Chapter 19 #2
Jane closed her eyes and let the cool night air wash over her burning cheeks.
The ballroom behind her pulsed with music and conversation, but out here everything felt wonderfully still. Moonlight silvered the stone balustrade beneath her hands, and the gardens beyond stretched into soft shadows.
She drew another steadying breath. She had not expected Hector’s words to wound. You may wed whoever you choose. What I want is irrelevant. The memory tightened painfully in her chest.
How could the man who had kissed her with such unmistakable hunger speak so calmly of another man becoming her husband? She had almost convinced herself that she had imagined everything between them.
The balcony doors opened behind her. Jane did not turn immediately.
“I thought I might find you hiding.” Her shoulders stiffened. She knew that voice. Slowly, she faced her uncle.
Zachary Deverell stood just inside the doorway, a glass of brandy in one hand and the same smug smile she had grown to despise fixed upon his face.
“What do you want?” she asked evenly.
“I came to see how my niece fares.”
“I doubt that.”
He chuckled. “Still sharp-tongued. A contact of mine within the authorities paid me a visit yesterday. They’ve found nothing.”
Her stomach tightened. “They will keep looking.”
“It appears dear Colin has vanished without leaving so much as a useful clue.”
Jane fought to keep her breathing steady. “He’ll be found.”
Zachary laughed outright. “You truly cling to hope.”
He swirled the brandy lazily. “The lawyers are already discussing succession. The earldom will soon be mine.”
Jane stepped sideways. “I have no desire to continue this conversation.”
She moved toward the ballroom doors. His hand caught her wrist.
She stopped. “Unhand me.”
“You should learn your place.”
Jane looked down at his grip. “I said let me go.”
“I suspect London has filled your head with dangerous ideas.”
Jane’s heartbeat quickened. She moved instinctively. Turning her hand exactly as Hector had taught her, she twisted sharply toward Zachary’s thumb. His fingers slipped. She pulled free, for one satisfying second. Then his other hand shot forward. He seized her upper arm.
“So,” he murmured. “You’ve learned some more tricks.”
Jane struggled. “Release me.”
A fist slammed into Zachary’s face. The crack echoed across the balcony. Zachary stumbled backward with a cry of pain.
Jane gasped. Hector stood between them. She had never seen him look like this. His eyes were cold enough to freeze fire.
Zachary straightened with a curse. “You—”
Hector struck him again. Another brutal punch. Blood appeared immediately at the corner of Zachary’s mouth.
He staggered against the stone railing. “What the devil—”
Hector took one deliberate step forward. He looked at Zachary as though he were something beneath notice.
“You laid hands on her.”
Zachary wiped blood from his lip. “She is my niece.”
Hector’s expression did not change. “You laid hands on her.”
“Lord Wynten disgraced the family beyond repair.” Zachary sneered. “Any man foolish enough to involve himself with that family is either desperate... or an idiot.”
Without warning, he grabbed Zachary by the front of his coat and slammed him back against the balcony wall.
“If you ever,” he said quietly, “mistreat Lady Jane or her mother again, I will break every bone in your body.”
Zachary’s confidence finally cracked. “You cannot threaten me.”
“I just did. And you’ll remember it.” Hector’s grip tightened. “Watch how you speak about my fiancée.”
Jane forgot how to breathe.
Zachary’s eyes bulged. “What?”
Hector released him with a sharp shove toward the doorway. “The next time you address Lady Jane with anything less than respect, pray that someone restrains me.”
Zachary stumbled backward. For the first time Jane had ever known him, he looked frightened. Without another word he turned and hurried into the ballroom. He did not look back.
Silence settled over the balcony.
Jane stared at the duke. “What...what is going on?”
His attention shifted immediately. He crossed the remaining distance between them. “Are you hurt?”
“No.” She shook her head. “I’m all right.”
He examined her face carefully. Only after seeming satisfied did some of the tension leave his shoulders.
Jane searched his eyes. “Were you serious?”
He knew exactly what she meant. He hesitated. Then nodded. “Yes.”
Her heart pounded. “You called me your fiancée.”
“I did.”
“Why?”
He looked away briefly. “I cannot leave you to Zachary.”
“Hector...”
“Our families are forever connected.” He spoke carefully. “Evan and Colin will need protection. So will your mother. It is simpler if we marry.”
Jane’s heart sank. “Simpler.”
His gaze returned to hers. “Convenience is part of it.”
She swallowed. “Only part?”
A long silence. “But?” she whispered.
He took one slow step closer. “But...I have not stopped thinking about you since the night we met. I think of you every morning. Every evening. I look for you in every ballroom. I remember every kiss. I remember wanting another.”
He lifted one gloved hand. His fingertips brushed gently along her cheek. “I’ve tried convincing myself that distance would be kinder. I failed.”
His thumb lingered against her skin. “I want you, Jane. I admire your courage. admire your heart. And I have fallen hopelessly in love with the woman who refuses to surrender.”
Tears blurred her vision. She reached for him first. Their lips met softly. Then neither seemed capable of restraint.
He drew her closer, one hand settling carefully against her waist as she rose onto her toes to deepen the kiss. His tongue slipped into her mouth, plumbing the depths of her very soul. It was warm. Tender. Full of everything neither of them had dared say until now.
A gasp sounded behind them. “My goodness...”
They sprang apart. Lady Wynten stood frozen in the doorway. Her eyes moved rapidly from Jane to the duke and back again.
Jane’s face burned. “Mama, I—”
Hector stepped forward. “Lady Wynten.” He bowed respectfully. “I owe you an explanation.”
Jane’s mother stared at him, blinking rapidly. Jane felt a rush of guilt that she had put her mother in this position. She had been through so much already.
“I have asked Lady Jane to marry me.”
Lady Wynten looked immediately to her daughter. Hope filled her expression. Jane met Hector’s eyes. There was no hesitation now.
She smiled. “I accepted.”
Lady Wynten gave a delighted little clap. “Oh!”
She embraced Jane tightly before turning to Hector. “Your Grace...” Emotion filled her voice. “...thank you.” Then, lowering her voice almost to a whisper, she added, “And... thank you for helping Colin.”
Hector inclined his head. “It was an honor.” He offered his arm. “Shall we?”
Together they returned to the ballroom. Conversation quieted almost immediately. Hector spoke briefly with the host. A moment later the orchestra lowered their instruments. The room fell silent.
Hector stepped into the center of the ballroom. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he said. “I have the great pleasure of announcing my engagement to Lady Jane Deverell.”
For one heartbeat the room remained utterly still. Then applause erupted. Ambrose was the first to begin clapping, a broad grin spreading across his face.
“I was wondering how long you’d make us wait!” he called.
Laughter rippled through the ballroom. Soon everyone joined in. Lavinia hurried across the floor, positively radiant.
“I knew it!” she exclaimed before throwing her arms around Jane. “I absolutely knew it.”
Jane laughed through happy tears. “I believe you did.”
Guests crowded forward offering congratulations. Gentlemen bowed. Ladies smiled warmly. Even those who had whispered only an hour earlier now welcomed her into Hector’s future.
Jane glanced once across the ballroom. Zachary was nowhere to be seen. He had disappeared. For the first time in weeks, she did not fear what tomorrow might bring.