by Quinn, Ella
“He asked me last evening if he could call on Miss MacGowan, and I assured him she would be delighted.”
Oh, dear. Sarah closed her eyes for a moment trying to remember who Lord Pomfry was. Yet before she could respond, Geoff asked, “Did you inquire as to whether Jenny wished to entertain Pomfry?”
There was something in her betrothed’s voice that made Sarah wary. At the same time, an image of a tall thin man dressed like a Dandy entered her mind. Definitely not the type of gentleman who would interest her niece. A Corinthian would be much more to her liking.
“No, why should I have?” Penelope’s tone was too haughty and more than a bit defensive. “The girl must find a husband, and Percy is perfectly eligible.”
“Percy is a fop. He doesn’t even visit Jackson’s,” Geoff stated baldly. “I, for one, cannot see Jenny wanting anything to do with him. I don’t want much to do with him.” His brows drew together as he scowled. “Penelope, your attempts to find a husband for Jenny must cease. It is painfully obvious that you and she do not get along, nor do you have an understanding of the type of gentleman who would please her. Try looking for someone more like me.”
“As long as I am sponsoring her and she is under my roof, she must follow my advice.” As quickly as Penelope had flounced into the room, she flounced out.
Blowing out a breath, Sarah turned to Geoff. “I think Jenny and I should move to a hotel.”
Taking her hand, he pressed a kiss on her palm. “You may be right. I shall make arrangements for you to move tomorrow.”
She held her hand to his cheek. “Let us plan for today. Jenny sent me a message informing me she is with Lord Frank Trevor. I shall let her know to have him bring her to the hotel. That way we can avoid having another confrontation between Jenny and Penelope.”
“Hmm, Lord Frank you say?” A calculating look came into Geoff’s eyes. “He might be the perfect match for Jenny. From what Hawksworth says, he is hardworking and has no desire to remain living with the duke. Perhaps he would not mind moving to America.”
“No interference from you, either. I do not like the idea of some man attaching himself to her for the sole purpose of bettering his life.” Geoff glowered at her and Sarah laughed. “Jenny must find her own heart’s desire.” She kissed the palm of his hand. “Just as I found you.”
“Miss MacGowan.” Saunders entered the morning room where Frank, Jenny, Meg, and Damon had gathered. “I have a message for you.”
Jenny took the note from the silver salver the butler held out. “Thank you, Saunders.”
Using her fingernail, she popped off the seal. “My aunt and I are moving to the Pulteney Hotel today.”
“Does she say why?” Frank asked. After what she had told him about the way Lady Heathcote treated her, Frank was just as happy to have Jenny living elsewhere.
“No, but I assume Lady Heathcote threw a temper tantrum when she discovered I would not be there to meet Lord Pomfry.”
“Pomfry?” Damon’s black brows rose. “Why the deuce would she think you might be interested in him?”
“If I recall,” Meg said, her lips forming a moue as her index finger tapped the table. “he is the brother of one of her dear friends. Like many peers, he is land rich and cash poor.” She glanced at Damon. “My love, there is no reason Jenny and her aunt cannot stay with us. We have the room, and it would be much more comfortable for them than a hotel.”
Frank had the distinct impression that his sister-in-law was matchmaking. He and Jenny were getting along wonderfully, but this was too much too soon. He took Jenny’s hand in his. “Unless you would prefer not to.”
His brother and Meg moved to the desk at the other end of the room. Jenny seemed to search his face for a few long moments. “I already feel very welcome and comfortable here, but I would not wish to impose. We have not known one another long at all.”
He must be going mad. Suddenly, he didn’t care what Meg was doing. He wanted Jenny with him. “Very true. However, as you said, you feel at home with us. That must be better than being at a hotel.” Not that he had ever stayed at a hotel. “They are so impersonal.”
He waited on “tenterhooks as she furrowed her brow, clearly thinking the proposal over. He liked having her with him. It was hard to believe they had only met last night. What he didn’t want to think about was his father’s reaction if he discovered Frank was courting an American.
