Page 39 of A Stormy Season

What was she doing, pretending to be engaged to Luke Watley? She should be trying to secure her own happy future, a good marriage to a good man. That was what the Season in London was for, after all. All the balls and parties were for everyone’s enjoyment, of course, but also for young unmarried people to make acquaintances and form attachments, with the goal of making a good match.

As they were winding their way up the lane to the house, Luke said, “I am giving a ball—I’ve already written to my staff to make the arrangements—so that you won’t be too bored, Miss Gilchrist.”

“I do love a ball, but you needn’t worry too much about me getting bored. I enjoy riding and walking as well. I assume you have some good walking trails here?”

“Yes, we have a few.” But his brows drew together.

“Perhaps you should not go alone, Jane, as you are wont to do.” Henry was giving her his big brother look. “We haven’t captured Lenoir yet, and he isn’t likely to give up trying to get what he wants.”

“Jeffrey and I can walk with you every day, and I can ride with you when you want to go for a ride,” Luke was quick to say. “Or if I’m unavailable, I will have one of my servants accompany you.”

“Or you could just give me a pistol to take with me.”

“Oh my,” Penelope said softly.

Henry snorted. “That won’t be necessary. We have servants enough.”

Luke at first had opened his mouth to say something, but Henry spoke first. Then her fake fiancé actually smiled, one side of his mouth going up. “I can see you walking through the woods with pistol in hand,” Luke said.

“Thank you.” Jane smiled back at him, then turned her gaze out the window.

Her heart beat faster, as she couldn’t think of a single other gentleman of her acquaintance who would have felt any admiration for her suggesting she defend herself with a pistol instead of taking a servant with her.

“Don’t encourage her recklessness,” Henry said.

Jane gave him her best disgruntled sister look. “Recklessness.” She huffed at him. “It is fortunate for you that I am not a very solitary person by nature. I will surely enjoy the company of Mr. Watley and Jeffrey.”

Luke gazed into her eyes. “I want your stay at Dunsmere House to be enjoyable, so please let me know anything that would make your stay more pleasant.”

He was the utmost in politeness, but something about his words sent a tingle across her shoulders. Was it his deep voice, coupled with the way he was looking so intently into her eyes? Or was it simply the sincerity of his expression?

“I thank you.”

The way his eyes were trained on hers filled her with warmth. It was something intense and intimate, and there was nothing fake about it.

When the carriage stopped, Luke took her hand to help her out. She was not wearing her gloves, wanting to be more comfortable while traveling, as the weather was warmer than usual.

I will not be silly. I will not be silly.But despite her inner vow, the touch of his bare hand on hers caused a catch in her chest. Was she truly so attracted to him? Was she the same as all those girls who had gathered around him at that ball and tried their best to win his attention? And though he didn’t say a word, he was giving all his attention to her.

Henry and Penelope were halfway to the door when Jane placed her hand on Luke’s arm and let him walk her into the house.

“Welcome, sir,” the butler said as he opened the door. Other servants filed out to get their bags and trunks and bring them into the house.

“I would enjoy a tour of the house later,” Jane said, addressing Luke.

“It would be my pleasure to give you all a tour, if you wish.” Luke glanced at Henry and Penelope.

They both expressed a wish to see the house and settled on an hour from thence, once everyone had rested a bit from the trip.

Jane didn’t actually need to rest for an hour, as the trip from London was relatively short. So once she and the maidservant had put away her clothes in the lovely bedroom where she was to stay, she quietly left her room to go downstairs.

In the hall, she heard voices, and one sounded like Luke’s, but he was speaking in a low, gentle tone she hadn’t heard before.

She started toward the voices, as she got closer, she heard a high-pitched child’s voice, crying and talking at the same time.

Jane soon found herself in the doorway of the nursery. Inside, Luke was kneeling beside a child-sized bed.

“What’s wrong, Jeffey?” Luke was saying in a soothing voice, leaving out therin his name.