Page 71 of The Three-Month Duchess
And that crippling fear that stopped her from moving forward in this life she had built – one she almost wish she had gotten more time to revel in and to soak up all the joy and peace it had provided her with – urged her to return from whence she came.
As Jane put away her last item, there was a soft knock at her door. Inhaling sharply, she rose to her feet and walked to the door, not surprised to see the duke on the other side of it when she pulled it open.
“Good morning, Your Grace,” she curtsied, her voice feeling foreign to her ears.
Thomas stared down at her for a moment, then he nodded in the direction of his study.
“Follow me, duchess. Let us talk.”
She nodded, and trailed after him as he led her down the hall, fighting the urge to busy her hands as her anxiety over the situation grew. In the study, Thomas pointed at the chair that faced his desk and as she settled down in it, he made his way to the one on the other side.
He leaned forward and folded his hands on the desk, every movement so deliberately slow, she could not help but focus on them. It took a few moments in his presence for Jane to recall why she had tried her hardest to steer clear of Thomas for the few days.
Although her mind was determined to stand its ground – usually – her body only knew to want him. It horrified her each time she thought of how much warmth they had shared, the pleasure he had shown her as she inevitably realized that she would not be able to get it from any other man.
She had never thought to want such things, never knew she was capable of such thoughts and now, seeing him again like this, recalling everything he had told her... she felt as though she was being ripped apart beneath his cool stare.
“The day has finally come,” Thomas began, tilting his head slightly. “Truthfully, I might have been desperate to have someone who could help my son, but I had no proof that my plan would work. It was simply... blind faith. But I am glad to see that I was not wrong. You have done well, duchess. You have my thanks.”
Jane nodded, feeling her nerves threaten to get the best of her.
“I am glad I could be of assistance, Your Grace. It was not without challenges, but it was a worthwhile task. And I am pleased you find the results adequate,” she responded.
“More so than adequate. You did exceptionally and you should be proud of your achievements,” he stated casually, but his tone still carried an edge that hinted the formality was hard to maintain. “Now, onto the matter at hand. As per our deal, this marriage was only meant to last for two months, and it would be followed by our separation once the mark had been reached. I will file the annulment documents, so you needn’t worry about that. And I have decided that I shall return your dowry, and provide you with a house of your own. This will give you some independence, which I understand is something you wanted more than anything.”
Jane felt her mouth open in shock, but it took some effort to get any words out.
“What – I beg your pardon, Your Grace, but you do not need to –”
“That is incorrect. You gave much of yourself to this family and to the estate. You did more than I expected. I cannot have you return empty handed – especially when I know who you are returning to. If your parents were that difficult to bear when you were married, I do not wish to imagine what they would be like now. At least, you should have a place to seek solace, even if it is not here. Not anymore.”
Jane shook her head. “My dowry is one thing, but a house – that is too much, Your Grace. Please reconsider.”
“I will not,” he stated firmly, his gaze pinning her into place and filling her with immense heat. “The house will be in your name,even if you do not wish to use it. And you will always be welcome back if you want to see Reuben. Always.”
She faltered and dropped her gaze to her hands, struggling to breathe through the emotions welling up in her throat.
“I do not know what to say,” she murmured.
“That is fine. You only need to accept it. And this as well.”
Jane looked up as he lifted a portrait up from behind his desk and handed it over to her. As she accepted it, startled by the sudden gift, her gaze flittered over the surface and she recognized it at once.
It was the one he had made the night he had asked her to pose for him in his art room. The pose was familiar, as was the folds of the dress she was wearing in the portrait, but she could not recognize the woman in the painting.
Jane had never thought of her looks as anything special. She knew her personality alone helped discourage men from speaking to her and prompted other ladies to make snide remarks about her. And she was content simply living a mundane life alone, as long as it meant that she could hold onto the control over her life.
But in this painting... she looked beautiful. She looked free and adored immensely, her skin radiant and eyes exempt of the pain and loneliness she had felt in that time.
“You recognize it,” he said rather than asked.
Unable to speak, Jane nodded, her fingers tracing over the surface lightly, entranced by the colours and controlled strokes of the brush.
“It was an honour to have you as my first muse. It was an enjoyable piece to create, and I would like you to have it.”
Jane nodded again, sinking her upper teeth into her lower lip, willing her tears not to fall.
“Thank you... Your Grace. For everything.”
