The Lady’s Torn Heart (Faces of Love Series #2) (4 page)

* * *

T
he next few
weeks passed in a blur. James was always finding some reason or another to call on me. I loved the attention he gave me, the smile that always seemed glued to my face when he was around, and the euphoric feeling he left in my heart.

Mary had her baby only a few days after James came into our lives. Everything went smoothly, and she was currently recovering from the ordeal. Grafton was disappointed to find that she did, in fact, have a baby girl. The moment he saw that little angel though, he forgot all about his desires for a son. He was wrapped around her finger. Mary insisted on calling her Juliette, and she was christened so not long after her birth.

I was enjoying life as a new aunt. I got all the hugs and snuggles I wanted, but certainly wasn’t as exhausted as Mary was with all the care and necessities. Each afternoon, Mary would take a short nap while I got to coo and love on little Juliette. I intended to spoil that sweet girl rotten and be her favorite aunt in the whole world.

It was on one of these occasions that Juliette and I were in the drawing room alone, rocking by the fire, and I was told that James had unexpectedly come to call on me. He had gotten quite used to coming over by now, and after being let in, sat on one of the chairs.

“Should I call for some tea?” I asked as I rocked Juliette. She was just about to doze off for a nap.

“No, I’m fine.” He watched me for a few minutes. “You look good like that,” he finally said.

I raised an eyebrow in question. We had become quite familiar with each other, and I was accustomed to his honest comments.

“I just mean standing there by a hearth and rocking a baby. It suits you well. You will make a wonderful mother someday. I can’t say I don't envy the man who will get to be your husband.”

I walked over and put the snoozing Juliette into her small basket. “Well, there aren’t any offers that I know of at this time. It’s a good thing too, for I would hate to make you jealous,” I said in a teasing tone.

He watched me again for a moment, almost as if to memorize it. I was beginning to feel much more between us than just friendship. I wasn’t sure at first if he felt the same, but when he looked at me as he did now, I was almost confident that I wasn’t alone in my romantic feelings.

“I have an interesting proposition for you,” he finally said.

“Yes, and what is that?”

“Tonight there is going to be a local ball. I was hoping to ask you to attend with me. I had planned it all out so that we could have a proper chaperone. Sadly, she is unwilling to go.”

“Your aunt, I am assuming.”

“You assume correctly. Apparently, a local ball is beneath her,” he said with a roll of the eyes.

“Are you sure it’s the ball and not me that is beneath her?”

Lady Heather had been distant during our first meeting, but since then she had been outright cold toward me. It was evident that she didn’t approve of James spending so much time with me and only allowed it because she wanted to be in Gaffton’s good graces. She wanted to have a say in every aspect of James’ life, including who he would marry. Apparently, my small dowry didn’t make that list.

“She is a crabby old woman, and I don’t need her permission for who I spend my time with,” he stated simply, jutting out that square chin.

“What was your proposition then?” I asked to change the subject.

“Well, that we sneak off and go anyway, of course.”

“James, you want to sneak to a local event under the nose of your aunt? She will surely find out. She would dislike me even more.”

“Come now,” he said, flashing me that devilish grin. “It is warm enough that we could ride in my gig, so as not to be improperly shut in a carriage together. It would be so much fun,” he added as a tease.

“Well, I have always wanted to go to a local ball. My own mother has never allowed us to attend. She feared we might meet someone untitled or poor and fall in love.” I said this with sarcastic exaggerations.

“Yes, it would be terrible to find yourself in love with a poor, untitled man,” he said with double meaning.

“I don’t know; I don't think it would be that terrible.”

“Perhaps if he had means to change his situation, it might be a good consolation.”

“I’m sure Mother would find it a satisfactory compromise.”

He paused as we both took in the secret conversation underlining our words.

“So you will come with me tonight?”

“What will I say to Mary?”

“Tell her the truth. I, on the other hand, have told my aunt that I will be coming over for a family dinner and a game of chess with the Duke, with the possibility of it being a very long night.”

“Gaffton is magnificent at chess.”

“So am I.”

