“I’ve told you this before, and perhaps you should heed me: If this betrothal falls apart, I will drag you down with me. You’ll lose your cozy job, income, and house. If Jacob ever cut you loose, who else would hire you? Are you willing to risk it?”
“I’m so sick of you threatening me.”
“I’m not threatening you. I’m simply being very blatant about what I want.”
“Which is what?”
“I want Jacob’s ring on my finger as soon as possible, so I need you to urge him to speed matters along.”
He scoffed. “You talk as if I have some control over him. We’re not a pair of debutantes who wax on about our marital prospects.”
“You have to find a way to influence him. You also have to persuade Miss James to leave the area. There is no reason for her to dawdle in this neighborhood. Can you think of any?”
“No, I can’t think of a single one.”
“Let me know when you’ve formulated a plan to be shed of her. I’ll assist you however I can.”
She stomped off and climbed in her carriage, while he peered down the street, watching the girl who was most likely his daughter as she strolled with her friends. He wished he’d scrutinized her face more meticulously. He’d like to recollect the details, but then, she lived on the estate.
No doubt he’d cross paths with her again before he chased her away.
“I was hoping it would be you. Come in, come in.”
Joanna grabbed Jacob’s wrist and pulled him into her cottage.
“I’m glad you’re awake,” he said.
“I was about to call it a night.”
“Is Clara in bed?”
“Yes, she has school in the morning, so we have to be up early.”
“Since it appears we’re alone, I should give you a more personal greeting.”
He drew her close and kissed her, and he reveled in the embrace.
“I’d scold you for being out on the roads so late,” she said, “but you wouldn’t listen.”
“I was anxious to speak with you, and I couldn’t get away until now.”
She must have noted his despondency because she said, “What’s wrong? Has something happened?”
“Why would you automatically assume something happened?”
“I wouldn’t have to be clairvoyant to realize you’re dejected. You’re not enigmatic at all. You wear your heart on your sleeve.”
He feigned mock offense. “I do not. I’m completely stoic and reserved.”
“If you say so.”
“I have a surprise for you.”
“A good one or a bad one?”
“You don’t ever read the London newspaper, do you?”
“Rarely, why?”
“There are some amazing articles today that will astound you. They’re about Libby Carstairs.”
Joanna frowned. “Is she all right?”
“I suppose that depends on your definition.”
She led him over to the chairs by the hearth, and they sat down.
“Remember the Little Henrietta scandal?” he asked. “You would have been a baby when it occurred.”
“Isn’t she the nobleman’s daughter who was kidnapped? I’ve heard people discuss it.”
“Yes, and Lord Roland was the nobleman. He’d divorced his wife for madness and desertion, and they had a child together: Henrietta. His ex-wife stole her and fled England.”
“The details are coming back to me.”
“It seems that Libby Carstairs is Henrietta.”
Joanna’s jaw dropped. “What? No!”
“Her mother, who died in your shipwreck, was Lord Roland’s ex-wife. When Miss Carstairs was rescued by my father, she didn’t recall her true name or position, and apparently, her mother had filled her head with lies about who she really was.”
“I’m stunned. How could she have learned about this?”
He handed her the copy of the paper he’d brought with him. “Here. Read for yourself.”
She glanced at the first story and said, “Look at that! It was written by Mr. Periwinkle! He’s the reporter who visited me.”
“Did he mention Libby when he spoke with you?”
“Only that he would arrange the reunion. He certainly didn’t breathe a word about her being Henrietta!”
They tarried quietly, and she perused the enthralling information. He watched her, cataloguing every expression that crossed her beautiful face. He could stare at her forever and never grow weary.
He recognized when she reached the most riveting story. Once news had spread about Miss Carstairs being Henrietta, Lord Roland had had her arrested for fraud.
“Libby is in jail!” Joanna fumed. “What is Lord Roland thinking? He ought to be celebrating, not having her imprisoned. With him publicly declaring her a liar, how will they ever bond as father and daughter?”
“I feel she’s connected to you and me in a powerful way, so I was wondering if I shouldn’t ride to London and post her bail. It doesn’t say anyone has, and I hate to picture her languishing in a cell.”
“Would you post her bail? And after she’s released, if she doesn’t have anywhere to stay, you could bring her here.” She waved the paper at him. “May I keep this? I’d like to show it to Clara.”
“Yes, of course you can keep it.”
The fire in the hearth flared, illuminating her, and for just an instant, she was enshrouded in a golden halo of light. Then he blinked and the peculiar aura vanished.
She put the newspaper on the floor, then she turned to him and said, “I notice you didn’t drag me up to my bedchamber the moment you walked in. I should likely thank you for your reticence, but I can’t decide if I’m glad or not.”
“I’m trying to mind my manners.”
“You’re so morose. I sense that you arrived with a purpose other than to give me the newspaper.”
“I guess I have.”
He couldn’t force himself to start though, for when he did, he’d set in motion a series of events he didn’t care to imagine. Yet how could he not proceed?
“Confide in me, Jacob. It can’t be that hard.”
She used his Christian name for what had to be the first time ever, and it imbued him with the fortitude he needed to begin.
“My sister and I talked about you.”
“Why am I betting it wasn’t a flattering conversation?”
“We