Courting. Was that what he was doing? He had never considered that he would ever woo a lady, and of his choosing no less.
Finally, she nodded to herself and said, “I would be pleased to accept your kind invitation.”
“I’m glad you have decided to stay with us.” Frank squeezed Jenny’s hand and warmth filled her.
What had she done? Granted, her feelings for him were growing by the minute, and the small voice in her head was telling her they were meant to be together, but . . . No, she was right to accept the offer. She did not have much time, and if it turned out they were not meant to be together, then she would return to New York. At least now she’d have a chance to discover if they could fall in love, and she no longer had to worry about Lady Heathcote’s interference.
“Do you have a lady’s maid with you?” Meg asked.
“Only one that Lady Heathcote hired. I do not trust her. Unfortunately, my maid at home could not accompany me.”
“In that case, I have a young woman here who is able to take care of you.”
“Thank you.” Jenny breathed a sigh of relief to be rid of Jasper and her ladyship in one fell swoop. Jenny could not abide personal servants who were not loyal. She gnawed her bottom lip. Perhaps she was making a mistake staying here. Frank’s brother and sister-in-law seemed to be lovely people, but what did she know about them? This could be worse than at Lady Heathcote’s house. And if Jenny decided she and Frank did not suit, who would protect her from him? She gave herself a shake. In for a penny, in for a pound, as her grandmother used to say. She would know how she felt soon enough. As for today, she planned to enjoy sightseeing.
She glanced up at Frank. “What should I see first?”
“The museum. That will take up most of the day. If you would like, we can visit the Royal Menagerie in the morning.”
If he worked, she did not understand how he had so much free time. Had she been mistaken about him? “Do you not have duties to attend to?”
“Like you,” he grinned, “I am on a sort of holiday. Naturally, if something urgent were to occur, I would need to take care of it. I only hope that my time here is not cut short.”
“How far from London do you live?” She hoped it was not a long way. There was no way she could travel by herself out of London.
“Far enough.” His jaw clenched as if the idea bothered him greatly. “It is a three day journey, and if I was called back, I would not return to Town. Let’s not think of that now.”
“Very well.” She had the feeling there was something he was not telling her, but decided not to ask. If it was important, it would come out eventually. Although it’s clear they may not have much time…
Damon glanced at her and his brother. His look was almost as grim as Frank’s. There was definitely something going on.
“I’ll call for the carriage.”
She shook off her concerns and smiled. “Please do. If the museum will take most of the day, we should be going.”
A few minutes later, he once again handed her into the curricle, and once again her fingers tingled at his touch. They would miss luncheon, but since they’d eaten breakfast twice, she wasn’t hungry.
About twenty minutes later, he pulled up in front of a large brick building. As before, a young boy took care of the horses, and soon her hand was tucked in his arm.
“First, I’ll show you the Elgin Marbles, then we can look at the paintings.”
“Are those the statuary and frescos that Greece and some other countries want returned?” Well that was rude. She didn’t know what had prompted her to say that
, except that the Redcoats had tried to steal art from America. Still, she would not apologize.
“The very ones. My brother’s friends are attempting to convince our government to return them, but he doesn’t have much hope.”
“His friends?” She glanced at Frank. “Why does he not involve himself?”
“Damon is not yet a peer. Therefore, he cannot vote in the House of Lords. The most he can hope to do is influence those who can vote. He and Meg have hosted several small dinners and other entertainments with that in mind. He also owns an estate and is able to apply some pressure on the local Member of Parliament. Fortunately, it’s not a rotten seat. The problem is that the government spent a great deal of money to acquire the marbles.” He glanced at her. “You are quite well informed.”
For an American, he hadn’t said, still the thought was there. She couldn’t very well tell him that she made a point of discovering the wrongs England had done to other countries. “I try to stay au courant. How do you feel about the subject?”
