Lord Mortimer looked shocked. His mouth opened and closed as he contemplated the words.
Nathaniel got to his feet. “Therefore, I will not be marrying your daughter. It is true that I did initially pursue Lady Jane for her fortune. But now I simply wish to marry her. I hope that Lady Delilah can find the same happiness and that we can put Lord Claridge to blame for all the scandal and not Delilah.
Lord Mortimer's silence continued. Nathaniel bowed. “Good day to you, my lord. I must return to the country, for my father is not doing well.”
And then he left, passing out through the entryway, not seeing Delilah any longer. He finally felt free. He knew the true reason for Lord Mortimer's silence. It was only natural that he question Nathaniel’s words, even if they were true.
But Nathaniel was certain that deep down, Lord Mortimer knew his daughter's scheming abilities. That was the reason he had not been blamed those two years before. He put his hat on his head and stepped into his carriage with a little smile on his face.
Now,he thought,I can return to Jane with everything free and clear before us.
As the carriage rumbled away, he felt lighter than air.
Chapter 46
Jane had been encouraged to stay with Nathaniel's mother and sister and Thomas for the day, but seeing Nathaniel go away to face his duty, she knew she needed to do the same.
So, after a few hours and after some planning, she left the country estate to return to London to go to Edward himself. She wasn't sure if he would still be at her house, but after realizing that she had gone away for the whole of the evening, she believed he had likely returned home to continue his schemes to get her hand.
When the butler led her into Edward’s study, Edward got to his feet, a big smile on his face. Now she knew the reason why that smile had so often unsettled her, and she'd seen it before so many times.
Not an ounce of genuine feeling behind it.
“Jane,” he said. “So glad to see you. Are you here to tell me that you’ve come to a decision about my proposal?” he asked in a hopeful tone.
Jane shook her head, and she stood tall, her anger coming through as she spoke to him forcefully.
“I will not marry you, Edward. I will never marry you. I could never possibly marry someone with so few scruples that they would bring others into their schemes in order to hurt everyone involved except for themselves.”
Edward paled slightly, and his smile faltered, but quickly he recovered, and he walked around the side of the desk towards her. She took a step back.
“But what are you talking about, dear cousin? I would never do such a thing. It is that Lord Balwood who has done a terrible thing in tricking you, making you fall in love with him so that he could marry you and take your fortune. The paper states it clear as day.”
“In some ways, you are right Edward, and I will have to deal with Nathaniel’s initial lies. But not only have you hurt Nathaniel, you have also hurt Lady Delilah, and you have also hurt me, your very last family member still alive.”
Her fists clenched at her sides, and her voice rose. “My aunt overheard you at our house telling your friend about it all, bragging about your schemes and how you were so certain that I would marry you so that you could get your hands on my fortune. No longer, Edward. Your scheme has ended unsuccessfully.”
She took a step back to the door, and she opened it. Edward’s face was splotchy. She wasn't exactly sure what emotion he was feeling, but she hoped it was guilt and resentment. She put her hand to the door, and then she turned back.
In a softer tone, she told him, “I too lost everything when my father died, everything that mattered at least. When you returned, I was happy for the chance to have another family member in my life. I do not know what passed between your father and mine, but I had hoped we could build a happy familial relationship together. But instead, you've done something disgusting and terrible. I never wish to see you again, Edward.”
It was then his anger burst, and he spat out, “You fool, you think that you are winning, but you are about to marry a man who has tricked you just as badly. He will take your money, just as I would have done. There will be no travel for you, Jane. No adventures. Mark my words. I know a schemer when I see one. But go, you and Lord Balwood deserve each other. I banish you to your fate.”
She smiled a little sadly at her cousin's reaction, and then a servant appeared at the door.
“There is an urgent message, my lord. They need an answer right away.” He rushed in and gave him the letter. To her surprise, Edward opened the letter right in front of her, and his face reddened even further.
“Lord Mortimer challenges me to a duel or I must marry Delilah myself?”
Jane bit her lip to keep from smiling. Clearly, Nathaniel had succeeded in convincing Lord Mortimer of the truth, and now Edward was going to suffer the consequences.
Edward glanced at Jane, and then he yelled at his servant, “Pack my bags! I am leaving as soon as possible. He stormed out of the study, barely sparing her a backward glance, and Jane felt calm as she left his study and his house.
It was just a trick of fate that she happened to see Nathaniel stepping out of a carriage as she was planning to head out of London to his estate again. She called for the carriage to stop, and then she jumped down, eager to look up into his surprised face.
“Jane?” he asked with a big smile. “What on earth are you doing here?”
“You have confronted your problem, as I have mine. It seems that Lord Mortimer has called Edward to a duel as well, or be forced to marry Delilah. He is desperately attempting to pack his bags.”
