Page 20 of A Stormy Season

She suddenly wanted to tell him she was sorry his wife had done the scandalous things she had done, had abandoned her husband and child to go to London so often. But of course, she would probably only embarrass him. Besides, it was considered improper to speak of the thing that everyone was thinking or to talk of private and personal matters.

A new group of guests arrived and asked to be introduced to Jane. She pasted on a smile and turned to meet the newcomers, distant relatives of Penelope’s with whom she had only just become reacquainted.

Jane greeted them politely, endeavoring to remember their names. And when she turned her head to look for Mr. Watley, he was gone.

She felt a strange sinking in her middle. Was she so disappointed he had moved away to join the party? No, surely not. But she had enjoyed dancing and talking with him, even though the two dances had originally been a ruse to avoid others.

But it was just as well he had moved on. No doubt everyone was saying she was throwing herself at the poor widower, the very thing for which she had silently judged so many other young ladies.

Chapter Seven

Jane danced the next three dances with three different gentlemen. She saw Mr. Watley dance once with Sarah’s sister-in-law, but otherwise she scarcely caught a glimpse of him.

The evening went by quickly, with Jane dancing nearly every dance. Henry and Penelope had done well in inviting all the eligible ladies and gentlemen who were in town, it seemed, and she did not see the cluster of young ladies gathered around Luke Watley as she had at the last ball she’d attended. But she began to notice, toward the end of the evening, that he always seemed to be engaged in conversation with other men, moving frequently. Perhaps that was by design.

When the ball was over, the guests bid one another farewell as the ladies’ and gentlemen’s coats were fetched. As they waited for their carriages to be brought round, they stood idle, talking to Henry, Penelope, and Jane.

While Jane bid farewell to some of the guests, she saw Mr. Watley out of the corner of her eye talking to Henry and Penelope as he prepared to leave. A few moments later, he turned to her and said, “Let me take you home in my carriage.”

“Oh, well, I was planning to go with Henry and Penelope.”

“They will be the last to leave, and you look tired. I don’t mind taking you.”

Did she look tired?

“Go with Mr. Watley, dear,” Penelope said, touching her elbow.

Henry said, “He can get you home at least half an hour sooner than we can.”

“You did work at the shop most of the day,” Penelope added. “You must be tired.”

Jane could see what was happening here. She herself had done enough matchmaking to see the signs of their gentle scheming. But if she thought Mr. Watley had any objections to taking her home, she would die rather than allow him to take her.

When she studied his face, she found no aversion in his expression.

“Most of the guests have already gone, if you were wanting to say goodbye to them all,” he said, a teasing smile on his lips.

Just then, the servant announced, “Mr. Luke Watley, your carriage is ready.”

Mr. Watley held out his arm. “Shall we?”

She placed her hand on his arm. “Thank you.” Turning to her brother and sister-in-law, she said, “I shall see you at home.”

“Of course.” Penelope smiled, but there was no artifice in it. Perhaps her sister-in-law had no ulterior motive in sending her with Mr. Watley.

Jane pretended not to notice the looks from the few guests who were still waiting for their carriages. How she had prided herself on never flirting, especially with the same man with whom every other girl seemed to be infatuated. Now all her efforts to be seen as above the fray had been dashed into the Thames.

Oh well. She had also prided herself on never being afraid of anything, so she wouldn’t start being afraid of Society’s opinion of her now.

~ ~ ~

Luke noticed it seemed quite dark outside on the street, and he did not see his carriage.

“It looks as if a street lamp is out,” he said, as the hair on the back of his neck began to rise. He glanced around but the manservant was nowhere to be seen, and Henry would surely have posted at least one guard.

When a carriage approached, which he knew was not his own, he instinctively moved his body in front of Miss Gilchrist’s. Then a manservant appeared out of the shadows, as if he’d been hiding. Another man ran toward them from the other side. Then a hood descended over Luke’s head from behind.

He heard Jane’s muffled scream as he turned and threw a fist at the man behind him. At the same time, something struck him in the head. A sharp pain radiated down his spine as his vision went dark.