Page 41 of Her Rake Fiancé

Could he look away from her at all?

“Should we go and greet Sebastian and Emma?” asked Calliope, who stood on his other side. “And they’re with Preston and Penelope.”

He cleared his throat and forced his gaze away from Jane. What a pity.

He looked around the room, searching for Sebastian’s familiar tall figure and Emma’s shorter figure.

“Yes, quite right,” he said as he spotted them ten feet away talking to his grandmama. “There they are. Come, Jane. You must meet our friends. And, of course, we cannot miss Grandmama, my brother, and Penelope.”

Sebastian, the Duke of Loxchester, was, as always, dashing and handsome with his dark blond hair, chiseled face, and amber eyes. He stood protectively next to his lovely, dark-haired wife, Emma. They had married shortly before Spencer’s disappearance and caused quite a scandal.

Preston, Penelope, and Grandmama greeted Jane warmly, and with relief, he saw her hands stop shaking.

Penelope beamed at Jane. “That frock suits you very much, Miss Grant.”

“May I present Miss Jane Grant,” Richard said to Sebastian and Emma. “My fiancée. And Jane, these are the Duke and the Duchess of Loxchester.”

“Quite pleased to meet you,” said Sebastian with an earnest smile. Since last September, when Emma had come into his life, he’d transformed. From a grump who sometimes failed to say a word the whole evening, he had started smiling and acquired the demeanor of someone who was quite content and happy in his life.

The same thing had happened with Preston, who’d always been a somber individual but had seemed to brighten and become warmer, thanks to Penelope.

“We heard about you, Miss Grant,” said Emma. “Preston told us and then, of course, there was the announcement in the paper this morning.”

“You heard good things, I hope…” said Jane.

“Of course,” said Preston. “I apologize for my harsh questions the last time we met. I only meant to protect the family. I do think highly of you, Miss Grant, and the most important thing is that my brother loves you. And I can see that he does.”

Richard’s head snapped to Preston so fast, he thought he’d crack a vertebra. He could see Richard was in love? Since when? Preston met his frowning gaze, puzzled. “Did you not tell us you were in love with Miss Grant, brother?” asked Preston with an innocent smile.

Right. He did say that. And, the worst thing was, the warmth in his chest, the lightness in his stomach, the sense that everything was brighter and better around Miss Grant…all suggested that he felt something more than he wanted to admit.

Jane looked at him, too, wide-eyed and concerned. He felt her gaze like a warm touch on his skin.

“Of course I am. You’re right, brother,” he said and met Jane’s gaze.

And stopped breathing. Damnation, the whole world could stop and disappear, and he wouldn’t need anything or anyone else but her, looking into his eyes.

“We’re overjoyed you make my grandson happy, dear,” said Grandmama. “God knows, he deserves to be treated well by a good woman.”

The conversation turned to the wedding and the organization of it. With the special license acquired and the church booked for nine days from now, the only matter remaining was to prepare for the festivities and organize the decorations. Mercifully, Calliope took it upon herself to discuss the menu for the feast and arrange decorations and invitations with Mrs. Girdwood, the housekeeper in Sumhall. As they talked about it, Richard couldn’t help but look at Jane. If they were successful, there would be no wedding. Here he was with his second fiancée, another engagement doomed…

And, yet again, he didn’t want it to fail.

Emma and Sebastian asked Jane about her family. Calliope said proudly that Jane taught poor children in Whitechapel and that she was very happy to have a new sister like her. They all made Jane feel welcome, he could see how her shoulders relaxed, how her breathing became calmer and slower, and how a genuine smile bloomed on her face.

As they were interrupted by someone who came to greet Grandmama, Richard offered his arm to Jane to make a tour around the room. He wanted her to feel at ease and secure in the presence of those he held most dear. However, he knew that not everyone in the ton would be so welcoming and kind. This was his domain, this social jungle with predators and prey, and he’d make sure she was safe from anyone who might wish her harm.

As they walked around the room, making their way through groups of conversing and laughing people, several acquaintances greeted him. He saw the Countess of Whitemouth, with her hair piled high and decorated with bright yellow feathers, the color making her look older than she was. She caught his gaze and slowly nodded to him in greeting, her eyes falling on Jane with a raised eyebrow. Lady Fairchild, standing next to her, looked at Jane like an angry cat.

And then he saw a former lover, Lady Jasmine Stanley. They had enjoyed a brief affair last summer, before Spencer disappeared. The beautiful woman locked eyes with him, a seductive question in her burning gaze. He nodded to her politely, coldly, and glanced at Jane, who was staring right at the woman with a frown.

Damnation. He didn’t want Jane to think he was interested in Lady Stanley. Quite unexpectedly, the thought of hurting her like Lady Charity had hurt him was like a bullet through his heart.

After a quick glance around the room, making sure no one would see, Richard let his hanging hand touch hers. A jolt of hot desire rushed through him. How could it, after such an innocent touch? He knew she felt it, too, as she suddenly looked up at him and met his gaze. And just like that, there was no one else in the room but the two of them.

Nothing else existed.

And she wasn’t drawing her hand away.