Page 31 of The Heir
But you said there was no corpse. You said it was her imagination yesterday. Why is it not her imagination today?
“Oh.” Jane concentrated on keeping the slump of disappointment out of her shoulders. She thought she’d been clever. She thought she’d found out something that would actually put the lie to one of Father’s stories. But as usual, he remained one step ahead.
“There will surely be rumors spread about what happened during your ride yesterday and about the identity of the corpse, which, by the way, has been returned to the family,” said Father. “It will be your duty to help contradict any such stories you hear and supply the true facts. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And you will tell me anything the princess has to say about the matter. Anything and everything.”
“Yes, sir.” Saying those words was easy as breathing. Which was a good thing, because disappointment had swamped her thoughts. Had a more thoughtful response been required, Jane was not sure she could have supplied it.
“Now, let me see that book.”
Jane handed it over. Father turned over the pages, leaving her a moment to sit with the knowledge that she was, in fact, useless and foolish.
A gardener. An accident. That was all. And Father knew, and the princess knew. She had thought for a moment that just once, she had a secret of her own that she could use for . . . something. Anything.
“This was a very good thought,” he said, indicating the book. “You should do more little things like this. The princess loves such attentions.”
The princess did not. The princess saw straight through them. But Jane had wanted some excuse to sit with her, so they could talk without being overheard.
“It is important you stay close to her today,” Father continued. “She must not be left alone.”
“She is never alone.” That was the point of the Kensington system. Or one of its points.
He handed the book back, and as he did, he finally looked at her. “I will also need you to pay special attention to the duchess today.”
“The . . . the duchess?”
Father nodded. “This business with the dead man has her grace jumping at shadows. I must know if her fears are driving her to any . . . rash decisions. Like saying she wants to cancel next month’s tour, to keep the princess safe at home.”
“But you will be there?”You are always there.
“As much as I can, but I also need to speak with the Kensington board and the clerk of accounts. Just to head off any of those rumors.” He leaned forward and took both her hands.
“I need you today, Jane,” he said softly. “I am trusting you.”
Jane’s breath stopped. Her father pressed her hands and leaned back.
“I know how painful it is for us to have to constantly dance attendance on . . . the family, without the fullness of our rank and connections being acknowledged. And I know you have been made impatient by this state of affairs. I understand that. I feel it keenly. But I ask you to be my eyes and ears today.” He chuckled. “More so than usual, that is.”
Jane sat in a state of utter bewilderment.What is this? What’s happening?
Father was asking for her help. He couldn’t possibly mean it. Father did not ask her things. He ordered. He demanded. He insisted. She stared at her own hands, which he’d pressed with affection just a moment before. Her cheeks burned with a flood of confusion and embarrassment.
And something else. There was an odd thrill inside her. “I need you today, Jane,” he said. “I am trusting you.”
Part of her believed him, or at least wanted to. Because if he trusted her, if he needed her, it might mean that somewhere, somehow, in the depths of his heart, he did, in fact, love her.
Jane felt her mouth flutter into a tiny smile.
“I . . . I’ll do my best.”
“I know you will, Jane. Iknowit.” He was smiling at her now, and that smile shone in his blue eyes. Her father was looking on her with approval. With admiration even.
And despite every other disappointment, despite the whispers from the fog in the back of her mind, Jane wanted to stay in this place of warmth and light.
It is not love, murmured those treacherous voices.Not really.But another part of her found she did not care.
