The Last Duchess (The Lennox Series)(24)
She, on the other hand, had allowed him to ravish her in the library. Had he not said such cruel things to her, she had no doubt he would have completed the task and she would have allowed him to do so. She’d been quite captivated by it all.
“You have my word, Julian, but I don’t anticipate mistreatment from Blixford. I rather think my greatest obstacle will be indifference.”
Every one of her brothers stared at her, astonishment on their faces.
“Jane, you are sometimes unaccountably silly. No man would be indifferent to you. None. Not even a stick like Blixford.”
If they only knew. “We shall see.” She rose and they followed suit. “Bear in mind, will you all, I am a better shot than most men. If Blixford gives me too much trouble, I’ll shoot him and point out the error of his ways.”
That earned a laugh, as she’d intended. They made their way to the drawing room to wait upon the duke.
***
Michael supposed some men might feel uncomfortable and awkward, but he did not. For any injustice he’d visited upon her, Lady Jane adequately earned her recompense by jilting him. Her ruination would be set aside after they were married, with little to no lingering effects. He wouldn’t place himself in a position of perpetual apology to Sherbourne, or his daughter.
After a stiff, formal meeting with his future father-in-law, wherein a marriage settlement was agreed upon to their mutual satisfaction, he walked with Sherbourne up the stairs and across the hallway, into the drawing room. Dressed in a fetching gown of soft yellow, topped by a spencer of dark blue, Lady Jane sat close to the fire, a book upon her lap. In the seat facing her, James Lennox, Viscount Hildebrand and heir to Sherbourne’s earldom, was likewise employed with reading. Julian Lennox, whom Michael had once considered a friend, having known him since they were boys together at Eton, sat at the pianoforte and played a lovely tune far more adeptly than his sister was able. Her remaining brothers, Jack, Henry, Bram and Robert, were playing cards, jesting with one another, bluffing their hands and generally being loud and raucous, as was their nature.
As soon as he and Sherbourne cleared the doorway, they all rose and greeted him in turn, shaking his hand, welcoming him with the courteous formality one offers to another in polite society, despite the nature of true feelings.
Behind their affable smiles, Michael was well aware they would each take great enjoyment from shoving a rapier between his ribs.
In the midst of a platoon of champions, Jane smiled beatifically and accepted his bow over her hand. “Good morning, Your Grace. How lovely of you to call.”
“My pleasure, Lady Jane.”
“May I offer tea?”
“Thank you, no. Perhaps you’ll do me the honor of accompanying me for a drive in the park.”
She’d already been riding, he guessed, her person wafting the scent of the outdoors, her cheeks still flushed with wind and exertion. As always, she looked good enough to eat. And to return to for extra servings.
“I’d be delighted.”
Accepting his arm, she walked with him to the doorway. No one spoke a word until Michael paused and glanced over his shoulder. “Good morning, gentlemen.”
They each nodded curtly, smiles gone, replaced with fierce looks Jane would not see unless she turned.
She did not.
When they were at the foot of the stairs, the butler handed her a bonnet then stepped away to open the door. As she tied the ribbons beneath her chin at a rakish angle, Michael said dryly, “I shall have to remember to handle you with kid gloves, lest your army of brothers descend upon my house to defend you.”
“Your Grace would be advised to be wary of your wife before you give a thought to my brothers.”
“I stand duly warned, Lady Jane.”
She jerked a look at him as he handed her up into his curricle. “Are you laughing at me, Blixford?”
“Hmm, perhaps a little. I doubt many men receive warnings of bodily harm from their betrothed.”
She settled in and adjusted her skirts around her, leaving room for him as he took his seat and gathered up the reins from the footman. “We are not yet betrothed. We have, I believe, an item of some importance to discuss before I’m satisfied.”
“Ah, yes. The important item.” He took them off down the street, heading for the park. “As I recall, you were most insistent I afford you the pleasure you expect in the marriage bed. I assure you I will do my best, but there must necessarily be some effort on your part.”
“Yes, of course, but you may have misinterpreted my meaning. I’ve no doubt we will find mutual satisfaction with one another, but only if we’re together. I won’t be packed off to Eastchase Hall for the duration of our marriage, made to wait upon your whim.”