“You don’t say?” Luke said drily, earning a narrowed gaze from the two of them. “Thetonregularly turn a speck of dust on their shoulders into a mudslide falling from the skies.”
“Then we must work with the rules of their games,” Jemima said quietly.
“I do not like rules.”
“We had noticed.” Jemima’s dryness made Luke smile a little. He sat forward in his seat, deciding it was time to end this conversation.
“Jemima, please, do not misunderstand me. I rather liked Miss Storey, that is something I will not deny, but she is not someone I would ever consider approaching or pursuing. I asked her to dance because it was the polite thing to do this evening based on the situation, but there is nothing more to it.”
“You vow it to me?” Jemima asked with evident desperation.
“I do. Miss Storey is as safe and as distant from me as the stars in the sky.” Luke gestured upward, relieved when he saw Jemima smile. Yet when he turned his eyes to his brother-in-law, he was startled to see Noah with his eyes narrowed. It was as if Noah was analysing him in great detail, trying to figure something out.
“Very well, then I am satisfied,” Jemima confessed, sitting back on the coach bench, with her hand still in her husband’s. “I suppose the whispers will die down in a few days once they see you do not attend events together, and nothing more happens between you.”
“I quite agree,” Luke murmured, though he still felt aware of Noah’s stare.
The three of them fell into silence for their journey, up until the moment Jemima and Noah were to descend, to head into their townhouse. Jemima descended first, and Noah called after her, saying he would follow in a second.
“I have to quickly talk of some business with Luke,” he called after her.
“What an odd time of night to talk business.” Jemima laughed with the words and moved into the house.
“What business do we have to talk of—woah.” Luke snapped his head round as he felt Noah take the lapel of his jacket. “A little tense, Noah?” he asked with humour.
“Apologies, but I thought it the best way to get your attention.”
“Consider my attention firmly grabbed, along with my lapel,” Luke said, trying to disentangle his brother-in-law’s hand from his jacket. “What is it you wish to say?”
“Jemima gets lonely in the countryside.” Noah’s voice was quiet, as if it was a confession he did not wish to give.
“But…the two of you are so happy,” Luke murmured, hating the thought of his sister being sad.
“We are happier than I thought possible, in truth, but a love is not the only relationship one should have. We should have friends too. I have mine, but Jemima’s reputation still hampers her own chances.”
“This is why you brought her to London for the Season?” Luke asked in realisation. “With the pure intention of seeing her make friends?”
“Yes, which is why I am about to ask something very particular of you, Luke. Jemima’s name has been harmed by enough scandal as it is.” Noah looked uncomfortable at the words, fiddling with his top hat in his grasp. “She is working hard to make people seeherrather than the scandal that follows her. I fear any more gossip that is related to her this Season or related to anyone she is associated with….”
“Ah, I see.” Luke sat back, understanding at once. “Have no fear, Noah. I understand your meaning. You fear if I cause any scandal this Season, it will reflect badly on Jemima.”
“People are tainted by association. It is the curse of thetonand quite despicable. I do not pretend to be able to understand it.”
“I quite agree. Once an individual is painted in one colour, it seems an entire family are painted with that same colour,” Luke said quietly, thinking of where his parents spent his time now. Since Jemima’s scandal, they preferred to live in their own country seat, and they rarely came up to town. They were happier for it, but they also did acknowledge the stigma. “Trust me, Noah, I have no intention to make life any more difficult for Jemima than it already is.”
“Thank you, Luke. Truly.” Noah extended his hand and Luke shook it warmly.
As Noah descended the carriage and walked up to his townhouse, Luke’s eyes flicked to the doorway to see that Jemima hadn’t gone that far ahead after all. She was waiting for her husband, her silhouette illuminated by the candlelight behind her. The way she greeted her husband with outstretched hands was a warming gesture. Once more, Luke felt that burn of envy creeping in before he dampened it down.
That is not the life for me.
He closed the carriage door and urged the driver to be on his way.
***
“Peggy! Have you heard?” Annie stepped eagerly into the room, where she came to a stop. Peggy was standing in the middle of her sitting room with a bunch of flowers in her hand. She was staring down at the bouquet with wide eyes. “Goodness, they are beautiful,” Anne declared, hurrying forward to admire the white roses.
“Annie, you’re here, good, let us have that tea,” Peggy said distractedly, pressing the white roses into Annie’s hand. She took them in a fumble, startled by it as Peggy arranged for tea and for a vase to be brought.