“Well, thank you for spoiling the ending of the book for me.” She rolled her eyes, but Blake could tell her irritation was only mild.
“I am simply pointing out that what you read was perfectly within the bounds of propriety. Lord Benjamin does not take advantage of her—he does the honorable thing and proposes.” Blake shrugged.
“I am surprised that you care to read such books.” Jane gave him an appraising look. “I thought men did not care for novels. Considered them rather too lowbrow.”
“And you think I am above lowbrow entertainment? Now that is a surprise!” Blake teased, feeling the tension dissipate somewhat.
“Well, perhapsyouare not above such entertainment, but it is still surprising you have read the book,” Jane said.
“Why would I not? Tales of love conquering all? Of hearts opening themselves to unending possibilities.” Blake grinned at her.
“I would not have thought you quite the romantic.” She looked at him skeptically.
“You will find, Miss Pembleton, that still waters run deep.” He winked at her.
“I suppose even puddles can be deceptive.” Jane laughed softly.
“Ah, what wit,” he countered. “Besides, I for one rather enjoy a little bit of lewdness to break up the monotony of life.”
“I am sure you do. Though lust and love are not the same thing,” she pointed out.
Blake affected a tone of mock innocence, widening his eyes comically. “Are they not? Both are strong forces. Both seem to drive men to do truly unimaginable things.”
“Only if the man in question has the self-control of a hound,” she replied.
“Ah, that is the woman I know.”
“You are an utterly incorrigible rake.” Though the bite in her words was noticeably softer.
“At your service.” He bowed to her.
“Of course you are.” Jane fell silent, and after a moment she said, “Though it is probably lucky for us both that you are so disinclined to marry.”
“Is it?” Blake felt another odd twinge in his chest but ignored it.
“Yes, it will save me from having to turn down your advances. After all, I would hate to damage your precious ego.” Jane gave him a wicked grin.
Before he could say anything, she spotted someone over his shoulder and waved to them. Blake turned and saw Emily, who waved at him.
“And with that, I will take my leave of you.”
For a moment, Blake thought Jane was going to touch his arm with her outstretched hand, but she did not.
“Of course. Good day, Miss Pembleton.” He inclined his head towards her.
“Good day, Your Grace.” Jane’s eyes met his, and then she looked away again as she joined her sister.
Blake stared after them for a while. He felt an odd sense of restlessness as she walked away, and as he turned to head back into town to spend a few hours at the gentlemen’s club, he could not help but glance over his shoulder.
He could see the retreating backs of the Pembleton sisters, and from the sway of Jane’s curls, he was almost convinced that she had been looking back a moment ago.
Wishful thinking.
He shook his head, putting the thought out of his mind.
There would be plenty of time to exchange barbs with Jane. He tried to ignore the tinge of sadness as he thought of them going their separate ways after the wedding.
Truly, I must be going mad.
