Hope bloomed and blossomed in her chest as she stared at her brothers. Would Finn ask for her hand if he felt that he might lose her? A thread of excitement climbed her spine. And if he did, would she accept? “Papa will be livid if I choose the major.”
“Of course, he will,” Royce agreed with a vigorous nod. “The duke is the catch of the summer, and if you could land him before the Season officially opens, all the better. There are already entries in the betting book at White’s on who you’ll choose.”
Oh, dear heavens.Heat infused her cheeks. “Will Papa lose face if I don’t accept the duke’s offer?”
Both Royce and Trey laughed at that.
“Absolutely he will. He and Ballantrae have been thick as thieves at White’s these past weeks. From their perspective, it’s all but a done deal.”
The urge to retch grew strong. Jane swallowed a few times to keep the hot bile down. “Do you… uh, suppose he might disown me if I don’t follow his dictate?” Her last two engagements had been of her own making. Though the men were upstanding fellows, neither of them had been of ton stock. The first had been a wealthy merchant’s son, while the other had been a decorated soldier who’d attained the rank of captain. Since they’d both ended in heartbreak, was she an idiot for not going after a title?
“I doubt it, but he’ll make all our lives miserable for a time.” Royce’s expression sobered. “He might revoke your privilege to work in the clinic though. Already he sees it as an excessive freedom that a woman shouldn’t partake of.” As quick tears sprang to her eyes, he leaned forward and clasped her hand over the narrow aisle. “I know how difficult life is to navigate for you. I’ve witnessed your struggles over the past few years, but I will tell you this. If the major makes you happy, don’t discount that. Such a thing is difficult to come by; you’ve seen that with your own eyes working at the clinic. So when you find it, you must cling to it fiercely.”
“Even if it means choosing such a future will come with more challenges than not?”
This time it was Trey who brought comfort. He touched her foot with his. “Dearest sister, nothing grand in life ever comes easy. Remember that and make your own decision. Royce and I will support you no matter what.”
“Thank you.” Jane caught an escaped tear with her glove and once more turned her attention to the window as the coach approached St. James Place. Was she strong enough to make the right decision? She lifted a hand to touch her grandmother’s heart pendant except she hadn’t worn it tonight. A diamond and emerald necklace graced her neck instead, for the pendant hadn’t matched the gown, and she’d wanted something fine and expensive for the evening.
Perhaps once she saw Finn tonight, she would know beyond a doubt what she should do… even if her heart had already decided.
*
Golden candlelight illuminatedthe Ballantrae townhouse. Due to the crush of people, every window had been thrown open to encourage the refreshing, cool summer air despite the persistent light rain. Everywhere Jane turned, couples milled through the corridors and filled the rooms, all clad in glittering finery and rich fabrics. Laughter and the buzz of excited conversation filled the air, and that energy transferred to her until anticipation thrummed through her veins. The strong scents of perfumes, pomades, and powders tickled her nose as she glided through the throng in search for one particular person while her brothers separated to find their own amusements.
When someone called her name, she craned her neck. As her gaze fell on Fanny, she gave a spirited wave, but since too many people separated her from her friend to easily join her, she kept walking toward the ballroom. The crowd waiting at the door surged, but once she finally entered, the brilliance of the décor took her breath away.
Oil paintings featuring pastoral landscapes hung in heavy gilt frames. Grand mirrors interspersed the paintings, which gave the already large room a bigger, airier feel. A huge crystal chandelier sparkled with mad brilliance in the middle of the high ceiling. Crown molding gave the room the feeling of opulence as did the delicate papering on the walls featuring moss green stripes. On the ivory stripes, scrolling ivy, tiny painted tulips in pink and blue, and the occasional peach cherub peeking out from the floral accents. Not to mention how lovely the highly polished parquet floor reflected the candlelight.
“Good heavens,” she whispered to herself as she slipped to one side of the room. A string quartet currently played a lively country reel. Couples moved and skipped through the steps, providing even more decadence to the atmosphere. She poked at her upswept hair with a finger, for the combs itched and her scalp hurt from the weight of her tresses.
“It really is quite something, isn’t it?”
The tenor wasn’t the voice she’d been hoping to hear. A quick glance at the speaker had her stifling a groan. “Good evening, Your Grace.” His blonde hair glimmered even more golden in the soft light, and dressed in perfection as he was, he’d turn any woman’s head.
And possibly steal their hearts.
“Good evening, Lady Jane.” He took possession of her hand and brought her gloved fingers to his lips. “You are perfection in that color.”
“Thank you.” It would be all too easy to follow societal assumptions and allow the duke to offer for her. With a tiny shake of her head to clear her thoughts, she gently slipped her hand from his. “You’re quite popular from the looks of the crush here tonight.”
“Indeed.” A smile curved his lips. “Can I hope you’ll promise me a dance or two this evening? I’d hoped to reserve them before your card is filled.”
She lifted her hand, prepared to offer him the requisite dance card, but it wasn’t dangling from her wrist. “Drat. It seems I’ve forgotten to bring it, but I’ll allow you any dance you choose.” Would that snag Finn’s attention enough so that he might declare himself?
“I would enjoy that very much.” His eyes glittered with intensity. “We have something important to discuss tonight.” When someone hailed him, he glanced beyond her and lifted a hand in greeting. “I must go. The pressures of hosting an event takes me away from you.”
Jane nodded. The relief that coursed down her spine was telling. “Until then.”
“I’ll count down the minutes.”
Once he’d moved away, her shoulders sagged. Was it folly to keep him at arm’s length? Her mind was more confused than ever. Not wishing to remain stationary and thereby encourage another visit from the duke, she continued to edge about the ballroom. A knot of young ladies clad in pastel colors tittered and gossiped behind fans. Their gazes were drawn to the duke across the room where he conversed with an older peer. Good luck, ladies. Perhaps one of you might win him. She offered a group of young bucks a smile, but most of them were paying attention to the ladies. Widows and matchmaking mamas alike all vied to capture the duke’s attention, for who among them wouldn’t wish to land a duke?
Then the country reel ended and the crowd on the dance floor temporarily disbursed in lieu of another set. Through the shifting bodies a flash in the candlelight caught her eye.
Finn.
In that moment, when her gaze met his across the room and he grinned, she knew exactly what she wanted beyond all doubt. Her heart skipped a beat while an answering shiver echoed deep inside and made her very soul dance with joy. Heated awareness skittered over her skin as he wheeled his chair toward her over the parquet floor, regardless of the next dance that set up or the couples he displaced in the process.