“The Duke needed to be convinced of my victory.” Jane smiled, though Blake noticed the color on her cheeks. “So, I thought he might like to wear it.”
“Oh Jane!” Cressida exclaimed.
“Well, you were both gone for so long that we thought you might have murdered each other,” Richard said, looking between Jane and Blake.
“Evidently, we have not.” Blake strode forward with as much dignity as he could muster. “Now, shall we play a last round?”
Without waiting for a response, he strode inside and began dealing the cards. Throughout the game, he tried studiously not to look at Jane, but each time he glanced at her when he thought she was distracted, their eyes would meet and both would look away.
Jane won the hand and immediately turned to Blake with a steely look in her eyes. “I have a truth for you,” she said.
“Why am I not surprised?” He tried to sound sarcastic but suspected it came out too earnest.
“Do not worry, dear Duke, I will be gentle with you.” Jane smiled.
“That would be a first,” he replied.
Thunder boomed outside, making everyone jump. Blake realized he had grabbed Jane’s hand, and he hastily dropped it before anyone else noticed.
What the hell am I doing?
“I believe you were about to ask me a question,” Blake said, his eyes meeting Jane’s.
“Yes, I was. But the thunder has driven it from my mind.”
“What a shame,” Blake murmured, intending for it to sound mocking—though, to his frustration, it came out sincere.
Cressida yawned from the corner of the room, and soon it spread to them all.
“I suggest we pick this back up in the morning. With any luck, the weather will be much better tomorrow,” Cressida said, standing up.
“That is an excellent idea. It will give me time to think of the perfect question for the Duke.” Jane grinned impishly at him.
“I shall be waiting with bated breath.” Blake inclined his head towards her.
“I am sure you will,” Jane replied silkily.
And as Jane left the room, Blake thought he caught his friends all exchanging looks. But when he turned to face them, their faces were studiously blank.
Thunder crackled again, and Blake glanced back in the direction the women had left, wondering just what the next day would bring.
ChapterFifteen
Difficult Questions And Difficult Answers
Jane was embroidering little patterns of fencers on her dress for the wedding when a knock sounded at the door. Frowning, she turned and opened it, finding herself face-to-face with Emily.
“I could not sleep,” her sister said by way of explanation. “I wondered if we could perhaps talk for a little longer until I grow tired.”
“Like when we were little girls?” Jane asked, smiling fondly at her.
“Exactly like that.” Emily beamed at her. “May I come in?”
“Of course, though I am going to talk to you in bed, as it is rather cold this evening.” Jane carefully put her dress away, tucked herself in bed, pulled the covers around her, and then patted the space beside her.
Emily plonked herself beside Jane and cuddled up to her as she looked out the window. “It is hard to believe it is summer, especially with weather like this.”
“With any luck, it will pass. I do not know how much longer I can stand being cooped up in the castle.” Jane shook her head.
