Page 40 of The Lady Was Lying
“I’ve always been partial to?—”
“Your Grace. Good day,” Jane interjected, appearing out of nowhere with Belinda at her side.
In the bright sunlight, they looked more like sisters than ever. Their gowns were nearly identical shades of green, although Jane’s had lace around the collar and on the sleeves, while Belinda’s was almost stark in its simplicity. He stared at them for a beat too long before blinking and tipping his head in greeting. “Lady Jane. Lady Belinda. Allow me to introduce?—”
Jane waved her hand in the air, cutting him off.
“Lady Catherine. How wonderful to see you.” With a sunny smile, she gestured at Catherine’s gown. “May I say that you look particularly fetching today. I do so admire women who can wear pale colors. I look totally washed out in pastels.” She pouted prettily. “It’s quite unfair actually.”
“Nonsense,” Catherine responded. Her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes as her gaze darted between Jane and James like she was trying to determine their relationship. “You always look lovely no matter the color of your gown.”
“Aren’t you kind?” Jane’s smile engulfed her face. “We are so blessed to have encountered you this afternoon. You simply must tell me what you are wearing to the marquess’s ball tomorrow.”
Catherine suddenly dropped his arm and clasped her hands together, making a sound somewhere between a squeal and shriek, all hesitation gone. “It is yellow, and it is gorgeous.”
Jane’s eyes widened. “Yellow? Tell me more. I need details, and I need them now.”
Catherine leaped forward, threading her arm through Jane’s, and resumed walking, seemingly forgetting about James entirely. “It is an absolutely stunning gown. The embroidery alone…” Her voice trailed off as they moved farther away.
A bit stupefied at the way he’d been summarily dismissed, James turned his attention to Belinda, whose narrowed eyes were boring into her sister’s back. “What a bunch of nonsense. Jane looks gorgeous in pink and yellow. There isn’t a color she can’t wear, and she knows it. I can’t imagine why she’d lie.”
He couldn’t help smiling at the indignation in her voice. “Perhaps Jane simply wanted someone to discuss gowns with. Lady Catherine’s enthusiasm suggests a certain affinity for fashion. Maybe Jane wants her advice.”
“Advice. Ha. Jane doesn’t want advice. She abhors ceding fashion decisions to others.” Belinda kicked a pebble and frowned. “Is Lady Catherine the leading candidate to be your duchess, then?”
He straightened. “We’ve only just met today.”
“That doesn’t mean she can’t be at the top of your list already. She is quite eligible. I believe her father has rejected half a dozen requests for her hand. It appears that she is quite picky.” She paused and then muttered, “I’ve heard it said that she’s holding out for love.”
“There is nothing wrong with seeking love,” he responded slowly, not sure what to make of Belinda’s mood.
“I did not suggest otherwise.”
“You didn’t?”
“Not directly.”
“Then why mention it at all?”
She didn’t answer his question, instead biting her lip and then abruptly informing him, “Jane also seeks love.”
What was she trying to suggest? He wished he could read her better. “Jane is a young lady searching for a husband. I would expect nothing less.”
“I suppose not,” she replied, kicking another pebble off the path. “What about you? What if you don’t find love? Will you keep looking or will you settle for…less?”
“I have no reason to settle.” He probably sounded conceited, but it was true. “There is no particular rush, so I won’t panic if I don’t find a match immediately.”
“Hmmm.” She bobbed her head but didn’t seem convinced.
The urge to ask why she seemed almost offended by the prospect of a love match nearly overwhelmed him. Never wanting to marry wasn’t the same as not wanting to be loved. “I have plenty of time,” he added when the silence became oppressive.
Her nose wrinkled as she brushed an errant strand of hair behind her ear. “Do you?”
“Whatever does that mean?”
“Shouldn’t you secure a wife before your scandal breaks?”
“What scandal?” he asked, as if he hadn’t already had a similar conversation with his mother. Why was it a forgone conclusion that people would discover the truth?
