Chapter 13
Chapter 13
As Sutton placed the last of the pins in her hair, Jane clenched the towelling firmer between her palms. She could not allow her nerves to plague her like this! Yes, this was the first event where her engagement to Henry would be known—the first where all and sundry would be told. Everyone would be scrutinising her as the future Duchess of Albemarle. It was no wonder she was at sixes and sevens!
In addition, Henry had requested two sets before their engagement, and of course, at Nicholas’s cajoling had agreed to a third. By the end of the evening, the entire guest list could know of her betrothal without anyone saying a single word.
“There,” said her maid. “The duke will be stunned by your beauty.”
“He will be repulsed if I sweat through my lace gloves.”
“You must relax, Miss. He has proposed, you have accepted, and all is settled between you. What everyone else says does not matter. You and His Grace will be wed and happy, and those who are not pleased as punch for you can go to the devil.”
Jane’s head turned abruptly to meet Sutton’s gaze with a gasp. “Sutton!” What had possessed her maid to speak so?
“Do not censure me for my opinion. You are a dear sweet miss, and if anyone has any feelings other than joy, they are neither worthy of your time nor your consideration.”
She blinked, and her shoulders dropped a little. “You still should not say such things.”
“Some will not speak well of you or your grandparents, yet it matters not. I have worked for ten years in London, and your family has been the best of the lot. Behind closed doors, the others were mean-spirited and spoke ill of a great many people. The last lady I served was full of her own importance and spiteful to all. She spoke quite rudely of your grandparents, which is why I enquired after a position in this household when I happened upon Mrs. Taylor at market one day. Working for your grandparents and being your lady’s maid has been my best place thus far. I shall never tolerate anyone who would speak meanly of you, Miss. You are too kind, and all the servants here understand what a gentle lady you are. They are pleased to see you make an excellent match, though they are adamant that if the duke does not treat you as you deserve, you should not marry him. They believe you should be treated with the utmost respect. Why do you think so many are willing to assist in your schemes against Lord Hatton? They adore him as well but do recognise he is mischievous and that you must have your revenge.”
After allowing a slight smile, Jane stared at her reflection for a moment. The candlelight glowed off the pale blue crystals pinned here and there in her hair. Henry had said he liked her in blue. “I appreciate the servants’ care. You may assure them the duke has always been amiable and considerate. I shall have no reason to repine.” She would not either. Henry was an excellent man.
“They will be pleased to hear it,” said Sutton. Her maid tugged and straightened the sky-blue crepe that fell to her knees with a white skirt flowing from under it. She had loved this gown the moment she laid eyes upon the fashion plate. The snug sleeves almost appeared as though they were falling from her shoulders, and the fitted sky-blue bodice flowed into a skirt with a split down each side that was held together by bows. The modiste had also created a lovely white underskirt that contrasted with the pale blue of the bodice and used a delicate lace to trim the skirt, the sleeves, and the horizontal line of the gown across her chest.
“You need your jewellery.” Sutton drew out a box and clasped the pearl and aquamarine necklace around Jane’s throat. She put on the ear drops and once she had donned her opera-length gloves, put on the bracelet and the ring from Henry.
Her maid walked around her giving a tug here and a fluff there. “The duke will be speechless.”
“I certainly hope not. The night will be dreadfully dull if he is mute.” She smiled in the mirror at her maid.
Sutton lifted her eyebrows. “You sound like your sister.”
Jane shrugged and picked up her reticule. She had always admired Lizzy’s ability to be outspoken. “Well, ’tis the truth.”
After one last tug at her skirts from Sutton, Jane made her way to the top of the curved staircase. The voices of those in the hall below carried up as she began her descent. When she reached almost halfway, her betrothed’s back and broad shoulders came into view. He faced her grandfather while they spoke of something.
Henry was a tall gentleman, his strong figure and bearing adding to his appeal. Butterflies had taken flight at the sight of him, but the confidence displayed by the way he stood, and his manner made her suck in a breath. How she wished to run into his arms!
“Ah, there is Janey,” said Grandpapa.
Henry pivoted on his heel, his eyes widening when he saw her. “Miss Montford. You are stunning.” He stepped forward and held out his hand to help her down the last of the steps. It was good of him to do so. After his initial response, he had smiled, and her wits had left her. She required the aid lest she stumble into his arms and appear quite ridiculous.
“Thank you.” As she approached, her grandfather started a conversation with Nicholas, who had just joined them, so she had the opportunity to look at Henry from under her eyelashes. “You are quite handsome this evening.”
He rose from brushing a kiss against her knuckles with a curve to his lips, his heady gaze making her insides warm. “I do not believe I have ever received a compliment on my appearance from a lady. Other than to thank you, I am uncertain how to respond.”
