by Jane Charles
Broadridge didn’t relinquish Jillian’s arm to him, instead he kept his sister close, forcing Sam to walk on the other side of her, making small talk when not discussing the various exhibits.
It was bloody hell not to have her on his arm, or to be able to drag her to a dark corner and steal a kiss. As much as it was torture to be so near and unable to touch Jillian, Samuel followed them from room to room until it felt like they’d seen the entire blasted museum, including the new addition of the Elgin Marbles.
While the museum was enjoyable, having Henry with her rather dampened Jillian’s enthusiasm for the outing. She wanted to kiss Samuel again, but with her brother there, it was impossible.
It was her own fault. She’s the one who expressed interest in going to the museum. It was Henry who stated he’d be glad to accompany her, leaving her maid to remain home. Jillian had almost kicked him under the table for being so helpful.
But, it was for the best. She’d behaved rather forward in the lending library and didn’t wish for Samuel to think her virtue was lacking.
It was also frustrating. Tonight she was forced to stand with her father and dance with the gentlemen of his choosing while Samuel remained on the opposite side of the room at the ball being hosted by her uncle, the Marquess of Wingate. She hated watching him dance with other ladies of the ton. Ladies whose fathers would consider him worthy even if he was just a mister. Ladies that were beautiful and far nicer than she’d ever been.
Jealousy wormed its way through her gut, and it also made her question their relationship. Nothing was defined. He wasn’t courting her because he wasn’t allowed, so they met in secret. She wasn’t ashamed to be seen with him, but feared her father if he learned the truth. However, was Samuel meeting her in secret because he was embarrassed to be in her company?
Had she learned nothing from her past? Meeting a man in secret only led to trouble. Yet, she had no choice, and those meetings weren’t exactly clandestine, as her brother had been present much of the time. But, why was Samuel motivated to see her secretly? Were his intentions honorable, or was he simply out to seduce her?
That’s what scared her. As kind and wonderful as he’d been, Jillian was still afraid she was once again too trusting, as she had been with that snake Nico.
Jillian’s stomach churned. Was this a game to Samuel?
He waltzed past Jillian, partnering her cousin, Lady Eve Grell, daughter of the host of this ball, and didn’t even look in her direction. Jillian’s stomach tightened further. Her uncle would never consider Samuel beneath Eve. Not like Jillian’s father did. And, they were striking together.
What had she done?
She’d told Samuel everything, allowed him to kiss her, opened her heart to him, and yes, she’d fallen in love when she didn’t believe it possible. But he couldn’t look at her.
Jillian closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She was being irrational, of which she was well aware, but that didn’t stop her insecurities from creeping in and claiming her mood. She had no proof that she was anything more to Samuel than a distraction. If she meant anything to him, he’d at least look in her direction instead of pretending she didn’t exist.
Blowing out a breath, she lifted her chin and forced a polite smile, determined not to let anyone see her pain. If she had nothing else, at least she had her pride. Not that anyone would notice.
Oh, why had she allowed herself to trust again?
Chapter 19
Not once had Jillian left her father’s side at the Wingate ball. He’d waited, sneaking covert glances at her so that Eldridge wouldn’t notice his interest, but she never left his side. Not even to visit the retiring room. Further, they’d left before supper.
Something was wrong, and it ate at him. From the time she entered the ballroom, when she appeared more relaxed than usual to the moment she left, her back rigid and chin held high. Her armor. What had made her do that?
He would have asked that night, but he never got the chance.
He would have asked yesterday, but she did not leave the house. Or if she had, Jillian had not informed Agnes.
At least he knew she’d be attending the opera this evening. Though he wasn’t sure they’d have a moment to speak, he’d at least be able to see how she fared.
He entered the box to find Danby already seated, but this was Benjamin’s box. Didn’t Danby have his own? And, didn’t he have other great-nieces and nephews who required his attention? Or, bills being considered in Parliament? Anything other than attending the opera and sitting in his brother’s box?
