Page 137 of Stolen By the Heartless Duke
Jane’s heart sank.Nothing? She had not imagined those kisses. She had not imagined the way he had held her. Or the hunger in his voice when he’d confessed wanting to taste her.
“You may wed whomever you choose,” he said quietly.
She stared at him, unable to understand. “Is that truly what you want?”
“What I want is irrelevant.”
The words hurt far more than they should have.
“But…”
The music began slowing. Around them, the dancers prepared for the final figures.
Before she could gather her thoughts, Hector spoke again. “You should choose a man who can give you everything. I wish you every happiness, Lady Jane.”
The orchestra reached its final note. Applause rippled through the ballroom. Hector bowed with impeccable courtesy. Jane curtsied automatically, scarcely aware she was doing so.
He escorted her from the dance floor in silence. When they reached the edge of the room, he released her hand.
“Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
Jane stood motionless. She watched him disappear into the crowd without once looking back. Confusion churned into hurt. What had happened?
Only days ago they had kissed beside the fire. He had held her as though letting go were impossible. Now he spoke of her marrying another man, as though that were the most sensible thing in the world.
Her chest tightened painfully. She needed air. Without waiting for anyone to stop her, Jane slipped through the nearest set of open French doors.
Cool evening air greeted her immediately. She stepped onto the moonlit balcony, resting both hands against the smooth stone balustrade. The sounds of the ballroom became muffled behind the closed doors.
At last she drew a long, shaky breath. She had come outside hoping to escape the heat.
Instead, she found herself trying to understand why the one man she wanted to run toward seemed determined to push her away.
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.”
