Page 7 of Stolen By the Heartless Duke

Maltby frowned. “Very well?”

“What exactly did you expect me to do?” Jane asked.

“I merely wished to explain—” Maltby stammered.

Jane cut him off. “You’ve explained quite enough, my lord.”

His expression hardened. “I am trying to be civil.”

“I wish you well, my lord. Now, please leave my home.”

The dismissal was unmistakable. For a moment, he seemed uncertain. Then he bowed.

“Good evening, Lady Jane.”

Jane watched him disappear into the crowd. Oddly, she felt lighter. Not because the engagement had ended, but because she knew she had escaped something. A lifetime with a man who would abandon her whenever circumstances became inconvenient.

“Jane!”

She barely had time to turn before Lavinia wrapped her arms around her. Jane hugged her back automatically. The familiar warmth nearly unraveled her composure.

“Oh, thank heavens you’re unharmed.”

“So far.”

Lavinia pulled back immediately. “What happened? Has anyone found Lord Wynten?”

Jane shook her head. “No.”

Fear flashed across her friend’s face. “Oh, Jane.”

Jane swallowed. “Maltby just ended our engagement.”

Lavinia froze. “What?”

“He said he cannot be associated with this scandal.”

For one brief moment, Lavinia looked genuinely speechless. Then outrage flooded her face. “That absolute bastard.”

Despite everything, a startled laugh escaped Jane. “Lavinia!”

“I mean it.” Her friend planted her hands on her hips. “What sort of man abandons his fiancée immediately after her brother is kidnapped?” Lavinia said, “He wasn’t worth marrying anyway.”

Jane sighed. “That may be true.”

“Itistrue.” Lavinia squeezed her hands. “You deserve far better.”

“I need to see my mother,” Jane said resolutely.

“Of course.”

Jane hesitated. Then she squeezed Lavinia’s fingers.

Lavinia’s expression softened. “We’ll help however we can.”

Emotion tightened Jane’s throat unexpectedly. “Thank you.”

“Always.”