A Gentleman's Vow (Saints and Sinners 2)

Natalia’s expression grew serious once more. “You never said if you’d found a man to marry there.”

“I did not,” she admitted.

“Out of all of London’s most eligible bachelors?”

She rubbed her brow. “Please do not be cross with me, too.”

“Oh, I’m not. Never that. But I am disappointed that none could see the jewel you are. Are your parents very upset with you? Or is it your sister stirring the pot again?”

She shrugged, feeling foolish and awkward. “Mother and Father have never said they were disappointed in me, but the way their smiles diminished each morning when we talked of any potential suitors is hint enough that they were concerned by my lack of success.”

“Then why have you come home so early? I wasn’t expecting you to return for another month at least. Were you involved in a scandal? Did you kiss someone you should not have?”

“No.” Jessica laughed softly and answered only Natalia’s first question. “My father brought us home to surprise Gillian with the arrival of her brother and family tomorrow, but he is so terrible at keeping secrets that I knew well before we left London what we were coming home for.”

Natalia’s smile diminished. “So you’ll be too busy with guests to see much of anyone.”

“Not too busy to see you,” she promised. “Mr. and Mrs. Garland have two sons, both younger than eight years old. I will not be required to amuse them. I expect Gillian will want to spend every spare moment getting to know her family again. She has not seen them for a very long time.”

Natalia smiled broadly. “The duke is so sweet to arrange that. Mama has been positively gloating—knowing about the marriage before everyone else read the announcement posted in the village. I never thought his grace would wed again, least of all your beloved companion.”

“I’m delighted he did, because my father in love is very amusing.”

“I am glad. For years everyone had talked about how Stapleton needed a duchess again. Well,” Natalia began as she regained her feet. “If you have visitors coming, I’d better make myself scarce. Send me a note when I can come to visit you again, and then when the fuss has died down and you’re free, we can talk properly about all the handsome young men you kissed while you were away.”

Jessica’s cheeks grew warm.

Natalia hugged her again and fortunately never saw Jessica’s discomfort. “I have missed you, Jess. I want to hear every delicious detail about your suitors when I see you next. Thank you again for the gifts.”

“It’s my pleasure,” Jessica promised. “Thank you for mine. I know just what to use the embroidery for.”

Natalia rushed out, and Jessica sank onto the settee beneath her window again, her thoughts on her uncertain future.

There had been no one she had wanted to encourage in London. There was not one single gentleman who had tried to steal a kiss from her, either. She was starting to worry there was something wrong with her. Half the young women she’d met in London were either married or engaged or being seriously courted. The others, women with pitifully small dowries, had better experiences to share with their friends about their season than Jessica would ever have. Her season had been a resounding failure all round.

Chapter 3

Gideon ran up the long flight of steps to Stapleton Manor on Saturday afternoon and knocked on the heavy oak door. He’d only just learned the duke’s family had returned the day before. It wasn’t normal for him to be so late calling on his friend. But he’d indulged in a great deal too much port at dinner last night with the Napiers and, as a consequence of it, he’d slept until midday.

The butler admitted him, all smiles. “Good afternoon, Mr. Whitfield. His grace expected to see you yesterday.”

“Mr. Brown.” He rushed to remove his hat and gloves then handed them over. “I’m sure he did.”

“The family is in the drawing room with their guests.”

Gideon hesitated in the act of smoothing his wavy hair. “Guests?”

Mr. Brown nodded. “The duke arranged for the surprise visit of her grace’s brother, wife, and children.”

He smiled but took a step back. “Perhaps I should return another time.”

A soft step sounded behind him. “Why would you believe you were not wanted today, Mr. Whitfield?”

Gideon pivoted slowly at the sound of Lady Jessica’s voice, his heart skipping a beat as he spotted her slender form moving toward him.

“I’ll see Mr. Whitfield to my father, Mr. Brown,” she murmured.

Jessica glided soundlessly across the parquetry, lips lifting at the corners—as if she had a secret she wanted to tell him. He’d seen that look so many times that his anticipation grew the nearer she came.