CHAPTER THREE
"Stop picking at your food and eat properly, Jane," The viscount’s stern voice cut through the elegant silence of the dining room.
She listened to him in silence, her mind darting back to that unexpected moment in the garden. Jane was struggling with her thoughts as her father continued to talk but she was certain that it was only a matter of time before she gave in and allowed herself to reminisce on the event that happened two days ago.
"Now is not at all the time to eat like one sick. You must present yourself well for the Marquess in the days ahead.” His gaze was unwavering as he addressed her. “Heavens forbid you turn up looking like you haven’t had a proper meal in a while.”
Jane's eyes rolled in exasperation at his exaggeration. “I’m certain my eating pace for one meal would not drain me of youth, Father.” Then at his irritated frown, she muttered reluctantly, “But I shall eat properly, my apologies.”
Henry raised his nose at his daughter as he continued, “I have arranged for you to see the Marquess over these coming days. You shall walk and talk with him and familiarize yourself with your soon-to-be husband.”
“Absolutely not, I refuse.” Jane felt a familiar, rebellious spark igniting within her as her head snapped back up to make a challenge. Her voice was filled with disbelief as she went on.
“I refuse to be a pawn in this matchmaking game, Father, I have stated, I do not love or want the man. So I will not marry him,” Defiance dripped from her tone. "I will not succumb to a loveless union for the sake of status."
Her father's brow furrowed in disapproval, his voice filling with frustration instantly, “I am yourfatherand you shall listen to me, young woman.”
But she only let out a groan and stabbed the food on her plate in annoyance, which seemed to fuel his irritation even more.
“It would be my right to not even consider your opinion nor to let you talk back at me at this table, I would remind you that. You are a woman. And you know nothing yet of this world, daughter.”
Jane’s eyes blazed at his sharp tone. Surely, he was right in some sorts. Mustering all the patience and restraint she had, she pulled her fiery gaze away and fell silent, stabbing her food to release her frustrations instead.
After a short moment, the viscount’s sigh graced her ears again, "You are being unreasonable, Jane. Graham is a respectable match, one that would elevate our family's standing. It would be folly to dismiss such an opportunity."
She had been trying to block out the thoughts of the man from the garden especially as her father was getting on her nerves. Now that he made mention of Graham being a respectable match, she found herself thinking about the man from the garden.
Her mind was consumed by thoughts of the mysterious man she’d gotten entangled with.
She felt a sense of unease clouding her every move. The knowledge that he did not possess her name offered a fragile comfort at the least, a thin veil of protection in their world where reputation was everything.
All she had to do was steer clear of him for the rest of the pressing balls her father was making her attend. If they never crossed paths again, perhaps he would forget about her and their encounter completely.
Unfortunately, she, on the other hand, could not keep him from her mind. The memory of him lingered like a haunting melody in her mind, refusing to fade with each passing day.
The sensation of his strong, protective arms enveloping her in the secluded shadows of the garden filled her every waking moment.
The intensity of his emerald gaze boring into her with shock and question, left her breathless and unsettled to that moment.
The light touch of his hand on her skin that had sent shivers down her spine, igniting a barrage of sensations she’d never experienced before within her...
Despite her conscious efforts to push him from her mind, her thoughts failed to drift away from the forbidden encounter.
She knew she shouldn’t. She didn’t understand herself for even entertaining it, but, she found herself now ensnared in a web of intrigue for this man whose name remained a mystery.
“Jane!” her father's voice thundered in the room, forcing her out of her thoughts.
In a moment, she recalled his last statement and replied with a frown.
"I willnotsacrifice my happiness for the sake of societal expectations, Father. I'm only one-and-twenty years of age… or have you forgotten that?”
“Don't delude yourself into thinking that you still have time, young lady!” he snarled at her.
“But I do, Father. Besides, I can find my own match myself,” she replied.
“Not with this attitude,” he said with a look of disdain etched upon his gaze. “With that sharp tongue of yours, I am certain you will not find a match. No man loves to be challenged; no man wants a woman who speaks without reasoning.”
She scoffed, seeing the father and the man he wanted for her have a lot in common. How ironic. Which was the more reason she wouldn't marry that man. Jane wouldn't escape her father’s selfish, condescending, demeaning, and greedy attitude only to marry someone who was exactly like him. No. Never.
