He instinctively took a step back. If anyone saw them so close together, it would tarnish her reputation. He glanced up and saw the satisfied expression on her face as she said, “As I expected.”
“What do you mean?” Blake felt his frustration rise to the surface. She was testing him, and he hated games.
We are not alone. There are servants around us, and she would not behave so improperly. She is trying to throw me off, and it has worked.
“That you are all talk and nothing else. You are only flirting with me to get a reaction, and I find it tiresome.” Jane gave him a frank look.
Blake inclined his head towards her, irritated that she had seen through him so clearly while he was left puzzling her out.
This is what I get for trying to behave properly.
“Do you, really?”
“I do.” An unreadable expression crossed Jane’s face, but it was gone too quickly for Blake to identify. “I do not understand why you find it so amusing to push and prod at me.”
“What if I enjoy flirting with you?” Blake asked.
“I cannot imagine that you do. Nor can I imagine that you would like it to lead to anything. I do not want to give anyone the wrong impression, and I do not want you to think that I welcome such advances from you.”
“Why not? What harm is there in a little flirtation amongst friends?”
“Well, firstly, we are not friends. Secondly, I think we can both agree that such behavior would easily lead people to the wrong conclusions. The last thing we want is to be bound to each other through your careless actions.” Jane gave him a flat look. “I think that, at least, is something we can agree on.”
She stared up at him, her jaw set stubbornly. The obstinate expression contrasted with the whiff of cinnamon and vanilla that washed over him.
“I have no wish to marry you.”I will never marry anyone.
The words filled him, a vow he had made to a man who had died years ago.
“Then you will stop what you are doing, and we will both go about our business.” Jane did not wait for a response and simply turned on her heels and walked through the open doors of the castle.
Before Blake could wrap his head around the exchange, a familiar voice called, “Surely you and Miss Pembleton are not already at one another’s throats!”
“Glassbury!” Blake turned and saw his friend striding towards him, grinning broadly.
He was accompanied by two tall men. Alexander Rokesby, the Duke of Emberly, was towering over everyone. On the other side of Richard stood Nigel Maxton, the Duke of Glassley. All three men were wearing riding clothes, and it was clear they had only just returned from an adventure around the grounds.
“Rokesby! Maxton! I have not seen you in an age,” Blake greeted the men enthusiastically.
“It has been quite some time,” Alexander agreed. “I believe you were on your tour when I married Rose.”
“Yes. I got back right after Nigel married your sister.” Blake laughed. “It seems I am the only bachelor among us.”
“Perhaps not for much longer. Were you just talking to Jane?” Nigel’s eyes glinted warmly.
“Oh, Maxton. I would not hold my breath. I would think it more likely that my solicitor marry my cook.” Richard shook his head as he began to walk in the direction of his study. “Honestly, Rochester is like a boy with a stick, poking a sleeping bear.”
“What? Jane?” Alexander looked surprised.
“You know her?” Blake frowned.
“Well, she is Rose’s sister.”
“I hope your wife is significantly better tempered,” Blake muttered.
Alexander laughed. “Rose is somewhat of a spitfire, but I love that about her. Yet, Jane has been nothing but pleasant to me. A little over-enthusiastic at times but still charming and kind.”
“We are talking about the same woman, are we not? Miss Jane Pembleton? The daughter of the Viscount Cotswalts. Pretty thing, with reddish brown hair. About… this tall?” Blake held up his hand to indicate Jane’s height.
