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As she headed down the lane, she realised that she had little control over it now. She didn’t want to lose Charles, but it might be inevitable. He had set a course in motion that could not be reversed in declaring himself to her. The price of which might be their friendship. Only time would tell.
She frowned. He was fixated upon the Earl of Carlisle. There was nothing she could do about that, either. Charles would realise soon enough that she was telling the truth. The Earl might be persistent, but she still wouldn’t marry him. When the Earl accepted that and moved on to the next lady, then Charles would see that he had carried on about nothing.
Perhaps it was just pride, thought Jane, as she turned into town. Perhaps Charles just didn’t want to be bested by the Earl. Perhaps she had turned into some kind of trophy they were both fighting over, and it wasn’t about her at all. Who knew the secret hearts of men and what motivated them?
Her conviction was still as strong as ever. The kiss with the Earl hadn’t changed it, even if it had been wonderful. It would take much more than that to break her vow to her mother. Especially when the Earl had admitted he could never love her. Why would she even consider it?
Chapter 23
Percy grimaced as he gazed around the ballroom, draining his champagne. He didn’t want to be here at all. But somehow, against his better judgement, he had let Freddie persuade him to stay on in Seaborne and not leave for Brighton.
He watched his friend dancing with Miss Grey, oblivious to Percy glowering in his direction. He had discussed it with Freddie over breakfast yesterday morning, after he had returned from his early morning walk.
He had been almost resolved to the decision to leave Seaborne when he had left Cliff Lodge but seeing Jane scurrying along the street on his way back had convinced him. She had looked frightened and definitely had not wanted to acknowledge him. It looked like the kiss between them had scared her off entirely.
But when he had broached the idea of leaving to Freddie, his friend had been vehemently opposed to it, even when Percy had told him he was welcome to stay on without him. Percy had been bewildered.
“I do not understand,” he had said to his friend. “Why cannot you stay on by yourself? You do not need me here.”
Freddie had glared at him. “You are being a coward, Carlisle,” said his friend, shocking him to the core. “You want to run as soon as things start to get a little bit uncomfortable.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“You heard me,” said Freddie in a maddeningly calm voice. “I know you are starting to have feelings for Jane Metcalfe. And it is scaring you witless.”
Percy had almost sputtered his tea across the table. “That is preposterous! I told you already, the only reason I want to marry her is for convenience....”
“Yes, yes,” said Freddie impatiently. “I have heard it all before. How you cannot fall in love and so on. How you must marry for convenience.” He paused. “But you are looking and acting like a man teetering on the edge of falling in love, Carlisle. I am sorry, but it is true.”
Percy had glared at him. “It isnottrue. I do find her attractive, but as for love…well, my heart is closed and always will be.”
“So why do you want to run off?”
Percy gritted his teeth. “It isnotrunning off! I simply wish to cut my visit short. It happens.”
Freddie leaned forward across the table towards him. “You are running scared, and you know it,” he said slowly. “All right, leave the town if you wish. But know that I see you for the coward you are.”
They had fallen silent. Percy had sat there steaming for another fifteen minutes. He was so confused he couldn’t think straight. He knew that his friend spoke the truth—hewasrunning away, like a dog with its tail between its legs. But was that such a bad thing?
It would probably be the best thing for himandfor Jane Metcalfe. She didn’t want to marry him. The attraction between them was confusing her as well. It would be a kindness to her to put an end to it, once and for all.
But eventually, he knew he couldn’t leave. Not yet anyway. His friend had laid down a challenge, and he couldn’t ignore it. He would just have to be very, very careful where Jane Metcalfe was concerned.
And now, to add insult to injury, he spotted the lady herself weaving through the crowd. Despite himself, his heart lifted. Jane was looking particularly beautiful this evening in a dove grey silk gown with a net overlay and matching headband. It seemed she had permanently put away her old plain gowns. She was blossoming in front of his very eyes.
Is it because of me? Have I done this to her?
He couldn’t quite believe it. But then, the timing was odd. It was only after he had paid attention to her that her wardrobe had been transformed. His loins tightened. Was she doing it for him? Was she trying to make herself look more attractive to entice him?
He knew she would deny it point-blank if he asked her. But suddenly, he thought it might be true. And that gave him his first hope—apart from that wild kiss, of course—that perhaps she was thawing towards him. If he could just resolve these confusing feelings, he might end up convincing her to marry him and have the marriage of convenience he wanted with her.
But just as the thought slid into his mind, he stiffened. Charles Crawford was approaching her with a determined look on his face. They talked for a moment. Jane was frowning. Percy’s conviction to remain aloof to Jane’s relationship with her friend crumbled instantly. Before he knew it, he was pushing his way through the crowd towards them.
“Charles, I do not think it is a good idea,” she was saying. “Could you not ask Lucy or even Marianne for a dance instead?”
Crawford opened his mouth to argue with her, then shut it again. The man had spied Percy. He scowled at him. Percy didn’t care. He walked up to Jane, who spun around, her jaw dropping.
“My lord,” she stammered.
