Page 20 of The Seduction of an English Scoundrel

“With Esther Chasteberry.”

“Nigel’s governess?” Caroline’s voice rose. “The robust, chaste, and chastising Miss Chasteberry? The mean one with the rod?”

“Robust she still is, according to Nigel. Chaste she apparently is no longer.”

“Well,” Caroline exclaimed, collapsing beside Jane on the bed. “Who would have imagined?”

“They love each other,” Jane said with a smile. “It is quite touching, actually, to hear him talk of her.”

“Well, that’s all very well and good for Nigel, but what about you?” Caroline asked loyally, her eyes brimming with concern. “How will you handle yourself in Society?”

“Never mind Society,” Jane said feelingly. “How will I handle Sedgecroft? Did you hear what he said? He promised to be a demanding escort. Do you have any idea what that means?”

Caroline blinked in fascination. “All sorts of indecent ideas are running through my head. What are you going to do with him?”

Jane fell back upon the bed, her face troubled as she whispered, “I haven’t plotted that part out yet.”

Chapter 6

When Sedgecroft did not call the following morning, Jane dared allow herself to hope that he had reconsidered his rash offer. Perhaps he had forgotten about her, swept back into his own affairs. After all, by his own admission he engaged in impulsive behavior. A night’s sleep might have put some sense back into the arrogant man’s head.

A good night’s sleep might have helped her, too, if she had not been awakened by a vivid dream. In that dream she had been languishing on the gallery couch when one of the statues had come to life, and bent over her, stark naked from head to toe.

Sedgecroft.

“Wear something daring for me,” he’d whispered, his firm mouth a breath away from hers.

She struggled to sit up, her face aflame with indignation and curiosity. “You might try wearing something yourself! You’re naked!”

“Am I? It’s nice of you to notice. . . .”

She had no idea what he said then because she had thrown her arms around his neck and pulled his naked body down on top of her, absorbing his warmth and weight into every fiber of her flesh.

Of course she hadn’t gotten another wink of sleep after that. Every time she closed her eyes she saw a bare scoundrel bending over her, his blue eyes seductive, his chest and lower torso corded with muscle. A shadow rogue who taunted her dreams.

She shook off the disturbing image and rose, not bothering to call her maid. After making a leisurely toilette, she took stock of the dresses in her wardrobe, opting for a demure gray silk with onxy-buttoned sleeves and a ruffled bodice. She ought to appear brokenhearted for at least a few weeks. Suddenly a flirty gossamer pink gauze with thin ribbons under the waist caught her attention. She reached for it, then froze, heat flooding her cheeks.

A lean face with chiseled features and beguiling blue eyes flashed across her mind. Not again, she thought in panic. His white teeth gleamed in a wolfish smile. She stared into the closet, half expecting His Nakedness to pop out at her.

Wear something daring for me.

She shook herself and reached for the drab gray silk, suddenly realizing that the house was as quiet as a grave. This would never do.

She dressed and strode down the stairs, smiling brightly at the servants gathered in the marble-tiled hall below until she was reminded by their mournful sighs and pitying looks that a jilted fiancée would not be bouncing about the house like a firecracker.

She slowed her pace, bowed her head, and thought of the dog she had lost, attempting to look bereaved.

“Where is everyone, Bates?” she asked the tall gaunt-faced butler who stood supervising the polishing of the hall’s brass fixtures.

“Your lady sisters are taking their lessons in the summerhouse,” he said gravely. “His lordship had a meeting on St. James’s street. Lady Belshire is puttering about in the garden, as is her pleasure.”

“Thank you, Bates,” she said, spinning on the heel of her slipper.

“On behalf of the staff, Lady Jane,” he intoned to her back as if he were delivering a eulogy, “I would like to express my deepest sympathy for your loss.”

She hesitated, ignoring the prickle of guilt that ran down her back. “That is kind of you, Bates.” Unnecessary, but kind nonetheless.

“The same goes for me, too, Lady Jane,” added the gray-haired figure at the other end of the hall.