Page 18 of Regency Whispers: Scandalous Matches

‘How do you know him?’

‘We were introduced—at Lady Mountjoy’s ball. The one you were meant to come to, but were caught up in wedded bliss so missed it.’

‘I have apologised a thousand times!’ Lucy grinned. ‘But when you marry...’

Jane snorted.

‘When you marry I am sure you will understand how time slips away from you.’

‘How is the delightful Captain Weyman?’

Lucy had married her childhood sweetheart three weeks earlier after an agonising wait whilst he’d been abroad with the army. Jane liked to tease her friend but was beyond ecstatic that Lucy had finally married the man she loved, overcoming all the hurdles that had been placed in their way.

‘Very well. We are thinking of returning to Somerset soon to see if we can start to repair the relationship with his father. William will get his orders in the next couple of weeks, but we are hoping his next posting will be closer than his last.’

‘Don’t go yet,’ Jane said quietly. ‘I would miss you too much, and you don’t want to start off your married life with the sourness of his family seeping into your happiness.’

‘Perhaps we will wait until the summer. I do love Somerset in the summer months.’ She smiled at her friend, looking pointedly at the window again, and Jane made an effort to pull herself away.

‘Mr Stewart recently became guardian to his nephew, a lovely young boy who is six years old and called Edward. Being a man who has never spent any time around children, he claims he is out of his depth with Edward, although it would be unfair to say he is completely useless with him.’

‘I hope you don’t use such encouraging words with him.’

Jane smiled, pleased to have her friend back even if it was just for the afternoon.

‘So how have you become involved in Mr Stewart’s situation?’

‘Lady Mountjoy suggested I might help him, as I have so many younger siblings and am used to the company of children.’

‘Ah.’

‘Ah indeed. She has this gleam in her eye.’

‘She does have a nearly perfect record. Out of the five of us she brought to London, you are the only one unmarried.’

‘Don’t remind me. I don’t wish to disappoint her. She has been more than generous with her time and money and affection, but she is not going to see me married.’

‘Not even to the charming Mr Stewart?’

‘Certainly not to him.’ Jane felt the heat on her cheeks and hated that this line of questioning was making her blush.

‘Let me see if I have this right. Lady Mountjoy wants to pair you with Mr Stewart, even though he has a reputation as a rake who has no intention of settling down. She has volunteered you to assist with his nephew and you are just going along with all of this?’

‘If it isn’t him it’ll just be someone else. At least I can be sure he harbours no interest in me and I know I have no interest in him. His nephew is adorable, and if I manage to avoid an endless parade of suitors then I can tolerate a few hours a week spent in Mr Stewart’s company.’

‘You discussed it with him?’

‘Openly. He agreed.’

‘What is in it for him?’

‘I spend some time with his nephew whilst he waits for the nanny the agency have promised him.’

Lucy pondered for a moment. ‘Not a bad plan in theory,’ she said after a minute. ‘But what if one of you starts to develop feelings for the other? You will be in close proximity for a while.’

‘That will never happen. Mr Stewart is a man who prefers his liaisons without emotional attachment, and I have absolutely no interest in any romantic relationship.’

Lucy looked as though she was going to protest further when Jane saw the carriage pull to a halt outside.