Page 39 of The Truth about the Marquess
This made Jane laugh, albeit rather ruefully as she understood exactly what her friend meant.
“Mayhap,” was all she would say though, as she made her way home, she could think of nothing else but Lord Edenbridge and the chance she might dare take… were she bold enough.
“Good evening!”
Jane swept into a curtsey, her heart hammering furiously as she looked up at Lord Edenbridge, his eyes hidden behind a small mask – though it was nowhere near large enough to hide his true identity.
“Good evening, Lord Edenbridge. Thank you for your invitation.”
She kept her voice a little higher pitched than usual, an idea having come to her that she might soon follow through with, should she have the strength of mind and heart to do so.
Lord Edenbridge frowned, though his lips still curved.
“A lady I do not recognize,” he said, with a sudden chuckle. “But you must be one of my acquaintances, I am sure!”
“I am indeed.” Jane swallowed tightly, leaning a little closer. “We are acquainted enough to send letters upon occasion, Lord Edenbridge.”
This made his frown deepen, only for his eyebrows to lift high, an expression of understanding suddenly overtaking his face.
“Wait,” he breathed, his hand reaching out to catch hers, “do you mean to say–”
“Goodevening,Lord Edenbridge!”
The lady behind Jane, one who was clearly eager to have her presence made known, stepped closer to him, and quickly, the conversation was brought to an end. Lord Edenbridge dropped Jane’s hand and, as propriety demanded of him, bowed low and smiled at his next guest. Jane made her way to the door of the ballroom, glancing behind her only to see Lord Edenbridge looking towards her at the same time – and a flush of heat began to rise up from the tips of her toes. With what she hoped was a smile – though it could have been her nervousness twisting her lips – Jane made her way into the ballroom, hopeful now that Lord Edenbridge would come in search of her soon. She had made sure that the mask she wore was obvious enough, with some small peacock feathers pressing outwards from either side. She had asked her maid to thread pearls through her hair and then to add two larger peacock feathers to the back of her hair, again hoping to make herself memorable to Lord Edenbridge.
I must only hope that, when the time comes, I have the strength to speak.
“Jane! There you are.”
Jane turned her head and then practically fell on the arm of Lady Guilford.
“I have done it.”
“You… you have?” Lady Guilford frowned. “What have you done?”
“I have told him that I write for The London Chronicle,” Jane breathed, pressing one hand hard against her stomach, hoping to calm the nerves that swirled through her. “He does not know that it is me, under this mask, of course, but all the same, I have told him in the hope that he will come and find me. Then, I will be able to tell him.”
Lady Guilford frowned, turned to face Jane, and then spread out her hands.
“I do not understand.”
Jane swallowed tightly.
“I came with my true appearance hidden, as you can see.” She gestured to herself. “You knew the mask I was to wear and the gown and the hairpiece and thus, you recognized me, but Lord Edenbridge did not. I did not tell him who I was, I lifted my voice a little, and I whispered to him that we knew one another through letters.”
“Ah.” Understanding made Lady Guilford’s whole expression lift. “And now you intend to tell him the truth?” When Jane nodded, Lady Guilford leaned forward, one eyebrow lifting. “Allof it?”
“I – I do not know,” Jane stammered, still a little confused. “I confess to you that I have had some time to think but, no matter how much I tell myself that all will be well and that he can be trusted, there is still a vast part of me that is uncertain and afraid.” She swallowed tightly, spreading out her hands. “It may be that when the time comes, I will feel able to say it all but, until that moment, I remain unsure.”
Lady Guilford nodded.
“I understand. Though I am glad to see that you are being bold, my dear friend. I think it will do you very well.”
“Ladies, have you heard the news?”
“News?” Lady Guilford frowned as a lady that Jane did not recognize hurried close, her eyes bright in a way that Jane did not much like. “If this is to be gossip, Lady Smithing, then I am not sure that–”
“Miss Leverton has eloped!”
