But inside, she knew what she really wanted to do. Two years ago, she had done what any sensible young woman would do when she feared that the person courting her was not going to make her an offer. Nathaniel had spouted words of love, but she'd never heard words of commitment. He courted her for months on end, and she knew that it was time to make things official.
There were far too many other eligible young ladies that Season, and she’d had no intention of letting a future duke slip through her fingers. So, she’d tried to trick him, asking a friend to come upon them at just the right time on the balcony. But foolishly Nathaniel had proved himself to be rather moral, which she had not expected, and had rushed off before the friend could see them.
Two long years she’d been apart from him, and when she returned to London only a few weeks ago, she was overjoyed to hear that Lord Balwood was still unmarried.
This Season would be her chance again. She would make him regret what he'd done, and she would convince him by the end of the Season that she was the wife that he was looking for. She could pretend that the last two years had turned her into an elegant, mannerly, and moral young woman, the perfect candidate to become a duchess one day.
“Did you hear that the Duke of Norwood is very ill, Mother?” she asked as they walked along.
“Yes, I did hear that. How very sad. Perhaps that is why Lord Balwood was so rude and eager to get away from us.”
Delilah smirked. She knew that was not quite true. But soon enough, she would have Lord Nathaniel Balwood eating once more out of her hand, and her parents would finally see that she had been right all along.
***
Jane was in the middle of reading her new book the next evening when her lady’s maid knocked on the door.
“My lady, it is time to get ready,” Elaine said, poking her head around the door.
“Oh, yes, of course,” Jane said reluctantly, setting the book under a dressing table and standing. “You don't suppose we could somehow pretend that I was too ill to go, and you can convince Aunt Sarah and Uncle Hamish?”
“Come now,” Elaine chuckled, putting her hands on her generous hips and shaking her head at her. “You cannot do thatall the whole spring, my lady. You will have a good time, I know, and you will look beautiful; you always do.”
“Oh Elaine, you compliment me far too much.” She turned to stand in front of the looking-glass while Elaine went to the wardrobe.
“I thought perhaps the cream was appropriate, my lady. You can wear your mother’s gold necklace and earrings, and the gloves have a golden sheen as well. It would be the perfect thing for a musical soiree.”
“Yes, of course,” Jane said. “I bow to your expert opinion.”
“Now who’s complimenting who?” Elaine teased.
In an hour, Jane was ready, and Elaine was putting the last few pins in her hair as she sat at her dressing table.
“You seem nervous, my lady.”
“You have known me for a long time, Elaine,” Jane said with a smile, looking up into Elaine’s kind, green eyes. “While many other women might have been excited about the prospect of a season, all the parties and people, I have never been one of those. I’d much rather stay home and do my sketches and look up at the stars.”
“Yes, of course,” Elaine said, bringing her gloves and handing them to her. Elaine was about twenty years older than her and had been her mother’s lady maid for the last few years of her life. “But one thing I should say to you is that you have youth and beauty and excitement and passion. You should enjoy it. Enjoy yourself while you can.”
Jane put on her gloves and got to her feet, pressing her hand to Elaine’s arm. “Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind. Leaving Elaine behind in the room, she walked down the stairs to see Aunt Sarah, Uncle Hamish, and Iris waiting for her.”
“I was just about to send for you,” Aunt Sarah said. She wagged her finger at her, but there was a smile on her face. “I was concerned you were going to think of some excuse. You were very quiet all day today.”
“Busy reading, no doubt,” Uncle Hamish said with a chuckle, tucking his thumbs into his waistcoat pockets.
“That is true,” Jane replied, trying to look excited for the ball.
They were all ready to go when there was a knock on the door and the butler opened it, revealing Edward on the other side.
Chapter 19
“Just on time,” Uncle Hamish said to him, and Edward stepped inside. Jane looking to her aunt for an explanation.
Her uncle spoke first, however. “I saw Edward at White’s today, and he asked if he might accompany you, Jane. I agreed.”
Even if this was a reasonable enough explanation, to Jane, it looked like Edward seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, suddenly, and always as if he expected to be happily welcomed each time. Uncle Hamish was kind enough, but to Jane's surprise, her aunt did not look as pleased as she once had been.
“Lady Barnet, you look lovely this evening,” Edward said, taking her hand and bowing over it.
