Page 26 of Regency Whispers: Scandalous Matches

They both laughed and Jane saw a few people looking in their direction.

‘Good evening, Mr Stewart,’ a pretty young woman said as she glided up to them, resplendent in a dark-blue dress that draped beautifully about her shoulders, making her look like a Grecian goddess.

‘Mrs Harper, lovely to see you. Are you well?’

‘Quite well, Mr Stewart. Although surprised to see you here tonight.’

‘May I introduce Miss Jane Ashworth, a friend of mine?’

‘Delighted to meet you, Miss Ashworth.’

‘And you, Mrs Harper.’

Mrs Harper’s eyes raked over Jane and Jane had to resist the urge to pat her hair and smooth her dress. Instead she adopted a serene half-smile that she hoped gave her an air of confidence she didn’t quite feel.

‘How is Mr Harper?’ Mr Stewart asked, and Jane thought she saw a darkening of the other woman’s eyes.

‘His gout ails him this evening. He has stayed at home.’

‘Please send him my best wishes.’

Mrs Harper reached out and touched Mr Stewart’s hand. ‘You’ve always been so considerate. Do let me know when we can welcome you at our home again.’

‘Was that a little strange?’ Jane said as the slightly older woman smiled and walked away. ‘It felt a little strange, although I don’t think she said anything outrageous.’

‘It was a little strange.’

Jane followed the pretty young woman with her eyes and then gasped. ‘She’s one of your mistresses!’ It sounded so dramatic, but she couldn’t believe the realisation had only just occurred.

Mr Stewart grabbed her hand and pulled it down from where she was covering her mouth.

‘That is how rumours start,’ he muttered.

‘Is she not one of your mistresses?’

He coughed uncomfortably.

Jane felt a surge of envy and quickly tried to suppress it. It was absolutely none of her business if Mr Stewart had a dozen mistresses dotted about London. Still, she looked after the beautiful and confident young woman who had melted into the crowd and felt a stab of sadness that she would never have that confidence.

‘But she’s married.’ Quickly Jane held up her hands. ‘No, no, no. It is not my place to judge. You have always been very open about how you conduct your life and your philosophy for how you live it.’

‘Stop. Please,’ Mr Stewart said, again taking her wrists and lowering them to down, his fingers lingering on her skin for just a second more than they should have. With a glance over his shoulder he guided Jane to a quieter area of the ballroom where they were shielded from the view of most people by some well-placed arrangements of flowers.

‘You don’t need to explain yourself to me.’

‘I know,’ Mr Stewart said, but continued on anyway. ‘I knew Mrs Harper before she married her second husband. She was widowed young and spent a year or two enjoying the new-found freedom of being wealthy and independent and allowed to make her own decisions for the first time ever.’

‘And she chose you?’

‘We spent a little time in one another’s company.’

‘She seemed very keen to renew your acquaintance.’

Mr Stewart sighed and swept a hand through his hair. ‘I don’t have many rules in life, but I do refuse to dally with innocent young women and married women. There is no need. There are plenty of people unattached and eager for a liaison outside of those groups.’

‘The beautiful Mrs Harper doesn’t have the same rules, I assume?’

‘She married a much older man and I can only assume he can’t keep up.’