Page 62 of The Defiant Governess
“Up this way?” came Peter’s shout.
“Yes. I'll lay a wager we find her here,” replied Thomas. “It’s her favorite spot.”
A large hound burst out of the woods and raced across the glade, planting his muddy paws squarely on Jane’s shoulders.
“Oh, down, Memphis,” she cried, wishing her brother did not know her so well.
Thomas and the boy were close on the dog’s heels.
“Isn’t Memphis bang up to the mark!” cried Peter as he ran up to them. “And Thomas says I may have one of the new puppies he has sired! That is, Uncle Edward, if you agree.” Helooked up at Saybrook with pleading eyes. “Would you like to go see them? Now?”
Despite his tangled emotions. Saybrook couldn’t suppress a harried smile. “Very well, let us go inspect these prized progenies.” He let the boy grab his hand. “I suppose Highwood would be sadly lacking without a hound sired by so august a personage as Memphis.”
Thomas cocked an eyebrow at his sister as Peter half-dragged the marquess away. “I fear my timing has been less than perfect.”
Jane made a show of gathering her things. “No,” she answered, deliberately misunderstanding him. “It’s just about time to change for supper, isn’t it?”
Twelve
Jane smoothed the rich silk around her knees then fidgeted once more on the stool.
“La, Lady Jane. Hold still or I’ll never finish your hair.” Sarah made a few more deft adjustments then stepped back to admire the effect. “There now, that’s perfect. If you aren’t the most beautiful lady in the land!”
“Oh, Sarah, stop, or you’ll turn me into a conceited monster.” Jane regarded her own image in the mirror and had to admit she was not displeased. “But you are a magician.”
Her maid beamed with pleasure. “As if you’d ever be a monster like your cousin?—”
“Sarah,” warned Jane.
“Well, it’s the truth,” sniffed the older woman. A sly grin crept over her face. “Won’t Lady Fisher be mad as a wet cat when she sees you. What I wouldn’t give to see it!”
“That’s very uncharitable,” scolded Jane, but she couldn’t repress a smile. Her aunt did her best to make everyone at Avanlea miserable, so she couldn’t blame the servants for taking delight at the thought of her comeuppance.
“What a grand evening it should be,” continued Sarah. “The ballroom looks like it’s right out of one of those fairytales your nurse used to read to you.”
Jane’s hand were knotted in her lap. “Yes,” she sighed, trying to sound enthusiastic.
“What’s this? Blue-deviled on a night like this? For shame!” She shot her charge a shrewd look. “Why, I hear that all the young bucks have come up from Town. Lord Astley is at his estate, and it’s said Lord Hawthorne is staying with him. You’ll have no lack of dancing partners.”
Jane smiled as she opened her jewelry case.
“And of course there’s that handsome lord what’s staying here. Devilishly attractive is that one. Quiet he is, and a bit mysterious if I do say so. Surely he’ll be there as well.”
Jane fumbled with the catch of her necklace, a double strand of pearls with a starburst pendant of cut sapphires. A knock on the door saved her from having to reply.
“Don’t be all evening! The guests will be arriving any moment.” Thomas poked his head in the door and gave an appreciative whistle. “You look magnificent, my dear.”
“Fustian,” she murmured but was secretly glad that he thought she looked well. She snapped the clasp in place and pulled on her kidskin gloves. As she hurried to the door, she stopped to plant a kiss on her maid’s cheek. “Don’t bother waiting up for me. I shall tell you all about it in the morning.”
Sarah had been right.The ballroom looked absolutely enchanting. Even though Jane had helped supervise the gardeners in arranging the garlands of evergreens and the fragrant flowers from the greenhouses, the glittering of thechandeliers along with the hundreds of snowy candles placed among the greens brought a special magic to the space. At the far end of the room, on a platform nearly hidden by sheaves of wheat and arrangements of cabbage roses, the musicians began to tune their instruments.
The ballroom was fast filling up with guests. Some of the older gentlemen made no pretense of being uninterested in the dancing and made straight for the card room. A few old dowagers and apprehensive Mammas sat grouped together where they could keep their basilisk stares on the dance floor. Jane was relieved that her aunt had insisted on doing the honors with her father in the receiving line. It gave her time to look around and compose her thoughts.
“Welcome back, Lady Jane. I trust your relative is quite recovered.” Jane turned to a familiar face, framed by short auburn curls carefully arranged a la Brutus. “I know we shall never recover from your lengthy absence from London,” continued the smooth voice as her hand was lifted towards his lips.
She managed a smile. “How kind, Your Grace, though I’m sure life was not quite so sadly flat as you hint.”
“Oh, it was.” The Duke of Branwell held her hand longer than necessary and she had to restrain the urge to yank it away. At that moment she thought him a conceited prig! Was he so sure of himself that he was oblivious to the fact that she didn’t return his regard?
