Page 67 of Regency Whispers: Scandalous Matches

‘He loved it, Jane, and who can blame him? I only managed to read some of it, upside down as it was, but you have real talent.’

She beamed, looking up at him. All her worries seemed insignificant now. The only thing she could think of was what the future might hold.

‘Jane,’ Lucy’s voice called out, and they both spun to face her as she hurried across the street. There was a look of alarm on her face and she was moving quickly, far quicker than was deemed appropriate for a young lady when out in public.

‘Is something amiss, Lucy?’

‘I was enjoying a cup of tea, watching the world go by, when I was approached by an acquaintance, a woman I do not know well. She is the wife of another captain in the army who my husband knows a little.’ Lucy paused, taking in a deep breath before continuing. ‘She asked me about the rumours surrounding you and Mr Stewart, dropping in she knew we were friends.’

‘Rumours?’ Jane felt all the elation of a moment ago being sucked out of her.

‘I was a bit sharp. I was taken by surprise, and said I knew of no rumours,’ Lucy said, a look of deep concern on her face. ‘I should have questioned her more, found out what it was she had heard and who she had heard it from, but then I saw you two out here on the street alone together and thought it more important you did not appear to be without a chaperon.’

Next to them, Tom let out a sharp exhalation and began to shake his head. ‘I thought we were safe.’

Jane had allowed herself to hope so too when they hadn’t been assailed by gossip on the first morning after Mrs Burghley had witnessed the illicit kiss. Glancing around, wondering if everyone was looking at them, Jane suddenly felt self-conscious.

‘We need to get away from here and find out what has been said.’

Lucy looked at her and must have had the same thought at the same moment, for together they said, ‘Lady Mountjoy.’

‘She will know,’ Tom agreed. He leapt into action, guiding them round to his waiting carriage and helping them inside.

They travelled in complete silence. Jane was too shocked to be able to say anything. Even though she had known there was a very real possibility of Mrs Burghley telling everyone what she had seen, Jane had always considered this outcome in an abstract way, like a puzzle needing to be solved. She had never allowed the emotion to overwhelm her, had never really allowed herself to think about all the consequences. Risking a glance at Tom, she took in the pallor of his complexion. He didn’t look like a man happy to be considering his impending nuptials.

Of course, she had a choice. Tom would offer her marriage. He was a gentleman, but more than that, he was a man who had his own set of morals, and abandoning a friend in need would not be acceptable to him. Already he had told her he would offer marriage, but that didn’t mean she would have to accept.

Jane knew most people would view her as a fool for even considering turning down Tom’s proposal. He was an extremely eligible bachelor and a good man. He was kind, easy to get along with and devastatingly handsome. In theory, there was nothing but positives.

Jane turned and looked out of the window, trying to distract herself with the view of the streets of London flashing past, but it was impossible. She was always aware of Tom when he was in close proximity and now the closeness felt overwhelming.

Digging the nails of one hand into the other, she relished the bite of discomfort for a second, finding the pain the only way to take herself away from the decision. Then the carriage slowed, the Mountjoys’ townhouse came into view and she knew she had no more time for distractions. She needed to make a decision.

Chapter Twenty

‘I need a moment,’ Jane said as she leaped from the carriage when it had barely stopped moving. She rushed towards the house, brushing past the footman as he opened the door, and disappearing before Tom could even step down to the pavement.

Slowly he stepped out, turning round to help Mrs Weyman down as well. Together they walked up to the house. Lady Mountjoy came to greet them by the door, her expression serious.

‘Come in,’ she said, ushering them inside. ‘Lucy, why don’t you go and check on Jane—see if she needs anything. I need to talk to Mr Stewart.’

Mrs Weyman looked glad to be able to escape, although Tom had hoped he would be able to go after Jane himself. Perhaps it was better they both had a few more minutes before they committed to each other for the rest of their lives.

Lady Mountjoy led him through to the drawing room and closed the door firmly behind them. Tom waited for her to sit, and then almost collapsed into one of the comfortable arm chairs.

‘How bad is it?’ He knew Lady Mountjoy would have heard every piece of gossip there was to hear and would be fully apprised of the situation. She knew everyone, was a friend to many and was even respected by the few who were not part of her inner circle.

‘It is bad, Mr Stewart, very bad indeed...’ She paused, and then seemed to take pity on him, for her expression softened. ‘But not unsalvageable.’

‘What are they saying?’

‘The rumours were started by Mrs Burghley—a friend of yours, I believe.’

‘A short-lived acquaintance.’

‘A woman scorned?’

Tom shook his head. ‘We went to the theatre together once. I did not feel there was anything between us, but perhaps Mrs Burghley thought differently.’