“You think you are special, that you will be the one to win his heart. To hold his attention.” Lady Waterburry walked towards Jane, her eyes narrowed in dislike. “How many do you think there have been over the years?”
“What are you talking about?” Jane tried to sound uninterested, but her heart twisted uncomfortably in her chest.
“You and the Duke.” Lady Waterburry gestured vaguely. “You are just the latest of the many fleeting fancies that have taken him.”
“And what does it matter to you what the Duke and I may or may not be?” Jane arched an eyebrow at her.
She is just jealous.
“It does not, I just do not want to see you hurt.” Lady Waterburry smiled, a pitying look in her eyes.
“Well, your concern is noted but not needed.” Jane made to turn away from her and continue up the stairs.
“How long have you known him? A few weeks?” Lady Waterburry grabbed Jane’s arm. “How well do you think you understand him?”
“What are you implying?” Jane wrenched herself from the woman’s grip.
“Just that it is easy to be caught up in his charms. After all, there is something about him that makes one feel special.” Lady Waterburry smiled, and Jane saw the anger in it.
“I suppose you would know,” Jane replied sweetly, her own smile showing nothing of the prickle of discomfort from Lady Waterburry’s words.
She is just trying to get under my skin.
“I would,” Lady Waterburry agreed. “Whatever is between you, it is purely a moment’s madness. There is nothing more.”
“What are you implying?”
“Nothing. Just that you would be a fool if you are expecting anything to come out of your… connection.”
“You do not know what you are talking about. Just because Blake has no interest in you, does not mean he has no interest in me.”
“Blake?” Lady Waterburry laughed softly. “You forget the rest of his moniker, dear Miss Pembleton.Blake the Rake. Do you truly think such a man is likely to take an interest in someone like you? Some silly, little wallflower who the entire ton thinks undesirable.”
“The ton may think that, but the Duke does not,” Jane retorted.
“Are you sure of that?” the woman asked, a cruel smile playing on her lips. “Do you really want to stake everything on the word of a rake? What has he promised you? Has he said he will marry you, make all your dreams come true?”
Jane opened her mouth to say something, but words failed her. She shook her head, not wanting to give the other woman the satisfaction of knowing she had struck a nerve.
“He has not promised you anything, has he?” There was a cruel delight in Lady Waterburry’s voice. “Oh dear, I do hope he has not taken liberties with you. Though perhaps it would do you good.”
“Not all of us throw ourselves at men whenever the opportunity arises,” Jane hissed.
“Not men, dear Miss Pembleton. A man. The Duke.” Lady Waterburry shrugged. “You may hold his fancy for now, but it is only physical. There is nothing more there. He is not that kind of man.”
“If you truly think that, then you do not know him,” Jane said.
“You can try and appeal to his nature, change your dress and your hair. Show off your… assets. But he will leave you. He always does.” Lady Waterburry let her gaze trail over Jane, as though assessing her.
Jane was suddenly self-conscious of the changes she had made to her gown. The way she had altered it to fit her better, the additional embroidery she had painstakingly added.
“I did not do this for any man, but perhaps that is a concept that is impossible for you to understand.” Jane smoothed down her dress and looked Lady Waterburry in the eye, letting pity flicker in her eyes. “Whatever is between the Duke and me is our business. But do not fool yourself into thinking that anything of what I have done is for him.”
She moved towards the other woman, who took a hasty step back. “All that I am, all that I have become, that is forme. This is who I am, and I will not let you make me feel bad for doing so.”
“I pity you.” Jane turned away from her.
“Do not say I did not try to warn you,” Lady Waterburry called after her. “You are not special.”