“Good evening,” Danby greeted.
“Good evening, Your Grace,” Sam ground out.
Instead of taking a front seat, he settled in the one behind Danby. Looking at the back of his head was preferable to engaging in conversation.
A moment later Mary entered on Benjamin’s arm, and they both stopped and shared a look.
Danby turned. “You have better seats. Can’t stand mine half the time.” With that he turned around again.
Sam clenched his fist together to keep from wrapping his hands around Danby’s neck as Benjamin showed Mary to her seat. The box was well situated, at the left side of the stage.
He hadn’t been to the theatre in over five years and had no idea who owned which of the many boxes surrounding and across from them, and the reason Sam began studying the occupants of private boxes across from theirs. If he didn’t see Jillian in one of those, he’d join Roxburg, whose box was directly across from his and one level below, so that Sam could look for Jillian on this side of the theatre.
She was here somewhere. Of that he was certain, unless her plans had changed after his maid had left Eldridge’s house.
As each box filled, he studied the patrons until finally, Jillian entered on the arm of her brother. She settled in the front seat in the box adjacent to Roxburg’s. This was perfect. He’d be able to watch her, though he preferred to be sitting with her. Unfortunately, Edlridge entered a few moments later, giving Sam no choice but to remain where he was.
Jillian retained the same composure as she had at the ball. Back stiff, chin high, a pleased and forced smile upon her lips. She did not look around either. It was as if she didn’t wish to see anyone or feared making eye contact. Eldridge, on the other hand, looked everywhere. His shrewd eyes staring into each box before looking at the next. Sam slouched down in his seat, able to hide behind Danby given his great-uncle’s height.
It wasn’t that he was afraid of Eldridge, Sam just didn’t want to alert the man to his presence in the event Jillian attempted to leave their box.
As soon as Eldridge looked further away, Sam ducked into the corridor and made his way to the other side of the theatre and down one tier, counting as he went until he was outside of where Jillian sat.
She’d hoped he’d be here, though why she wished to torture herself, Jillian wasn’t sure. It wasn’t as if they could speak given her father was present. Further, she wasn’t even sure Samuel wished to speak with her again. They hadn’t spoken since the museum and that had only been polite conversation. A complete contrast to their visit in the lending library. Of course, Samuel couldn’t exactly kiss her with Henry present.
Her heart stilled for a minute then began thumping in her chest. Was that why he’d only been polite at the museum and ignored her at the ball? He’d been disappointed in kissing her? He hadn’t enjoyed it, or experienced the same burst of desire to want more. She had an idea of what more was, but had never experienced it. She’d never even experienced kisses like the ones Samuel had given her and had no idea mouths sometimes parted and tongues could be involved.
Jillian fanned herself as her body heated with the memories. Even just thinking about his hands caressing her and his lips on her neck affected her breathing, causing her bodice to feel tighter than it should.
Goodness, it was warm in here.
As the lamps were dimmed and the performers took the stage, Jillian stood. She had to get out of there, at
least for a moment so she could breathe again.
“Where are you going?” her father hissed.
“I need air.”
He narrowed his eyes on her. “What’s wrong with you?”
“It’s just overly warm. I just want to step into the corridor where it’s cooler. I’ll be but a moment.”
“Don’t make me look for you.”
“Of course not,” she said before slipping out the door.
Jillian closed the door behind her and leaned against the wall, thankful for the coolness of the corridor and the silence.
“Is all well, Jillian?”
She blinked her eyes open to find Samuel standing right in front of her, and her breath hitched.
“What are you doing here?” She grabbed his elbow and pulled him away from her family’s box.
“I was hoping to see you.”
“Why?”
He frowned with concern. “Because I have not seen you since Thursday.” He grasped her waist and pulled her close. “I missed you.”
Jillian put her hands on his chest, surprised at the firmness, and pushed back. “Yet you couldn’t bring yourself to look at me at my uncle’s ball.”
