Chapter Seven
As the days turned into weeks, it was clear that Faith was pining for Elliot’s company. As Jane regained her strength and the family moved from Winchester back to Wilmsdale, she could see that quite clearly. Jane did all she could to encourage her friend to continue to believe that he would return. It broke Jane’s heart each time she even thought of Elliot being with anyone but her, but if he must wed anyone, she would much rather it be her dearest friend.
They talked at length about which dress Faith might wear when he finally called upon them once more, and the things Elliot liked to do – so Faith might show intelligent interest in them. Jane did all she could to ensure that Faith was ready to dazzle her oldest friend. They spent hours trying different ways of pinning Faith’s hair, to make her pretty face even more radiant. They studied all manner of subjects, so Faith might appear knowledgeable and interested in the many things a man might enjoy.
Jane’s ill health had prevented them from attending the Penford’s Early Winter Ball, and she felt dreadfully guilty about it. Perhaps if they had been able to attend, then Faith might have had less time to brood, and perhaps might even have met another suitor to help take her mind from Elliot’s absence.
Almost two months had passed before Elliot finally returned to Dorset. He sent his groom with his calling card, and the duchess sent him an invitation to supper. Jane assisted Faith as she bathed in rose-petals and scented oil and dressed immaculately for the evening in a sapphire blue silk. Jane chose a dowdy pastel shade that did not really suit her complexion and coloring at all, but she was determined that all eyes would be on Faith. Jane directed Faith’s lady’s maid to dress her hair with pretty ringlets framing her lovely face and seed pearl pins peeking out of a plaited bun at the back. Jane merely pinned her hair tidily.
They descended the stairs as Elliot arrived. Jane ensured that he saw Faith first. She looked so lovely that it would be a strange man indeed that did not fall in love with her on the spot. Jane was sure that she saw his eyes light up as he took in Faith’s lovely face and elegant countenance. A pang of envy and regret coursed through Jane’s heart, though she pinned on a gay smile and crossed the hallway to greet her old friend.
Eliot greeted the duke and duchess with polite deference. The duchess smiled as she held out her hand to him. “Good evening, to you both.” He bowed to the duchess and kissed the air above her gloved hand. “I am most grateful of the invitation, Your Grace,” he said to the duke. The two men shook hands vigorously.
“Glad to have some male company, Grey,” the duke boomed. “Lovely though my wife and daughter are, and dear Jane of course, being surrounded by females takes its toll.” He chuckled heartily and everyone smiled along with him.
Jane held her breath as Elliot then took Faith’s hand in his. “Good evening, my lady,” he said to her as he bent to kiss her hand. She smiled coquettishly, something Jane had never seen her do with any man before and blushed becomingly. Jane was too anxious, too tightly-wound to notice if he pressed his lips to Faith’s soft, alabaster skin – or if he maintained his manners and just kissed the air - but the smile he offered to her friend was intimate enough to have Jane’s heart breaking in pieces.
Elliot moved to greet Jane, and pressed a kiss to her hand, too. “Miss Lacey,” he said, his eyes twinkling up at her, full of mischief. She wanted to swat him, she could not afford for anyone to know her true identity, not yet. Her father was probably still looking for her, and she was not yet strong enough to have to find an alternative place to stay. Yet, even as all of those thoughts crowded her mind, time seemed to stand still as his warm lips touched her cold skin, the delightful sensation seemed to linger. Electricity fired throughout her body, though Jane did all she could to not appear moved in any way by it, even though his very touch made her skin tingle all over and his rakish smile made her want to reach out and tousle his unruly curls and hold him tightly to her for an eternity.
“Good evening, Lord Grey,” she said politely, pulling her hand away a little abruptly. “How were your travels?”
“They went as well as could be expected,” Elliot said, looking her over from head to toe, his beautiful eyes no longer mischievous, instead they were filled with concern for her wellbeing. Jane felt a prickling at her nape as he did so and shivered though the hallway was warmed by a roaring fire. “You look much better than when I saw you last,” he concluded finally. “Are you quite well now?” His tone was affectionate and showed his genuine interest in her wellbeing. It made Jane falter for a moment. She so longed to claim all of his attention for herself.
