Chapter 29
Jane had hurried away from the sitting-room door to quickly sit back down again. She had heard everything, and she was yet again convinced that her suspicions of Edward were unfounded. She hadn’t realized just how much she missed her father until that moment when she heard Edward asking about Nathaniel's intentions.
While her uncle was very kind and loving, she knew that both he and Aunt Sarah were very eager for her to marry. Therefore, she wasn't entirely certain they would be so very discerning about who it was she chose to wed.
She was thankful that Edward had asked the question. And then she was reassured as well that Nathaniel's intentions were good, even though she could hear a little irritation in his voice. When his footsteps grew closer, she sat down again and picked up her book, pretending to read.
“Lord Balwood,” the footman said, and she nodded, standing as Nathaniel came into the room.
His irritated expression faded away at the sight of her, and his smile brought another skip to her heart. She was grateful when the footman shut the door and Edward did not follow in after.
“My lord,” she said, glad that Iris was already in the room. Her aunt had placed her there in case anyone came during the visiting hours. “Please sit. I can call for tea if you like.”
He sat in the chair across from her, and he shook his head. His eyes were alight with amusement and something more. She swallowed, remembering their kiss from the day before. She had heard Edward suddenly mention their disappearance at the lecture, and she hoped and prayed that no one else had seen anything, or if they had, they would not say anything.
“No, thank you. I rather hoped you would accompany me to Kew Gardens today. I thought it would be just the place for you.”
She grinned at him. “You are coming to know my interests rather well, although I do not remember stating an interest in plants and growing things.”
His corresponding smile made her heart flutter once more. “You did not have to. I knew that you were a woman of intelligence and varied interests, and you would like to do anything which brought you a chance to learn. Besides, I thought you rather enjoyed our time together in Lady Beauregard’s Conservatory.”
She blushed deeply, but they still smiled at one another. It seemed he did know her very well. “Well, I would enjoy that.” She turned to her aunt's lady’s maid. “And Iris can accompany us. I'm sure that Aunt Sarah could spare me.”
It was three quarters of an hour later that they were walking together in Kew Gardens looking at the various exhibits. The smell overwhelmed her: beautiful, fresh, and exciting. She was looking at the section of orchids, her mind wandering to the plans she'd had for so long she couldn't remember never having them, her dreams to travel to distant places to see different, exotic things. Iris looked on from a discreet part of the gardens.
“You were dreaming of faraway places, were you not?” Nathaniel asked, coming to stand next to her, his shoulder brushing hers ever so slightly.
She reached out to tap a gloved finger on the orchid's petal.
“Yes,” she breathed. “It is a curse, I think, forever dreaming about something.”
“I understand the feeling very well.”
She had heard people feign an interest in her dreams and hobbies before, but with Nathaniel it was different. He was so genuine when he spoke to her.
“And you?” She turned to face him, and they continued walking along the garden path towards the Chinese pagoda that sat in the center of it all on a tiny hill.
This section of the gardens was indoors to keep it safe and warm from the winter’s chill. It felt like another world, and even though there were a few others milling about, looking at the flowers and the plants, for a moment, Jane felt that they were out of England and on their own somewhere. It was a beautiful daydream.
Nathaniel looked around him. “Yes, seeing all these different kinds of things reminds me that there are other places besides England. There are other people who have their own lives, their own problems, their own dreams and desires. It is humbling and helpful, I think.”
Jane turned away from him. Spending so much time with him showed her things she never expected to see in another person, and certainly not in a nobleman. He had a humility about him and an understanding of the world.
He is more than I ever could have hoped for.
And yet she still feared all the ramifications of falling in love, choosing someone to marry.
“I am sure that there is not another marquess in the world who would say such a thing.”
He chuckled. “You give me far too much credit, I think. But I must say that I do believe my parents taught me well, as did my grandfather. And your parents did the same for you, turning you into an intelligent woman with her own mind and a heart full of fire and passion.”
The way he said the words made her cheeks heat. She remembered so well the kisses they'd shared, the dreams she continued to have, the desire to give everything up each time and those blessed moments to experience the pleasure of his mouth and his large hands.
“Nathaniel, I---” she started to say, but then when she looked up on the path.
Her stomach sank and twisted with dread when she saw that it was Lady Delilah Stanhope and her parents headed towards them.
Chapter 30
