Page 35 of A Stormy Season

Jane’s smile spread over her face as she took his hand and shook it as firmly as any gentleman—though her small, soft hand was not like any man’s.

“Let us go and tell my brother and sister-in-law the news—that we are engaged.”

“Is it necessary to deceive Henry? Can we not tell them—and only them—the truth of our pretense?”

Jane frowned and placed her finger against her chin in the most charming way. After a few moments she said, “Perhaps that would be best. Very well. We shall tell Henry and Penelope the truth, but no one else.”

“They may think it is a bad idea and refuse to help us.”

“They won’t. You’ll see.” With the most endearingly mischievous look, she passed from the room ahead of him in search of Mr. and Mrs. Gilchrist.

~ ~ ~

“I am not sure this is a good idea, Jane.” Henry gave her a rather severe look after Luke had left.

“You agreed to it.”

“I know. I told Watley I would play along, but I do not like it, and I am not sure it will work. I think you should have accepted his proposal of marriage. You are not silly and romantic like other girls, Jane. Why did you not accept him? He is a good man. I can vouch for him. And he is rich and handsome to boot. What more do you want?”

“Silly and romantic? Is that what you call it when a woman wishes to marry for love, not wealth or position?”

“You know what I mean.”

“Was Penelope silly and romantic when she agreed to marry you?”

“That is different. Penelope and I were in love when I proposed marriage to her.”

“And she wasn’t sure you loved her, so she turned you down, did she not?”

“It is more complicated than that.” Henry’s gaze moved away from Jane’s face.

“Every woman wishes to be loved, and I am no different.” She was surprised how hard it was to admit that. Just a few days ago, she probably wouldn’t have been able to.

Henry was quiet, staring down at the floor. Finally, he said, “I’m sure you are right. Very well. Penelope and I will support you in this charade, but as I told Watley, you and he must make it believable. For all intents and purposes, you are engaged. There should be no suspicions that you are pretending.”

“I understand. It would not reflect well on any of us if people discover we were never engaged at all.”

“Very true.”

“Have you made any progress on finding Lenoir?” Jane asked, changing the subject.

“No, I’m afraid not. It’s as if he has vanished. But we will find him. He’s probably hiding, afraid, now that we have evidence and witnesses to what he is doing. Now go and get some rest. You both look a bit tired still.”

Jane went up to her room to do as Henry said—though not because he said it. She didn’t want to admit it, but she’d struggled with falling asleep at night, besides being plagued with dreams when she was able to sleep. Sometimes she dreamed she was in her bed and Lenoir and his guards were coming in her window. Other times she was walking to the shop when men suddenly grabbed her and threw her in a carriage.

Another dream was of Luke Watley lying on the ground, bleeding and unconscious, his late wife alive and well and standing over him.

The dreams had shaken her more than she wanted to admit, but she would overcome this new anxious feeling when she walked down the street, and even when she lay down to sleep at night. Henry planned to install bars over her bedroom window and she was secretly glad.

She was lying in bed reading a book when a knock came at her door.

“These flowers came for you, miss.”

The servant presented her with a lovely bouquet of multicolored roses and bright yellow daffodils, two of Jane’s favorite flowers.

“Shall I fetch a vase and water?” the maidservant said.

“No, thank you,” Jane said. “I shall take them downstairs myself and put them in some water.”