Page 101 of Sinful Persuasion of a Lady in the Making
“I’m not really sure that’s a good idea,” Alison said, leaning over to Jenny sympathetically. “Not after all that has happened.”
“You will not see him,” Luke continued, his voice stern and dominant. “I forbid it.”
“You forbid it?” Jenny asked, aghast at his word and horrified by his reaction.
“Absolutely. And not only that, but I will ensure all the staff know not to allow him in this house.”
“Who are you to forbid anything?” Jenny raged. “I have been on this earth for the same number of years you have, Luke, and I am no fool.”
“That’s enough, Jenny. He hurt you terribly, and I will not allow that to happen again.”
“He’s right,” Alison said, again her kind voice dancing with Luke’s harsh one. “As your guardians, we can’t allow such a man to do this to you again. Not only do we have your reputation to care for, but we have your happiness to consider, too.”
“If you considered my happiness for even one moment, you would not consider forbidding me to see him,” Jenny snapped. “I am far from a foolish child, and yet you treat me like one!”
“You do not know the ways of love, nor of marriage. You are naïve to the world of the nobility, and you are insensible to the world of men. In many ways, Jenny, yes, you are a foolish child.”
“Luke,” Alison snapped. “That is no way to get your meaning across.” She turned to Jenny, her expression softened. “He may not have the right words to express what he means, but your brother is not wrong.”
“But I love him,” Jenny cried. “And I will not allow you to ruin this for me.”
“Just as you can love someone else, given the opportunity,” Luke said. “And that is the last I will say on the matter.”
The silence that blanketed them before fell over them once more, their words restricted by their discomfort and uncertainty. Alison often looked over to Jenny, her eyes full of love and sympathy, but Jenny had no interest in sympathy. All she wanted was for the letters to stop, and Sebastian’s love. She would do whatever it took to gain both.
“Well, goodnight then,” Jenny said as dinner came to a close. She would find a way to see Sebastian, no matter what her brother said.
As soon as she was in her chambers, she pulled out a sheet of parchment, dipped her quill in the bottle of ink, and began to write. She would have Fanny pay a boy to deliver it.
To my love,
Meet me at Hyde Park corner at midday on Saturday. I will be shopping with Alison and Duchess Teresa, and I hope that will give me time to walk with you. I have, as you predicted, encountered trouble at home but I know that, together, we can overcome anything. Meet me, and those who oppose us will not know a thing. Meet me, my love, and we will find a solution.
All my love, now and forever,
Jenny
