The Hemingford Scandal
Page 27
‘Hurrumph!’
They sprang apart as the Earl re-entered the room, followed by Mrs Lane. The lady was looking decidedly pink and flustered. ‘Jane, I must go. I have to say goodbye to the Countess. I am sure the Captain will see you safely home.’ And with that, she turned and bustled out of the room before a footman could be summoned to conduct her to the door.
The Earl fell into his chair, startling Jane until she realised he was doubled up with laughter.
‘My lord, what have you said to her?’ Jane asked. ‘She and the Countess are not exactly bosom bows these days.’
He mopped his eyes with his handkerchief. ‘Oh, dear, the poor lady is devastated that she has been so blind.’
‘Grandfather,’ Harry said severely, ‘what mischief have you been up to?’
‘Someone had to do something. You seemed to be prepared to stand by and let the tattlers blacken Jane’s name without doing a thing about it.’
‘What could I do that would not make it worse?’
‘No, you are right, it had to be me. I have just told the good lady…’ he paused to chuckle again ‘…I told her that Jane knew all along that Allworthy was a villain, that you had taken her into your confidence and enlisted her help in nailing him. That was why she went to Coprise Manor, to find out what she could, and her information was vital to his arrest.’
‘My lord!’ Jane stared at him, unbelieving.
‘I suggested that she would do well to correct those gossiping friends of hers before the name of Hemingford was irretrievably blackened. After all, Harry will be the Earl of Bostock one day.’
Jane went to kneel at his feet. ‘Not for a long time yet,’ she said.
He put his hand on her head. ‘Go to Bath, child, I shall be waiting here when you come back. And so will Harry.’
‘I know.’ She took his gnarled hand and put it to her lips. ‘Thank you, for everything.’
Harry raised her to her feet. ‘Come, we will find Anne. You must say goodbye to her and then I will take you home.’
She curtsied to the Earl and followed Harry from the room. She had been a long time finding that happiness which had so eluded her, but now it had come it tasted doubly sweet. Six months would soon pass. She would spend it making plans and dreaming of a reunion she knew would be everything she hoped for.
ISBN: 978-1-4592-3149-8
THE HEMINGFORD SCANDAL
Copyright © 2004 by Mary Nichols
First North American Publication 2006
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