by Maya Banks
Now to find just the right sort of man for the task he had in mind.
###
“Well, all bloody right then,” Jenna exclaimed. “I’ll wear the locket if you’ll just stop taxing me over Stuart!”
“Jenna!” Sebastian said in a strangled voice. His face was a mask of scandalized shock. “If Father were here, you’d have your mouth washed out with soap.”
“Well, he isn’t here, and I am bloody tired of Stuart this, Stuart that, Stuart bloody Stuart!”
Sebastian’s face whitened in anger. “That is quite enough, young lady. You wouldn’t speak like that if Mother and Father were here, and you won’t do it in their absence. Do I make myself clear?”
Jenna shot daggers at him with her eyes, but stopped her tirade. Her mouth formed tight lines as she compressed them together, and she was sure they were bloodless. She wished Stuart and his whole bloody family would just bugger off. For that matter he could take her family with him for the moment.
She wanted to scream in frustration. All she wanted was a few weeks. Was that too much to ask? But no, Stuart was hanging about, her brothers were hanging about, and Stuart’s bloody father was hanging about making a complete ninny of himself. Perhaps it wasn’t completely baffling that Stuart displayed the traits he did. His father was just as annoying.
Her hands curled and uncurled at her side as she fought to contain her tide of anger. What she really wanted to do was throw something. Break something. Step out of the polite confines of her life for more than a few stolen hours in Gray’s arms.
Why was she expected to bend to everyone else’s wishes? Did hers count for nothing? She didn’t want the answer that, and furthermore, she didn’t want to wallow in a self-imposed muck.
“I said I’d wear the bloody thing,” she said tightly. “Now, is that all? If so, I’d like to go to my room.”
Sebastian’s eyes sparked at her blatant disregard for his command, but he said nothing. Instead he turned and stalked out of the drawing room, leaving her standing alone.
Well, if that was what she had to do to be left alone, she’d adopt bloody into her vocabulary all the bloody time. Bloody good idea it was too.
Curling her lip in disgust, she gathered her skirts in her hands and strode out of the room. She nearly ran into Thomas, who she was sure had been listening at the door. She gathered her breath, ready to do battle, but he shook his head, put a finger over his lips and pointed up the stairs. “I think the garden would be a better place at the moment, my lady. I believe your other sibling awaits you upstairs.”
“Bloody hell,” she swore, liking the way the oath rolled so nicely off her lips. Thomas’s eyes widened at her unladylike expletive, but to his credit said nothing. “On second thought, Thomas, I am going out. If anyone inquires as to my whereabouts, you may tell them I am going out shopping. I’ll return later in the day.”
Sebastian’s bloody locket would have to wait. She wasn’t going upstairs to retrieve it and suffer through a lecture from Quinn.
“I’ll inform Margaret so she may accompany you, and I’ll have the carriage brought around at once.”
Jenna waited impatiently outside the door, hoping the carriage pulled around before her brothers came out. She wasn’t in the mood to argue with them over something as absurd as a locket.
The clatter of the landau spurred her into action and she set out at a brisk pace for the street, Margaret hurrying behind her. The footman ushered her in. “To Bond Street,” she said, and the door closed.
###
“That ‘er?” The beefy man scratched his dirty beard and eyed the viscount with his beady stare.
“Yes.” Viscount Dudley swore under his breath. The chit probably wasn’t wearing the locket. She’d came out too soon after Sebastian returned. It wouldn’t do to be hasty in his plan. He’d give Sebastian time to talk with her. He needed that locket!
“Wot ye want me to do to ‘er, Guv?”
“I don’t want you to do anything to her,” he said sharply. “I want you to retrieve a locket that will be on her person. No harm is to come to her, is that understood?”
The grizzled man shrugged. “Whatever you say, but if I am not to harm ‘er, I’ll be needin’ to hire a few accomplices. That’ll cost ye extra.”