* * *

M
ary had agreed
to James’ scheming, being a romantic at heart. Gaffton was a little harder to convince. He reluctantly gave in at his wife’s request.

The night was like a fairytale dream. There was no one in the room but James and myself. I didn’t care what others thought of us. When I was alone with James, it was as if everything around us blurred away into the background. I don't think I had ever laughed so much or made so many good memories in one night. I couldn’t help but imagine that would be my life if James and I were married.

We didn’t stay too late at the ball. We figured that returning home late in the night and then James going on to his aunt’s would make it seem like just a late game of chess. We were disappointed, however, when we pulled up to the Gaffton’s manor and found Lady Heather’s coach outside of it.

When we came in, it was to a room full of solemn faces in the drawing room. It was all to varying degrees. Mary looked worried and tired. I kicked myself inwardly. I wasn’t here to cause trouble for her. I had meant to come and ease her transition into motherhood, but here she was losing sleep over me.

Gaffton had a look of knowing irritation. I had a feeling a speech beginning with ‘I said this was a bad idea’ was in my near future.

Lady Heather looked regally infuriated. She was not the kind of Lady who would wait for others. From the look of her disposition, I had a feeling that she had been waiting quite a while for the two of us. She gave a loud huff and came to her feet at the sight of us.

“Really, James! What were you thinking?”

“Aunt Heather. You’re here. Why are you here?”

“Does that really matter at this point? The bottom line is, I came here to fetch you and you were not here.”

“My dear aunt, I respect your concern for me, but I am not a child. I do not need to answer to you.”

“You do as long as you are in my house.” Her implication was clear.
Do what I want or you won’t be heir to my title and fortune.

“I am sorry that I upset you. It was an opportunity that I didn’t want to miss. I will try to be more considerate of your feelings in the future,” James replied to pacify her.

“Perhaps we should give you two the room,” Gaffton chimed in softly.

“No, it is quite alright, Your Grace. We will be leaving now,” Lady Heather huffed. “I think a long discussion on who we choose to associate with is long overdue.”

My cheeks reddened. Before James could intercede, Gaffton spoke up in indignation. “I hope you are not questioning my sister-in-law’s integrity.”

“Not questioning, Your Grace, just unsure of it. A well-bred lady would never attend such an event. To go without the company of a chaperone is highly unusual behavior in my book.”

“I don’t see much difference in your wording,” Gaffton retorted.

I swelled with pride that he was so quick to defend me. I knew that Lady Heather’s family and his had a long history of relationship. His willingness to jeopardize it on my behalf made him dearer to my heart.

“Your Grace, I don't mean any disrespect. This is certainly a family matter, and as such should be continued in our coach. I appreciate your willingness to allow me to wait here tonight. I mean that if I am to have an heir of my choosing, I want to know that it will be left in good hands.”

She left before more could be said on the matter. Her implied meaning was enough. She didn’t want the union of her future heir to be with a daughter of a financially shamed earl.

Once they left the house, Mary plopped back down on her seat. I hadn’t even realized that she had stood during the heated conversation. I too let a breath out I didn’t even know I was holding.

“Are you sure you want to put your lot in with that kind?” Mary asked.

Gaffton strolled over and took a glass of brandy. “I told you this was a bad idea.”

Mary waved him off. She turned back to me. “Did you have fun?” she asked hopefully.

I sunk onto my own chair. “It was a fantastic night.”

She nodded in approval. “It is easy to see that you are both infatuated with each other. Are you willing to suffer the aunt for him though?”

“I don’t know that we are both infatuated. No words have been spoken, if that is what you think. Lady Heather has also made it clear that his inheritance is contingent upon him choosing a wife she approves. We can all undoubtedly say that it is not me after tonight.”

“Forget about her. If you love each other, that is all that matters. I have seen the way he looks at you; I know he feels the same.”

Gaffton came to sit next to his wife, “Love, it doesn’t all happen as it does in those silly books you read. It isn’t all that matters. What would be his livelihood should Lady Heather decide not to make him her heir?” He turned to me. “I sincerely wish you the best, but at the same time, I don't think it would be in either of your best interests to defy the one woman who holds his future in her hands.”