Page 45 of Regency Whispers: Scandalous Matches

‘I don’t. I met Miss Ashworth at one of the few I do attend.’

‘I would wager Mr Stewart is a fine dancer. Am I right, Miss Ashworth?’

‘Alas, I am not the right person to ask. I stumble at even the easiest of dances,’ Jane said. He remembered the waltz they had shared, that wonderful feeling of gliding around the ballroom together. ‘He is very much in demand on the dance floor, though, so I think you are right. How do you know each other?’

Mrs Burghley shifted a little closer to Tom. He was powerless to move away, pressed up against the arm of the sofa.

‘We were introduced by a friend,’ the widow said, looking up at him with a seductive smile. ‘They thought we would enjoy one another’s company.’

‘Mrs Burghley, I wonder if I could have your opinion in the dining room?’ Mrs Weyman said as she bustled back into the room. ‘Your dress is exquisite and I have a few samples of fabric I am struggling to choose between. Perhaps you might be able to help me.’

Tom and Jane watched as Mrs Burghley left the room, throwing him a glance filled with both regret and promise as she exited.

‘Fabric?’

Jane snorted. ‘Lucy normally is more subtle than this.’

‘What does she have to be subtle about?’

Jane gestured at the space between the two of them. ‘No doubt she is hoping to return to us cinched in a passionate embrace.’

‘She knows?’ He hadn’t meant to exclaim in such horror.

‘Of course she doesn’t know we kissed,’ Jane snapped. ‘I’m not an idiot.’

‘What does she know?’

Jane looked at him without speaking for thirty seconds then must have decided to put his mind at ease.

‘She is aware of our little arrangement.’

‘Fine,’ he said slowly, nodding his head. ‘That’s not disastrous.’

‘But she is under the impression that our agreement does not preclude us developing feelings for one another.’ She sighed and slumped back in her chair. ‘I do wish you weren’t so damn attractive.’

This made him smile. He loved how she spoke her mind, often the words flowing out before she had a chance to consider the impact of them.

‘It is a burden I have to bear,’ he murmured.

Her head snapped up. ‘I’m not saying I find you attractive,’ she said quickly. ‘Just that objectively you are attractive, and that means everyone thinks I must be falling for you.’

‘Objectively I am attractive,’ he mused, trying his hardest to look puzzled rather than amused. ‘So does that mean you do find me attractive or you don’t?’

Jane opened her mouth to speak and then pressed her lips together so hard, they turned white.

‘We don’t need to have this conversation.’

‘I think we do,’ he said, unable to stop the grin spreading across his face.

‘Stop it.’

‘Stop what?’

‘Looking so pleased with yourself.’ She let out a long-suffering sigh and gave a dismissive wave. ‘It is how people describe you. You are Mr Stewart, the charming and handsome bachelor who has no plans to settle down.’

‘Is that what people say about me?’

‘Yes. As if someone can be summed up in a mere sentence.’