Page 57 of Avenging the Earl's Lady
Madame’s gaze met hers and the dark eyes were enigmatic.
Doubt slithered through her.Who could she really trust?And yet, the die had been rolled.She needed Madame’s and Guignard’s help.“It was probably Kincaid’s presence that made Guignard reluctant to talk.”
“No doubt.”She helped Jane out of the new gown and handed her a satiny robe.“But I assure you, if Guignard says the painting is safe, then it is.You will rest here on the sofa, and then Barton will help you dress later.Meanwhile, Jenny will go to Shaldon House for your evening slippers.Shall I have her carry along the gown you arrived in?”
“No.Have her take it back to Gerrard Street.I’m returning there after the musicale.”
Madame pursed her lips.“I suppose Kincaid will have men watching that house now also.”
“Very likely.”Unless Shaldon himself came to make sure she was safe.
She shook off the excitement the thought stirred.She needed to think about her son.
Shaldon had offered him a position.Her best hope to keep Quentin out of Shaldon’s clutches was to put herself into them.Not in a marriage, though.Now that he knew she’d taken his painting, a simple transaction—the painting for Quentin’s debts, along with a promise to not embroil her son in his dangerous world—would suffice.Shaldon could flaunt his possession of the painting before the Duque and obtain his revenge, and she could render this final assistance to her son.
If she could persuade Shaldon to agree to it.
The red-haired groom,Ewan, trotted up the stairs to the shop to fetch her to the waiting carriage, and she had a moment of tingling apprehension.
Her slippers suddenly felt too heavy.
“My lady?”
Hazel eyes looked down on her.The boy had too many freckles and an air of dogged innocence.She took his arm and let him lead her.No fewer than four outriders followed the large town coach, and another groom rode on the back.
With one foot on the carriage step she froze.No lamp lit the dark interior and no gown shimmered in the light from the street.
A dark-clad arm and white-gloved hand reached out the coach door and snared her hand.“Shall we brave this, Lady Jane?”
Lord Shaldon tugged her onto the seat next to him.
It washer nerves making her prickly, he decided.The attack on Guignard had upset all the ladies.
“You did not expect me?”he asked.“No, I suppose not.At the last minute, Lady Perpetua sent a note that they would visit tonight, and the others decided to stay home.After the musicale, I’ll escort you to Shaldon House so you may also visit with the newlyweds.”
“I shall return to my lodgings tonight.”
“You intend to stay there?”
“As long as Lady Hackwell will allow it.”She sat primly, her hands locked together in her lap.“I suppose you’ve spoken to Lord Hackwell about the arrangement?”
“I sent a note regarding issues of safety.He assured me you may remain there as long as is needed.”
She let out a breath and gazed out the window.
“Though I should like for you to return to Shaldon House.”He reached for her hand.“I very much enjoyed our interlude last night.I will, I’m afraid, continue to importune you.”
The tiniest of shivers went through her telling him that she’d enjoyed the night also.
But when she glanced at him, her expression was bland.“Thus scandalizing both thetonand your children.”
He shrugged.“Thetonflits from scandal to scandal.As for my children, they are all grown and happily married, and may keep to their own business.”He slipped an arm around her back and slid his hands over the boning in her blasted stays.She was well turned out tonight in a pale, low-cut frock that showcased her fine bosom.“I’ve done my best for them in my own way, as you have for Penderbrook.”
He could sense the tension rising in her and guessed at the emotion; exasperation, certainly, but also regret, perhaps even a grief he couldn’t wholly understand.Though he’d been an absent father for most of his children’s lives, it must be different for a mother.
And it wouldn’t do for her to arrive in tears.
“I am trying to secure a position for him,” he said.