“You’ll have your extra, just make sure you get the job done to my specifications. If you botch this, I’ll have your head.”
“Oi’ll take care of it, yer lordship.”
“See that you do. Don’t contact me again, until you have good news for me.”
###
Jenna walked idly down the shop-lined street, pausing briefly to look in the windows, but not summoning enough enthusiasm to go within. Margaret kept up lively chatter but Jenna only half listened.
Her heart was not into shopping whatsoever. She had never had such a row with Sebastian. And she didn’t like the feeling it gave her. Sadness filled her chest as she imagined the coming changes to their family.
When she married, she would move from Penbury. Away from Mama, Papa, Sebastian, and Quinn. The people she loved most in the world, and the people she had spent the last twenty years of her life with.
She didn’t like solitude. She loved the noisy rambunctious house she had grown up in. She needed to have her family close around her. And she couldn’t imagine anything more solitary than a life with a man she didn’t love and shared no passion with.
She dashed away a tear with her gloved hand, and stared aimlessly ahead as she and Margaret continued down the street. The most she could ever hope for with Stuart was a lecture on fashion.
Her parents were happy and very much in love. And Jenna and her brothers noticed with amusement the times their parents slipped away when they thought no one was looking. That was the kind of life she wanted.
She choked back a sob, as panic settled on her. Her wedding was a few short months away, and on that day, her life would change irrevocably. The pain of her nails digging through the material at her palms made her flinch. She forced herself to relax and gain control over her emotions.
“My Lady, are you well?” Margaret’s anxious voice reached her ears.
Jenna smiled brightly and glanced up at the concerned maid. “I’m fine.”
Margaret looked doubtfully at her, but continued on beside her. “I’ve been thinking, my lady. I’d like to go with you when you marry Mr. Eglin. That is if it’s all right with the earl. And you, of course.”
Jenna whirled around and hugged her. “Oh, I’d love that, Margaret. Truly. I cannot imagine anything better.”
“There, there. Don’t go causing a scene.” She harrumphed.
But Jenna saw the pleased look in her eye.
“I admit I don’t fancy going to live at Eglin House,” she murmured. “Away from Mamma and Papa...and the others.” Her voice cracked despite her best attempts to keep the conversation light.
“Poor lamb,” Margaret soothed. “I know how unhappy you are. But Mr. Eglin will make you a good husband. And you will have children to occupy your time. And you’ll visit Penbury.”
“Yes. I will,” Jenna whispered.
Margaret reached out and squeezed her arm. “I’m sure Lord Hembly will forget all about your argument by day’s end.”
Jenna looked at her through watery eyes. “I do hope so, Margaret. I was an absolute boor. I seem to be doing that a lot lately.”
They turned and began walking back toward the carriage. Jenna was prepared to climb in when she noticed a small group of children huddled across the street. She stood transfixed. They weren’t a new sight. At any time of the day, any number of ragged children could be seen lining the streets, begging or looking for a pocket to pick.
As she continued to stare, she remembered all Gray had recounted of his childhood. His fears of being left alone. Her own fear of having to leave her family. Once again tears sprang to her eyes. These children had no one. She, at least, had her family no matter ho
w far they may live away.
“My lady,” the footman prompted, as he waited to assist her into the carriage.
A determined set to her chin, she climbed in then directed the driver to Oxford Street. When Margaret looked at her in puzzlement, Jenna said, “We’re paying a call to the orphanage.”
Chapter Thirteen
Jenna ignored Margaret’s look of surprise as the carriage rolled down the street. It was high time she stopped being so self-consumed and perhaps take stock of the world around her. After she was married, she would need something to occupy her time. Something to keep her from drowning in unhappiness. Making sure others weren’t as miserable seemed to be a good place to start.
As the carriage ground to a halt several minutes later, Jenna peered out her curtained window. The children’s home looked to be a stylish house just on the fringes of London’s best residential areas. The sprawling home was red brick and sported green shutters. Above the double-paneled door, hung a sign that said The Innocents.
