Page 52 of Regency Whispers: Scandalous Matches

‘Would you like to join us this afternoon, Miss Ashworth? I do not know how long the snow is due to settle for.’

‘Of course. Let me gather my hat and gloves and change my dress for something more suited to a spell outside.’

Tom marvelled at how quickly Jane was able to change and collect the things she needed. Many women he knew took hours just to select the right outfit, but in a mere fifteen minutes they were standing on the pavement outside Lady Mountjoy’s house with a frowning maid a few feet behind them.

‘Come, let us walk to the park,’ Jane said, taking hold of Edward’s hand. She glanced over the young boy’s head to Tom, and he could see she was eager to hear his news, but unsure what to ask in front of Edward.

‘I am sorry you did not get home until late last night,’ Tom said, knowing that at six Edward might not understand everything they talked about, but was very capable of taking it in and repeating it at inopportune moments.

‘I understand you also had a late night,’ Jane said, looking pensive, then shaking her head. Tom felt a rush of relief. No doubt she only meant to delay their conversation until they reached the park, but it gave him a few minutes’ respite.

They walked slowly. The snow had been fresh in the morning, but over the course of the day the pavements had become slippery and in places treacherous. It was a relief to go through the gates of the park and step into the thicker, fresh snow covering the grass where no one else had set foot.

Edward was off immediately, running over the snow and marvelling at his footprints.

‘Come and play!’ he shouted, whooping with joy.

Jane turned to him and Tom felt as though he were on unsteady ground. He didn’t want to jeopardise what they had, didn’t want to tear her out of Edward’s life by his mistakes.

Slowly she shook her head, her eyes following Edward. ‘He’s been waiting for this since he arrived in England. Whatever it is we need to say to one another can wait.’

Tom nodded slowly. ‘Are you sure?’

‘Completely.’

He felt a rush of relief and, even though they were in the middle of the park, he reached out and grasped her hand as she went to move away. For a long moment they both looked down, staring at where his fingers entangled hers, both encased in thick gloves.

‘You’re a good person, Jane Ashworth,’ he said quietly. ‘We’re both lucky to have you.’

‘Come on!’ Edward shouted again and after one final moment Jane pulled away, running in the direction of the little boy and leaning down to talk to him. Tom hurried over, but before he could get close two perfectly round snowballs came whizzing towards him. One fell short but the other hit him squarely in the chest before crumbling and falling to the ground.

‘I’m going to get you,’ he called, gathering up a handful of snow.

It was not a fair fight, two against one, although his aim was true on a few occasions. Jane had a surprisingly strong arm and was merciless in her attack, and before long she and Edward were giggling with laughter as they hit him over and over again.

Changing tactics, Tom made a run for them, gathering a squealing Edward up in his arms and running off to a safe distance.

‘Help me, Miss Jane!’ Edward giggled.

Now he was under attack from two sides. Retreating from the relentless snowballs from his nephew, he ran back towards Jane as she tried to dart away, laughing.

‘Don’t even think about picking me up like you did him!’

‘Now, that is an idea,’ Tom murmured, lunging towards her.

‘No!’ she shrieked, dodging away. ‘Think about the consequences, Mr Stewart.’

‘I can only see benefits. One, I would lift you away from your endless supply of ammunition. Two, I could pin your arms to your sides and you wouldn’t be able to launch any snowballs. And three...’

He trailed off, knowing he couldn’t say three out loud.

‘Three?’

Luckily they were both distracted by Edward barging in, screaming and throwing snowballs as if he were in the final charge of a battle.

‘I surrender,’ Tom called from under the barrage of snowballs.

‘Do we let him surrender?’ Jane crouched down to confer with the little boy. Finally, she nodded. ‘We accept your surrender on two conditions.’