Samuel frowned down at her. “I didn’t dare.”
His response confused her. “I don’t understand.”
He pulled her back against him. “I didn’t dare,” he bit out between clenched teeth. “I feared I wouldn’t be able to hide my desire for you. Afraid that your father, and anyone else, would see how much I care for you.”
Jillian frowned. She wanted to believe him, but did she dare? “You enjoyed waltzing with my cousin and dancing with several other ladies.”
The corner of his mouth tipped. “Were you jealous?”
Jillian firmed her lips, refusing to answer. Of course she was jealous. Green with envy, but if Samuel knew, it would give him even more power over her heart, and the pain of watching him at the ball while he ignored her was still too fresh.
“Jillian, they meant nothing. They mean nothing. It’s you I want.” He placed his fingers under her chin, lifting it so she was looking in his eyes. “It is you I love.”
“Love?” Surely she hadn’t heard him correctly.
“Yes.” He smiled. “My mind is telling me that it’s impossible as we hardly know one another, but my heart says otherwise.”
She heard what he was saying--very clearly, yet she feared she was mistaken, or misunderstanding him. How was it possible that Samuel Storm loved her?
“Well, say something,” he prodded her.
“I’m not sure what to say.”
The smile slipped from Samuel’s lips. “Is it possible you do not return my feelings?”
She stared into the depths of his emerald eyes, warmth flooding her, her chest growing tight with emotion. “But I do. I just can’t believe you would love me.”
He grinned then chuckled. “Ah, Jillian, there is much to love about you, and if it takes my entire life, I will convince you.”
A life with Samuel Storm sounded like pure heaven. “I would like that.” Except, her father would never allow it. “But it’s impossible.”
“Your father?”
She nodded.
“Then we won’t waste our time seeking his permission.”
“But we must.”
“Not if you allow me to take you to Gretna Green. There we’ll marry and make our way to Edinburgh, and then take a ship to Barbados, leaving England behind for as long as you wish.”
She’d dreamed of starting over. Samuel was giving her that chance. And she’d be with him and only him. To be loved and to love him back. It was frightening and a risk, but far better than what awaited her here—a marriage of convenience to a gentleman she could never love. “Yes!”
“Thank God. I wasn’t sure what I would do if you rejected me.”
She couldn’t help but laugh.
“And, I hope to hear you laugh often,” he said right before taking her lips with his. Her knees nearly gave way as heat rushed through her veins and she grasped his shoulders to remain upright.
“Unhand my daughter now!”
Samuel stilled and lifted his head. “I’m afraid I cannot do that, Your Grace. You see, Jillian has consented to be my wife.”
“I’ll have you strung up from the gallows for molesting my daughter if you do not step away from her now.”
She’d heard her father angry before, but the determination in his voice chilled her to the bone. Jillian pulled away from Samuel and turned to face her father.
Chapter 20
Samuel did not want to relinquish Jillian to her father for fear that he’d never see her again, so he grasped onto her hand.
“I suggest we take this matter to a private room before all of us are embarrassed,” Danby said as he approached.
Bloody hell. His great-uncle was only going to make matters more difficult since he’d ordered Samuel to stay away from Jillian. He should tell them both to go to hell and then run from the theatre with Jillian at his side. Danby was old and couldn’t keep up, and Eldridge was too stiff and proper to give chase.
“We don’t need your interference,” Eldridge barked.
“I disagree as it is your daughter attempting to ruin my great-nephew.” Then Danby glared at Samuel. “I told you that I did not want you to pursue Lady Jillian,” his great-uncle ground out.
“You have no say in what I do,” Sam countered and couldn’t help the little bit of pleasure at thwarting Danby. He wanted Jillian regardless, but it was doubly sweet knowing Danby hated the idea so very much. “And I don’t believe it’s possible for a lady to ruin a gentleman.”
“Ha!” Danby barked. “It is when that gentleman is my relation.” He thumped a cane and looked around. “There’s got to be a damn private room around here somewhere.”
