Nathaniel nodded slowly, thinking it all over. Could he possibly do such a thing? But he knew that he could not live like this, courting her and perhaps even getting married to her, all with this lie at the background of everything.
“I will think about it, Thomas. Thank you.”
“Please do,” Thomas said, lifting his whisky glass.
Nathaniel did the same, and they clinked the glasses together. It was better now that his friend knew, but it didn’t mean he wouldn’t have to deal with the mess he’d created.
Chapter 34
Edward bided his time until both Lord Balwood and his friend, the artist, had left White’s. He sat in his armchair for a long time, his hands folded across his belly, a big smile on his face. This was his moment, and he was not going to waste it. He had all the information he needed to get Jane for himself and rid her of that terrible Balwood, and he would not necessarily need to use that Lady Delilah after all.
Ah, but I will not rule her out just yet. She could prove useful, after all. Hmm…Jane will be sad for a time, of course, but then she will say she could never have believed in love for the man she thought she'd loved had actually been a traitor.
It was all too perfect, and once a quarter of an hour passed since the two men had left, Edward got to his feet and whistled as he left the gentlemen’s club. He put his hat on his head, a grin still on his face. His feet led him nowhere else but to the newspapers.
***
The next morning, Jane could feel just how pale she was as she sat down at the breakfast table. Sleep continued to elude her, and even though Margaret had been very helpful in listening to her plight, Jane couldn't relax well enough to sleep.
She was angry that all her thoughts were centered around a man when not long before she had dreams and aspirations. For days her sketchbook had lain unused, and in many ways, she hated herself for this distraction.
Talk to him, Margaret had told her. But still, Jane hadn't the courage to write to him. Perhaps today could be that day. She could write to Nathaniel, asking to meet. It could be simple enough, and yet her whole world could fall apart around her, if he did not respond the way she hoped.
Her aunt and uncle greeted her kindly. Her aunt read letters; her uncle read the newspaper. A few things had been put on her side table, and as she picked up a cup of tea, she rifled through the correspondence, pulling out the gossip column as well. Perhaps she could distract herself with other people's foolery.
She took a sip and let out a breath, reading. But then, when she read the fateful words in the second article on the front page of the gossip column, Jane's teacup fell and clattered onto the saucer, spilling tea all around the base.
“Jane, are you all right?” her aunt Sarah asked, and Jane blinked, unsure of what she was reading was actually in front of her.
The truth comes out about Lord Nathaniel Balwood and his family. It seems that Lord Balwood has been keeping quite asecret. His father has fallen ill, and it is no wonder why. There was a bad investment, and everything is gone. Lord Balwood will be needing to find himself a wealthy heiress, and that sister of his had better find herself a rich husband. Very lucky, then, that he's had his eyes on a particular heiress this season.
Jane looked up again at her aunt, her throat trying to make words, but all she could do was hand the paper over to them, her hand shaking.
“What is it?” her aunt asked again, taking the paper, and leaning towards her uncle, who read over his wife’s shoulder.
Jane stared into nothing, and her elbows leaned on the table as she put her fingers to her lips. Pain. So much incredible pain. It was as though she'd been stabbed through the heart.
It was not that it was surprising that a man of the nobility had come into financial trouble and was seeking a woman with money. It was the fact that she, so strong and intelligent and never one to be interested in marriage, had fallen for the tricks that had fooled so many young women in the past.
Mother, what must you think of my foolishness? You taught me so well to be strong and intelligent, and yet I let a handsome man woo me. I even let him bed me.
“Dear God, Jane,” her aunt Sarah said, and Jane glanced at her to see her aunt waving a hand in front of her face. “I cannotbelieve it. Lord Balwood in need of money? According to this, they imply that he is only courting you for—”
Uncle Hamish patted his wife's hand. “Yes, my dear, I think we get the gist of it.” He put down the paper, his face angry.
“We will put a stop to this courtship at once,” her uncle said. “I will not have my niece made a laughingstock. You are a good woman, Jane, and deserving of love, not some grasping marquess whose family could not keep their finances in order.”
Tears slid down Jane's cheeks, but she didn't make a sound. She didn't know what to say. She was embarrassed and angry and hurt all at the same time. She wanted to scream, and she also wanted to roll up into a ball and disappear.
Her uncle stammered over his words a bit. He had never been very good with tears. “I will go and see him myself, if you like, to tell him just what I think of him and that the courtship is at an end.”
“No, I beg you,” Jane said. “Do not, for I am embarrassed enough as it is.”
“I know that we have pushed you, my dear,” her aunt said, tears in her own eyes. “But I would never wish you to marry someone like this, so full of cruelty and deviousness. Forgive me, for I encouraged the match. It seems I am no true judge of character.”
Jane nodded slowly, getting to her feet. “I do not feel well. I must retire.”
“Yes, yes, of course, my dear. Shall we send you anything?” her aunt asked, also getting to her feet and rushing to Jane's side, pressing her hands to Jane’s arm.
