Lord Dowding took the folded parchment from the silver tray and turned it over. “Look at the seal.”
“The hammer and a T!” Jenny said. “He’s replied!”
“Indeed,” the earl replied. “Let’s pray it’s good news.” He tore open the letter and studied it for a moment before hanging his head in defeat. “As I expected. He says that what I ask is impossible, although he wishes me luck.”
“I’m so sorry,” Jenny said soothingly. “But don’t give up hope.” Then an idea came to mind. “I know! Hire someone to play the part!”
Lord Dowding frowned. “Hire someone to… I can’t do that.”
“And why not?” Jenny demanded. “Even you have never met Mr. Thompson. All you need is someone to pretend to be him, so you can arrange this meeting.”
“Of course!” Lord Dowding said as he enthusiastically wrapped his arms around her. “What a wonderful idea. I’ll have Tibbons make inquiries immediately.”
Jenny could not have dropped her smile if she had tried. Had she the choice, she would have remained in his arms forever.
When he released her, he said, “We should go in search of your sister. And please say you’ll stay and eat. I’ll have the cook prepare us something light.”
“Yes, that would be lovely,” Jenny said as he took her hand to help her stand. “And thank you again for sharing your story with me, my lord.”
He smiled down at her. “Miss Jenny, thank you for being the lady I need.”
Luncheon was full of conversation—nothing about the earl’s plans, of course, not with Maria in attendance—and the time passed by quickly. It seemed only minutes when Jenny and Maria were alighting from the carriage in front of the school.
That also was the moment Jenny understood just how much she had truly changed because her sister asked, “So, was my plan successful? The two of you seemed very attentive to one another.”
“He no longer sees me as a naive schoolgirl but rather as the young lady I truly am.”
Maria grinned from ear to ear and clasped her hands together. “Just as I suspected!”
“But,” Jenny interrupted, “it was not a kiss that won him over. Instead, we shared from our hearts.” She kissed her sister on the cheek. “Thank you for the cosmetics, but I don’t think I’ll be needing them.”
“Are you sure?” Maria asked, frowning. “You may change your mind.”
An image of Lord Dowding appeared in Jenny’s mind, and she smiled. “I’m beautiful enough for him as I am, so I doubt I shall. Now, I’ll see you at Father’s in a few months, won’t I?”
“I was hoping to remain one more day,” Maria said. “Would you like to spend some time together? And don’t worry, I’ve no plans to turn you into a different person again.”
Jenny laughed. “I’d like that.”
“But we really should remove that rouge before you go inside,” her sister said. “I doubt Mrs. Rutley will approve.”
After using three handkerchiefs and a little water they were able to get from one of the stable hands, Maria bid Jenny a farewell.
Jenny hurried inside, excited to share with Louisa all that had happened at Rosling Estate. Yet as she entered the foyer, she decided to go first to speak with Mrs. Rutley.
The headmistress sat behind her desk in her office and looked up when Jenny knocked on the door. “Did you enjoy yourself?”
“I did,” Jenny replied. “And I learned a valuable lesson today.”
Mrs. Rutley’s brows rose. “Is that right? And what, exactly, did you learn?”
“That you were correct. A woman’s strength comes from within. She needs no paints or perfumes to define her.”
“That is a valuable lesson.”
Jenny smiled. “I also remembered when you said a young lady must trust her heart, for I did just that. And Mrs. Rutley, my heart has shown me that I care very much for Lord Dowding.”
Chapter Twenty-Four