Page 56 of A Siren for the Duke

“I wrote that letter and proposed the transaction before…” a lump formed in his throat, and he gulped. “Before I realized what truly precious cargo Jemima is.”

“I was shocked to hear that a member of the esteemed Hunt family would see an opportunity for monetary gain in the safe passage of a young, unmarried woman.”

He gulped again, feeling his palms grow sweaty with what felt like an interrogation.

“I considered writing another letter to take back my words, but it was too late. She means more to me than money, I swear.”

Lady Upton’s piercing violet eyes bore into him so hard he thought they might burn holes into his body.

“Of course,” she said, but Lionel detected no hint of actual understanding there at all. “Come to the ball tonight. Ferdinand will be there, and you can reach an agreement with him then.”

Attending yet another ball was the last thing he wanted to do, but Eliza was an imposing woman, and he did not want to cross her any more than he already had.

“I shall be there. Please know I do care for her,” he implored, hoping one last plea would make her see reason.

“We’ll see about that.” She gave a small curtsy before turning on her heel and heading inside, gravel crunching underfoot.

As soon as she was out of his sight, Lionel picked up a larger pebble and hurled it over the edge of the balcony with all his might. In the distance, he heard the sploosh as it hit the water.

* * *

In contrast, Jemima was feeling quite lovely. Her aunt had put her in a small guest room at the top of the stairs. It faced the back of the house, and she could see the ocean just beyond the garden. For the first time in a long time, she felt free. This was a world of possibility. She wondered what she could do while on the island. Surely she needed something to keep herself useful. Perhaps there was a charity with which she could work, or she could take up botany or weaving. She couldn’t just be a socialite.

She unpacked the few items Mrs. Sherwood had given her to hold her over and stacked them in the armoire opposite the bed. Aunt Eliza had given her a few gowns from which to choose for tonight’s ball. As she looked over each one, all beautiful in their own way, a knock sounded at her door. The last time someone knocked on her door, it had been Lionel, and he’d been cheeky. She shivered with pleasure at the memory but quickly found her composure again.

“Please come in,” she said.

Aunt Eliza strode in. She was such a striking woman. The grey hair and violet eyes were such a unique combination, and she carried herself with the grace and confidence of a queen.

“Looking over your options for tonight?” she asked, noticing Jemima standing in front of the open armoire.

“Yes. I cannot choose between this deep blue silk and this greenish color. It almost reminds me of seaweed. In a good way, of course,” Jemima clarified.

Eliza smiled.

“I can confidently say I have good taste. I even design some of my own gowns.”

“Really?” Jemima asked excitedly.

“Oh yes. There is only one modiste and haberdashery in town, and they are often busy. So I will go to the market or place an order for some silk or chinoiserie on a ship heading east. One of my maids is a skilled seamstress and knows how to cut cloth, so I pay her extra to construct my designs.”

“That sounds very good indeed. I am no seamstress, but I was just thinking of ways to keep myself busy whilst staying here,” she said.

Aunt Eliza’s mouth twitched a little, the subtle action not lost on Jemima. She wondered what it could be about but pushed it to the back of her mind.

“I would go with the green one if I were you,” her aunt advised. “Brings out those flecks in your eyes. However, I did come up here to ask you about your relationship with that Captain Hunt.”

Jemima froze, her heart pounding in her chest. Surely it showed on her face.

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“Gossip travels far. I understand that he is the man involved in the scandal two years ago.”

Jemima blushed deeply. She had not realized the news would travel quite so far, but she supposed family matters had a way of doing that.

“Those troubling times are far behind us. I assure you, all is well now. We have smoothed it over. And I think…” she took a deep breath before speaking, “I think I might even love him again. He is a good man, Aunt, I assure you.”

Aunt Eliza did not seem convinced and cast her a skeptical look.