He shrugged. “It really doesn’t matter. I own no property, and, therefore, I have no vote at all.”
“That is horrible!” She infused her voice with all the outrage she felt on his behalf. “In America, one does not need to own property in order to vote.”
“I have often thought that the founders of your country tried to remedy some of what they thought was wrong in England.”
“That is indeed the case. In fact, it is stated in our Declaration of Independence.” She scowled. “Although they did not listen to Mrs. Adams and allow ladies to vote.” He said nothing as they entered a large room filled with statuary. “Are these the infamous marbles?”
“They are, indeed.”
“I must admit, they are impressive.” She had never seen such depictions of naked and mostly naked figures, not even in a book. She wondered how Frank would compare. If the muscles in his arm were any indication . . . Oh Lord, where was a fan when she needed one, and why was she having those thoughts in the first place? It was probably seeing the boys and men swimming in the river near her grandmother’s house.
“You seem a little warm.” His voice was low, and a bit wicked.
Afraid of what she’d see in his face, she couldn’t bring herself to look at him. Lady Heathcote had frequently made mention of how provincial Americans were. Yet it was not the marbles that made Jenny’s heart beat faster and caused hummingbirds to take up residence in her stomach. It was wanting to see him naked. She had to stop thinking about that. “Do you swim?”
He leaned back. “I do.”
Why had she asked? Now she felt even hotter. She had to get out of here. “It is a bit stuffy in here.”
“Ah, yes. I agree.” His breath tickled her ear, making her want to lean into him. “Perhaps we should view the rest of the museum.”
Frank grinned to himself. The moment Jenny had seen the marbles her face had become quite rosy. He should probably have warned her about their lack of clothing. He wondered if he would ever have the opportunity to see her without her gown, petticoats, and chemise.
His member stirred at the thought. Had his growing desire for her been behind him wanting her to live at his brother and sister-in-law’s house for the rest of the time she was in Town? Part of his attraction to her was lust. The question was how much was purely physical and how much was true caring. He did enjoy being with her.
Marrying her would be one way to escape his father. In fact, it would be the quickest way to be disowned by the duke. Still, if he could not love her, and she could not love him, he would be exchanging one hell for another. And that one would be an ocean away from his family. What would it be like to live in America? To be respected for working instead of pitied? To spend every night in bed with Jenny in his arms?
He guided her into a room where paintings from the Dutch masters dominated the walls. “Tell me what it’s like living in America.”
She gazed up at him, her head tilted to one side. “Do you mean how it is different from England?”
“Yes.”
“As I see it, the main difference is that one is not as defined by his or her status at birth as much as one is here, and with hard work, one can change one’s financial status. By the same consideration, one can lose everything and either wallow in failure or build one’s fortune again. Using one’s God-given abilities is valued more than what family one comes from.” She seemed to study the paintings for several moments then said, “We have our problems. There is poverty and children begin work at an early age, but there is also opportunity. My father arrived from Scotland as a young man with almost nothing, and he has built a shipping line. He is also investing in a steamship company that runs up the coast. One day, the steamships will cross the ocean.”
Another type of lust, that for a life that could participate in such ventures as ocean crossing steamships, coursed through him. “And men can vote.”
He hadn’t realized how much that meant to him until she had mentioned it.
“Yes, men can vote. Someday, women shall have the vote as well. Is that something you would support?”
He thought of his mother, Meg, and the other strong women he knew. “I would.”
Jenny nodded. “I believe you.”
Their eyes met, caught, and held. More than anything, he wanted to kiss her. Taste her lush, deep pink lips. He started to bend his head, when the clicking of heels caused him to jerk his head up.
“Lord Frank.” Oh, God. Just when I thought my luck was in. “What are you doing in Town?” Lord Thornfield, one of his father’s oldest friends, entered the room, accompanied by his wife. “I am sure the duke didn’t mention it when we saw him last week.” The man’s white brows drew together. “I am sure he would have given me a message for you.”
