Page 49 of A Stormy Season

But Jane simply said, “Thank you,” in a quiet voice and started across the lawn toward the house.

He had hoped they might have a discussion about their plan for the ball, how many dances they would dance together and whether they would dance with other people. He opened his mouth to call her back, but the thought of her anger stopped him.

Was he destined to compare every woman to Anne? Would he ever lose this dread of marrying someone who was angry and defiant and hated staying home?

He just had to get through the next few months, save Jane Gilchrist’s reputation, and then he could figure out how to get past these bad memories and associations.

He hurried forward and caught up with Jane just before she opened the door to go back inside.

“Forgive me if I sounded like I was accusing you. What did the man look like? Do you remember?”

“Yes, he had dark hair with a bit of gray mixed in. He was rather thick in the chest, and he had a heavy brow. He looked to be around thirty-five or forty years old.”

“That doesn’t sound like any of our gardeners. I will go and speak with the groom and see if he saw the same man.”

Jane nodded and went into the house without another word.

He sighed. Jane had been such a capable ally when they’d been kidnapped, attacking Lenoir and doing as well as any man would have done in the situation. He only wished they still had that same spirit of amiable cooperation between them.

He turned and stalked back toward the stable. It didn’t matter. If he had to sacrifice Jane Gilchrist’s amiability to do what was best for his son, and indeed, what was best for him, then so be it.

Chapter Fifteen

Jane went into the breakfast room, which was cool and dark in the early evening. No one was going to believe that she wanted to marry Luke if she didn’t calm herself.

She closed her eyes and breathed in and out. Gradually her heart stopped racing and she was able to breathe normally again.

How will I get through this night without telling Luke Watley just what he can do with his pretend engagement?

When she was calm again, she was able to turn her attention to her skirt. Thankfully, she didn’t see any mud on her hem, but her shoes were ruined. She went upstairs to change. In her room, she gazed at herself in the mirror. Truly, her hair was as well-looking as she’d ever seen it, her complexion was better than usual, and her dress was immaculate. If Luke Watley was not attracted to her tonight, then he never would be.

It was just as well. She’d feel vindicated that she hadn’t run after the most sought-after man in England when she told everyone, in a few months, that she had called off their engagement. And even more when they saw that she was not sad or broken-hearted, but as happy and carefree as she had always been before she’d been unfortunate enough to be kidnapped with Luke Watley.

Back downstairs, Penelope motioned to her rather emphatically. “Guests are arriving,” she said in a loud whisper as Jane hurried to stand beside Luke Watley as they greeted the first guests to their ball.

They had never made a formal announcement of their engagement, but greeting the guests together, side by side, was as good as a notice in the newspaper.

More than one mother and daughter bestowed snide looks at the pair of them, and several young ladies wore solemn and doleful expressions, their hopes of a match with young widower Luke Watley dashed.

Jane wanted to say, “He’s all yours in a few months,” but she refrained.

It was assumed that the first dance would be led by the host and his fiancée. Luke had not spoken to her about it, but when the guests had all arrived and the musicians were ready, Luke led her to the dance floor.

Her first glimpse of his expression as they faced each other, waiting for the music to start, told her that he was not enjoying himself. Then his eye met hers and he smiled, but the smile looked strained and insincere, and his gaze flitted around the room. Only when the music started did his gaze finally settle on her face.

“You look very lovely this evening,” he said, but the usual warmth was absent from his tone.

“I thank you. And you look very handsome.”

He raised his brows. She hoped he didn’t think her compliment meant she cared for him. She was only making an observation and complimenting him as he had complimented her.

Jane had seen the guests watching them, even after the other couples joined the dance, so she did her best to keep a pleasant smile on her face. It was more difficult when Luke did not look especially pleasant.

She was glad when the dance was over and she could go to Penelope’s side.

“Did we look like a happy engaged couple?” she whispered to Penelope.

“Do you want the truth?”