Page 13 of Seduced By the Rakish Duke

“I will be right in, Helen, thank you.” Frances looked back at Jenny. “Would you mind keeping an eye on Simon while I see to your brother?”

Jenny reached out to take her nephew in her arms. It was always a highlight of her day when she got to hold him. However, over the past few days, she began to notice new feelings creeping in whenever she spent time with the baby. She used to just feel overwhelming love and joy, but recently, there was a hint of jealousy and longing that accompanied them.

Frances followed Helen out of the dining room, leaving Jenny to cuddle with the now-sleeping infant.

“Of course you’re asleep,” Jenny murmured. “It’s probably better off this way. I fear I’m not the best company right now.” She brushed a soft curl off of his face while he burrowed further into his swaddling blanket. “Not that you’d understand anything I’d say even if you were awake.”

She looked back out the window and sighed. Then, she stood up and made her way to the bassinet one of the maids pushed in earlier. She placed the sleeping child ever so gently in it and sat in a chair next to him.

She lazily traced the stitches on his blanket.

“I don’t know, Simon. There has been so much change for me these past few years. At first, it was just Thomas and I, and it was fine. Not ideal, but manageable. Then everything changed. We were thrust into this world, and while it has been nothing short of brilliant, I’m starting to feel that I am outstaying my welcome in this house.”

The baby shifted in his sleep.

“Oh, don’t worry, I don’t intend to go back to the shop and take up shopkeeping. I am most grateful to leave that behind. But I sense I’m more in the way here than is appreciated. I know your mother and father love me dearly, and I love them too, but…” She smiled down at him, wiping a little drool that rolled down his chubby chin.

“It’s just that they got married not too long ago, and now they’re living their lives. They have you now, and if I know my brother, there will be more of you running around here soon. I’m not sure that me being underfoot is helpful.” She looked over her shoulder to make sure there were no lurking maids before she leaned into the bassinet to whisper, “Do you think I should take the Duke up on his offer?”

The baby snorted and sucked on his bottom lip.

Jenny sat back and laughed. “I see. You make a good point. I did tell myself that this was the Season I’d do everything in my power to secure a match and elevate my standing in Society. From silly girl to a respectable matron ofthe ton.”

Simon sighed.

“I know. I could barely get that out without rolling my eyes. Regardless, I need to find a match. I can’t live here forever, and I refuse to be your spinster aunt living across the hallway from you until it is your time to leave.”

Jenny looked around then leaned back into the bassinet. “Don’t tell anyone, but I think I have made up my mind.”

Jenny pushed through the gate. It was heavier than it looked—most likely, the thick mud that settled at its base didn’t help. When she set out on this adventure, she thought the rain was over for the day, so it was very surprising when, halfway through her trek, the night sky opened up and started pouring rain. She was drenched and shaking, but her resolve ignited her blood and kept her moving forward.

If her maid’s directions were correct, she was at the right residence. If not, whoever opened the door would be in for quite the shock offinding her there, soaked from head to toe, looking most dreadful.

She had a moment of uncertainty as she rang the bell. Her finger had a mind of its own, and she watched in slow motion as it pressed on the bell. She caught a glimpse of her reflection in the side window. Because of the rain, her hair had escaped its pins,and the bottom four inches of her dress and outer coat were coated in mud. Panic set in.

What am I doing?

Jenny gathered her skirts and turned to leave just as she heard footsteps approach the door from the inside. She looked back at the front yard she walked through to get to the front door. There had to be a bush or shrub to hide behind before the door opened.

Her foot hit the bottom of the stoop as the front door started to open. She made a mad dash to the pruned shrubbery to her right, jumping behind it.

“Who goes there?” a deep voice barked from the darkened doorway.

Jenny crunched down as far as she could and prayed that the cover of night helped her escape.

“Come out. I saw you go behind that bush.”

Jenny glanced at her surroundings. Just her luck—she hid behind a shrub that lined a wall. She was stuck between a bush and a hard place.

“Feel free to stay there all night.” The voice chuckled. “I have nowhere to go, so I’ll still be here when you get tired of hiding back there.”

Her heart thundered in her ears. Her knees were already starting to ache from her position, and the dampness of her clothing was causing her teeth to chatter. Steeling herself, she stood up to face the consequences of her foolish actions.

Her mind raced with escape plans. She could give his butler a different name. He’d never seen her before, so she could pretend to be someone else, and when word got out about a midnight visitor at the Duke’s house, her name wouldn’t be associated with it.

She stumbled out of the bush, with only minor scrapes, and looked towards the door.

“Sir, forgive me, I’m—Oh, bloody hell.”

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