Page 40 of Regency Whispers: Scandalous Matches

‘We were flustered,’ Jane said slowly. ‘Shaken by the shock of the horse bolting. I have heard people do irrational things when emotions are heightened.’

‘Always so practical,’ Mr Stewart murmured. For a moment something flared in his eyes and Jane wondered if he was thinking about kissing her again.

‘We should return to Edward and the servants and pretend this never happened.’ It hurt her to suggest it, but she knew it was the only thing to do. Especially given Mr Stewart’s reaction to kissing her. She wouldn’t let him see how much his immediate regret had upset her.

‘Yes, good plan.’

He took hold of both sets of reins and began leading the horses, turning back when he saw she wasn’t following him.

‘Are you hurt?’

‘No,’ Jane said, forcing herself to move.

At home, in the privacy of her room, she would take the time to understand the roiling emotions inside her, but right at this moment she needed to act as though nothing was phasing her.

Chapter Twelve

‘Jane, come sit with me. I am so excited about the show tonight. I can’t believe after all these months in London we are finally going to the theatre.’

Jane squeezed through the crowd and took the vacant seat next to Lucy, taking a moment to look around her. It had taken weeks of persuasion to convince Lady Mountjoy that a trip to the theatre in Islington would not tarnish their reputations. They had attended the opera many times, but at first Lady Mountjoy had been resistant to a night at the theatre, saying it just wasn’t a thing well-bred young ladies did.

‘Where is Mr Weyman?’ Jane strained her neck to see if she could catch a glimpse of Lucy’s husband, but if he was close he was hidden by the bodies of all the people present.

‘He suggested we might like a drink whilst we watch the performance. I’m sure he will be back soon.’

After weeks of making plans, Lady Mountjoy had finally given in and allowed Jane to go and see a play tonight in the company of Lucy and her new husband.

‘I love that as a married woman you are enough of a chaperon for me,’ Jane said as she shuffled closer to her friend. ‘It is so freeing to be able to be out with you and you alone.’

‘It’s strange, isn’t it?’ Lucy said, smiling broadly. ‘So much has changed now that I am married. I do like the freedom of it.’

‘I am pleased you find marriage freeing. You chose well, Lucy. Captain Weyman is a wonderful man and he seems to be happy to give you more trust and freedom than many men do their wives.’

‘I wonder if it is because we have known each other for such a long time? I couldn’t imagine him telling me what to do, even though he is quite used to ordering the men in his regiment around.’

Captain Weyman appeared through the crowd, smartly dressed for the evening, his lips set into a broad smile. It was impossible not to like him. He was affable and relaxed and never had a bad word to say about anyone. He and Lucy were so well-matched, Jane thought theirs must be the happiest marriage of the decade.

‘Miss Ashworth, you are looking radiant this evening. I am delighted you could join us.’

‘Thank you for inviting me. I know you are not in London for much longer and time with Lucy is precious.’

‘Three more weeks,’ Lucy said, suddenly looking sad. ‘But I suppose this is the reality of being the wife of an army officer.’

‘It will feel like no time at all, and I will be back again,’ Captain Weyman said, but Jane could see there was sadness in his eyes too. ‘Ah, I see Potters and Gillespie. I won’t be a moment, my dear, but I had better go and say hello.’

Excusing himself, Captain Weyman sidled along past the other people sitting nearby to the two friends he had spotted, leaving Jane alone with Lucy.

‘So, tell me, how are things going with the delectable Mr Stewart?’

‘Stop,’ Jane said, feeling a blush start to bloom on her cheeks despite her best efforts to maintain a nonchalant façade. ‘There is absolutely nothing to tell because there is nothing going on with him.’

‘I don’t believe you. Look at how much you are blushing.’

‘I’m not blushing.’

‘It is no use denying it.’

Jane shook her head. ‘Perhaps I should just tell you the truth,’ she said slowly.