to plan. I have waited so long to begin my life that I would not feel cheated by a wedding sooner rather than later.” She told the truth. She had no desire to wait one more moment to marry Henry.
Her grandparents looked at each other, and Grandpapa shrugged one shoulder.
“I suppose the paucity of events during Lent could be in our favour,” said Grandmamma. “The last we were in public was the opera, and Your Grace remained near Janey’s side and no one but us knew when your courtship truly began. No one should be surprised if a wedding occurs not too long after Lady Vranes’s ball.” She turned to Jane. “I want you to have a new gown for Lady Vranes’s ball as you will be noticed and scrutinised with more detail than at the opera.”
Henry sighed. She could not blame him. The stares at the opera had been disconcerting, to say the least. Lady Vranes’s ball would be a crush, so more people—staring.
Her grandfather chuckled and took a sip from his brandy. “Do they not resemble Lizzybeth and Darcy, my dear? Both hoping to avoid the ton if at all possible?”
“More and more each day,” said Grandmamma.
Lord Charles propped one elbow on the arm of his chair. “I do enjoy the occasional ball or rout, but too often, they are overcrowded, and those invited are not to my preference.”
Her grandfather nodded. “Which is why we limit the balls we attend to our friends such as Lady Vranes and Marquess of Ormonde, then spend more of our time at the theatre, performances, and the one trip to Vauxhall upon its opening each year.”
“Quite so.” Her grandmother gave a definitive nod.
“I beg your pardon, Your Grace?” When they all looked, the housekeeper stood in the doorway. “Your daughters are requesting a story from Miss Montford before they go to sleep.”
Jane startled at her name. “Oh! I should be pleased to indulge them.” How could she say no?
The hand of her betrothed was before her when she made to stand. “If your grandparents do not object, I shall walk you upstairs. I wish to tell the girls good night.”
Grandmamma waved them off, and Henry led her through the house and up the stairs. When they reached the second-floor corridor, a sharp tug to her hand drew her into an alcove and made her gasp.
“Henry!” What was he about?
“Shh,” he whispered. “We cannot take too long, but I wanted to give you this.” He drew something out of his topcoat pocket, then held her hand so he could slip what could only be a ring on her middle finger. “I hope you like it.”
She held out her hand to a window, the moonlight giving her a glimpse of the ring in the dim corridor. “Is that yellow?”
“Yes, I found a small brooch in the family jewels that I had made into a ring for you. The centre stone is a yellow diamond with white diamonds surrounding it. The piece is said to be a gift from my great-grandfather to my great-grandmother upon their engagement. His mother, the Queen, provided him the brooch. My mother never wore it. I am uncertain why, but I saw the yellow stone and thought of your hair so I had it altered for you.”
“Are you sure you wish me to wear such a valuable and sentimental piece to your family?” She shifted it on her finger in an effort to have a better look.
“Yes, I am certain, and Charles agreed.”
“Then I thank you.” Jane lifted on her toes and brushed her lips against his. They lingered for a moment, but he caressed her cheek as he stepped back.
“The girls are expecting us.”
She gave a slight jump. “Yes, of course.” How could she have forgotten?
As soon as they reached the nursery, she glanced down, finally able to truly take measure of the ring on her finger. She could have gasped. The setting upon the top—the brooch—had been small when one considered the size of that sort of jewellery, but as a ring took up a good portion of her finger between the knuckle and the joint.
With a sizeable inhale then exhale, she gaped at Henry. He wanted her to have such a keepsake? What if she lost it? What if a stone fell out? What if she—?
“Jane?”
“Henry, I…”
“You will have more rings to choose from when you become my wife. If you do not like it, you may select another.”
“No, ’tis stunning, but what if something happens to it?”
He grinned and kissed the ring, then her knuckles. “If we can repair it, we shall, or if it is lost, then you can wear another—I might even purchase one just for you if that happens. Do not worry yourself over it. This was what I wanted you to wear.”
“I do not know if I shall become accustomed to this.” He was so dear!
“Perhaps I should spoil you until you are not so shocked anymore.”
She laughed and cupped his cheek in her palm. “I need not presents. I shall only need you.”
He kissed her palm. “Then we shall have no difficulties since that is all I require from you as well. We shall be the most contented couple in the world.”