Chapter 14
Chapter 14
“I asked what you are about, Simon.”
Since Jane had met Lord Charles, he had possessed an easy demeanour. His voice never possessed such a hard edge. Neither Lord Charles nor Henry seemed to think much of their brother. What a shame!
Lord Bath smiled as though butter would not melt in his mouth. “Why, to meet my future sister, if the rumours are to be believed. Nothing more. What has you at sixes and sevens, Brother?”
Lord Rutledge’s head swung back and forth between the two men. By his wide eyes, the man had no idea he would stir up a hornet’s nest with the introduction. The earl was a known gossip and officious. She held back from wincing. How many would hear of this debacle over the course of the night?
Jane patted Lord Charles’s forearm. “Pray, do not cause a scene. Yes, of course, Lord Bath. The next is yours.”
The second of the Granville brothers swaggered forward, and she placed her hand upon his arm as they made their way to the centre of the line. She glanced over her shoulder to Henry’s jaw clenching and releasing and gave what was surely her most reassuring smile. Perhaps that would be of aid to calm him. He had to understand she had little choice.
When the music began, they honoured their partners then waited while the first couple took their turn.
Lord Bath observed her in a way that made her skin prickle in an uncomfortable manner. “I must say you are quite the curiosity, Miss Montford. All in attendance know you are the granddaughter of the Earl of Richmond, but no one seems to know of your father. They say your mother left London society when she wed. She must have made a scandalous marriage to be shunned so.”
She did her best to keep a calm expression upon her countenance. “’Tis no great mystery or scandal, my lord. My mother and father preferred the country to town and remained on my father’s estate. He prefers the quiet of Longbourn and can be found in the solitude of his book room most days. The diversions of town do not appeal to him.”
When their turn came, Lord Bath maintained a genial countenance. While she preferred to believe everyone had the best of intentions, something was behind his behaviour—the outward display of amiability was a mask. She could not explain how she had come to the realisation, yet her entire being screamed it was so.
When she resumed her place, she glanced over her shoulder for a glimpse of Henry. He was no longer where he had been standing. Where had he gone?
At every opportunity, she searched the ballroom. Where was he?
During the next turn, his chestnut hair and tall bearing stood out at the edge of the dancers on the opposite side of the room, standing as close as he could without drawing attention, his hazel eyes never wavering from her. As she stepped through the next movements of the dance, Lord Charles’s presence to her right caught her notice. He had also placed himself at the edge of the dance floor, his glare trained on Lord Bath. She peered behind Lord Bath to find Nicholas with his hands clasped behind his back, a scowl upon his features. Her grandfather was opposite her cousin. Good Lord, how nefarious was this man that they would position themselves so? One of hers or Henry’s relations was posted on each side of the dance floor.
The earl chuckled and shook his head. “My brothers enjoy painting me the villain, but I am misunderstood and slandered by them in the most hurtful of ways,” he said as the dance required her to take his hand. “I have never done what they claim. In fact, their accusations are a painful wound I must bear, particularly since they attempted to poison my father against me. They simply could not accept I was my father’s favourite. Regardless, I would still wish them to be a part of my life and I a part of theirs, if they would allow it.”
Her spine stiffened. “I have not known His Grace to lie, nor Lord Charles for that matter. They are excellent gentlemen.” She spoke the truth. They had been nothing but agreeable.
“I suppose they have displayed the qualities they wished you to see, but if you wed my brother, you will discover soon enough what they are. Henry had a mistress while he was married to Marina. Did you know? She was such a lovely and genial lady. I was a favourite of hers as well, so she often spoke to me of how much his unfaithfulness pained her. To protect yourself, you must not assume my brothers are what they seem.”
Jane swallowed down the burn in the back of her throat. Her grandfather would have questioned Henry on such a matter and would not have sanctioned the match were he not satisfied. Trust was essential. She had to trust Henry and her grandfather. After all, Henry had warned her of this younger brother and Lord Charles’s contempt was obvious to anyone who paid attention.