Their gazes held for a moment until her cheeks heated and she could no longer maintain the connection. “Is Lord Charles to join us tonight?”
“My brother will meet us at the ball. He did ask me to request the second set from you.”
“I shall be pleased to dance the second with him. I am certain he will be an amiable companion.”
“I still shall not like you being on another man’s arm. You should be on mine for the entirety of the evening.” How was she supposed to cool herself without using her fan? She would never hear the end of it from Nicholas if she began fanning herself furiously while the duke gazed at her so.
Sutton appeared with her cape, and her betrothed hastened to take the garment before thanking the maid and waving her away. Jane’s breath caught in her chest as he set it on her shoulders, his fingertips brushing the exposed flesh near her neck. With shaky movements, she fastened the front and lifted her hood to hide the burning of a blush on her cheeks. He discomposed her with so little effort. Would he still be able to do so five or ten years from now?
They rode in His Grace’s coach with her grandparents while Nicholas and Fiona used the Richmond equipage. As was their wont, her cousin and his bride did not seem put out at all to be on their own for the short journey since Nicholas all but pulled Fiona to the carriage. When they alighted before Lady Vranes’s Mayfair home, Jane bit her lip to keep from laughing at Fiona’s blushed lips. It seemed those two could not ride in a carriage together without kissing. Had they been so for the entire time they had been wed? If so, how had she never noticed before?
“Your cousin was not smiling so when we departed,” said the duke near her ear.
“He usually smiles in a similar manner whenever he and Fiona disappear for a time.” Now she knew more of what brought that silly expression to her cousin’s face.
His Grace chuckled as servants appeared in the hall to help them with their coats. “One of the advantages of a love match for us to anticipate.”
“Yes, I imagine so.” Her cheeks once again burned at the kissing they could partake of without her grandparents’ presence.
“Lord and Lady Richmond! I am so pleased you could join us this evening,” said Lady Vranes as they approached her in the receiving line. Her grandparents spoke to their good friend for a few moments before moving into the ballroom.
“Your Grace,” said Lady Vranes with a curtsey. “Welcome.” Her eyebrows rose when she noticed Jane on Henry’s arm. “Why, you look lovely this evening Miss Montford! I remember pausing on that fashion plate at Madame Morisot’s. I do believe the blue is a much better colour than the yellow in the illustration. It becomes you.”
Jane curtseyed. “Thank you. My grandmother found the fabric, but Madame suggested the pattern. It is one of my favourites.”
“I hope you enjoy the evening, Your Grace. Miss Montford.”
“I am sure we shall,” said Henry.
They departed and joined Grandmamma and Grandpapa in the ballroom while Lady Vranes greeted Nicholas and Fiona. Jane took in the shimmering crystal in the candlelight as well as the decorative arrangements of flowers and the gleaming silver. “Everything is as beautiful as it always is.”
“Lady Vranes is an excellent hostess,” said her grandmother.
Her betrothed nodded. “I agree. Miss Montford, would you care for a cup of punch while we await the first set?”
“I am not thirsty as yet, but I shall accompany you if you wish for some refreshment.”
“Janey, the two of you should make a circuit of the room,” said her grandmother.
Without pause, Henry held out his arm and began to lead her around the edges of the crowd. “I must bring your grandmother flowers.”
“Since neither of us wishes to mingle with those here, why would you wish to do so?”
He drew her closer to his side to squeeze through to groups of people who were speaking on some topic that had a rather tall and slender man very animated. “I must thank her because she discerned my wish to have you to myself for a time and was of great aid.”
Jane glanced up at him. What could he mean? “We are hardly alone.”
“No, but we are able to speak without another party listening to every word.”
Her chin hitched back. “You sound as though you wish to talk of something scandalous.”
He chuckled and a few of the ladies around them turned at the deep tone. “No, not scandalous, but I do know you are sensitive to your cousin teasing you. Since he and his wife will be joining us soon, I am pleased to converse without him nearby.”
“Your planning does you credit.”
“Well, again, I shall say that I do hope you will include me when you scheme against him next. I admit to being disappointed my brother helped you in my stead. You could call me jealous.” Jealous? What would he have to be jealous about?
She squeezed his arm. “I should be pleased for you to join me. My cunning is not as sharp as Nicholas’s, so I always require some assistance.”
As they neared the opposite side of the ballroom, Henry pointed towards the middle of the room. “They are lining up for the first. Shall we?” He led her into the line, and when he stood across from her, his eyes held hers with an intensity that made her knees threaten to give way. How could he elicit such a strong response with so little effort? When their hands finally met, his gaze had not wavered, and those butterflies in her stomach took flight.
She tilted her head. “Were you truly hoping for three sets this evening, Your Grace?”