“Pardon me.” A young man in the theatre livery came hurrying down the hall. “You are disturbing the patrons.”
Both dukes glared at him and the young man stopped instantly, eyes wide as if he were just recognizing them, then quickly executed a bow. “My apologies, Your Graces.”
“Where can we talk privately?” Danby demanded.
“I’m not talking to you at all but taking my daughter home.”
“Please, this way,” the young man begged, nearly in panic.
Danby and Eldridge glared at each other and Sam was highly sick of the two of them thinking they had control over him or Jillian. He’d let them say their peace, but in the end, she would be his regardless of their objections.
Sam put a hand at the small of Jillian’s back and guided her down the corridor, following the young man until they came to an out of the way parlor of sorts.
Eldridge slammed the door behind them after entering and turned his anger on Danby. “I will have you know that it was Storm who was molesting my daughter, not the other way around.”
“It appeared to me they were both enjoying the interlude,” Danby argued.
“How dare you!” Eldridge took a step forward. “I’ve a mind to call you out.”
“Don’t be a bloody fool, Eldridge. We’re both too old for such juvenile stupidity.”
Eldridge gasped at the insult.
“Enough!” Sam yelled. “Neither one of you has a say. Jillian is of an age to make her own decisions, and we intend to marry whether either of you like it or not.”
“She will not.” Eldridge grabbed Jillian’s arm in an attempt to drag her to him, making her wince.
Sam saw red when pain slashed through Jillian’s eyes. “You will let go of my betrothed this instant,” he said with cold deliberation as he tightened his hand into a fist. He didn’t give a damn if the man was a duke and would plant him a facer if he didn’t relinquish his hold on Jillian.
Eldridge looked him in the eye and must have realized Sam was not to be trifled with because he slowly let his hand drop. Sam drew Jillian back to his side.
“We should discuss this tomorrow when we all have cooler he
ads,” Eldridge offered. “You may call on Jillian at noon, and the three of us will discuss the future.”
“You are mistaken, Your Grace,” Sam said. “Jillian and I leave for Gretna Green tonight. After the way you just treated her, do you really think I’d allow you to take her home without my protection?”
“He wouldn’t hurt me, Samuel,” Jillian insisted.
“Perhaps, but I don’t trust that he won’t move you to the country or hide you sometime during the night.”
The tightening of Eldridge’s jaw was all the proof Sam needed to know that he’d guessed at the duke’s plans.
“I will accompany her to her home and wait while she packs for our trip. I will not be leaving her alone with you.”
Eldridge straightened. “And if I refuse? I can have you stopped anywhere from here to Gretna and have you arrested for kidnapping.”
A chill ran down his spine and Sam amended his plans. Just because everyone eloping went to Gretna Green didn’t mean it was necessary that they do. A couple could be married over the anvil anywhere in Scotland and Sam fully intended for their marriage to take place in Edinburgh as soon as they crossed the border and before boarding a ship. Not that he’d share his plans with Eldridge.
“Which is why they will be traveling in my carriage, surrounded by my guard. Nobody would dare stop my carriage,” Danby announced.
Sam blinked at his great-uncle. “I thought you were against my marriage to Lady Jillian.”
His Grace’s eyes widened for a moment and then he shrugged. “Samuel, you and Nathaniel have always been stubborn. Even from birth when you didn’t have the courtesy to arrive in a timely manner. I knew the more I forbade you to pursue and court Lady Jillian, the more likely you would do, just to spite me.” Danby grinned. “And I do believe it worked out well.”
“I did not pursue her simply to spite you, Your Grace.”
“Of course not, but you must admit that in doing so, you took great pleasure when believing you thwarted me.”
Bloody hell, Danby had manipulated him. Not that he pushed Sam toward Jillian, but defying him had been immensely enjoyable. Sam hated the fact that he’d played right into his great-uncle’s hands.
