Page 31 of The Lady Was Lying
Belinda was familiar with loneliness, and Jane’s quiet admission flayed her to the core. Overwhelmed, she took a step backward. “I am not Louisa.”
“I know, but”—Jane bit her lip—“I trust you. You won’t allow me to make a mistake.”
Belinda blinked. She had made a plethora of mistakes. So many mistakes.
“Whatever do you mean?”
“Sebastian is protective of us. He won’t let me marry someone who is unworthy, but you—your standards are higher. More absolute. You’d make a scene at my wedding ceremony if you thought I had chosen poorly. You aren’t afraid of scandal. You aren’t interested in titles. And your loyalty has to be earned.” Jane reached out and gripped her hand. “You cannot abandon me. Not now when I need your guidance.”
Belinda was speechless.
She’d always seen herself as the sibling whom everyone tolerated, and while she’d known she was loved, it had never occurred to her that she might be respected too.
“If you stay, I promise I’ll stop pushing you to think about your own prospects,” Jane added. “I won’t try to convince you to go to any other balls or soirees with us, and I won’t badger you about the duke, even though I can tell you’re curious about him.” She inhaled and exhaled slowly. “Maybe in return, you could join us when we stay home, and if I fancy a particular gentleman, I could bring him around and you could…maybe you’d be willing to meet him and offer your unvarnished opinion.”
Belinda’s eyebrow shot up. “My unvarnished opinion?”
“Your honesty is your finest quality.”
Belinda wanted to cry. It had been years since she’d felt such a ridiculous influx of emotion, and there wasn’t anything she could say, except—“Of course I’ll stay.”
“Thank you. You won’t regret it. I promise.”
Jane had no control over Belinda’s regrets, but since Belinda had more than a few regrets already, she forced herself to smile. “I’m happy to help.”
Jane squealed and clapped her hands, bouncing on the bed. “Once I’ve secured a husband, you can return to your reclusive ways as long as you promise to call on me with regular frequency.”
Reclusive was not exactly how Belinda saw herself. She preferred selective. “I will look forward to calling on you once you’re married.”
Hopefully, she’d be able to fulfill that promise sooner rather than later. She wasn’t sure how long she could be an attentive sister before she did something foolish.
Perhaps it would be wise to ask Sebastian for help. Not to send her home. Just to watch over her.
The study was the one room in the townhouse that had little feminine influence. Decorated without any input from the women in the family, it was almost stark, with nothing but dark wood and oversized furniture. Sebastian spent a portion of nearly every day sitting behind the massive desk and managing the earldom and its various interests. Belinda did not have a clear idea of what that entailed, but she’d always assumed that whatever it was, it took precedence over her, so it was unusual for her to seek her brother’s attention while he was working.
“I need to speak to you,” she said from the doorway.
Elbow deep in paperwork, he dropped whatever he’d been reading onto his desk. “About?”
“I was considering returning to Greydon Hall, but Jane has asked me to stay for the duration of the season.”
He frowned. “I was already under the impression that you intended to remain with the family.”
“I did, but…” How could she explain?
“Returning to Greydon Hall is always an option and always will be. Say the word and I’ll arrange a traveling companion to accompany you.”
“You don’t need to do that.”
“What do I need to do?” he prodded, because he was clever enough to know there was a reason she had come to him.
It was difficult to keep her expression placid while she attempted to explain what she required. “When we have guests—especially the duke—it would be wise for you to keep track of my whereabouts.”
“Ah.” His eyes widened slightly. “Are you implying?—”
“I’m implying nothing. However, neither of us wish for a scandal and you know as well as I do that I can…at times…take opportunities and liberties when I shouldn’t and…well…I will try not to be angry if you thwart me or if you keep me from…exploring where I shouldn’t.”
He was silent for several seconds and then he asked, “Are you sure you wouldn’t prefer returning to Greydon Hall? If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it might be the best option.”
