Page 42 of Avenging the Earl's Lady
Chapter 10
Her heart clacked and then settled again.Though perhaps she oughtn’t to feel so reassured about this tall gent being his lordship, the Earl of Shaldon.Dressed as he was, he looked much like a street boss she’d known in the Seven Dials.
She curtsied and drew closer—but not too close.Out of arm’s reach, she needed to be.
“Jenny,” he said.
Well.He hadn’t called hergirlthis time.
She held his gaze, probably too boldly for his sort, but never mind.Lady Jane needed her boldness.
His lip quirked ever so slightly.“I’m glad you are safe.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
“Jenny, I’ve knocked on the door, and no one will answer.”
She let out a breath.It was lucky Mr.Lewis could read.Lady Jane had somehow got wind of Shaldon finding out where she lodged and had sent a note of warning.“Her ladyship’s orders.She’s not receiving visitors.”
“She’s not home.”
He was certain, was he?He’d probably followed Lady Jane all the way to the dress shop.A laugh gurgled up, and she swallowed it.
The dark gaze drilled into her.“Is she coming back?”
A right wily man was Lord Shaldon.His gaze revealed nothing, not what he thought, not how he felt, not what he knew.He wasn’t looking at her like she was a plain servant, or a chit to be swived, or a criminal he could threaten with the law.It was hard to lie to a man like that.“Yes, my lord, as far as I know, she’s returning here.”Though she supposed that might change if Lady Jane knew Lord Shaldon was lurking.
“Will you let me in?I’ll wait in the parlor for her return.”
She lifted her chin.He was a powerful lord, and she a mere maid, but she knew her duty.“No, sir.She’s…she’s having a rough go.”
He opened his palm and a coin caught the light.A gold sovereign.The urge to grab it and bite down was powerful.
A sigh escaped her.“Not even for that, my lord.”She steeled herself against his gaze, waiting.
“The Service can use a stalwart heart like yours,” he said.
MacEwen’s boasts about dallying with the inn maid flashed in her memory, and her blood rose.“No thank you, my lord.I could have had that life in the Seven Dials.”
“That’s not—”
“No.”She shook her head.“I’ve seen your kind of life, and the one I had before, and I’ll stick with what I have now.I like regular meals and a roof over my head, and it hasn’t been boring.And I know, even if you dismiss me, I’ll be able to find honest work.”
“Very well.”He pocketed the coin and drew out something else.“I promised to deliver this to Lady Jane.”He handed her a sealed letter.“Will you place it into her hands?”
“Yes, my lord.That I’ll do.”
She watched him move down the mews wondering why that had all been so easy.
Jane arrivedhome in the last of the late summer twilight and found Jenny and the Lewises waiting for her in the kitchen.
She declined a warmed-over meal, having already dined with Barton and Madame, and Jenny followed her up the stairs to the bedchamber.
“If you’ll but help me out of this gown, you can be off.I’m for bed.”
“Are you well, my lady?”Jenny asked, unfastening her gown.
“Only fatigued,” she lied.
