Closing her eyes, she pictured a future with the earl. One where nothing would restrain them, where nothing appeared in their path to cause a misstep. That any obstacle, real or otherwise, threatening to stop them from achieving their goals would be obliterated.
Like this dance, it would take the two of them to see their dreams realized.
And what a life they would lead! They would marry and enjoy every passing day in each other’s arms. Their laughter would be eclipsed only by that of their children. It was a wonderful dream, one from which Jenny never wanted to wake.
Yet, as with all dreams, she opened her eyes. But it did not dissipate as most did upon waking. To her delight, she saw his smile, and it told her that this was only the beginning.
* * *
What began as a way to thank Miss Jenny for her help soon turned into a dance in the middle of a dilapidated ballroom, her head against Nicholas’s chest. Her female fragrance overwhelmed his senses. Without thought, he clasped his hands together at the small of her back, causing her to tremble against him. He could not stop the hammering of his heart as he held her tight. Would he be able to release her? Would he want to?
The rain struck the iron frames of the windows, and the wind created a melody in the chimney, providing the music they needed. What would it be like to hold this woman in his arms as he was now, not as a friend but as his wife?
One day, he would marry, for it was required of him if he wished the Dowding line to continue, and he could not imagine anyone except Miss Jenny at his side. Yet the feelings growing in his heart also gave him pause. What if he was wrong? Were his feelings what he believed them to be? Would he be played for a fool again?
No, the risk was far too great, both for him and the woman he held. Was it not the mere thought of harm coming to her that caused him a great deal of sadness?
“If it were possible,” she said as she gazed up at him, “would you remain like this forever?”
As he looked down into her hazel eyes, he smiled. “It’s a welcoming thought. It would be just the two of us, and that thought makes me happy. I cannot imagine anyone else with whom I would want to spend that time.”
She sighed and placed her head against his chest once more. “You mentioned before that you see the world as a cruel place, but I see it differently.”
“Oh? How so?”
“It’s a place where dreams can come true. Granted the path may deviate from time to time, but if we stay true to our dreams, we’ll be happy in the end. Consider this house. I suspect the man who built it wanted to spend the rest of his days here. Perhaps it was his dream—or he believed it was. Yet he was sent down a different path. Now the house lies empty. The fact his family has never come to claim it says that his return to his home country was likely the better choice.”
“But why allow such a lovely home to go to ruin?”
She shrugged. “Given the tales that surround this place, it’s no surprise it’s vacant. All because people believe tales. But we know the truth—it’s far from haunted. It’s beautiful. But it took both of us, together, to see it.”
Nicholas considered these wise words. There was no doubt she was correct. For far too long, he had allowed his past—his troubles with Lady Ayles or the promise he had made to his father upon the man’s deathbed—to cloud his perception of the world.
Yet, Jenny had shown him a different view, a world in which dreams existed and where hope was just within reach. With a woman at his side like her, anything was possible.
He considered once again expressing his feelings for her. No, it was more than that. How she made him feel as well! But he could not do so. It was far too soon. He had made that mistake before and would not allow it to happen again.
He slowly released his grip from her waist and took her hands in his. “There is no doubt you are far wiser than I ever imagined, Miss Jenny. Perhaps my outlook on life has been less than bright. No, it’s been downright miserable. But you have given me much to consider.”
Her smile made a pleasant knot form in his stomach. He forced himself to take a step back. They needed a change of subject, something to break the spell that had fallen over them.
“Perhaps we should rest,” he said as he came to a stop. “I would like to learn more about you, and I see no better time than the presence.”
He spoke no lies, for Miss Jenny intrigued him more than he ever would have imagined. Her willingness to do what she could to aid him, to the way she perceived the world, had him reconsidering what he had believed in the past. And that was a good thing, for he had spent far too much time with his mind caught in a fog of vengeance to see the beauty of the world around him.
“What would you like to know?” she asked as he led her farther into the room and away from the windows.
Why your smile makes me feel as if I can conquer the world,he thought. But he could not say such things, not yet. Later perhaps, but not now.
Instead, he asked, “So tell me, besides the classics and how to play the pianoforte, what else do they teach you at that school of yours?”
Miss Jenny laughed. “How to serve tea, how to correct one’s posture…” She grinned at him. “How to wear a mask whilst pretending to be the fiancée of an earl. The usual subjects.”
Nicholas roared with laughter. “In the past, I would dismiss the dreams of others, especially those of young ladies such as yourself. Now I find myself wanting to learn more about yours.”
Together, they walked to a large bay window, the bough of a large elm creating a natural umbrella against the rain. A sound made Nicholas glance over his shoulder to find Miss Dunston standing in the doorway. How long had she been watching them?
“I want an adventure,” Miss Jenny replied. “That is my dream. But I don’t want to experience it alone. I’d prefer to have a gentleman with me.” She had such a look of longing in her eyes, Nicholas wanted nothing more than to go on that adventure with her.