Every Time We Kiss

Her lips twitched. “I thought the ton might find that just a bit too scandalous.”

“Jennette, we need to talk in private,” he whispered so no other dancers would hear him.

“Yes.”

“Does Ancroft have a room in which we could meet?”

“Perhaps his study. It’s down the hallway on the left. Third door.”

“Meet there in an hour,” he said softly. “It’s imperative that I speak with you.”

“An hour?” She tried to keep the disappointment out of her voice. She wanted to speak with him now.

“If we’re caught slipping away immediately after dancing—”

“Of course,” she said, but didn’t really understand. If the purpose of their meeting was to agree to marriage, what did it matter if someone saw them?

She wanted so much more than a conversation with him, but there was an odd tone to his voice tonight. Almost as if there was something wrong. Perhaps he wanted to propose to her properly and felt a little nervous. She could understand with the amount of butterflies in her stomach tonight.

As the dance ended, he walked her over to her mother and bowed formally over her hand. Jennette’s nerves prickled watching him stroll away from her.

Something was wrong.

The urge to chase after him became tangible. Her mother’s hand clasped onto her arm. “Is something amiss?”

“I am not certain, Mother. He acted strangely with me.”

“Nerves, my dear. Nothing more. Men like to pretend they are the stronger gender but in truth, we are.” Her mother’s gaze went to the dance floor. “Do you think any of these men could handle childbirth?”

Her mother always had the ability to make her laugh. “No, I suppose not.” Jennette glanced around and noticed both Avis and Elizabeth across the room. “I need to speak with Avis.”

“Very well, my dear. Just don’t be long when you meet Blackburn. We would not wish to cause more talk.”

Her mother’s intuition amazed her. “Yes, Mother.”

Jennette sauntered through the crush until she made her way to her friends. A footman with glasses of lemonade and wine stopped in front of the group. Jennette immediately picked up a glass of white wine and slowly sipped it.

“Well?” Avis asked as soon as the footman departed.

Jennette shrugged. “We danced. That was all.”

“He didn’t pledge his love in the middle of the dance floor?” Elizabeth said.

“Of course not,” Jennette replied in a hesitant tone. “I am to meet him in the study soon.”

“But…?” Avis said, then sipped her lemonade.

“I wish I knew. Oh, I wish Sophie had attended. She could let me know if I’m worrying for naught.” Jennette grabbed a glass of wine from a passing footman.

“Why?” Elizabeth asked.

“I just have the strangest feeling something is wrong. He didn’t act or speak with me as he normally would. What if I am wrong about his feelings for me? What if he only bedded me because I was convenient? What if this was just the best way for him to get me to marry him, so he could have my money?”

Avis smiled condescendingly at her. “Jennette, you worry overmuch. Besides, Banning told him that he would turn over your grandmother’s will if he attempted to marry you.”

“Banning said what?”

“Shh,” Elizabeth warned. “People are looking.”