Page 46 of The Lady Was Lying
“You needed a moment.”
He was too understanding sometimes. “I suppose so.”
“Is it because I practically forced you to dance with Avondale? I wanted to kick myself as soon as I said it.”
“Not at all. He’s an able dancer,” she lied.
“His ability is hardly relevant. You asked me to help you keep your distance, and instead I thrust you together.”
“It was only a dance.”
“When I saw him leave the ballroom, I feared you had disappeared because you had planned a tryst with him while you danced.”
“I haven’t seen him since he walked away.”
Thankfully.
She couldn’t imagine what she would have done if she’d run into him instead of her brother.
Sebastian sighed with obvious relief. “The evening is winding down. Jane only has one more dance before we can make our farewells. Shall we return together?”
Grateful that he had accepted her version of events, she slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow and allowed him to lead her back to the ballroom.
As they walked, they discussed whether Arianna would be asleep when they returned to the townhouse. Sebastian was convinced that his daughter had a sixth sense because no matter the hour, she nearly always appeared at the top of the stairs to demand kisses when they returned.
The mundane conversation gave Belinda something to focus on other than the events of the evening. At some point, she’d have to examine her tumultuous emotions, but the crowded ballroom was not the place to do it.
Chapter Ten
“Where are you going?” Belinda asked Jane the following afternoon, when she came upon her sister peering into the mirror in the front hall, her fur-lined pelisse already buttoned at the throat.
“The duke is taking me for a drive,” Jane replied, adjusting the single curl that rested against her shoulder and smiling at her reflection.
“He’s what?” Belinda’s hands landed on her hips as she took in the otherwise empty space. She probably should have been happy for Jane, but for some reason, she wasn’t.
“Taking me for a drive,” Jane repeated, more slowly this time. Belinda looked at her blankly. Why was Jane acting as if she already knew? “When he escorted you back to Sebastian, I apologized for missing our dance and then suggested an outing this afternoon. He offered to drive me through the park if the weather was fine.”
“Oh…of course.” Under no circumstance would she admit that she didn’t remember the conversation. Her brain had been elsewhere, too tied up in her reaction to their dance. “Are you waiting for Emmeline?”
“She’s resting. You know how tired she gets in the afternoon when she is increasing.”
“Then who will be your chaperone? Sebastian?”
“He’s with his secretary. I hardly need a chaperone to ride in an open carriage.” Jane laughed as she picked up her hat and began to pin it at an angle. “It is perfectly respectable for an unmarried woman to enjoy a jaunt with a gentleman. The sun is shining, and the park and surrounding streets will be crowded with others who wish to enjoy the day. We won’t be alone for a single moment.”
Belinda knew from experience that James would not take liberties even if the opportunity presented itself. The problem was that rumors could start about the most inconsequential things. It was foolish to risk Jane’s reputation when Belinda had nothing better to do than accompany her.
The irony of offering to be a chaperone was not lost on her. Was there anyone less qualified?
“I could do with some fresh air,” she announced. “I’d be happy to join you.”
Jane smiled sunnily. “If you truly believe it is necessary, I suppose you can, but don’t feel as if you must. I’m quite certain I can manage on my own.”
After adjusting the curl on her shoulder one more time and pinching her cheeks, Jane sailed out of the townhouse without waiting for Belinda.
“Isn’t necessary,” Belinda muttered to herself as she donned her pelisse and secured her hat, pointedly not examining herself in the mirror when she was finished.
With an exaggerated huff, she exited the house and found James standing next to a shiny, high-seated phaeton. Jane had already settled on the far side of the bench, the picture of elegance in pale blue muslin, a matching pelisse, and snowy-white gloves.