After directing Margaret to remain behind, she descended the steps of the carriage and strolled up the path to the entrance. She knocked timidly on the door and seconds later an austerely dressed older woman answered.
Clearing her throat, Jenna addressed the woman. “I am Lady Jenna Wycliffe. I am here because I would like to help.” Before she could continue the speech she had practiced all the way over, the woman gestured her in.
“I’m Mrs. Drennan, the house mum. Mr. Grayson, the orphanage’s benefactor, is in back with the children. I’ll present you to him.”
Jenna gulped at the mention of Gray’s name. True, she had purposely come to his orphanage, but she did not want him thinking she was pursuing him. She truly wanted to help the children, and well, she didn’t know the location of another orphanage.
Nodding, she followed the woman inside. Already she was impressed with the pristine condition of the house. Though she’d only ever been inside one orphanage, she’d heard plenty of horror stories about the living conditions.
“This is where the children sleep,” Mrs. Drennan said as they walked through a room filled with neatly made cots. They lined both sides of the walls, the covers turned back, and a pillow on each one.
They continued into a brightly lit room situated at the back of the house. The entire back wall was glass, and the sunlight shone in, bouncing off the polished floors and snow-white walls.
“This is the children’s play room. Mr. Douglas is calling them in from outside now. They’ve been in the garden.”
Moments later Gray strode in, a trail of giggling, shouting children on his heels. One rode atop his shoulders and two more had their arms wrapped tightly around his legs, shrieking with laughter as he shuffled forward.
When he looked up and saw her, he stopped short. Reaching up, he lowered the child from his shoulders and placed her gently on the floor. “Children, I’ve someone I want you to meet.”
“Who? Who?” they chorused.
“Put on your best airs and say hullo to Lady Jenna Wycliffe.”
“Blimey! A real lady?” a chubby faced boy exclaimed.
“Jack!” Mrs. Drennan scolded.
He looked abashed. “Sorry, mum.”
Several of the girls dipped in awkward curtseys, and the boys shifted from foot to foot, clearly unsure of what they were supposed to do.
“How do you do?” Jenna asked, curtseying grandly before them.
They giggled once more. “Can we play now, Mr. Douglas?”
He nodded and they ran madcap over to their toy swords and dolls leaving Jenna standing alone in front of Gray.
“I didn’t expect to see you here,” he said, breaking the awkward silence between them.
She flushed. “No, I suppose you didn’t. But I’m here. And I’d like to help.”
He glanced doubtfully at her.
“Despite what you may think, I am not completely without a conscience. When you look at me you see a spoiled, willful girl playing a game and gambling with her future.” She took a deep breath and continued. “But that isn’t me,” she whispered. “I do care about other things beyond my own happiness.”
“Ahh, Jenna.” He gathered her in his arms and kissed her lingeringly. “I can always use help. It seems we get a new child here every day.”
“I can probably persuade Father to donate monies, and I know my mother’s friends would be more than glad to raise funds for your orphanage.” She smiled excitedly at him.
“I don’t need your money,” he said quietly. “I’ve more money than I’ll ever use. If you truly want to help then volunteer your time, your love. Get your hands dirty and open your heart.”
He turned away from her and gazed out over the small garden. “The problem with people of your station, is that they think money cures all the evils of the world.”
He swiveled around and fixed her with his intense gaze. “While throwing money at a cause probably makes you feel better, it doesn’t solve the root of the problem. Keep your money, Jenna. I don’t want it. These children don’t want it. What they want is someone to give a damn if they live or die. If they eat a good meal or if they have a place to sleep at night. That’s what you can do.”
Heat suffused her cheeks, and embarrassment cut cleanly through her. “I wasn’t suggesting any such thing. I want to help in any way I can. I merely thought that I could gain funding for you.”
