Page 29 of Avenging the Earl's Lady
“Her activities there were of no concern to the Crown, if that is what you were wondering,” Cheswick said.
He reached for calm, composing his face back into a careful mask.“It was said that she’d been left a comfortable income, yet she lives very frugally.”
Cheswick’s jaw firmed.“A blunt enough comment, Shaldon, and let me be equally blunt.I’ve not embezzled, stolen, or otherwise squandered my cousin’s inheritance.If you’d like to know why she lives frugally, you must ask her.”
“When I find her.”
Cheswick pushed to his feet.“Now, I have an engagement to see to.I shall send word to you immediately if Jane contacts me.”
“Please do so, and let me know where she is.”
Cheswick’s lips firmed.“I will, if she allows it.”
Thunderstruck, Shaldon rose and followed the man.
If she allows it.Cheswick would preserve Lady Jane’s secrets—waskeeping her secrets, he was sure of it.
They must put a man to watch Cheswick also.
It was nearingmidnight when Jenny scratched at Lady Jane’s bedchamber door.She opened it and ushered in the dark-haired Madame Marie La Fanelle.Petite and still beautiful, Madame had supposedly escaped France as a young woman just in time to dodge the guillotine.
Madame clutched her hands and examined Jane from head to toe.“Safe travels?”she asked.
“Yes.”
The French woman’s gaze ran over Jane’s flannel dressing gown again and she smiled.“I should have brought night clothes as well as the dresses I have made up for you.”
Jane shook her head.She would have to pay Madame later for those dresses commissioned for the coronation and never worn.She hoped the debt would keep.“Thank you for coming.Barton surely would have been followed.”
“She is hard at work, as are all of the girls.”She kissed her fingers and flung them out.“Merci, King George, from the bottom of my heart.”
Jane laughed along with her.Away from her regular customers, Madame was good company.
Upon their first meeting, Madame and Barton had come to an immediate mutual respect.Individually, each woman was an excellent designer, but together they were exceptional.
“I should like to come and help you,” Jane said.“I ply a good needle.”
“Non.”Madame shook her head.“I prefer you out in the highest society wearing our gowns.
“I fear I may not be able to afford them.”
“My dear Lady Jane, whether you pay us or not, we shall be offended if you let anyone else dress you.It is a pity you missed the coronation and the grandest fêtes, but the parties have not ended, and your new gowns are still hanging in the shop.Barton cried when you were not here to wear them.”
Jane laughed at the picture of Barton crying.Her former lady’s maid had a mountain of good sense and very little sentimentality.
“I cannot pay you for the gowns, unless…” She eased in a breath.“I would ask for your help, Madame.”
“In what way?”
“Once you mentioned an elderly cousin who handled…antiquities and art.”
Madame’s dark gaze became hooded, her manner more careful.“And?”
“And you said that he’d been primarily an artist before escaping the Terror.”
Madame nodded.
“Will he help me?Privately?I shall pay a handsome commission, once I am able.”
