“This has been a very special day, my lord,” she said as he took her hand in his. “What gave you the idea?”
He led her to the veranda. “My plan to set up a meeting between Lord Tulk and Mr. Thompson failed, so I needed a diversion. Something special that would cheer me up.” He stopped at the door and turned to look down at her, his eyes tender. “And that something special is you.”
* * *
Having retreated to the warmth of the fire in the parlor, Jenny was pleased to see Louisa’s boots were nearly dry. Yet she took little notice, for her mind still reeled from the kiss Lord Dowding had given her. It had ended far sooner than she would have hoped, but she was surprised the snow around them had not melted by the time they disentangled themselves.
Louisa frowned and leaned in close. “Why do you keep smiling? Is it because of your victory?”
Jenny’s cheeks burned as she glanced toward the door. Lord Dowding had excused himself—Jenny imagined it was so he could change into dry clothes—leaving Jenny and Louisa alone.
“He asked to court me,” Jenny said. “And we shared another kiss. I want to expand on what I feel for him, but I’m afraid doing so will send him fleeing in fright! I’m certain he’s on the verge of expressing his love for me, but for some reason, he refuses to speak the truth! But why ask to court me if he does not love me?”
“You believe he loves you?” Louisa asked, her eyes wide.
Jenny nodded. “I believe he does, but do I express my feelings for him now or wait for him to say them first?”
Louisa had no time to share her advice, for the earl entered the room. “The chocolate is nearly ready,” he said as he took a seat across from them. “And how is your foot, Miss Dunston?”
“It’s much better, my lord.” She gathered her boots and returned to her place beside Jenny. “My stockings were not as wet as I first believed. The snow that seeped into them was just so cold, it was a shock.” Once her boots were back on her feet, she said, “Would you mind if I went to the library to search for another book, my lord? I returned the other but am now left with nothing to read.”
Lord Dowding laughed. “Yes, of course. But don’t forget that we have chocolate coming. You wouldn’t want it to get cold.”
Louisa bobbed a quick curtsy. “Thank you, my lord. Thank you!” Her grin nearly touched her ears. As she turned to leave, however, she whispered to Jenny, “You must tell him.” Then she was gone.
Jenny took a deep, calming breath and went to stand beside the earl.
“I had such a marvelous time today,” he said. His grin was as wide as that of Louisa. “Have you any idea how long it’s been since I’ve experienced such freedom? So… unencumbered. Far too long.”
With her heart beating against her sternum, Jenny said, “I enjoyed it very much. In fact, I don’t believe I’ve ever enjoyed myself so much. But…” She took another calming breath to push away the doubts that attempted to creep into her thoughts. If she did not speak her mind now, she never may be given the chance again! “But it was not just the duel.”
He turned to face her, his brows raised. “Oh? What was it, then?”
A sudden realization came over Jenny. Uncertainty still hovered over him like a low-floating cloud because of Lord Tulk.
“It’s not important at the moment,” she replied. “But I do wonder about the weight you carry. Please, share your burden with me. You’ll find it much easier to bear, I promise you.”
The room became quiet as Lord Dowding faced the fireplace. There was a tension in the air. Now was clearly not the time to discuss their feelings for one another. What he needed was her help, her support. The rest would come later.
“Did you not find a man to play the part of Mr. Thompson?”
The door opened, and Osborne entered with a tray laden with three silver mugs billowing steam. The aroma of chocolate wafted in the air. Louisa must have smelled it, for she bounded into the room, a book under her arm.
When they each had a mug, Louisa went to the couch and opened the book. Jenny and Lord Dowding resumed their conversation by the fireplace.
“What happened with your search?” Jenny asked.
“One young man would have played the part of the son well, but he’ll be returning home to Dover tomorrow. I offered to pay him extra if he remained behind, even assuring him a private coach home once the ‘play’ ended. But his father cannot travel alone. By the time he arrives at Dover and returns, it will be too late. But what does it matter? It wasn’t until the boy left that I realized it may not have worked at all. To have him play this role, I’d have to trust him with my secrets, and I’m not certain I can. I mean, what do I know about him. Absolutely nothing. He’s not from the area, which would be advantageous. But that does not mean he wouldn’t tell everyone he knows in Dover about the part he played. Word travels quickly when nobility is involved. And building trust takes time, a commodity I currently lack.”
“But surely there is another way?”
Lord Dowding shook his head. “If it exists, I’ve not considered it. Soon, Tulk will grow weary of waiting for this meeting and begin asking questions I’m unable to answer. I can only distract him with excuses for so long.”
Jenny placed a hand on his arm. “Mrs. Rutley says there is always hope. One must never give up, even when facing the darkest days. And her advice has never failed me.”
The earl snorted. “But such advice is impractical at best. What hope is there in knowing a man who sold your sister into prostitution will never pay for his sins? Where do I find hope when despair is the only reality I see?”
Jenny had no response. An hour earlier, Lord Dowding was smiling. Now however, another man stood in his place. And rightly so. If she were in his shoes, she would have been as despondent.