Page 23 of Regency Whispers: Scandalous Matches

‘But I only have eyes for you.’

She laughed at this, and Tom saw her finally relaxing in his company. Miss Ashworth worked hard to keep up her wall of defence. She scared people off with her severe expressions and frumpy way of dressing and styling her hair. She worked hard to exude an air of bookishness, to ensure people thought she would not be fun company, but when you dug down beneath all of that there was so much more underneath.

Miss Ashworth was quick-witted and sharp. She had views on things other than the latest fashions or society gossip and was a keen observer of human nature. It had never featured in his plans to pretend to be courting a debutante this Season, but if it had to be with anyone he was glad it was Miss Ashworth.

‘I will show you a ball can be enjoyable, if only you keep the right company.’

‘I will look forward to it.’

Chapter Eight

It was at moments like this that Jane missed the protective shield the other debutantes had provided before they had all married, when they’d gone out in a gaggle to dinners and balls. She stood out, alone with Lord and Lady Mountjoy, and it felt as if all eyes were on her.

‘Good evening,’ their hostess said as she welcomed them into the drawing room where there was already a crowd of people.

‘What a lovely group you have here,’ Lady Mountjoy said. ‘Thank you for the invitation. Your dinner parties are always a highlight of the Season.’

‘You are too kind, Lady Mountjoy.’ Lady Parson lowered her voice a little and leaned in, as if imparting a secret. ‘Mr Stewart has not arrived yet, but I have arranged the seating so he and the young lady will be next to one another.’

‘Thank you. I shall not forget this, Lady Parson.’

Jane almost rolled her eyes at the hushed voices of the two older women and quietly excused herself, stepping in to the room and seeing if there was anyone she recognised.

With a groan, she saw too late the closest person was Mrs Farthington with her hapless husband. Jane wondered whether it was too late to quietly back away, but as she took her first step Mrs Farthington turned and caught sight of Jane. Knowing she could not show any weakness, Jane summoned a smile.

‘Miss Ashworth, you look...’ Mrs Farthington trailed off as her eyes flicked up and down, taking in Jane’s pale-green dress and simple hairstyle. ‘Well. You look well.’

‘As do you, Mrs Farthington. Lovely to see you, Mr Farthington.’

Her gaze darted around the room as she spoke, wondering if there was someone else she knew, someone to latch on to so she didn’t have to spend her time talking to the woman in front of her.

Mrs Farthington was having none of it. She linked her arm through Jane’s and started to stroll leisurely around the room as if they were old friends. Her husband trailed behind, carrying his wife’s glass of wine.

‘You are a secretive little mouse, aren’t you?’ Mrs Farthington said. ‘When I teased you the other day about pursuing Mr Stewart as a possible suitor, I really was joking, but I hear he has agreed to come to this dinner party because of you and insisted you sit together.’

Jane closed her eyes for a moment, wondering how gossip and rumour spread so easily throughout the ton.

‘Is it true, then?’ Mrs Farthington probed. ‘How interesting. I wonder what he wants from you.’

Jane knew it was an insult, as were most things coming from this woman’s mouth, but she needed to keep her composure and not let anything slip.

She shrugged. ‘I’m sure I do not know.’

‘You do know his reputation?’

‘Yes. I know what people say about him.’

‘He doesn’t really attend society events, not beyond one or two balls a year. He’s handsome, of course... You can see why all the ladies sigh as he walks by, and I hear rumours he is a magnificent lover.’

‘Mrs Farthington, I must protest,’ Mr Farthington said, trying to insert himself next to his wife, but she flicked him away with a dismissive hand.

‘I hear he has the choice of partner and I can only wonder what he wants with you.’

‘Perhaps he enjoys my scintillating conversation or my impressive wit.’

Mrs Farthington laughed.

‘I understand why you are suddenly so eager to capture yourself a husband, Miss Ashworth, with Miss Greenacre and Miss Stanley married to lords and Miss Freeman now a captain’s wife.’ She paused and by the glint in her eye Jane knew the next barb was going to be particularly sharp. ‘But a little friendly advice—perhaps you should lower your expectations a little.’