“He’s in love with you.”
Jenny came to an abrupt stop and began laughing outright. “Love? He doesn’t even know me! How could he have possibly had the time to fall in love with me?”
“It’s simple, really,” Louisa said, unabashed. “You’ve read a great number of romance novels.”
“And even I know they are fiction, not reality.” Louisa pursed her lips, and Jenny sighed. “Go on.”
“The stories must be based on some sort of truth, which begs a particular question. Are there not couples who fall in love at first sight? It’s rare, I’ll admit, but it must happen, or there would be no such stories.”
Jenny considered this. Yes, she had read many romance novels, but she did not use them as some sort of guide for her life. But what Louisa said made sense. There had to be some sort of basis of truth or a true-life story to accompany the novels. Otherwise, how could the stories exist?
That, then, begged the question. Could the earl have fallen in love with her but was fighting against it? That would certainly explain his strange behavior during his call. But what if she did not feel the same? Granted, she felt… giddy in his presence, had trouble thinking clearly, and could have languished in his scent. But that surely was not love.
Was it?
She sighed. Tomorrow was her luncheon at Rosling Estate. She would learn more then. What she needed to do was summon the courage to ask him outright. Perhaps he was too shy to admit his feelings for her, given the rapidity of them. As Louisa said, instant love was rare.
Few pedestrians ambled along the footpaths when they reached the village, most likely taking refuge inside the warm shops. Those willing to brave the weather did so with lowered heads and hurried steps.
“We’re going to Rake Street,” Ruth said, motioning to Theodosia and Unity. “Would you like to join us?”
Jenny gaped. “No, I don’t want to join you,” she snapped. “Nor do I think any of you should go. Ladies don’t go to such places. It’s unladylike.”
Ruth snickered. “You worry too much.” The trio walked away, leaving Jenny to stare after them with incredulity.
“Can you believe her?” she asked. “Mrs. Rutley would be beside herself if she learned where they were going.”
Louisa snaked a hand through hers. “Don’t worry about them. You made the right decision. Just think, a month ago, you would not have hesitated to go with them. It shows how much you’ve grown and their lack of maturity.”
Jenny could not help but smile. “Yes, that is true. Come, I would like to buy some new ribbon.”
With their heads bowed against the cold wind, they made their way toward the haberdashery. As they passed the tailor’s shop, however, Louisa came to an abrupt stop just as Mr. Beadle stepped outside with another man. “It was a rare honor,” he was saying. “It’s a pity my nephew, Tommy, was not here to meet him.”
“What feat of courage did he perform to earn the knighthood, do you know?”
The tailor nodded. “I heard that five men set upon Princess Charlotte while she was traveling through a forest. They disarmed the guards, knocked them all out, and trussed them up like hogs on a spit. Sir Aaron just happened to be traveling along that same route, and when he saw what was happening, he didn’t hesitate to leap in and save her! It’s said that he singlehandedly bested all five men. Some say that by doing so, he changed the destiny of the country forever. That’s why everyone calls him the Knight of Destiny.”
Before Jenny could stop her, Louisa grasped hold of the tailor’s arm. “Where is this brave knight, Mr. Beadle?”
Mr. Beadle frowned at her. “I heard him say he was calling over to the tobacconist. But what does that have to do with you?”
Louisa ignored his question. “Thank you, sir,” she said as she pulled Jenny after her.
When they reached the haberdashery, Louisa stopped and turned to face Jenny. Her face beamed. “Did you hear what he said, Jenny? A hero here in Chatsworth! A knight! I’ve never met a knight before.” She gave a dreamy sigh. “I bet he’s handsome, too. Perhaps I’ll be lucky enough to have highwaymen accost me! Then he can come to my rescue, too. If so, I’ll reward him with a kiss.”
Two ladies walking past clicked their tongues in disapproval, but Louisa did not seem to notice.
“You mustn’t say such things,” Jenny hissed as she took hold of her friend’s hands. “Nor should you think them. They’re improper.”
Louisa laughed. “You cannot tell me that you’ve not had such thoughts about the earl.”
Jenny went to say that she certainly had not, but instead paused. Was that the truth? Granted, she had not considered putting herself in danger, or even imagining herself thus, so Lord Dowding could save her, but had not some of her thoughts been improper.
At least you had not spoken them aloud!
Reassured, Jenny said, “I’m a young lady, as are you. Now, let’s go inside before we freeze to death.”
Louisa pulled her hands from Jenny’s. “No. We must go in search of this knight. I only want to see him. I promise I won’t embarrass myself. He may be ugly and old, but until I set eyes on him, I’ll never know.”