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Chapter Nine
Jenny had completely forgotten that she had promised to go riding with Sir Phineas today. He walked into the drawing room bearing a bouquet of lilies. As soon as he beheld Jenny, he bowed graciously.
“A more pleasing sight I am yet to behold today, my lady.” He offered her the flowers.
“Thank you, Sir Phineas,” she said with a friendly smile. “These are lovely flowers.”
“They still do not do you justice.”
Nicholas cleared his throat and Sir Phineas straightened, the smile vanishing from his face at the look Nicholas was giving him. “Your Grace.”
Nicholas stood. “Sir Phineas. Are you here to court Lady Jennifer?” he asked possessively.
Jenny did not like it. Men thought they could stake their claim on a woman in a show of power. It was as condescending as it was primitive. But she remained quiet because there was already tension that was gathering heavily.
“Lady Jennifer is my friend and she promised to go riding with me today.”
Nicholas looked at Jenny with a raised brow. “Lady Jennifer is engaged at the moment.”
She felt her shoulders tense. “I made Sir Phineas a promise and keeping it is important. I do not like disappointing my friends, Your Grace.”
His blue eyes flashed momentarily but he nodded. “Are you going to take long?”
“Oh, I will endeavor to not take too much of her time,” Sir Phineas assured.
Jenny stood. “Please allow me a moment to get ready.” Then she excused herself from the room but not before she shot a warning glance in Nicholas’s direction.Be nice, it said.
She called Sarah to help her change into a riding habit and instructed the butler to ready her gelding. When she returned to the drawing room, she found Sir Phineas eating with Ernest while Nicholas buried his face in the poetry book.
At least they are not trying to kill each other.
Sir Phineas quickly washed down his sandwich with some tea and gained his feet, offering her his arm. Ernest and Nicholas stood, too.
“Shall we, my lady?”
“Yes.” She placed her hand on his elbow.
“You will find us right where you left us,” Ernest said. “Enjoy your ride.” Nicholas did not say anything.
Jenny and Sir Phineas mounted their horses and rode slowly down the street. “Are you, by any chance, the duke’s chosen bride?” he asked.
“How can you tell?”
“He was very possessive of you, my lady,” Sir Phineas replied.
“I am the mystery lady and I only found out yesterday.”
He turned to look at her. “Was that the reason you swooned?”
Jenny winced. “Is the entire town talking about it?”
“No, only those that cared to notice. People like me.” He smiled at her. “Are you all right?”
His concern touched her and she returned his smile, reassuring him. “I am well, sir. I was merely shocked.”
“I don’t blame you. You are going to be marrying a notorious rake and that is no easy feat.”
“I shall survive.”
