“But you have the delightful Lady Alderman to entertain you,” George teased.
Thomas grimaced slightly, “Come with me. I need to speak to you privately about that for a moment.”
That sent a stab of anguish through Jenny, as she surmised that things might have already progressed with the Lady to the point where Thomas had to speak to George privately about a pending engagement.
George and Thomas then left the room.
“Darling, Jenny, what brings you here? It cannot be just to tell me about Robert.”
Jenny said, “It is not. I received a most tortured letter from Evan and I wanted you to read it and help me figure out how to respond.”
“Did you bring it with you?”
“I did.” Jenny reached into her coat pocket and was about to take out the letter when Thomas and George reappeared.
“I really must leave right away, George,” Thomas said. “I just looked outside, and it is snowing heavily and sticking to the ground.” He then turned to Jenny. “Miss Jenny, what of you? There is no way you can walk home alone this evening. Might I offer you a ride?”
Jenny was dumbstruck. How very kind of him to offer. But she could not ask him to take her. It would be a terrible imposition when he needed to get back to his guests.
Mercifully, Helena spoke up. “Jenny can stay with us this evening, and we can send her home in our carriage later, if the storm lets up, or tomorrow morning if it does not.”
Thomas nodded. “Helena, Miss Jenny.” He then said to George, “If you can make it to Pemberton tomorrow, we can begin planning how to raise the rest of the investment. If not, I shall be stuck entertaining the Ladies Alderman—God help me.”
That struck Jenny as a very odd thing to say, considering they were most likely to be engaged soon.
“Good evening everyone. I am sorry I must rush off.” And with that, Thomas left, with George escorting him outside.
Helena and Jenny were finally alone—at least for a moment—and Helena asked, “Before Georgie comes back, might I see Evan’s letter?”
Jenny handed it to her.
“Oh, my…” Helena said after she finished reading. “The poor man is seriously in love with you. And how do you feel about him, Jenny?”
She was silent before replying. “I am very fond of him, but I certainly do not feel about him, the way he feels about me, and I have no idea how to respond to him. That is why I am seeking your advice.”
“Hmm.” Helena looked up at Jenny. “I think you must tell him that, Jenny. It is only fair. Men are strange creatures. They are full of passion in one moment, and then some shiny new spangle passes by, and they have completely forgotten what they were obsessing about just moments ago. You must free him and let him find his next shiny new object.”
“And your George, is he like that too?”
“I certainly hope not. So far, he has been steadfast and true. There are some men like that.”
Jenny asked shyly, “And Thomas? Is he such a man?”
Helena nodded. “Yes, I believe he is. But for him, it is more complicated. He had his days of seeking the shiny new objects, but his responsibilities have sobered him, and I believe, in his heart, he is as true a man as ever was.”
Jenny said softly, “Each day at the bakery, we get an order from Pemberton. And each day the order is different. I have made it my task to fill that order—always adding a few extra treats that I hope will be served to his Grace. I wrap the package especially nice, knowing that it will never be picked up or opened by the Duke, but it makes my heart warm to know that I can do something special, even if he does not know I am doing it for him.”
“Ah…” Helena said, “Now that is love.”
Chapter 32
Wilcox was delighted to see Ezra Stanton come into the inn—right on time and looking eager to claim his cargo.
The public room of the inn was nearly empty this early in the morning, and that served Wilcox well, as he did not want their conversation to be overheard.
Ezra scanned the room, and seeing Wilcox, came over and sat at his table.
“It arrived?” Ezra asked.
