“Her forgiveness is a challenge, but I do not think I really have competition.” Blake smiled.
“Well, they have been together for nearly an hour, and it doesn’t seem like any of them are interested in losing to the other. Even if that was not the case, you know as much as I do that Jane can have quite a temper.” Emily grinned back. “Do you think you are up to the task?”
“Of earning her forgiveness? I certainly hope so.” Blake swallowed. “Of getting rid of the others? Most definitely.”
“A bold claim.” Emily laughed softly.
“I am nothing if not persistent.” Blake grinned at Emily, trying to feel as confident as he sounded.
“And just what are you planning to do?” Emily paused as they neared what Blake assumed was the drawing room door.
“I am going to prove to her that she is absolutely out of her mind if she thinks I will let some competition drive me away,” he replied.
Emily lifted an eyebrow. “Oh, is that all?”
“None of these men know her, and Jane will never let them know her because she thinks that her very personality will scare them off. Likely because she is right—not everyone can see what I see.”
“And what is that?” Blake turned to see the matronly figure of Lady Cotswalts closing the door of the drawing room before making her way towards him and Miss Emily.
The last time he had seen her, she was looking at him with such clear disapproval. Understandable, given the circumstances, but the way she positioned herself between him and the door made it clear that Jane was not the only person he needed to convince.
“That she is remarkable. So full of curiosity and utterly enamored with life. A person like that cannot resign herself to a loveless marriage—it will eat her from the inside out. I know I did not make the best first impression, but I am no longer that wounded person, and I will spend the rest of my life proving it.”
Lady Cotswalts’ sharp eyes assessed him before she offered a small nod.
“Very well then. I will let you speak to my daughter. Even you would be better than those buffoons.”
“Mother!”
“Oh, Emily, even you made excuses to leave the room!”
“Interesting.” Blake turned to Jane’s sister, a smile spreading across his face despite himself. “And I thought they were engaged in a deeply intriguing conversation.”
“Were you now?” Lady Cotswalts looked at her youngest with a look that reminded him of Jane.
“So, you have a plan, right?” Emily said, shifting the conversation. “Surely, you do not intend on sabotaging my sister’s efforts and gaining her affection all at once without a solid plan?” She arched an eyebrow at him.
Blake raised his own eyebrow and asked, “Do you really think I need one?”
ChapterThirty-One
Better Late Than Never
“And of course, I told him it is utterly preposterous to waste time, let alone money, on poetry. I am so happy you are above such frivolities, Miss Pembleton,” said Lord Severn, as one of her other suitors nodded along.
Jane could only offer a smile, as she didn’t trust herself at that moment. Besides being bored out of her wits, she couldn’t bring herself to talk poetry with these men.
Not when a copy of Byron’s poetry had been on her bedside since she returned to London.
“Ah, Mother! Were you successful in finding Em?” Jane started once the door swung open, but she stopped once she saw who entered.
It cannot be. He cannot do this to me…
“Hello, Jane darling. Did you miss me?”
“What are you doing here?” Her voice came out in a whisper.
His eyes were locked on hers as he made his way through her suitors and straight to her. “I simply wished to help you make the right choice.”