She drew herself as tall as she could. “What purpose does this serve—We are hardly acquainted. Why would you make such pains to inform me of these matters? With our limited familiarity, this is not appropriate discourse between a lady and a gentleman.”
“I simply do not want to see another lady injured by Henry’s unfeeling nature.”
Unfeeling nature? Of all the descriptions his brother could have used to describe him, unfeeling was the least fitting. Henry had always displayed a great depth of feeling to her.
“I have not found His Grace to be so cold. On the contrary, he displays his emotion for his daughters as well as for others freely when not before a ballroom full of people. Perhaps your history with your brother colours your opinion of him, or perhaps he would not display what is in his heart to you because he does not trust you. At the time you mention, he was also a different man.” He had said as much at one time.
“A different man?”
“Yes, a man forced to live his life according to someone else’s wishes.”
Lord Bath’s jaw pulsed before he smiled wider. “Ah, is that what he told you?”
She whirled back into her place and did her best to level a glare upon the interloper. “Sir, I would prefer not to play this game and would prefer not to hear your lies a moment more. Desist or I will depart and leave you alone upon the dance floor.” Every part of her shook with the declaration. Could she carry through with her threat? The act would be so unlike her, but she would not listen to this rogue spew his lies.
The man’s expression faltered for a mere second before he regained himself. He opened his mouth to speak, but Jane held up her hand towards him. She was done with polite discourse, not that anything about this was polite.
“No more.”
“He has convinced you of his goodness—”
Whatever else the earl had to say was lost since Jane pivoted on her heel and strode from the dance floor towards Henry. An oath was muttered behind her, but she did not look back. She made for her betrothed without pause.
A hand wrapped around her elbow with an unforgiving grip just as she neared Henry. “Miss Montford—”
“You will release her, or I will put you on the floor.” Henry spoke low and through his teeth. Even if Henry’s tone and words were not comforting, the turmoil within her calmed some at his threat to his brother. He would protect her.
“I would do as he says,” said Lord Charles who had somehow appeared behind the earl. Lord Bath’s hold on her eased.
Her grandfather stepped between two people on her other side. “Lord Bath, it has been a long time. If you would do me the honour of a few words.” He held out his arm towards the front hall, which forced Henry’s younger brother to finally release her.
Before her grandfather and the earl could go far, Lady Vranes approached. “Lord Bath, how have you gained entry to my home?”
The earl gave his best smile and a slight bow. “I am a guest of Lord Rutledge, my lady.”
She held her hand high, and two footmen appeared. “Pray, see Lord Bath to his carriage. When you have completed your task, let me know. I wish to be assured he is gone. I will speak to Lord Rutledge and ensure he does not extend any invitation to Lord Bath in the future.”
“Yes, my lady,” they both said.
As Lord Bath was being led away, Lady Vranes exhaled and let her shoulders drop. “I saw him standing up with Miss Montford and was taken aback. Lord Vranes disliked him heartily. I never knew why, but his contempt was enough to prevent me from welcoming that man into my home. I hope he did not injure you, Miss Montford.”
She clasped Henry’s arm now that she was at liberty to do so. “No, I am well. I thank you.”
Lady Vranes gestured to Jane’s hand. “What a lovely ring. Your grandmother mentioned your engagement just a few moments ago. I must congratulate you both. You could not have chosen a more deserving lady, Your Grace.”
“I believe the same,” said Henry.
“If you require a moment to compose yourselves or talk,” said Lady Vranes, “my library is open to you all. If you will excuse me.”
As soon as Lady Vranes bustled away, Henry breathed deep and tightened his arm to his side, trapping Jane’s hand against his ribs. “I believe I should require a moment.”
Charles slapped him on the back and strode off. Lord Richmond had disappeared, and off to one side, Hatton also vanished into the throng, no doubt to find Lady Hatton and Lady Richmond.