“I am,” she said. “Dear Faith has been my guardian angel and my taskmaster – she makes me take walks no matter the weather, to take my medicine - and to do a little more every day. It is thanks to her that I am flourishing.”
Elliot turned his attention back to Faith, as Jane had intended – but she was surprised how alone and cold that made her feel. She longed to once more bathe in the sunshine of his gaze, his affection and his smile. That all of his focus was now upon her friend, as it should be, made Jane feel lonely and isolated from the proceedings. Yet she had vowed to suppress her own feelings in this matter. She owed Faith everything and wanted nothing more than Elliot’s true happiness. She could, and would, be unselfish in order to see these two wonderful people content.
A gong rang in the dining room, announcing dinner. The Duke of Calder offered his arm to his wife, Elliot offered his to Faith, leaving Jane to follow on behind them as protocol dictated. In this world she was merely a companion - that she was permitted to dine with the family at all was most unusual. Jane took her seat next to the duchess, as Faith waited for Elliot to pull out her chair and seat her in a gallant fashion. Jane unfolded her napkin and placed it in her lap, keeping her eyes to the linen tablecloth as she tried to control the sudden surge of emotion that threatened to give her away. She blinked back her tears and pinned a bright smile to her face as she finally looked up.
Faith looked radiant. She was truly blossoming under the attention Elliot was lavishing upon her. Jane could not feel angry and knew she should not feel jealous of her friend – yet both emotions continued to try and overtake her throughout the evening. She longed for Elliot to find her jokes amusing, and to hang on her every word. She wanted him to offer her his arm, and to smile at her so tenderly. But she would bear the exquisite pain of being banished from her heart’s desire, because Faith and Elliot were the two people she loved most in the world and it was clear that they made one another very, very happy. She had to content herself with that, however hard it might be to do so.
The evening was over soon enough, but there were many more visits to endure over the next few days. Elliot seemed to be ever present. He came for tea most afternoons and played and sang duets with Faith. He was kind about Faith’s watercolors and agreed to sit for her as she drew his likeness. He was at the card parties and suppers that they were invited to and rode to hounds with the duke and his hunt. It grew harder and harder for Jane to bear, as the kindly family took Elliot to their hearts. Jane had no doubt in her mind that he would propose to Faith before the month was out, probably before the Christingle Eve Ball that was to be held at the home of the Duke of Cornwall, in nearby Wallingford so they might announce it to Society there.
Jane began to wonder if it was time for her to move on, to find a new position for herself. She could not help feeling afraid that someone might give her secret away, though why she did not know. She had no intention of returning home to face her father, and even less to be wed to Lord Wulfstan. The man was a lecherous old goat, and she would not be bound to him in God’s eyes, or by law under any circumstances.
She scoured the advertisements in the newspapers, searching for a position as a governess or lady’s companion. She wrote letter after letter, praying that an answer would come soon, with the news that she might be able to leave and no longer be a party to her friends’ blossoming romance. Each day it grew harder to bear. E
ach day, Jane found herself making excuses as to why she could not join them. Each day she withdrew into herself just a little more. Her recent illness had proven to be a perfect foil, she often claimed that she was weary and needed a nap if Elliot cam to call in the afternoon, or that she needed a good night’s rest in order to escape the interminable events in Society. Yet, even she would not be permitted to forgo the Early Winter Ball, not even if her fever were to rise up once more.
The seamstress came to Calder Hall a few days before the ball to undertake the final fitting of Faith and Jane’s gowns. Faith was so excited. “Do you think he will propose?” she asked Jane, her expression hopeful though not entirely sure of herself.
“He has been most attentive,” Jane reassured her. “I cannot think of a reason why he would not.”
“You truly think so?”
