deigned to make an appearance. Jane had not been short of partners and Lord Blakeney was particularly attentive. Nevertheless, she found that she had missed Alex’s company more than she had imagined. It did not make her feel any happier, especially when her first view of him was with Lady Dennery hanging on his arm and whispering in his ear. Jane turned a particularly brilliant smile on Lord Blakeney, who blinked with surprise.
‘Is this not most enjoyable, my lord?’ she gushed, making sure that her smile was even broader as they whirled past the Duke and his fair companion. ‘I declare I could dance all night!’
‘’Pon my word, Miss Verey, I could partner you the whole time too!’ Blakeney said, quite carried away by her enthusiasm. ‘Splendid idea! Are you free for the next?’
The next dance was a progressive country dance which Jane had intended to keep free for a well-earned rest. Now, seeing Lady Dennery persuading Alex on to the floor, she scorned the idea. So this was what he meant when he said that she should not concern herself with Lady Dennery! He intended to carry on as he had before and she was supposed to close her eyes to it! The hurt and anger rose inside her.
It was some time before the movement of the dance brought her together with Alex and by then Jane had had plenty of time to think about how she would deal with him. Accordingly, she gave him the very slightest of acknowledgements when he greeted her and she smiled ravishingly at Lord Blakeney further down the set.
‘How do you do, your Grace? I was-’ Again she broke off as Blakeney passed in front of her and she paused to exchange a few words.
Alex was speaking. Jane turned a vague, questioning face to him. ‘I beg your pardon, your Grace, I was not attending…’
‘No.’ Alex sounded quite expressionless. ‘I was only observing that Blakeney is a universal favourite! Only last week it was Miss Dalton who was waxing poetic about him!’
‘Oh, he is most charming!’ Jane agreed airily. ‘Lord Henshaw has also been most attentive this evening-’
‘Spare me a recital of your admirers, Miss Verey,’ Alex said, with the first hint of irritation he had shown. ‘I had thought to claim the right to banish such suitors!’
Jane raised her brows. ‘Had you, your Grace?’
It was the perfect moment for Blakeney to claim her again, as the figure brought him back to her side and obliged Alex to move on. For the rest of the dance she was aware of his inscrutable dark gaze resting on her from time to time and there was something calculating in it that made her very nervous.
The dance ended and Jane very prettily accepted Lord Blakeney’s escort back to her mother’s side. They did not get far.
‘Sorry to cut you out, old fellow,’ the Duke of Delahaye drawled, blocking their way, ‘but Miss Verey is promised to me for the next. Miss Verey…’ There was a very definite challenge in his eyes.
Jane picked up the gauntlet, taking his arm a little gingerly and allowing him to steer her to an alcove at the side of the dance floor.
‘Now, Miss Verey,’ Alex said pleasantly, ‘you will explain to me why you are playing Blakeney on your line just to thwart me.’
Jane’s lips closed tightly. ‘I have no notion what you mean, your Grace. I am sure that it would be ungracious in me to deny Lord Blakeney my company when he seeks me out!’
‘Indeed! It would do no harm for you to be a little more moderate in your undertakings! Blakeney, Henshaw, Farraday…you will soon have a name as a flirt!’
Jane’s eyes narrowed. She had thrown Blakeney and Henshaw in his face and could therefore not complain if he reproached her for it, but poor Mr Farraday, who would not say boo to a goose…
‘If we are speaking of flirtations, your Grace, you would do well to look to yourself!’
Alex caught her wrist in a tight grip. They had both forgotten the crowded ballroom and the press of people so close at hand.
‘I collect that you mean to censure me for my relationship with Lady Dennery,’ he said levelly. ‘I should have realised that it was jealousy that prompted your remarks-’
Jane’s eyes flashed. This was particularly provoking as it was true.
‘I do not care if Lady Dennery wishes to rehearse her
‘And I do not care to see the likes of Blakeney hanging on your coat-tails! I shall take steps to prevent it in future!’
Their eyes met and held, locked in furious confrontation. Then Alex shook his head slightly.
‘I cannot believe…Jane, you try my patience sorely, but I suppose my own behaviour is scarcely exemplary! To tell the truth, I met Lady Dennery in the ante-room, that is all. What I said this morning is true-you need have no concern for her! Now, admit you would not care what company I kept if you did not like me a little!’
The logic of this was hard to refute. His fingers had relaxed their grip and had slid down to take her hand in his. His touch was warm and seductive, reminding Jane of their encounter in the Park. She could feel a smile start to curve her lips.
‘Your Grace-’
‘Please call me Alex, now that we are betrothed.’
‘Yes!’ Jane said, suddenly remembering that she had an issue to raise with him. ‘I understand that you have already told your brother that we are to wed! That was not well done, sir! I asked for a little time!’
‘I know it.’ The pressure of Alex’s fingers had increased infinitesimally, sending quivers of sensation along Jane’s nerves. ‘You are mistaken, Jane. I said nothing to Philip, although he may have drawn his own conclusions when I gave my blessing on his match with Miss Marchment! I would not do that when I had given you my word that I would wait for your decision.’ He stepped closer. ‘Will you give me your answer now, Jane? I do most ardently hope that you will accept me…’
Jane felt as though she was trapped in the tantalising web of her feelings. Alex was smiling with a warmth that did strange things to her equilibrium; she could read in his eyes that he wanted to kiss her and she felt a little dizzy.
‘Perhaps I will…But this is Sophia’s night, not mine, your Grace. I would not wish to steal her thunder-’
His expression told her that he knew she had capitulated. She saw the blaze of triumph in his eyes, shadowed by a less definable emotion. Jane was swept by excitement followed by near-terror. Alex turned her hand over and kissed the palm, then a dry voice from beside them broke the spell.
‘Alex, I am persuaded that you would not wish to draw any further attention to Miss Verey, at least not yet!’ Lady Eleanor Fane said.
Alex tore his gaze away from Jane. ‘As usual, you are quite correct, Aunt Eleanor,’ he said abruptly. ‘I will bid you goodnight, Miss Verey.’
‘I assume that you have just agreed to make Alex the happiest of men,’ Lady Eleanor said comfortably, tucking Jane’s arm through hers and steering her towards Lady Verey. ‘It is an open secret, particularly the way that the two of you looked this evening! When you were quarrelling I scarce knew whether it would end in tears or kisses! As good as a play, and good to see Alex on his high ropes when usually he is the most moderate of men!’
Jane smiled, accepted the approval and the good-tempered teasing, but a small, cold corner of her heart reminded her that one thing was missing. It seemed that, despite his pleasure at the engagement, the Duke of Delahaye was still not able to tell her that he loved her.
The following day was bright and summery enough to banish even the most melancholy of reflections. They were engaged for a trip to Richmond to watch a balloon launch and Lord Philip and the Duke had offered their escort, before Philip took himself off to Ambergate next morning.
They arrived in the country to discover a crowd already gathered, strolling in the sun and watching the stripy silk balloon rippling gently in the breeze. Four burly men were anchoring it to the ground with thick ropes. Jane jumped down from the phaeton, her troubles forgotten.
‘Oh, how wonderful. I would so love to fly!’
‘Why don’t you stand in the basket and see what its like under the canopy, miss?’ one of the aviators suggested. ‘Here, let me give you a hand up the steps.’
A few of the crowd clapped as Jane stepped over the side and down into the well of the basket. After a moment, Alex followed her, jumping down inside. It was surprisingly roomy under the huge silk canopy, with strong leather straps that Jane imagined the aviators must hold on to during the flight. There was room for at least three people in the basket and the edge was so high that Jane could barely see over the top. She looked up into the
