Page 7 of Stolen by My Knave
He’d remember if he’d met her previously. She wasn’t a woman he’d likely forget anytime soon. “I’m afraid not, my lady. We’ve never been introduced.”
“I suppose you’re right.” She bit down on her lip. “But I’m almost certain...” She shook her head as if rethinking what she’d been about to say. “We can remedy the introductions at least. I’m Lady Elizabeth Kendall.”
He bowed. “It’s nice to meet you, Lady Elizabeth.”
The right thing to do would be to tell her his name, but he didn’t want to ruin the moment. Young ladies looked at him differently once his title was known. The casual conversation was nice, and he’d like it to continue unimpeded for as long as possible.
“So which of these novels would you recommend?”
“I rather like Jane Austen. Anything she writes is lovely. They’re more real and hold a romantic element to them. Which is why I suppose they’re here on this particular shelf.” Lady Elizabeth lifted her hand and gestured toward the books. “I find it amazing she published these and using the pseudonym, A Lady.”
Jack didn’t care a whit about the author of the books. He was more entranced by the lady in front of him. When had he become so whimsical? Lady Elizabeth may be one of the most beautiful women he’d ever encountered, but that didn’t mean he had to lose his head over her.
“I admit I’ve never read anything by this Jane Austen.” He tilted his head and studied the book. “A woman writer?”
“Please don’t tell me you think less of them because they’re written by a woman.” She scrunched her eyebrows together in displeasure. “A woman is capable of doing anything if she chooses.”
Jack was momentarily stunned by her diatribe. Where was it coming from? He’d not meant to insult her. Jane Austen was probably a fine writer, but he couldn’t give an opinion one way or the other. He’d never read anything by her. Hell, he’d not read anything for pleasure.
“I apologize if I’ve offended you. I didn’t mean to.”
She narrowed her gaze. “Do you believe it’s possible?”
He wasn’t sure what she was asking. “You’ll have to be clearer, love. What’s possible?”
“That a woman can do anything she wants.” She huffed and then continued, “You do not have permission to be overly familiar with me. Drop the endearments.”
“Lo...” He cleared his throat. The last thing he needed was for her to upbraid him further for being familiar. “Lady Elizabeth, it’s been my experience that a woman can and often does whatever her prerogative may be. Far be it from me to step in the way.” He rather liked his bollocks still attached to his body. He’d believed Lady Elizabeth beautiful—and she was—but this side of her was rather fierce. He wouldn’t put it past her to do him bodily harm if necessary.
Her lips tilted upward. “I think I like you. Even if you haven’t bothered to introduce yourself. We’re here for a whole fortnight. We have time to become more acquainted.”
Jack wasn’t sure if he liked the sound of that. Had he fallen into some kind of trap and hadn’t realized it? Everything had become topsy turvy in a matter of moments. Up was down and right was left. It was as if he’d entered a different world and had no control over it. No that was impossible—he was being overly dramatic. Meeting Lady Elizabeth didn’t change a damn thing. Jack saw everything for what it was, and he wasn’t going to stop on her account. Every scenario at every angle at all times was clear to him. That was how he managed to survive intact as long as he had. Lady Elizabeth was perhaps a tad overzealous, but all in all harmless. “Which of these Jane Austen novels do you recommend?”
“Oh, all of them, of course,” she replied. “You’re truly going to read one?”
What else did he have to do with his time? Seducing Lady Elizabeth was ill advised, and it was the only other thing that appealed to him. So he’d damper his ardor by reading some droll literary work that romanticized the world. Jack knew better. He’d learned it all the hard way. Life was hardly ever perfect and, at best, it had moments of pleasure.
“I intend to. I came into the library looking for some amusement.” His lips twitched. “I admit this conversation has been quite titillating, but I can’t expect you to keep me entertained for the entire length of this party.”
“As enjoyable as that sounds...” She shook her head. “I’m sorry, my mind wandered a moment.” Lady Elizabeth coughed. “I’m afraid I can’t be at your disposal the entire length of the Clifton house party, but I’ll be around from time to time.”
Jack had to stop himself from bursting into laughter. She was as attracted to him as he was to her. Her cheeks had reddened slightly for a moment before she’d gained her composure. If he pushed hard enough he could have her. Too bad he’d given up ruining innocents. Well, he’d never actually ruined a true innocent. He’d bet his entire fortune Lady Elizabeth remained untouched though. He let her believe her slip had gone unnoticed. Besides, he didn’t want to embarrass her. “So which book?”
Lady Elizabeth pursed her lips together and stared at the tomes. She lifted her hand and skimmed over them almost lovingly. “Jane Austen is one of my mother’s favorite authors. She’s read everything she’s written. She says one day they will be hugely popular again and other writers will use them to spawn tales that I couldn’t even begin to imagine.”
What did that mean? Jack wasn’t sure if he wanted to know. “Right. So you’re saying your mother has good taste?”
She laughed. “She certainly thinks so. Mama is quite—opinionated. You’ll see once you meet her. She’s a force of nature, and the only person who can tame it is my father.”
It sounded like Lady Elizabeth’s mother was a wild beast of some sort. He was intrigued. She probably was a large influence on her daughter too.
“I’m still waiting for you to recommend a book.”
She picked up two and handed them to him. “My favorite isPersuasionbut most findPride and Prejudicebetter. I’m a sucker for second chances and both, in a way, have them. As humans, we all make mistakes, and it’s nice to know forgiveness can be possible.”
It was a nice sentiment. With all of his past misdeeds he liked the idea that he could be forgiven for them. Although he may never actually know if he was or not—most of the people he’d done wrong were either dead or unreachable.
“Thank you,” he said. “I look forward to reading them.”
“I’ll leave you to them. Until we meet again, my lord.” She curtsied and turned to leave the room, stopped and then turned to meet his gaze. Jack didn’t correct her as he did the butler. He rather liked her not knowing who he was and have her addressing him properly; in fact, he hoped at some point they’d dispense with formality altogether. “Don’t read the first page and quit. Give them an honest chance.” With those words, she exited the room.
Jack openedPride and Prejudiceand read the first paragraph.“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
Good lord what had he agreed to read? He’d made a promise, and he’d see it through. A man was only as good as his word, and he’d not gone back on it once in his life. He’d not start now. Besides, it would give him something to discuss with Lady Elizabeth later...
