unwelcome one for all that. Lady Eleanor had set her lips tight in clear disapproval when the Duke had bowled up with his companion, and Lady Verey had worn the anxious look of a chaperon who knows that her innocent chicks are in danger. Jane’s own predominant feeling was one of jealousy, which she both despised and despaired of. It seemed that Alexander Delahaye was bringing out the worst in her in more ways than one.
It was an oddly assorted party, Jane reflected. Simon had declined to join them, preferring to stay in Town and, she suspected, pursue his quest for Therese. Lady Eleanor had bemoaned the lack of a young man for Sophia, making Jane horribly aware that the intention was to throw herself and Philip together as much as possible. She had noticed that both Lady Eleanor and Lady Verey had started to bracket their names together as though it were the most natural thing imaginable. Sophia had also noticed and was looking ever more strained and upset, although she had not reproached her friend for the circumstance. Oh, dear, Jane thought, as they rumbled through a picturesque village and turned into a long driveway, this is not going to be at all pleasant!
The others had just arrived as their carriage drew up on the gravel sweep, and Lady Dennery was intent on giving instruction to the harassed servants over the care of her luggage.
‘You, there! Take this portmanteau! No, not like that, like this, you dolt!’
Lord Philip was standing watching with a look akin to horror on his face and Jane, who still remembered his own churlish behaviour at Ambergate, was surprised to feel a certain sympathy. Unquestionably Lord Philip did not welcome this potential sister-in-law!
Matters did not improve at dinner. There were only seven of them around the imposing polished table and Jane had been firmly placed next to Lord Philip whilst Sophia was acres away, next to the Duke. So cowed was she by his magnificent presence that she barely said two words and Jane noticed how Lady Dennery, on the Duke’s other side, took no more notice of Sophia than to bend a patronising smile on her every so often. Lady Dennery was saving all her attention for Alex, touching his sleeve with intimate little gestures, smiling into his eyes and hanging on his every word. It made Jane feel so sick that she was barely able to do justice to the excellent dinner. At her side, Lord Philip chewed moodily, spoke little and gazed fixedly at Sophia.
Jane was up betimes the following morning. She had excused herself to bed immediately after dinner in order to avoid Lord Philip’s unwilling company and by the morning she was feeling very restless. It was a beautiful day. Throwing back the shutters, Jane could see the green parkland shimmering in the early sun and the glitter of a lake in the distance. She resolved on an early morning stroll.
The house seemed silent as she slipped outside. It was a very pretty building, small but elegant, redbrick and foursquare. Jane stood on the drive to admire it, before taking a well-mown grassy track that cut across the park towards the lake.
It seemed that she was not the only one up and about early that morning. As she emerged from the shadow of the trees on to the gravel path that circled the water, Jane saw a figure standing in the shade of the summer pavilion. Another moment helped her to identify it as Lord Philip Delahaye. This was surprising. It was very early and Lord Philip was renowned as a late riser, never up before midday. As Jane hesitated, he turned his head and saw her. For a second she saw the expression of unhappiness on his face, clear in the bright sunlight, before he schooled his features to indifference.
‘Good morning, Miss Verey.’
It seemed he was about to pass her without another word, but Jane put out a hand.
‘A moment, if you please, sir!’
Lord Philip paused. ‘Madam?’
‘I need to speak to you, sir,’ Jane said clearly, determined not to lose her nerve. ‘It is a matter of extreme importance!’ She saw that he was about to refuse and added, ‘Please!’
Lord Philip gestured to her to fall into step with him on the gravel path, but his expression was not encouraging, nor were his words. ‘Well, Miss Verey?’
‘It concerns our projected marriage, my lord,’ Jane said, fixing her gaze firmly on the plane trees in the far distance. ‘I do not wish to marry you and I have observed that you do not wish to marry me, so I propose that we join forces to avert a horrid fate!’
There was a startled silence.
‘Are you always so outspoken, Miss Verey?’ Lord Philip said, tight-lipped. He cast her a quick sideways glance, which she met with a blithe smile.
‘Always! I find it is much better to be honest, or one might find oneself married to the wrong person! I have been quick to notice that you have a certain admiration for Miss Marchment, a regard which might lead you to wish
Lord Philip swallowed convulsively. They had reached the summerhouse and he paused, turning to look at Jane properly for the first time.
‘Has Miss Marchment…? That is…did she say that she-’ He broke off, looking suddenly boyish and eager. ‘She is the most delightful creature, Miss Verey! A veritable angel! When she smiled on me that night at Almack’s I believe I counted myself the most fortunate man in the room!’ A shadow fell across his face as he realised the absurdity of addressing such sentiments to his intended bride. ‘I beg your pardon,’ he muttered. ‘You are most fortunate in your friends, Miss Verey!’
‘Pray do not apologise!’ Jane said sweetly. ‘I am very fond of Sophia! She is the dearest girl imaginable and I wish to see her happy. Which is why I wanted to talk to you, sir! Let us sit down together and put all to rights!’
They sat on the seat in the shade of the summerhouse veranda. ‘Let us be straight with one another, sir,’ Jane said practically. ‘Neither of us wish to be joined in matrimony with the other, but we need not repine. If we work together we may be able to thwart your brother’s plans for us!’
Lord Philip’s face had brightened, only to fall again. ‘I appreciate your plain-speaking, Miss Verey, but if I may be equally blunt, it is a matter of money! Alex will only pay my debts if I marry you!’
He drove his hands into his jacket pockets. ‘It is not that I am extravagant, precisely, although I do find that Alex keeps me on a ridiculously tight allowance, but…’ he frowned a little ‘…the matter cannot be avoided. For whatever reason, he favours this match and no other. I fear we are doomed!’
It was at that exact moment that Jane looked up to see the Duke of Delahaye, magnificent on a raking chestnut hunter, approaching them down the ride. He sat the horse with negligent skill. He had not seen them yet, but Jane knew that it was only a matter of time.
‘If we can persuade your brother that all looks set fair for a match between us, we have the advantage,’ Jane pressed. ‘Trust me, sir, I will think of a scheme to avoid the marriage
Lord Philip was looking slightly stunned at this
‘Indeed! Look how easily I hoodwinked you!’
Lord Philip tried to look disapproving, but could not prevent a smile. Jane realised that she was warming to him.
‘Yes,’ he said reluctantly, ‘you took me in magnificently, Miss Verey, and by rights I should be out of charity with you for such a shabby trick!’ He cleared his throat. ‘I have a bad conscience about that night, however. I know I behaved churlishly, but I was so angry with Alex for forcing me into the situation! I did not mean to denigrate your home and hospitality, or-’
He broke off and flushed bright red.
‘I heard the maid come up to your room,’ Jane said helpfully. ‘Let us not speak of it, nor of the unfortunate rumours about me which circulated about Town after your visit…’
Lord Philip looked mortified. ‘Miss Verey…’ He was positively stammering, ‘I did not mean…how did you…?’
‘Forgive me, I know I should not have mentioned it.’ Jane was trying not to laugh. She was starting to feel a real affection for Lord Philip, who reminded her of nothing so much as an overgrown schoolboy. ‘Let us start afresh,’ she added, in kindly fashion. ‘I can understand that your brother must be a sore trial to you!’
‘Oh, Alex is a good enough fellow,’ Philip said grudgingly. ‘It’s just that he can be rather forceful at times! Perhaps you have observed it, Miss Verey!’
Jane could see the Duke approaching now. She smiled blindingly. ‘Perhaps his Grace is not accustomed to polite society,’ she agreed sweetly. ‘His address certainly lacks polish!’