He cupped her chin in his hand and rubbed his thumb gently over her cheek. “I know you do, Jenna. But I don’t need the money. If you want to donate monies, there are any number of orphanages who are in desperate need. I can give you a list if you like.”
“So you don’t need my help...here?” she asked in a shaky voice.
He backed away, walking over to the window and staring out over the garden. “I didn’t say that. The children can never have too many people who are concerned with their wellbeing. You can do something as simple as read them a story. What they need most is someone to love them. Can you do that, Jenna?” he asked softly.
Her eyes narrowed and she frowned. “Don’t patronize me, Gray. I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t genuinely want to help. I realize you think me self-absorbed, but I do have compassion, and I happen to love children.”
He was in front of her before she could take another breath, his eyes stormy. “I’ve never thought ill of you, Jenna. Don’t make assumptions about how I feel.”
Tiny prickles shot over her skin, and a faint buzzing sounded in her ears. “I...I...”
She was prevented from saying anything further when his lips rushed over hers in heated passion. She drew a ragged breath before he pulled her up against him and deepened his kiss.
Her arms went around his neck and her hands splayed over his back, gripping him to her, not wanting the kiss to end.
His tongue plunged within her mouth, swirling and dipping. She dragged in a ragged breath when he briefly took a breath of his own, then he claimed her lips again.
“I can’t get enough of you, Jenna. You have no idea what you do to me.”
“It can’t be more than your effect on me,” she whispered around his lips.
He groaned and crushed her to him once more. The hardness of his body encompassed her, swallowing her up, making the distinction of where she began and he ended an impossibility.
When he finally drew away, his eyes were a swirl of smoke. “I’ve wanted to do that since I walked in and saw you standing here.”
“Mr. Douglas,” Mrs. Drennan called from the door. “You had better come. There’s another child.”
Gray’s head jerked up. “Yes, of course, Mrs. Drennan.”
He strode out of the room and Jenna followed, her curiosity piqued. In the small front drawing room, a shabbily dressed little girl sat in an armchair, her feet dangling over the edge.
Her large blue eyes reflected fear...and loneliness. Jenna’s heart constricted, and she went immediately and knelt in front of t
he girl.
The girl smiled shyly at Jenna and ducked her head.
“What’s your name, little one?”
“Oi don’t know me real name, but oi likes the name Meg.”
Jenna smiled. “Meg is a beautiful name and Meg you should be.”
Jenna glanced over the dirty golden curls and the tattered oversized dress. The grime and soot from God knows what kind of living conditions. She looked back up at Gray to see the same emotion clouding his face. Standing back up, she took Meg’s hand in hers.
“Meg, this is Mr. Douglas. He owns this house. And this is Mrs. Drennan, the house mum. Would you like to go with her for a bath and a hot meal?”
“When you are done, you can meet the other children,” Gray spoke up. “I am sure they would love to share their toys with you.”
“Do they ‘ave a dolly?” she asked in awe. “Oi’ve always wanted a dolly.”
Jenna made a mental note right then and there to purchase the biggest, most beautiful doll she could find.
Meg hopped down from the chair and took Mrs. Drennan’s outstretched hand. As she walked along behind Mrs. Drennan, she stopped and looked back at Jenna. “Wot’s your name, miss?”
Jenna smiled and curtsied grandly before her. “Lady Jenna, but you may call me Jenna.”
Meg’s eyes grew big as saucers. “A lady!”
“Go now. I’ll be back to see you,” Jenna promised with a smile.
As she watched Meg disappear from the room, she turned back to Gray. “I meant what I said,” she said softly.
His eyes probed her questioningly. “About?”
“Wanting to help.”
“If you truly want to help, I certainly won’t say no. Mrs. Drennan could use all the help she can get. But it’s hard work.”
“You don’t think I’m capable of hard work?”
“I think you are capable of anything.”
“Good then, it’s settled. I’ll come one day a week to visit the children and help out however I can.”
“I’d like that.” After a moment’s pause he asked, “Are you coming tonight?”
