Page 15 of The Truth about the Marquess
“I came to call!” Lady Guilford sailed into the room, embracing Jane warmly. “You were out walking in the park with a gentleman, I have been told, and I simply must know who it was!”
A flush touched Jane’s cheeks as she sat down.
“I suppose I should not be surprised at how quickly thetonspeaks about such things,” she sighed, though Louisa only chuckled softly. “Yes, it is true that I was walking with a gentleman in the park, but I did so only to assist him.” Seeing her friend’s eyebrows lift, she shook her head. “The gentleman had been walking with a young lady without realizing her reputation.”
“Really?” Lady Guilford’s eyes opened wide. “Who was she?”
Pausing for a moment and wondering if her friend was going to gossip about this, Jane considered that she would not and, thus, she spoke honestly.
“I know that you will not say anything to anyone, but it was Lord Edenbridge walking with Miss Dutton.”
“Oh.” Lady Guilford shook her head. “I am surprised that Lord Edenbridge did not know.”
“You are acquainted with him, then?”
Lady Guilford shook her head.
“Not particularly well, though we have been introduced. All the same, it is unusual for a gentleman of thetonnot to know about what has been happening with such things as that.”
Jane shrugged.
“Mayhap he is disinclined towards gossip.”
“Mayhap.”
The tea tray was brought in, and Jane refrained from conversation until the maid had left the room, going on, then, to pour the tea. Once they were both settled with tea, she gestured to the three letters beside her.
“I have just now received the next few letters sent to The London Chronicle.”
Lady Guilford’s expression brightened.
“That is wonderful! I thought your first response was quite perfect.”
“Did you?” Jane smiled at her. “I must say, I was greatly relieved to see that thetonthought it quite acceptable. I was concerned that some would not agree with what I said.”
“Nonsense! You answered very well, though I know it was from experience that you spoke, and I am sorry for that.” Lady Guilford smiled a little sadly. “Let us hope that the lady in question, whoever she is, takes on your advice!” Her gaze went to the letters as Jane nodded. “Might you wish to tell me what these letters contain?”
Jane picked up the first one.
“I confess that I am a little uncertain as to which I ought to reply to first, though I do think that one is quite useless and does not require a reply.”
“Oh?”
With a quiet laugh, Jane picked up the offending letter and read it aloud.
‘To Whom It May Concern, might I enquire as to who it is that writes your responses to these letters? Though I will notdisagree that the reply to the young lady seeking advice was very well given, I do think that I might have given a little more to her. Therefore, should you be seeking someone new to write these responses – or, indeed, a response to go alongside the other, then might I suggest you consider me?’
Setting the letter down, Jane laughed aloud as her friend shook her head in clear astonishment, though she was smiling.
“It is quite extraordinary, is it not?”
“It is.” A gleam came into Lady Guilford’s eye. “Might I enquire as to who it is that has written it?”
Jane hesitated, letting her eyes narrow in a friendly, teasing manner.
“You may - though you must promise me that you will not speak of this to anyone, my dear friend. You know that you cannot breathe a word about my employment to anyone, yes?”
A slight flash of hurt dashed across Lady Guilford’s expression and Jane was about to instantly apologize, only for her friend to shrug.
