“Wait,” he said, taking Miss Jenny by the arm. “Something is bothering you.”
Even in the dim light of the lantern that hung from the portico’s column, he could see the pain in her eyes.
“You were right. Lord Tulk is a vile man. He made advances toward me, despite the fact he believed you and I are engaged!”
“I’m sorry you had to endure that,” Nicholas said.
“Why? He was the improper one. But I’m tired and must leave. Go attend to your guests.”
As he bid her farewell, Nicholas knew something was not right. He suspected it was more than the marquess’s behavior. But echoing laughter coming from the ballroom reminded him that he was this party’s host. Returning to his guests, Nicholas resolved to clear up the matter with Miss Jenny as soon as he possibly could.
Chapter Twenty
The morning rose bleak, and it had nothing to do with the weather. Once they had returned to Courtly Manor, Jenny and Louisa had spoken into the late hours of the night about all that had taken place at the ball. What was the truth about Lady Ayles and her cryptic relationship with Lord Dowding? And why had he admitted that Jenny could never compare to her?
Her hardest struggle was what she had overheard. How much time did he spend reminiscing about their time together? Was that his reason for not wishing to be more than friends?
Stretching, Jenny sat up in her bed. Louisa was already dressed and gone, likely to have breakfast with the other students. The gray sky outside her window did nothing to help Jenny’s mood.
A light knock sounded on the door, and Jenny called for the person to enter. She had expected to see Unity or Ruth, but the woman who entered surprised her.
“Maria!” Jenny said, bounding from the bed and hurrying over to embrace her sister. “What are you doing here?”
Four years older than Jenny, Maria had the same brown hair—which was also plaited. She also had hazel eyes and a slim nose, just as Jenny did. The one physical difference between them was the wedding ring Maria wore on her finger.
The areas in which they contrasted the most was in their personalities. Maria put great stock in gossip and devoured every page printed in all the rags of London. Her sister spent a great deal of time discussing which dukes were having affairs and the ladies who had been caught in precarious situations with their footmen. She even knew which parties to avoid, and which required attendance if one wished to be kept abreast of the most important rumors. Oh, yes, her sister certainly was full of many details.
And bad advice.
It had been Maria who had advised Jenny to drop a handkerchief in the presence of a man whose attention she wished to gain. Granted, that trick had worked on the earl, but every other time before then had been disastrous. Few gentlemen ignored her attempt at subterfuge, but most grunted with annoyance. Not to mention Mrs. Rutley’s scolding, which scalded more than any dish Mrs. Shepherd had ever served.
Yet, there were times when Maria and Jenny confided in one another—the heart-to-heart conversations the closest of sisters treasured. It was with that in mind that Jenny hoped to gain some sisterly advice that she so desperately needed.
“Richard took the children to visit his parents.” Maria rolled her eyes. “He knows my disdain for them, so he allowed me a few days of freedom. I’ll admit, I was very lucky when I found him.”
Jenny hugged Maria again. “I’m so glad you came. It’s been far too long.”
She took a step back and looked her sister up and down. Maria wore a violet traveling dress with white ruffles on the sleeves and bottom hem. Her husband was a wealthy merchant who spoiled Maria at every turn. He would do anything for his wife. And he did. No matter how much he earned, Jenny knew Maria made every decision for their family that did not pertain to business. Within reason. Thus, his giving Maria her “few days of freedom” as she put it was not all too surprising.
“How have you been?” Maria asked, taking a seat on the stool in front of the vanity mirror. “When is father coming to collect you?”
“As soon as they return from the Continent,” Jenny replied. “They say it will likely be next month, but it depends on the weather.”
“I bet you’re ready to be done with this place,” Maria said as she glanced around the room. “It’s quite drab, don’t you think? One would think it was a poorhouse.”
Jenny smiled. “I love it here. My problems here don’t lie in the house, the staff, or the students, however.”
Maria turned around on the stool to face Jenny. “Problem? What sort of problem?”
“A man.”
Her sister’s eyes lit up. “Oh, do tell! Is he handsome?”
Jenny nodded. “Very much so. We’re only friends at the moment, but I’ve developed feelings for him…” She sighed. “Or I did. After last evening, I have my doubts.”
“What happened?”
Patting the place beside her on the bed, Jenny replied, “You may as well make yourself comfortable. This may take some time.”