Page 47 of Her Rake Fiancé

Jane nodded, gifting him with a special smile that sent his heart fluttering against his rib cage. “Thank you again, Richard.”

The way she uttered his Christian name—it felt like a secret promise between them. Picking up Hercules’s leash, he said, “It’s my pleasure, Jane.”

He and Hercules then took a brief stroll, waiting for the perfect moment to reenter the yard. Upon his return, he was greeted by the sight of the schoolchildren emerging from the small classroom, their faces joyful and relaxed, quite different from the expressions he’d seen the first time he’d come here. No doubt, it was thanks to Jane’s influence. She was right. Her school was important.

He watched them depart through the gate, then turned to Jane.

“Your brother doesn’t want you to leave with me today,” Richard stated, watching as Jane’s face grew serious. “He was fine with me paying a visit, but we can’t leave here together.”

“Right,” said Jane. “I heard that Reuben is to leave on an errand for Thorne this evening. We must hurry to see him. It’s only eight days till the wedding, and I don’t know when he’ll return.”

Richard expected a chill to run through him at the news that the wedding may be inevitable, that they would need to go through with it. But instead, the thought of marrying her brought warmth radiating from his middle.

“We must meet somewhere else,” he said. “I’ll leave alone, making sure the lads see me and see my carriage depart. I’ll stop a street or so away. You wait for a while and then tell them you’re going to a shop or on an errand. Is that possible?”

She nodded. “Yes. That could work. I’ll say I need to buy something at the market for the children. One of them might want to come along. But I’m sure I can lose him in the market with so many people bustling about. Park your carriage on Bristle Street, and I’ll find you.”

“Jane,” he said with a chuckle, “you could give Calliope a run for her money.” Richard enjoyed the spark of enthusiasm in her eyes, though he was aware of the dangers of their plan. “But please don’t.”

“I won’t.” Jane let out a quiet huff of laughter.

“I’ll see you soon,” he said, already exhilarated at the idea that he’d spend more time with her today.

She gave him one of her gorgeous smiles in response. He nodded to her and left. As he passed through the gate, he threw a glance at the two guards who, as he had hoped, noted his departure. He crossed the street and told his driver where to go, then climbed into the carriage.

They pulled away, and with satisfaction, he watched the guards follow the carriage with their eyes. Good.

In a few minutes, the driver turned left and soon stopped the carriage. It was a quiet street with more of the broken, crooked houses with holes in their roofs and boarded-up windows. He kept looking out of the window, hoping to see Jane’s slim figure at any moment, but time stretched like honey, sticky and long.

One whole hour must have passed when he finally saw her hurrying towards him, holding a basket in one hand, Hercules at her heels. She told the coachman the address and climbed in, putting the basket on the seat next to her. The loyal dog leapt in after her.

And they were deliciously alone.

21

In the semidarkness of the carriage, her gray gaze was intense on him.

“Did you have to run away from your chaperone?” Richard asked.

She chuckled. “Yes, I lost him in the crowd quite easily.”

He smiled back.

“Jane, when we talk to Reuben, and if he finally tells us what we need…”

She shook her head. “Don’t be so sure. He may refuse,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.

“But if you convince him…”

The implication was clear. If she convinced Reuben and he did tell them everything, all of this would be over between them. The thought was like a boulder sinking in his soul.

He ached to say he did not want it to be over. But that meant they would actually have to marry.

The scent of lavender wafted from her, freshening the mustiness of the carriage interior. His heart pounded as he watched her lips, still parted, tremble slightly.

“If I convince him,” she said, her eyelids fluttering ever so slightly, “this charade will finally be over, and I can get back to working on my school without needing to walk in Hyde Park or attend soirées and balls. And you will be free.”

His throat became very dry, and he swallowed. “I do not know that I want to be free from you.”