He threw on his traveling cloak, his thoughts centered on Jane as he raced out of his room. As he hurtled down the stairs, he collided with Nigel.
“Rochester, where on earth are you going at this hour?” Nigel raised an eyebrow at him. “You are moving like the very hounds of hell are chasing you.”
“I have been a fool,” Blake said.
“That is hardly new, or worth looking like you are a man possessed.” Nigel smiled kindly.
“I feel like I am possessed.” Blake shook his head numbly. “I have to leave. I have to tell her how I feel.”
“Miss Pembleton?”
“What? How did you know?” Blake gaped at him.
“I have eyes, Rochester.” Nigel grinned. “And I also know that “Rokesby owes me three guineas. As does Glassbury. Now, make haste.”
Nigel shooed Blake out the front door, and Blake sprinted towards the stables. He heard him call out, “And for whatever it’s worth, I suspect the young lady returns your affections.”
I can only hope he is right.
“Wait for me, Jane. My father will not deny me this. I have been a fool,” Blake vowed. “But I will make things right between us.”
ChapterTwenty-Nine
Home At Last
“Are you sure you still wish to do this, my dear sweet Jane?” Lord Cotswalts surveyed his daughter, a worried crease on his brow.
“Yes, Father. I am more certain than I ever have been.” Jane swallowed and held her hand out.
I need to do it.
They were in the Viscount’s study. He stood behind his desk, a sheet of paper in his hand and a worried look on his face. Jane continued to hold her hand out to him.
“I was rather hoping you would find someone during your time with the Marquess and well, now the Marchioness. But your mother tells me this has not happened.” Lord Cotswalts squeezed her hand.
“It did not. No.”
“It is not a reflection on you, you know.” The Viscount gave his daughter a kind look. “Any man would be lucky to have you.”
And yet none of them seem to want me.
Jane shook her head and tapped on the desk. “The list please, Father.”
He handed it to her. “I have narrowed it down to these ten names. I have listed their ages and titles—or if they have no title, their occupation. I have tried to choose men I would trust, who have good reputations and have been loyal business partners.”
“Thank you, Father.” Jane felt her heart rate quicken as she scanned the list.
This is not as bad as I thought.
“I feared that a great age gap would be hard for you to bear, so none are older than thirty.” Her father gestured to one name on the list. “Baron Luckstone keeps spaniels, and I am told he is rather an avid fan of painting. Sir Thomas Blake was knighted for his service to the Empire…”
The name ‘Blake’ tugged at Jane’s heart, but she pushed the feelings away. There was nothing between them. There had never been anything between them.
He is probably celebrating his freedom with that vile woman.
“Are you all right?” Her father sounded worried.
“What? Oh yes, I am perfectly well, Father. Just… a little distracted, that is all.” She shook her head and tried to give him a reassuring smile, but it felt thin and insubstantial. “I think I recognize most of the names on this list. If I recall correctly, I have met the Marquess of Severn before.”