“Darling Faith,” Jane began, then paused for a moment. She was not sure. She had barely spoken with Elliot, at most they exchanged pleasantries. She knew no more of his mind than she did of how yeast made bread rise. “I cannot think that a man like Lord Grey would call so often and be so attentive if he did not have honest intentions. The scandal, given how often he has called on you, would be if he made no offer of marriage.”
“He asks after you, all the time,” Faith mused as she turned to look at her reflection in the cheval glass. Her gown was a bright emerald green. The hem was decorated with dark swirls of flowers and leaves created by hundreds of tiny black beads, each painstakingly sewn into place. The bodice was cut low, showing off an expanse of Faith’s lovely creamy flesh, and making her already long neck seem impossibly swan-like. She would be the belle of the ball, of that Jane had no doubts.
“He does?” Jane asked, her heart beating faster just at the thought of it though she tried not to sound as though she cared.
“Indeed. He is so glad that you are well now. He speaks of you as if had known you forever, rather than just meeting you at Annabelle’s wedding. I know you come from somewhere near where he lives. Did you know him before?”
Jane did not wish to lie to her friend. Nor did she want Elliot to feel that he had to lie, either, to protect her identity. Both of these kindly people knew who she truly was. It was unfair of her to expect them to keep a secret from each other that they were already party to. “I did,” she admitted. “We were childhood friends.”
“Is he the friend you mentioned, when we were talking about Viscount Hawthorne?” Faith asked.
“Golly, Faith, but you forget nothing. That was no more than a passing comment, weeks – no, months ago!” Jane said, astounded that Faith could have remembered such a thing.
“Papa always says I am like an elephant,” Faith said. “I forget very little. But you did not answer me.” She gave Jane a meaningful look.
“He is, yes,” Jane said, knowing Faith was like a dog with a bone once she dug her heels in. There was little point in trying to evade her questions, even if Jane could not understand why she was asking them.
“I had the feeling that you had rather strong feelings for the man you were talking of, the one that was friends with the viscount.” Faith paused, as though she did not want to have to ask her next question. She took a deep breath, then spoke very rapidly as though she just had to get the words out. “Do you have feelings for Lord Grey?”
Faith’s brow was furrowed, her eyes full of anxiety. Jane wished she could tell her friend the truth. She longed to be able to tell her that she had loved Elliot her entire life, that seeing him with Faith was almost tearing her apart – yet she could not do that to Faith. She would not dampen her friend’s happiness in any way. She owed Faith too much for that. And, anyway, Elliot had clearly made his choice. Faith was the woman he had been courting assiduously for the past weeks – not Jane. She had to accept that nothing would ever come of her love for him.
“Of course I do,” she said, deciding that honesty, of sorts, was the best option in this very difficult situation. “He has been my friend for as long as I can remember. But he is like a brother to me, nothing more. I am sure that when he speaks of me, it is no more than fraternal concern, too.” Jane bit anxiously at the inside of her mouth, praying she had convinced Faith that she had no interest in Elliot. It hurt her to deny it, she hated lying to her friend – but what else could she do?
“So why has he not yet approached Papa?” Faith asked. “There is little time before the ball. If he truly wished for us to make a match, he would have asked Papa for my hand, surely?”
Jane had no answer for her. It made no sense to her either. Elliot seemed to have little interest in anyone other than Faith. He lavished attention on her and quite obviously enjoyed her company. So, why had he not yet asked the duke for her hand? Was there some mysterious other woman in Northumberland or London, perhaps? But if that was the case, why was he spending all of his time in Wilmsdale?
Chapter Eight
The Christingle ball was in full swing when Elliot arrived, a little delayed by some last-minute business he had to take care of in Winchester for Viscount Hawthorne. He glanced around the ballroom, searching for Jane. It was not hard to find her. Her height, her poise, her graceful steps marked her out on the dancefloor. She laughed and smiled at her partner and the other members of their square as she performed the steps perfectly. Elliot could not stop himself from smiling, too. She always made him feel so happy, just being near her.
