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Chapter Thirteen
“The dowager duchess has taken it upon herself to take me trousseau shopping,” Jenny told Daphne on their ride in the park. “I received her note this morning, telling me she cannot trust anyone’s judgment but hers regarding the duchess’ wardrobe.”
“I already feel sorry for you, Jenny.” Daphne gave her a pitying look. “Your nerves might rise. I cannot imagine having a mother-in-law like that.”
“Grandmother-in-law,” Jenny corrected.
Daphne shrugged. “She acts well like a mother-in-law. You can’t blame me for forgetting.”
“Mrs. Atwood will be disappointed. She has been looking forward to assembling my trousseau.”
Daphne chuckled. “On the bright side, you won’t be wearing ivory or jade green.”
“True, I don’t like those colors but is it worth being dragged in and out of the shops of Mayfair by her?”
“Perhaps it is not but you will only have to endure it for a short while.” She slowed her horse when they approached the part of the park with more people and Jenny did the same. “Do you know what could help you?”
“What?”
“You can allow me to help,” she said.
“You want to help with my trousseau?” Jenny asked to stir the conversation where she wanted. The glint in Daphne's eyes told her she was trying to make her talk about Nicholas and why she had spent an unusual amount of time in the ladies’ retiring room.
Daphne’s studious gaze was on Jenny’s face for several seconds. “Don’t play coy with me, Jenny. You cannot expect me to believe you avoided the ballroom for the better part of the night because of a headache. What happened last night?”
“The music was so loud it gave me a headache, Daph. Spending time away from the ballroom is a better option than leaving early.” Jenny had wanted to leave because of how discomfited she had been but Daphne was enjoying the evening and cutting it short would not have been fair.
“I saw you dancing with Nicholas. I know you, Jenny, and you did not look happy. And then you disappeared.Bothof you disappeared. Did you have a quarrel?”
“I wish it had stopped at that,” Jenny murmured without realizing that she’d spoken aloud. The color instantly rose to her cheeks and the memory of the sensual moment they had shared flooded her thoughts.
“Goodness, Jenny!” Daphne’s eyes grew wide as saucers. She must have noticed the color on Jenny’s face. “Whatdidhappen?”
Jenny glanced behind them at their lady’s maids and grooms before giving her friend a slightly disapproving look. “Pardon me, Jenny.” Daphne looked sheepish. “I tend to easily get carried away.”
“Nothing happened, Daph.” Jenny pushed away the lock of hair that fell over her eye. “Nothing happened,” she repeated.
Daphne steered her horse closer to Jenny’s and lowered her voice. “You are engaged to be married. I don’t think whatever you did is entirely wrong. Hewillmarry you in the end.”
If Jenny’s emotions had not been tempestuous, she would have laughed at what Daphne was saying. There was great passion between them and the kiss they had shared was not wrong. As a matter of fact, nothing had ever felt more right. But Nicholas was determined to squash that passion and it made her wonder if there was something wrong with her. It eroded her confidence in herself.
“Your silence confirms that I am right.” Daphne wore a satisfied look. She was a very odd girl but Jenny loved her all the same. “I told you he is a man and will not be able to resist you.” A wide grin split across her face then. “I love being right!”
In her excitement, she kicked her mare, causing it to rear and nearly throw her off before galloping wildly away. “Jenny!” Daphne screamed. “Jenny, help me!”
The grooms dashed after the horse and Jenny spurred hers into motion, praying the frightened mare didn’t throw Daphne off. Her fear was eased—somewhat—when a gentleman rode toward Daphne, holding out his hand to take the reins from her hands. He was able to slow the horse down by the time Jenny was able to catch up to them. Daphne was red-faced and clung to whatever part of the mare she could cling to. And the gentleman was none other than Ernest.
“Thank goodness you are all right,” Jenny said, dismounting as soon as her horse stopped.
The mare began to grow agitated again and Ernest tugged at the reins. “Easy now, girl. Easy.” Once it was calm enough, he dismounted and went to help Daphne down.
“I can barely feel my legs,” she said with a nervous laugh as she blinked her tears away. “I was certain Minerva was going to throw me off and trample me.”
Jenny hugged her. “Before you perish of curiosity, I shall perish of fear. Don’t ever do that to me again.”
“Oh, I am not riding again. At least, not for a long while.” She was trembling.
Ernest handed the reins to the groom before jogging away to fetch the bonnet that had been thrown to the ground some yards away. “Here you go.” He gave it to her. “You might want to have it cleaned before putting it back on,” he teased and she smiled.
