Page 53 of Redemption of a Marquess

Her gaze sharpened. “I have never seen you like this with anyone.”

“Like what?” He laughed.

“What if she develops true feelings for Lord Gordon?”

“Jeanine is far too sensible for that. Besides, she wants an elderly gentleman who is facing his next reward.”

“So that she can use his money to open a school for young ladies,” Peigi said.

He stared at the teacup, remembering the night in the garden when Jeanine revealed her plan to him. “Quite a plan, don’t you agree?” he asked.

“I wish she could return home and marry the young man who’s in love with her.”

Valan looked up. “What young man?”

“Joshua. He drove her here in his wagon—with her younger sister and brother-in-law as chaperones.”

Valan nodded slowly. “Today truly is a singular day. That is an eventuality I hadn’t considered. It is, of course, only natural that some young swain back home would have fallen prey to her charms. What do you know of this young man?”

“I gather he is a local farmer. She spoke of life in his cottage, raising his children.”

“Most women of her rank aspire to such a life,” he murmured. “But not Jeanine.”

“Are you certain?” his cousin asked.

“She was very clear on that point,” he said.

Peigi shrugged. “I suppose it is of no consequence. I suspect she can’t return home.”

Valan frowned. “What do you mean?”

“She told me she couldn’t return home because her mother has just remarried.”

Memory slammed into him of their conversation that night in the garden. “…my mother decided to remarry, two years ago,” she’d said. “They only just married last year, which is why I knew I had to take action.”

“Did your mother teach you not to trust strange men?” he’d asked.

She replied, “Oh, I learned that on my own—and you usually can’t trust those you know, either.”

“Her stepfather,” he whispered. If the man had— His teacup shattered. The remaining tea spotted his breeches. He straightened.

“Valan!” Peigi cried. “What in the world?” She snapped her eyes up to his face as he picked up the pieces of the cup. “Are you hurt?” she demanded.

“Nae.” He set the pieces of china on the tray, snatched up a napkin, and dabbed at the wet spot on his breeches.

She picked up two pieces of broken china from the floor and set them on the tray beside the others. “I see the idea disturbs you as much as it does me.”

He didn’t have to ask what she meant. “Aye.”

“Do you plan to find her a match?” Peigi asked. “The notion of an elderly gentleman is out of the question.”

“I am ashamed to admit that I have given the matter little thought.” He tossed the napkin onto the table, then crossed his legs.

“So, you intend to have your revenge on Lord Gordon, then send her on her merry way?” Peigi asked with uncharacteristic perceptiveness.

He hadn’t thought about that, either. It would seem he hadn’t quite considered this plan as well as he thought he had. Aye, a truly singular day in more ways than he cared to admit.

“It is best you make her a match before it’s too late. Do you not agree?” Peigi asked.