Chapter Ten
July 8, 1817
Jane’s heart beat in double time as she attempted to sit demurely in the large drawing room of Lord Danbury’s townhouse. She and the other guests had already been treated to four musicians of various talents, but the last young lady had set her teeth on edge with several missed notes, whether from nerves or inexperience, she couldn’t say.
As of yet, she hadn’t seen Finn, nor his mother, and that left her with cold disappointment circling through her insides. As soon as an intermission was announced and light refreshments offered in the parlor, she left the pretty, gilt-painted chair and bolted from the room…
And ran headlong into the warm body of the Duke of Ballantrae. “Please pardon me, Your Grace,” she said in a rush. Oh, she didn’t have time for such a delay.
“How fortuitous to see you, Lady Jane.” He grasped her shoulder and hand in order to steady her. “I arrived late and wasn’t able to secure a seat next to you.”
“Yes, it’s rather crowded this evening,” she responded with a vague wave of her hand. Surreptitiously, she attempted to peek around the duke’s shoulders, but she still didn’t catch a glimpse of Finn. Surely, he’d not begged off for the evening without telling her.
“Could I escort you to the refreshment table? We are afforded a half hour before the second half of the evening’s entertainment begins.” He held out his crooked arm, clearly expecting her to accept.
“Of course,” she said in a small voice while she racked her brain for a valid excuse. Listening to the musical abilities of young ladies wasn’t exactly the entertainment she’d hoped to enjoy tonight. Guests milled through the corridor, rendering her progress with the duke slow, which only served to heighten her frustration. “Have you had the opportunity to speak with anyone this evening?”
“A few acquaintances. Some of my time is spent avoiding the braver debutantes. One of them had the audacity to proposition me.” Shock threaded through his tone. “Veiled, of course, but she wanted to meet me in a room little used for a bit of scandal. No doubt one of her friends would ‘drop by’ and catch us in a compromising position, thus securing her future.” He shook his head. “As if I’m that naïve.”
“Lucky girl,” Jane murmured, for that’s exactly what she wanted to do with Finn. Where was he? Then she cleared her throat and attended to the duke’s statement. “You’re absolutely right in avoiding that pitfall.”
As they gained the refreshment tables set up in the parlor on the same floor, the duke handed her a glass of watered-down lemonade. “On the way in, I spoke briefly with a Major Storme.”
Jane choked on the sip she’d taken. “Oh?” When she reached for a linen serviette, he handed her one. Their fingers brushed, but there was absolutely no reaction sparking between them.
“Quite a fascinating man. I’d rather like to pick his brain and hear his thoughts on the Battle of Waterloo. There’s so much we civilians weren’t privy to, I’ll wager.”
“Yes.” She couldn’t think of a single erudite thing to say, for as soon as she heard that he was, indeed, in the house, every nerve in her body felt strung too tight. “Uh, where did you see him? I must have missed his arrival.” And then she knew. If he were truly after a clandestine assignation with her this evening, he certainly wouldn’t go to the trouble of having a footman carry him—as well as his Bath chair—up the stairs. More to the point, he couldn’t easily sneak out to an unknown location with the contraption.
“We’d come in together so chatted briefly in the entry hall. He must have an interest in music, for anticipation was fairly stamped on his face.”
“Oh.” She fought off the heat in her cheeks. It wasn’t the event he looked forward to, it was spending time with her. Another little piece of her heart flew into his keeping.
The duke sipped his own lemonade. A slight smile curved his rather thin lips while indulgence sparkled in his blue eyes—too light and not the rich sapphire of Finn’s. His golden hair gleamed in the candlelight, and every inch of his expertly tailored clothing fit his body like the proverbial glove, but somehow, she preferred midnight hair in disarray and a cravat always hopelessly loosened. “I wondered if I might call upon you soon.”
Yes, in theory she should be properly grateful he’d deigned to speak with her tonight or that he’d even shown an interest in the future, but…
He simply wasn’t as intriguing or exhilarating as being in Finn’s company was.
When she realized the duke stared at her, she took another gulp of the lemonade. “Um, you may if you wish.” Though whether she’d be at home was another matter entirely.
“Good.” He nodded.
“Ballantrae!” Someone hailed him from across the room.
He lifted a hand. “If you’ll excuse me? I must speak with Alderson a moment.”
“Enjoy the remainder of your evening.” She didn’t offer anything else, for she didn’t wish to encourage him. After setting her empty glass at the end of the table, Jane left the parlor. Was Finn waiting for her? As she strolled casually toward the staircase, she smoothed her gloved palms along the front of her peach silk gown. The sheer lavender overskirt shimmered with tiny clear beads. With a quick glance around and confirming that no one paid her the slightest attention, she sneaked down the polished wooden stairs. “Where are you?” she whispered to herself.
Thankfully, the corridor was empty. Four closed doors drew her focus. Which one? As silently as the heels of her slippers would allow, she crept through the hall, and as her gaze fell upon the edge of the rug in front of one of the doors, she smiled. It was mussed and rumpled as if a wheeled object had made a sudden turn into that room.
He’d been in a hurry to hide.
Her pulse raced as she pressed the latch. Excitement tingled down her spine while she pushed open the door. “Finn?” Dimly lit, it took her eyes the space of a few heartbeats to acclimate. “Are you here?”
“Thank you for finally joining me, my lady.” Sarcasm hung heavy on the response. “I began to fear you’d left me for a fool.”
“Oh, hush.” Before she could change her mind, Jane softly closed the door and made certain to turn the key in the lock. “Don’t ruin our night by being horrid.” But his concern was valid. No one enjoyed being left to the wolves of society, per se. When she faced into the room, her ability to breathe left her at the sight of him.