Page 19 of Avenging the Earl's Lady
“Well, then, you forget, I’ve been pinching my genteel farthings for years.Don’t let the task keep an affianced couple apart.Fox may leave with you on the morrow.I’m perfectly capable of preparing and packaging the painting for transport.”
“Are you, indeed?”
He let a long moment pass turning over her words and her now cheerful demeanor.His old habits had kept him safe these many years.
Steps clattered up the stairs growing louder and nearer.They had few moments left and he had more to say.
A blush crept up her still-smooth cheeks.When she returned to London, when they’d got past the coronation, then he could recommence his seduction.He must not rush her.And he must set things straight between them now.
“Jane, about last night…my actions…Ishouldapologize—”
“You were drugged.”
The blush had flamed into anger, not at all the reaction he’d been after.
“Kincaid explained your behavior to me.The laudanum spoke, and you were not responsible for your actions.”
Blasted Kincaid.
“No.A gentleman would—”
“Aladywould understand.”She tugged her hand away.“And I do.”
“Here we are, my lady.”The maid arrived with a tray, and Ewan clomped in behind her with two buckets of steaming water.
Jane’s sharp look pained him.“We’ll say no more on that subject, my lord.Now, let’s have a closer look at those wounds.”
The next morning,Jane lingered in the parlor shamelessly eavesdropping.
Shaldon himself had delayed the planned dawn departure for one last meeting with the MacEwens and Kincaid in the dining room.Their voices carried through the open door.Boyd MacEwen was to take the painting to Cransdall, his instructions straightforward and consistent with what she’d expected.
She’d removed the canvas from the dining room the night before, with the excuse that she had to consult Fox about preparing it.With luck, Boyd had never seen it and wouldn’t open the package once sealed.
They’d begun to discuss Sir Richard’s transport when Perry descended from the bedchamber.Jane held a finger to her lips and led the younger lady down to the kitchen.Fergus hadn’t yet arrived for this meeting, but the plan was for him to leave at the same time as his cousin, that much she’d heard.She’d like to linger and hear the rest, but Perry would wonder why.
“Eavesdropping, were you, Jane?”she whispered, smiling.“Anything interesting?”
“Not at all.”
“Well, I cannot blame you.It’s the only way to know what Father is up to.”Perry greeted Jenny who was packing a hamper for the travelers.Dressed in an old travel gown, Perry could have been another maid visiting the kitchen to bid farewell to the kitchen staff.“It’s a wonder there’s any food left with all these men about,” she said.
“’Struth,” Jenny said.
Jane peeked in the basket.“Some bread, some berries, some cheese, and I’m adding some hardboiled eggs.You won’t starve.”
“What about you two?”
Jenny sent her a sidewise glance and squelched a smile.“We’ll be all right, my lady.”
“We’ll go into town and buy food,” Jane said.
“Did Father leave you money?”
“He told us the merchants would honor his credit,” Jenny said.
Perry reached into her reticule and pulled out a handful of coins and battered notes.“You must take these.I would not blame you if you left Kincaid to his own devices and slipped away.There’s enough here for travel and inns.”She frowned.“Though I suppose arriving at Shaldon House in defiance of Father’s wishes might be difficult.We shall have to find lodgings for you.”
Jane’s heart beat a bit faster.“Are you sure?”