Without pause, Henry wound his way through the crush and led Jane into the hall where two footmen stood posted near the front doors. As soon as he pulled her into the library, he tugged her into his embrace and crushed her to him. He needed her in his arms desperately, needed to reassure himself she was still there, that she was still his.
“If I had refused him, I would not have been able to dance with you again.” Her motive was no mystery. Lord Richmond had also reminded him of the fact before they posted themselves around the dancers. His back teeth still clenched at the underhanded manner of the introduction. He had restrained from striking Lord Rutledge in the nose when he the imbecile apologised for what he had done. It seemed Charles had taken the man to task the moment Jane left for the dance floor with Simon.
“I would have remained by your side for the rest of the evening if you had made the sacrifice. I cannot bear him touching you, smiling at you.” His lips pressed against her temple, then her cheek, before he kissed her soundly. For some time, the sound of their breathing and the crackle of the fire in the grate were the only sounds in the room. If this was Albemarle House, he would be in real danger of losing himself in her.
His betrothed did not hesitate or refuse his desperate need for her but returned his kiss measure for measure until he wrenched himself from her and raked a hand through his hair. “I must know what he said to you.” Simon’s mouth had been moving from almost the moment he had Jane on the dance floor—no doubt belching his poisoned words into the air.
“Lies, I am certain.” Her eyes flitted away from him for a moment while she spoke. Oh, yes, Simon had told her something that caused disquiet.
“Jane, I shall provide the truth of any matter, but you must tell me. I do not want what he has said to be an impediment between us. If necessary, we shall not leave this room until you tell me.” He had both of her hands clasped in his. He would drop to his knees and beg if it was necessary, but he could not let Simon damage the trust between them.
Jane drew her hands from his to cross her arms over her chest. “He described you as unfeeling. He accused you of keeping a mistress while married to your first wife—and how he was a great favourite of your wife’s as well.”
Henry’s teeth ground against each other, making his jaw hurt. “He does love to speak of that. If only people knew what he meant by it.” He scrubbed his face with his hands then let them drop to his sides. “I shall tell you everything, but I beg you to let me finish. Will you do that?”
The lady he loved more than anything nodded before she sat in a nearby chair. He bristled at the distance, but whatever she required, he would do without question.
After a cleansing breath, Henry clasped his hands behind his back, his shoulders so tense, they pained him. “Simon did not lie when he said I had a mistress while married to Marina.” Jane flinched and her hands clasped in her lap. “As I have mentioned, I did not love Marina, and she held no affection for me. We were strangers who lived in adjoining rooms. If you must know, she allowed me to visit her bedchamber on rare occasions—a handful of times before she became enceinte with Emme and once before Jules. Marina had her friends and her activities, and I had mine. We met in the middle for events where we were required to appear together. After Emme was born, she began treating me with some hostility, although I never understood why. The birth was difficult, and she suffered—the entire household knew how she suffered. The screaming. I shall never forget her screaming.” He shuddered and swallowed hard to choke down the bile in his throat. “She was disappointed Emme was a girl. From the moment Emme was born, Marina wanted nothing to do with her. She had no understanding of why I was so enraptured by a baby and hated that I took an interest in my own child.
“She did not allow me in her bed while she was with child as well as after Emme’s birth. When she did not fall with child again after a year, my father began berating her for not doing her most important duty. I defended her. Carrying Emme had been difficult for her, even before her confinement. We did not love each other, but I was not without sympathy for her. If she wished for some time between children, I would not refuse her.
“I must admit to my shock when she came to me about six months later. I saw no reason to question why after all that time. My assumption was that she was finally ready to try again. She announced she was increasing two months later. I did not think to ask about the swiftness of it all but assumed she took notice of the signs rather than had felt the quickening.”
Jane frowned and sat forward some in her seat.
