Page 34 of Three Weeks with a Princess
He grabbed the back of another chair, swinging it around to face her. “I wish I had unearthed a cache of gold coins,” he said ruefully as he sat. When he pulled off a glove and took her hand, Lia had to resist the impulse to clutch at the familiar warmth and strength of his long fingers and callused palm. “But even though such is not the case, I promised to take care of you and Rebecca, and I shall.”
She made herself gently withdraw her hand. “I don’t doubt that is your wish, but life often gets in the way of giving us what we wish for, does it not?”
He shook his head. “My sweet girl, don’t you realize that I would—”
“Hush.” She briefly pressed her fingers over one of his hands, now clenched on his knee. “No more promises, Jack. You are my dearest friend and I love you more than I can say for wanting to help us.”
He flinched and sat back, as if she’d pushed him.
She’d all but confessed her true feelings for him and that was his reaction? Lia swallowed the pain and continued. “But we are not your responsibility and you’ve done more than enough.”
“I haven’t done a damn thing,” he said through clenched teeth.
Ah, it seemed guilt was at the root of this. If so, that would poison what little friendship they had left.
“I do have a family,” she said, forcing a cool tone. “It is their responsibility to help me. And might I add that given the differences in our social standing, if you were to help me it would only cause more salacious gossip.”
Instead of being offended, he flashed her a wry smile. “Now you sound like my mother. And I cannot believe I just said that.”
She briefly smiled. “I suspect you’ll never have cause to say so again. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must get back to work. There’s a great deal to be done before opening night.”
His improved mood vanished in an instant. Jack had been an incredibly good-natured boy and was now a man with an easygoing, laughing manner. These days, however, he more closely resembled a bear with a sore paw.
She came to her feet, prompting him to stand as well. “Will you come see the play? Mama is simply splendid in her role.”
“If you meanA Surprise for the Publican’s Wife, dare I ask what the surprise is?” he asked in a dour voice.
Drat. He must have glimpsed the program on the worktable. “No, that’s the comic burletta. Mama is starring inThe Queen of Mount Olympus. I truly think it’s one of my stepfather’s finest works.”
“I see. And are you appearing in either performance?”
Lia had to resist the impulse to look down at her feet. “As a matter of fact, I’m in the burletta. It’s just a bit part, though,” she added hastily, taking in his expression. “Not even a speaking role.”
That qualification didn’t assuage him. “Lia Kincaid, if you think I’m going to allow you to make a spec—”
“Lia, darling, are you in there?” trilled a voice, cutting off Jack’s incipient tirade.
Breathing a prayer of thanks, Lia slipped around her fuming companion. “Yes, Mama.”
Her mother glided through the door. Her costume vaguely resembled a toga—although one hardly imagined togas with gold spangles and gauze—and she carried a helmet. “There you are. I was hoping—” She broke off, seeing the stranger in the green room. After running a quick, assessing gaze over Jack’s form, she flicked an enquiring glance at Lia.
“It’s Jack, Mama,” Lia said with a mental sigh. “Lord Lendale, that is.”
Her mother flashed him a dazzling smile and dropped into a graceful and extravagant curtsy, helmet notwithstanding. “Goodness, how could I not have recognized you? You’re looking well, your lordship.Extremelywell.”
Jack executed a polite bow. “There would be no reason for you to recall me, Mrs. Lester. It’s been years since we last met. Allow me to say that you’re also looking very well.”
Despite her irritation, Lia couldn’t help but be touched by his courtesy. Jack had never acted the snob with her family, which was a sign of his kind nature.
“You flatter me, my lord,” Mama trilled in a pretty voice. “Lia, why didn’t you tell me that Lord Lendale had grown up to be such a distinguished man?”
Lia’s cheeks burned. “I suppose there wasn’t any reason to discuss it.” She did her best to ignore Jack’s ironic gaze.
“Well, never mind. You’ve obviously come to visit Lia, which is splendid,” Mama said, placing her helmet on the table. “I hope you will be sure to take in the program on opening night. And you must certainly visit my darling daughter afterward in the green room.”
With a sinking heart, Lia realized her mother and grandmother had probably written to each other on the subject of reeling Jack into the role of her first protector.
“Actually, I’ve come to persuade Lia to return to Stonefell, where she belongs,” he said with something of a growl. “It’s time for her London adventure to conclude.”
