“I’m so happy for you.” Fanny knew how much the two doted on each other, and they were the cutest pair, especially when Finn took Jane onto his lap and wheeled her around a dance floor in his Bath chair.
“Thank you.” Jane retrieved a glass of punch from one of the tables. “How is your love life? You have two handsome men vying for your attention this evening. Surely that means all is well in that quarter.” With her free hand, she touched Fanny’s hand. “You never told me you were such a popular lady.”
“I’m not. How I landed in the middle of this is anyone’s guess.” She blew out a breath of frustration that ruffled a few curls on her forehead. “Despite that, my love life is decidedly… lagging and quite confusing.”
Jane flashed a wide smile. “Ah, then that’s a good thing.”
“It doesn’t feel so.”
“Which man do you favor?”
“I’m not certain.” Heat sneaked into her cheeks once more. “Inspector Storme—William—kissed me the other day after we’d visited a crime scene.” Quickly she told her friend the recent developments of her becoming a society journalist with ambitions to report on more weighty subjects.
“Oh?” Jane fairly vibrated with excitement. “Then encourage him.”
Fanny frowned. “I would, except the viscount is titled and younger. My father would like that, and it’s a good match, especially if I can’t make a go of a journalistic career. Plus, when he’s attentive and not posturing, the viscount is rather lovely.” She didn’t tell Jane that he may or may not have been involved in a potential crime, or that he may have a roving eye. There simply wasn’t enough evidence, and hearsay wasn’t proof.
“Then play them off each other.” Jane shrugged, as if the answer were that simple.
Perhaps for her, it was. “I’m not that sort of woman. It feels dishonest and is exhausting besides.”
“No, you never were one for such a thrill as that.” Jane tapped a finger to her cheek in thought.
Did that mean she was going about this courtship business all wrong? What she needed was solid advice. “Which man would you choose?” she asked of Jane and hope she didn’t appear too desperate.
Her friend’s eyes lit. “Never doubt a Storme, Fanny. They’re all good men, even if they’re difficult to understand at first.”
“Hmm.” That must be true to an extent, since three of them had married within the last year. That was certainly a redeeming quality. “William tends to be moody.”
Jane snorted. “A character trait all Storme men share.”
“And he’s extremely focused on his cases with Bow Street. Would there be time left over for me? Not that I begrudge him that; he’s extremely adept at what he does.” The last thing she wanted was a potential suitor too distracted for romance. And should she marry such a man, would the union suffer because of it? To say nothing of the inherent danger involved.
“Perhaps he needs to be, for solving crime doesn’t come easily, I’ll wager.” Jane caught Fanny’s eye and lifted an eyebrow. “However, Storme men don’t take hints well, and they’re too proud to ask for direction. Don’t leave your wishes or preferences up to them. You need to encourage him if you wish him to pursue you.”
“But—”
“No.” Jane shook her head and took one of Fanny’s hands in her free one. “Try it. Flirt with him. Or the viscount.” She shrugged. “See what happens.”
“And then what?” Honestly, Fanny had no idea how to flirt, for she’d always kept men at arm’s length, so they didn’t have a chance to reject her.
“If the evening proves dull, drop a vague hint to them both then excuse yourself. One of them will surely follow.” Her smile was brilliant, as if she knew a grand secret that Fanny could only guess at. “After that, kisses will surely be in the offing.” She winked. “So lead whichever man who takes your bait into a shadowy corner. He can do the rest, and if it’s William you’ve snagged, you won’t be disappointed.”
Worry roiled through Fanny’s stomach. “You’re so much better at this than I am.”
“And it won me my Storme. Go.” Gently, Jane pushed at her shoulder. “Be brave. You’re a journalist now. Consider this research in who will suit best as a potential husband.” She lowered her voice. “And if he needs more… encouragement, a few strategic touches on various portions of his anatomy won’t hurt either.”
Good heavens!Her cheeks heated as she imagined attempting to cup his equipage or even stroke her fingers along his member. I don’t think I have that much courage. “I’ll try.”
“Go the extra distance, my girl, and do,” Jane whispered at they parted.
By the time Fanny returned to her seat, knots of anxiety pulled at her stomach. Both men sat with stiff spines and darkened expressions. Had they indulged in a war of words in her absence? “I… I do hope you gentlemen behaved yourselves while I was gone.”
William narrowed his gaze while the viscount eased backward as she settled her skirts. “We were having a lively debate, actually.”
“Oh?” She forced a swallow into her suddenly dry throat. “Do you care to share the subject matter?”
Lord Wainwright’s eyes flashed. “Only that Inspector Storme stopped short of accusing me of a crime that he dances about but won’t reveal.”