He grabbed a glass of lemonade and took a deep drink, his heart hammering in his chest.
What is wrong with me?
He felt a light brush against his arm, and turned, expecting to see Jane behind him.
It was Lady Waterburry. A wave of disappointment washed over him, followed swiftly by irritation at himself.
Why would it be Jane?
Lady Waterburry smiled at him, her green eyes searching his face.
“It is unlike you not to offer refreshments to those around you,” Lady Waterburry murmured, moving closer to him. “Usually, you would fetch whatever I wanted. Or at the very least ask if I cared for anything.”
“Clearly thoughtlessness on my part.” Blake took a step backward, smiling politely at her. “Forgive me, I am not myself today.”
“It would seem not.” Lady Waterburry’s voice was playful, but Blake sensed an edge to her words. “What has got you so distracted, I wonder?”
She gazed back towards the group they had just left. Blake followed her look. His eyes searched the group and were drawn to Jane. She looked up as he was about to look away. For an instant, her brown eyes held his, and then she looked away.
He shook himself and turned back to Lady Waterburry. “Perhaps it is just the heat.” He shrugged and took another sip of his lemonade.
“Perhaps. It is rather warm today.” Lady Waterburry surveyed him over her glass, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face as she did so.
“We should get back to the game. I would not want the others to wait on our account.” Blake made to move back to the group, but Lady Waterburry stood in his way.
“I doubt they will. Besides, I am sure Miss Pembleton will amuse them greatly with her skill.” An irritated look crossed her face before it turned thoughtful. “I wonder if she will be as competitive with her husband.”
“Her husband? She is not married.” Blake frowned at her.
“Not yet, no. Though she will be soon. Her father has been frightfully busy trying to find a suitable match for her,” Lady Waterburry said casually as she took a sip of her drink.
“What?” Blake’s voice was harsh.
His chest seemed to tighten, and he felt as though someone had punched him in the stomach.
Jane is to be married?
“Yes, word is that he has written to many eligible bachelors, trying to broker some kind of arrangement for his daughter’s hand.” She smiled as though the whole thing were some silly joke.
“Does Jane know about this?” Blake said without thinking, her name falling from his lips before he could stop it.
He glanced towards the group he had just left, but he could not spot Jane among them.
“Jane?” Lady Waterburry’s eyes widened in surprise, her voice dangerously silky as she said, “How very familiar you are with her… and yet you did not know this?”
Blake said nothing.
“It is rather unlike you not to know the prospects of your pursuits,” Lady Waterburry said.
“I am not courting her,” he said reflexively.
“That is good to hear.” Lady Waterburry smiled at him. “It would be such a waste of time for you both.”
“You did not answer my question. Is J—Miss Pembleton aware of her father’s actions?” He glanced down at Lady Waterburry, trying to ignore the thundering of his heart.
“Rumor is that it was Miss Pembleton who made the request. Sensible, really, given her prospects. Or lack thereof.” Lady Waterburry laughed, and Blake was struck by just how unkind the sound was. “Hardly surprising if this is how she is conducting herself. Who would want to marry a woman like that?”
“Who, indeed?” Blake agreed, barely registering her words. “If you would excuse me.”
