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He recalled her fascination with the sea and her creatures. It was the only time he had seen her look animated and excited about anything. He could still see the gleam in her green eyes as she had gazed at the frolicking pod of dolphins. But even that had been a solitary thing—he didn’t think she had meant to articulate her excitement and include any of them in it.
He cleared his throat, trying again. “I recall your sister saying you enjoy sketching the sea and all within it,” he said. “What sea creatures do you like sketching the most, Lady Jane?”
Her eyes flickered. She hesitated. It wasn’t a question she could answer with a monosyllable. And already, he saw her face sharpen with interest in thinking about a subject she so clearly loved.
“I like to sketch starfish,” she said in a hesitant voice. “I like the detail of them. Such intricate patterns, and each one is unique. I do not find many of them, but I always look for them carefully when I walk the beaches.”
“Jane is passionate about the sea,” said Miss Grey, with a fond smile. “I declare she knows more about it and the animals within it than I will ever know.”
“How fascinating,” said Percy, staring at Jane. He felt a strange warmth when he beheld her. Her features were very fine, and those green eyes were quite bewitching. But she was also prickly, wary, andveryhard to engage. He was trying to think of how to continue the conversation when a sandy-haired, florid-faced gentleman sidled up to them, staring straight at Jane.
“I apologise for the intrusion,” he brayed, not looking sorry in the least. “Lady Jane, you must dance with me.”
Jane recoiled, staring at the gentleman. She didn’t look pleased at the prospect at all. Percy could almost see the whirring of her mind, trying to think of an excuse. And quite frankly, he didn’t blame her. The gentleman, whoever he was, was brusque, rude, and more than a little in his cups.
He didn’t think before he stepped forward, placing a hand upon Jane’s gloved forearm. “I do apologise, sir, but the lady has just agreed to have this dance with me. Is that not so, Lady Jane?”
She looked at him in astonishment. There was a second where he thought she was going to deny it. But then she exhaled slowly and nodded.
“Indeed,” she said in a tight voice. “I am sorry, Mr Spicer.”
The gentleman frowned, almost glowering. But there was nothing he could do about it. Percy suppressed a smile as he led the lady away to the dancing. A quadrille was just about to begin.
“I hope I was not being too presumptuous,” he whispered to her. “But you did not seem eager to dance with that gentleman at all.”
Jane wrinkled her nose. “I was decidedlynoteager,” she said in a low voice. “Mr Ambrose Spicer is an odious gentleman, indeed. He is constantly in his cups and is often loud and belligerent.” She shuddered. “I would rather dance with an ape than him.”
Percy burst into laughter. “Well, I hope I am rather better at dancing a quadrille than an ape would be, Lady Jane.”
Their eyes met for a moment, before they slid away. The music began.
Percy had danced probably a thousand quadrilles in his time and would know the steps blindfolded. Automatically, he went through them, gazing at his dance partner the whole time. But she held her head high, looking forward, refusing to meet his eye.
Their hands touched briefly. Her hand was delicate, with long fingers and soft skin. He cleared his throat, trying not to stare at it. It was only a hand, after all. He frowned. It felt oddly intimate even touching her hand briefly. He couldn’t fathom it at all.
The dance ended. They clapped politely, before turning away. Percy saw Freddie leading Miss Grey to the floor. His friend looked pleased.
Percy turned to Jane. “I do not know if you overheard what I said about your cousin, but I apologise if you did.” He hesitated. “It was not very gentlemanly behaviour.”
To his surprise, she burst out laughing. It was the first time he had ever heard her laugh. It was warm, high-pitched and infectious, filling the air.
“Between you and me, I agree with every word you said,” she whispered, her green eyes sparkling with mirth. “Lucy isveryhard work indeed, Lord Carlisle.”
And without another word, she turned and walked away.
He watched her go. Her back was ramrod-straight, and she did not turn around once.
He was impressed with her, and he was certain that if she was as refined and intelligent as her sister—which she appeared to be—she would make a very fine wife, indeed.
It was time to step it up a notch. A call to her house tomorrow, with a straight-out proposal. Percy didn’t believe in beating about the bush. Acquiring a wife was just the same as buying a horse at auction. He had picked the best of the bunch, and now it was time to make the purchase. He was sure of it.
Chapter 4
Jane bent down, picking up a shell off the beach and dusting off the sand. It was an interesting specimen, looking like the pattern had been engraved. She placed it in the wooden basket upon her arm before continuing her search.
It was still very early in the morning, and there was no one around. She could be the only person in the entire world, which was just the way she liked it. This time was sacred to her, and almost nothing got in the way of her morning walk. Sometimes she simply walked, gazing out at the sea.
Other times she collected shells or other things. Sometimes she bought her sketchbook with her and would sit drawing, completely absorbed before the arrival of other people got her moving again. Almost always, she left feeling more at peace with the world when she left the beach than before she had arrived.
