Wesley almost rubbed his hands together in glee. Things were going to work out just fine.
Several days passed before Lady Jersey sent word to Jamie granting an audience. He nearly snorted at the wording on the handwritten note embossed with a gold-leafJon the front but held his contempt about its snobbishness His mission was to make sure Mari got invitations to all these doings that went on.
Not that Jamie saw much value in such. If thesoireethe week before had been any indication, these things consisted of young girls in fancy dresses prancing around, waving their fans and batting their lashes not so subtly at whichever eligible bachelor wandered into their line of sight. Ever-vigilant she-wolves in even fancier gowns prowled behind them in hopes of pouncing on the prey.
Jamie sighed as he looked at the door of the Jersey townhouse, and then he rang the door pull. He would do what he needed to do.
“Thank ye for seeing me,” he said to Lady Jersey after the butler had shown him into a sitting room with rose wallpaper, pink silk drapes at the French window and brocaded chairs done in a darker shade of pink. He much preferred the muted blues and ivory of the Barclay’s parlor. The spindly, curved legs on these chairs looked even less solid than the ones at Mari’s. He doubted they could hold the weight of a man.
“Do sit down,” Lady Jersey said, gesturing to the sofa as she took one of the fragile chairs.
The sofa, covered in some cream-colored fabric, looked sturdy enough, but Jamie sat down gingerly, testing it. Once assured he would not fall through to the floor, he studied the woman in front of him. He was surprised at how young she appeared. She couldn’t be over thirty. When Miss Winslow had told him this woman was the most influential of all the patronesses, he had expected to find someone in her middle years, at least.
“It is considered quite rude to stare,” Lady Jersey said, giving him a direct look.
Jamie blinked. “Where am I supposed to look then?”
Her eyes widened in surprise, and then the corner of her mouth twitched. “Point taken. Would you care for tea?”
Jamie looked at the fragile china cups with their curvy, delicate handles and declined politely.
Lady Jersey appraised him and leaned back in her chair. “What brings you here this afternoon?”
At least she wasn’t expecting him to make idle conversation. “Miss Marissa Barclay, Lady Newburn’s sister. I gave my oath to her sister and my brother—her husband—that I would take care of Miss Barclay.”
“How does this concern me?”
Jamie took a deep breath and hoped he could explain it right, since he didn’t really understand it himself. “She was sent an invitation last week to Lady Tindale’s party. When she got there, everyone ignored her because of something I did earlier in the week. ’Twas not her fault.”
A tiny crease formed between Lady Jersey’s brows. “I had to decline Lady Tindale’s invitation due to unforeseen circumstances, but I did hear anon-ditabout some girl being given the cut direct due to unseemly behavior on Bond Street. I had no idea it was Jillian’s sister.”
“’Twas my fault, nae Mari’s—Miss Barclay’s. How can people blame a lass who had nae defense?”
One of Lady Jersey’s eyebrows arched. “Just what did you do?”
Jamie felt his face warm, although whether it was embarrassment or the sudden recall of how very well Mari’s soft curves had felt against him or how nicely her bottom fit into the palm of his hand. “I told the lass to nae leave the house without me since we had news that Wesley Alton had escaped. The lass disobeyed and when I found her, I picked the wee thing up and tossed her over my shoulder.”
Lady Jersey’s eyes rounded and her mouth twitched again. “I see.”
“I set her down before we went to the street, but two ladies were standing nearby and must have spread the rumors.” Jamie leaned forward, his hands on his thighs, intent on making this woman understand. “Mayhap I should nae have done it, but why would the lass be blamed?”
“Society expects its young ladies to behave properly and with decorum.” She frowned slightly. “We expect gentlemen to behave in a proper manner as well. Picking a lady up is simply not done.”
“She didnae want to come along.” Jamie set his jaw. “The lass is stubborn.”
Lady Jersey’s lips twitched once more, and then she tilted her head to one side, eyeing him. “I find your view rather refreshing, if not entirely civilized. What would you have me do?”
“Her friend, Miss Winslow, said if Mari—Miss Barclay—would receive a…voucher…to this Almack’s place, the other matrons would make sure she gets invitations to their parties as well. Can ye see it gets done?”
Lady Jersey entwined her fingers as she lifted her hands, forefingers forming a steeple, and tapped her lips. “I always was fond of Jillian. The old marquess was not known for his kindness.” She lowered her hands. “I will do it on one condition.”
“Which is?”
“That you participate in the autumn’s social events as well.”
“I dinnae really fit in.”
She smiled brightly and stood, indicating the interview was over. “You will be a breath of fresh air. And, since the Earl of Cantford is your brother, I doubt you will find yourself standing about for long. The earl created quite a stir with the ladies before our Jillian snagged him.”