“When she took to her bed to deliver after another four months, I paced and worried that it was too early, and the babe would not survive. When the housekeeper brought out Jules and placed her in my arms, all I could do was stare. She was a fully formed child. She was not thin and pale, but chunky and a healthy shade of pink. In that moment, I knew she was not early. Marina had lied to me.”
Jane gasped and covered her mouth with both hands.
“I handed Jules back to the housekeeper and entered Marina’s bedchamber. She had bled during the birth and was exceedingly wan. After I spoke to the midwife, I sat in a chair near the bed. When Marina opened her eyes, a tear tracked down her cheek while she exclaimed over Jules’s beauty. The midwife seemed doubtful Marina would survive the night, so as angry as I was, I saw no need to yell or berate her during her last hours. Instead, I sat with her as she weakened further. Not long before she died, she said, ‘He is not coming, is he?’ When I enquired who she meant, she said, ‘Simon.’ I asked if Simon was the father and she nodded. She died not long after.”
Poor Jane’s eyes were bright and shiny with tears. “Does Lord Bath know?”
He sighed and shrugged. “If he does, he does not care. I am certain seducing Marina was a game for him, another way for him to demonstrate his hatred for me—a way for him to be the natural father of the heir had Jules been a boy. Thankfully, Simon and I look enough alike that no one can tell Jules is not mine.”
Jane rose in a quick movement and hurried to him. She cradled his cheeks in her palms and forced him to meet her gaze. “She is yours, Henry. In every way that matters, she is your daughter. She loves you, and I can see in your eyes when you look at her how much you love her.”
“She was an innocent babe and had no part in her mother’s and Simon’s deceptions. I could not hate her for what was beyond her control. She was innocent.
“So, you see, my circumstances with Marina were quite different than ours. I did entertain a mistress. I wish I could say I held some feeling for her to somehow justify the connexion, but I partook of her favours and left after. We shared no intimacy—nothing similar to what you and I share even without sharing our bodies. You cannot know how I want you, and how after, I want to hold you in my arms and never let you go. I think of little else.”
Her cheeks flushed and her tongue peeked out. Despite their current conversation, she was tempting him beyond reason.
“After Jules’s birth, I also ended my agreement with my mistress. Knowing what I did of Simon and Marina, I suddenly had a great distaste for the practice. I swear to you I have not had another since, and I plan to never have another mistress ever again. I vow to keep unto you. I vow it here and now, and I shall repeat the vow when we wed. You are all I shall ever need.”
She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and rose to her tiptoes to embrace him. “Thank you for telling me everything. I know you probably had no wish to do so.”
“I would have told you of Jules eventually. Speaking of it is painful; not because of Marina’s unfaithfulness, but because she lied, and because I love Jules so much it pains me to know Simon’s blood runs through her veins.”
Jane drew back, a few tears peppering her cheeks, and he pinched the bridge of his nose for a moment. “I found Marina’s journals after her death. Her assignations with Simon had started about six months after Emme’s birth. He pursued her, courted her with flowers and pretty words, and she loved him without question. When she realised she was with child, she panicked, and sought me out so she would not be forced to give up the babe when she was born. As long as the child was not a boy, I would not have cared, but I likely would have tried to foster out a boy—found a loving home and paid for his upkeep. I do question if my father, had he lived of course, would have allowed the foster if he knew the child was Simon’s.”
Jane lifted onto her tiptoes and hugged him once more while he buried his face into the soft flesh of her neck and closed his eyes. The soft rose and lilac scent of her perfume soothed the tightness he had experienced speaking of the disturbance. His stomach relaxed and his throat was no longer squeezed closed.
Her velvet lips pressed against his cheek. At a creaking of the wood floor, she held him tightly to her. She did not jump back.
“Jane, I was sent to fetch the two of you back to the ball,” said Lady Hatton. His heart dropped in his chest. He needed more time.
When he forced himself to pull away, Jane pressed her hands under her eyes to remove the tears. “Does it show I have been crying?”
He ran his thumb along her cheek. “Not at all. You are as lovely as ever.”