What he meant was that the duke would ask his friend to see what his son was up to. This was not a conversation Frank wanted to have. Yet, how was he to get rid of the older couple. He bowed. “My lord, my lady. I hope you had a pleasant stay in Scotland.”
“Always do. A pity your mother couldn’t remain longer.”
He schooled his countenance to hide his mirth. Mama always managed to have an emergency at home that she must attend to. With fourteen children, that was not difficult. “Indeed, what happened?”
“One of your brothers or sisters. Putrid sore throat or some such thing.”
Lady Thornfield gave Jenny a pointed look, and he knew he could not escape from introducing her. Then he made a decision he would no doubt pay for later. On the other hand, if Americans had no rank, then there was no reason she should be subordinate to Lady Thornfield. It would not be his fault if her ladyship mistook Jenny for a viscount’s daughter. “Miss MacGowan, may I introduce Lady Thornfield and her husband, Lord Thornfield. My lord, my lady, Miss MacGowan and her aunt are visiting my brother Hawksworth and his wife.
Lord Thornfield bowed. Frank tried not to chuckle when Lady Thornfield curtseyed.
“A pleasure to meet you,” Jenny said with a polite smile.
“We had better move along.” Frank bowed slightly to the Thornhills. “I promised to have her back in good time for this evening’s entertainment.”
He had just about managed to extract her from the Thornfields when a shrill voice called out, “There you are.”
Jenny’s groan was so light, he barely heard it. “Lady Heathcote?”
“Who else.” Jenny kept her voice low so only he could hear her.
“I suppose that popinjay with her is Pomfry?”
“In the flesh.”
A strange feeling crept up his spine. He had to get her away as soon as possible, even if he did not understand the reason. “Quickly,” he said. “Introduce me.”
She flashed him a confused look, then did as he asked. “My lady, allow me to introduce Lord Frank Treavor. Lord Frank, this is the Countess of Heathcote.”
Using all the haughtiness he had learned watching his father, he inclined his head toward her ladyship, raised hi
s quizzing glass to Pomfry and drawled, “And you are?”
“Pomfry, my lord.”
His lordship had been ogling Jenny, but now he seemed to squirm a bit under Frank’s perusal. Which was exactly what he wanted.
The idea that man milliner might attempt to touch Jenny made Frank want to punch the man in the nose.
Mine.
He didn’t know where the certainty of his feelings came from, but he knew it was true. If Jenny MacGowan would have him.
“Indeed.” Infusing his voice with a dismissive tone, he focused on the other man’s elaborately tied cravat and high shirt points for a moment before lowering his quizzer.
Next to him Jenny went still and quiet as if trying to escape notice. Although at the moment, both Pomfry and Lady Heathcote were focused on him.
“Trevor?” Her voice had risen an octave, making her tone almost painful to hear.
“The Duke of Somerset’s son,” he replied using his driest tone. “You must excuse us. My sister, Lady Hawksworth, is expecting Miss MacGowan and me. We are already late.”
Frank tightened his grip on Jenny’s arm as they walked swiftly toward the door. Once outside, he took a deep breath. “That could have been a disaster.”
“I understand why it would have been one for me,” she replied tartly. “She would have insisted I accompany them. I fail to see why it affected you.”
“That is because you don’t know my father.”
He lifted her into the carriage, then went around to the other side, flipped the boy a coin, and climbed in.
Her eyes narrowed. “Are you doing something you should not?”
“That is an excellent question. The problem is I am not sure of the answer.”
Still, he had a feeling that in not much more than a week, a fortnight at the most, he would either be on his way to America with Jenny as his wife, or back in Somerset under his father’s boot.
He was fairly certain she felt something for him, if only on a purely physical level. The question was, could she put aside her dislike of the English and wed him. Or perhaps, since she appeared to get on well enough with her aunt’s betrothed, she might be willing to make another exception. No matter what happened, he must keep his father away from her until a decision was made.