The past weeks had been hard for him. She had seemed so reluctant to spend time with him, making excuses to go and rest or not attend functions, so he had been forced to make polite conversation with Lady Faith, who though sweet and kind was no match for Jane’s wit. Elliot had often wondered whether he should just go home, given that it seemed that Jane had no interest in his attendance on her. He would not rescue her from an unwanted marriage to Lord Wolfstan only to force her into another unwanted one with himself. But he had to somehow get her alone for long enough to tell her that she need not fear that which she had fled her home to avoid.
As the reel came to an end, Lady Faith spotted him and hurried through the crowds to greet him. Elliot squared his shoulders and pinned on a smile as she approached. He took her hands in his and she beamed up at him. “You look lovely, Lady Faith,” he said truthfully. She really was a very pretty woman and she was biddable and kind. He had no doubt that she would make someone a very fine wife one day.
“As do you, Lord Grey,” she said dipping him a little curtsey. “I hope I was not too bold, but I saved you the dances before and after supper.” She showed him her dance card and flushed as she spoke. She had set his name against the dances usually given to an ardent suitor so they might escort their love into supper and sit with them. His heart sank as he realized that, despite his talking of little but Jane during their visits, she believed he had been coming to visit with her all these weeks. When he had just been being polite, trying to save face from Jane’s withdrawal, she must have thought he had been courting her.
“That is wonderful,” he said through slightly gritted teeth. “I cannot think of finer company to be seated with at supper.”
“I am so glad you do not mind. I did not want you to miss out,” Lady Faith gushed, tucking her arm into his. “Oh my! Everyone look magnificent, do they not?” she asked him as they looked out over the crowded dancefloor. A lively jig was playing, and Jane was dancing with her usual enthusiasm, making the tricky and fast steps look easy. “Jane is such a wonderful dancer. It is so good to see her enjoying herself, especially as we so nearly lost her.”
Elliot agreed, unable to tear his eyes from the woman he truly loved. He did not know how he would be able to remain in Dorset any longer if she would not even speak to him. Watching her dance, and the way she flirted and teased her partners, Elliot grew certain that he would never win her heart. He had to tell her of what he had done for her father though, tonight, so he might leave knowing she could return to her home and be free to live her life as she wished.
As the lively tune came
to an end, Elliot watched Jane apologize to her next partner and then make her way towards the punchbowl. Albert Whacker approached Lady Faith, offering her his hand. She looked up apologetically at Elliot. “I am sorry, but he claimed this dance,” she whispered.
“Then you must go. I shall be watching,” Elliot said, nodding his head encouragingly. Lady Faith smiled shyly at him then took Albert’s outstretched hand. Elliot waited until they were in the throes of the dance before he began to move through the crowd to where Jane was now drinking her punch.
“You have been avoiding me,” he said, trying to keep his tone light and teasing.
She looked up at him. His heart melted, as it always did when he looked into her eyes. “I have been unwell,” she said, her tone a little stern. “And you seemed to be more than happy with the company available.” She nodded to where Lady Faith was dancing. “She is quite lovely, is not she?”
“She is indeed,” Elliot agreed.
“So why have you not yet asked for her hand?”
Elliot was shocked by the question. He looked at Jane quizzically, before putting a hand into the small of her back and guiding her outside onto the terrace where it was quiet and they could discuss things privately. “Why should you think that I might be doing such a thing?” he demanded once they were alone.
“Because you have barely left dear Faith’s side, because you hang on her every word. She half expected you to ask her before tonight, so it might be announced here. She is rather hurt that you have not done so.”
“But…” Elliot spluttered. He realized he could not say what he wanted to, that all his visits had been to see her, but she had spurned him. It was obvious that Jane had not even considered that he might be calling for her. When he thought on that for a moment, it was quite understandable that Lady Faith, Jane and the duke and duchess might have come to the conclusion that Elliot was interested in Lady Faith.
The Earl's Love Match: A Sweet Regency Romance Page 6
