Jane snorted. “In some things.” A sigh escaped. “My cousin was a tyrant when we grew up. He locked me in a cupboard once. For hours I was trapped until the housekeeper found me. Another time he left me in a wooded area where we’d played on my father’s country estate. It was nighttime and we chased fireflies.” She shivered. “My brothers were sent to retrieve me. By that time, I was nearly incoherent from fright. Another time, my cousin tricked me into coming up into the attics. He locked me in there for hours. I still have nightmares.”
“How vile.” Finn rubbed a hand up and down her back, the motion both soothing and arousing.
“I must have a candle burning until I fall asleep or have someone with me if I’m out at night. It’s a failure on my part, I know, but I can’t seem to overcome it.”
“Shh.” He held her close, and she reveled in the strong bands of his arms around her. For the first time in a long while, she felt safe. “I might be chairbound, but I’ll protect you from the dark—and the bugs—as best I can… if you’ll let me.” A tiny shard of doubt echoed in his voice at tugged at her heart.
It was progress, and she was ecstatic. But she kept those emotions to herself lest they scare him away. “I will indeed.”
“Good.” He pressed his lips to her temple. “Also…”
“Yes?”
“I’d like to begin assisting at your brothers’ clinic two days a week. That is if Royce doesn’t mind. I… I think it will benefit the men there as well as me. To talk when I’m feeling… vulnerable and don’t want to burden you, though you’ve helped tremendously.”
“Oh, Finn.” As much as she wanted to cheer with glee, she quelled the urge. “I shall ask him.” She nestled more snugly into him. “You’re growing.”
“So are you.” If only he knew. “Writing helps me too.”
“I envy you that.”
He snickered. “Don’t, for it’s a pain in the arse most times. Characters do what they want, plots don’t come together, and heaven help me if their names don’t suit their personalities.” He chuckled. “Perhaps I’ll show you what I’ve written soon.”
“Oh, yes, please.”
“Phineas, why are you outside?”
Dear heavens, his mother had returned! With her heart thudding hard, Jane slid off Finn’s lap as the countess appeared in the doorway. As quickly as she could, she hastily pinned up her hair, haphazardly shoving combs into the mass. “Good afternoon, Lady Hadleigh.”
“Who are you?” The glance she bounced between her and Finn held a speculative edge.
“Lady Jane Marsden. A friend of Finn’s.” For the moment, it was the truth.
“Ah, yes. The friend who nearly inherited Wellington.” The graceful lady nodded. “Phineas talked about you in his sleep after that terrible ordeal.” Her grin was that of a cat’s after it ate the proverbial canary.
“Mother!” Embarrassment rang in Finn’s strangled outburst.
Heat fired in Jane’s cheeks. “All good, I hope?” How curious, indeed.
“He said you felt like sunshine and smelled like summer.” One of her dark eyebrows lifted. “I assume that’s good.” Her grin widened. “Thank you for befriending my son. I’m grateful for it, for he needs someone.”
“My pleasure.” She glanced at him. Her heart squeezed when he peered back with a mixture of amusement and dread in his eyes. “He’s a wonderful man.”
The countess nodded. “The both of you, come inside and take tea with me. I have some questions for you, Lady Jane. Oh, and Phineas, I heard back from your cousin William. He says he’d like to come to Town soon, and he’s bringing his sister Isabel. I thought you might wish to know since you probably haven’t made plans.” She returned to the drawing room, imperious as a duchess in the assumption they would follow.
Finn groaned softly. “You’re in the soup now. Mother is like a dog with a bone. She’ll discover what’s happened soon enough.”
“Not necessarily.” But she couldn’t help a grin. “If your mother likes me, you’re the one in trouble.” She giggled. “Hmm, I wonder how much I shall reveal…”
“Oh, God.”
She slanted a look at him. “Who is Isabel to you?”
“A cousin whom I’ve rarely seen over the years. As children, we used to be good friends.”
“Should I worry there’s another woman wanting your affections?”
He snorted. “Absolutely not.”
“Good.” When she moved to return to the house, he followed.
Perhaps there was hope indeed she and Finn could have a future. It was too soon to tell, but it was more than she’d had this morning.