He leaned a bit closer. “Henry, if you remember, and yes, I do hope to dance the supper and the last set as well. It will save us a great deal of time telling everyone here of our betrothal. Do you object?”
Her heart began beating with a ferocity she had never known, and she attempted to breathe through the disconcerting sensations. Sutton was right. No one here should have the power to diminish her happiness. No one mattered but her and Henry. They were the ones committing themselves to each other for the rest of their lives.
The dance separated them, but her betrothed’s eyes followed her in such a way that she could not tear her gaze from his. During a turn with another gentleman, she almost missed joining her hand with his, then nearly tripped over his foot as they circled around each other. Henry grinned when she re-joined him.
“You are enjoying my clumsiness entirely too much,” she said.
“I must admit that I enjoy watching you blush and become so flustered.” She gasped. How ungentlemanlike of him!
After they honoured their partners at the end, Henry led her to where her grandparents stood with Lord Charles, who must have arrived during the first set.
Lord Charles bowed upon her approach. “Miss Montford, I hope you have reserved the second for me.”
“Of course, sir,” she said. Dancing with another would be a good method of composing herself. However, as she danced with Lord Charles, Henry’s steady gaze never left her. When their eyes would meet, her stomach would jump, and her cheeks would warm all over again. What was this effect he had on her, and would she ever be able to control it?
“Somehow, I do not believe my brother will dance with another tonight.”
Jane ripped her gaze from Henry to his brother. “I beg your pardon?”
“What have you done to him?” asked Lord Charles. “He has never appeared a mooncalf before, yet he does now. I should have known that if he fell in love, he would be irrevocably lost.” Lord Charles shook his head with a chuckle. “Look at Lady Hortense standing beside him. She is desperate to garner my brother’s attention, yet he does not even know she is there.”
True to Lord Charles’s word, a lady with stunning auburn hair stood near Henry. On occasion, she would bend forward enough to put her just within Henry’s sights, but he never behaved as though he saw her. Was he truly oblivious to her attempts to gain his notice?
“I would not have him disappoint a lady in want of a partner,” said Jane. Despite her words, the muscles along her spine tightened at the idea of him dancing and smiling with another. How unusual. Everything in her revolted at the notion. Yes, they were engaged, but when had she begun to consider him as hers?
“Do not tell a falsehood, Miss Montford. By that pathetic glance you just gave him, you would enjoy my brother pining over you for the entire evening.” He wore a wide grin.
Jane frowned as she glanced back at Lord Charles. “He would not be pining, my lord.”
The man gave a slight bark of a laugh. “Yes, he would. He knows you are safe with me, but he would likely be cursing and wishing bodily harm upon any gentleman who gained your smiles.”
She inhaled sharply. “Bodily harm? I doubt Hen—His Grace would do anything of the sort.”
“Oh, he has you calling him Henry?” Lord Charles’s tone was higher while that insufferable grin remained upon his countenance. “Marina never called him thus, which means a great deal. I am pleased he has such depth of feeling for you—and that you feel the same for him.” Lord Charles stepped across to take a turn with the lady beside her. Once he had returned, he peered over to his brother once more. “I would wager he would dance every set with you should it be accepted.”
“You exaggerate to flatter me, sir.” She would never admit to his brother that Henry had indeed professed to have preferred to stand up for every dance with her. That confession was to be kept close to her heart.
The second dance ended, so they honoured their partners. As Lord Charles made to lead her from the dance floor, Lord Rutledge appeared before them. Her sister and Amelia had always detested that man. Last she had heard, he was not best pleased with the Montfords. Why would he approach now?
“Granville, I had a request for an introduction to your lovely dance partner.” The man, who was acquainted with Jane due to his once calling on Lizzy, shifted to the side. “Simon Granville, Earl of Bath, I present Miss Jane Montford, granddaughter of the Earl of Richmond. He is quite the catch,” said Lord Rutledge as he leaned closer. “He is great friends with Prinny himself!”
How rude! He had not allowed her to avoid the introduction! And why would she care if Lord Bath possessed a close friendship with King George himself.
The earl stepped forward and bowed over her free hand while Lord Charles’s arm stiffened under the palm of the other. “Miss Montford, I have heard a great deal of you of late, and I must say reports of your beauty were not accurate—I believe you are more lovely than peoples’ claims. May I have the pleasure of the next?”
“Simon, what are you about?” asked Lord Charles in a hard tone.
With Lord Bath’s attention removed from her, Jane’s gaze sought out Henry, who was now striding in her direction with a set jaw and an expression so unforgiving it took her aback. She shook her head and in a discreet motion held up her hand. It would not do for him to create a spectacle with his brother. She also could not refuse Lord Bath since in doing so, she would forfeit her ability to dance for the rest of the evening. She would not sacrifice her remaining sets with Henry. What else could she do but stand up with the blackguard?