Page 98 of Sinful Persuasion of a Lady in the Making
Chapter Thirty-Four
Jenny arrived home full of good spirits, Fanny tottering behind her.
“Thank you for accompanying me,” she said to the maid, her eyes sparkling with delight. “And for allowing us some privacy.”
She pulled off her cloak and hung it on the hook behind the door.
“It’s my pleasure, Miss. And if you don’t mind my saying, you seem a lot happier.”
“I am.” Jenny couldn’t stop her smile from growing and she looked away. “I do believe Lord Hartwood and I have come to some pleasing conclusions today.”
“I’m happy for you, Miss. I really am.”
It was as she slid her gloves off that she noticed the letter on the side table. Her body tensed in a second, every part of her alert and afraid. She knew that handwriting, and this couldn’t possibly be a good thing.
“Fanny, do you know anything about this?” She pointed at the thing, as though afraid to touch it. Fanny shrugged and shook her head, her bottom lip in a pout.
“No, Miss. It must have come while we were out.”
“You’re sure?”
Jenny could hear the harsh urgency in her words, and she saw the way Fanny took an awkward step backwards, but the fear that rushed through her veins prevented her from doing anything else.
“I’m sure, Miss. Is everything all right?”
“Yes,” she said, after taking a moment to gather herself. She forced herself to smile, then snatched the letter up from the side table. “It’s just such a beautiful day, isn’t it? But I must admit, the sun is giving me somewhat of a headache. I think I’ll have a lie down. If my brother or Lady Alison should ask after me, please tell them I do not wish to be disturbed.”
“As you wish, Miss.”
Jenny fled up the stairs and to her room as quickly as her legs could carry her. She slammed her way through the door and kicked it shut, then scampered over to the settee and fell heavily onto it, staring down at the missive in her hands.
“Not again,” she whimpered.
Gulliver, sensing something was wrong with his mistress, leaped onto the couch next to her and nuzzled into her side. She buried her fingers into his fur, allowing his warmth and love to fill her with the courage she needed, and then she hastily tore at the seal.
Don’t think this is the end, the letter read.You and your brother are not what you pretend to be. You will pay for living a life you don’t deserve. Remember your place and admit what you are, or you will all be punished.
Tears sprang to Jenny’s eyes. A part of her—a large part, in truth—had hoped that if she ignored the previous letters, they would stop coming. She had imagined that someone wanted to frighten her, to play some trick on her. But now, with this last letter, she knew its author was serious.
She let the paper drift to the seat of the settee, then she picked Gulliver up, pushing her nose into his fur and inhaling his sweet scent, allowing the innocence of the puppy to envelop her. This dog was her link to Sebastian when he was not there, and she couldn’t be more grateful for that.
“Gulliver, Gulliver,” she whispered over and over. “What am I going to do?”
The dog lifted his head and licked her face. She would normally have laughed, but she was too terrified to do any such thing at the moment. Instead, she took the dog and lay on her bed, and she drifted into a fitful sleep.
“Miss Jones?”
Jenny jumped, sitting straight up in the bed, her heart pounding hard in her chest and a gasp at her lips. Her forehead was thick with sweat and her eyes sore from worry and tears.
“Miss Jones?” Fanny repeated from the doorway.
“Oh, Fanny, I’m sorry, I was fast asleep. Is everything all right?”
“Yes, it’s just, it’s time for dinner. Would you like some help getting ready?”
“I… oh—” Jenny blinked, looking around, still gathering her wits from a sleep that was deeper and yet more disturbed than she had even thought possible.
“Shall I tell Mr. Jones you are unwell?”
