Page 8 of A Lady's Key to Passion

Freddie’s jaw dropped. “I say, you are cold-blooded, Carlisle! Straight to it, indeed.” He shook his head again. “Do you not wish to entertain the prospect of a love match at all?”

Percy’s mouth tightened. “No, I do not. It is a pragmatic choice, nothing else. I am nearing thirty, and it is time I have an heir to the earldom.” He took a sip of his tea. “She is the sister of Lady Aldridge, which is a good recommendation. Lady Jane seems as refined and elegant as Marianne. Did you hear anything about her last evening?”

Freddie nodded. “I asked Miss Grey while you were dancing with the lady. She told me that Lady Jane is considered a wallflower in the district. She spurns all gentlemen and keeps to herself.” He paused. “Miss Grey said that is the way she likes it. You may have your work cut out for you, Carlisle.”

“I think not,” said Percy. “I am the Earl of Carlisle. The fairer sex can never resist such a title. She will see the benefits of marrying me. She will become a countess, after all. It will be good for her, as well.” He smiled slowly. “A quiet wallflower? She is even more perfect now that I know that. Not like her showy cousin at all.”

“I would watch that one, Carlisle,” said Freddie. “She looked like the cat that had just swallowed the canary when you were dancing with her. Shehasset her sights upon you and might not like it that you prefer her quieter cousin. I would wager she does not even consider Lady Jane as competition.”

Percy shrugged. “Lady Lucy will just have to deal with it. I am certain she will move on to the next gentleman fairly quickly.” He paused, considering his friend. “You looked a bit enamoured with Miss Grey, Morland.”

Freddie laughed. “I was indeed! We danced twice. She is charming. But I am not about to go and propose to her. You are rushing things, Carlisle. Any lady likes to be wooed a bit more.”

Percy stood up, throwing his napkin on the table. “Not if the lady sees marriage as a business arrangement. And I suspect that Lady Jane is no more interested in a love match than I am. That is probably the reason she spurns suitors who try to charm and woo her in the conventional fashion.”

Freddie raised his eyebrows. “Well, good luck. Are you heading to her home now?”

“I am,” said Percy, feeling a surge of adrenaline. “Make hay while the sun shines. I shall return directly, and we can visit this Rankin fellow about the house. Who knows, I may be betrothedandhave a house before the day is done.”

Freddie shook his head. “I think you could run the world if you wanted to, Carlisle.”

Percy grinned, heading out of the room. He was full of quiet excitement. The day was ahead of him and full of possibilities. He could barely wait to dive in.

Chapter 5

Jane sat in the parlour, absorbed in sketching the unusual shell she had picked up on the beach during her early morning walk. Marianne sat opposite her, intent on her embroidery patch. Lucy and Papa were playing a game of cards at a small table in the corner as her cousin waited for the next of her gentlemen callers to arrive.

Apparently, there had already been two this morning, but Lucy had dispatched them quickly. Jane could tell she was distracted, waiting for someone else. And she would bet her last shilling that it was Lord Carlisle. Her cousin had set her cap at him, well and truly. He had been all she could talk about this morning over the breakfast table.

Jane smiled to herself as she recalled Lucy’s breathless monologue about the gentleman.

“The Earl is far superior to all other gentlemen, is he not?” Her cousin hadn’t waited for an answer. “So tall, so powerful! Why, I felt like a twig when I was dancing with him last evening! As if he could snap me in half with his bare hands.” She gave a rapturous sigh.

“Why do you want to be snapped in half?” Jane couldn’t resist asking the question. “You should want a gentleman who is rather gentler with you thanthat, Cousin.”

Lucy had rolled her eyes. “Just because you have never been in the thrall of a gentleman does not mean the rest of us cannot, Jane.” She smiled lazily. “I am quite certain he shall call upon me this morning. I can justfeelit.” She closed her eyes in an almost euphoric bliss.

Jane had almost choked on her toast. Lucy really was the definition of a silly girl. She would swear her cousin devoured those foolish gothic romance novels, but she knew that Lucy had never read a book for pleasure in her life.

A door banged in the distance. Lucy jumped in the corner, almost dropping the cards in her hand, staring at the doorway. Jane caught Marianne’s eye, and they both shared a secret smile. Lucy was as skittish as a cat on a roof, and they were both very well aware of what—or rather who—was causing their cousin’s discomfiture.

Good luck to her.I hope she and the Earl sail away into the sunset and be done with it. Then I need never endure her or her tedious gentlemen callers in this house again.

At last, after half an hour, they heard a carriage pull up and a knock at the door. Lucy was already on her feet, smoothing down her gown. Jane reluctantly put down her sketchbook. She would have to greet the new arrival along with everyone else, but she couldn’t wait to get back to her work. The patterns on the shell were challenging her drawing skills.

And then there he was, at last, standing in the doorway. The Earl of Carlisle. His brown hair was slicked back, and he was carrying a small posy of flowers.

Jane couldn’t resist a look back at Lucy. Her cousin’s blue eyes were glittering fiercely. She stepped forward. Papa strode towards the gentleman. They both bowed. Marianne made the introductions. Then there was silence as they all waited for the gentleman to ask to speak with Lucy.

But he didn’t. Instead, he turned to Jane, gazing at her speculatively, before turning back to her father.

“May I talk with your daughter, Lady Jane, Lord Hastings?” he asked in a quiet voice.

If he had asked to dance on the spot with one leg, the effect his question elicited couldn’t have been met with more astonishment. Lucy’s jaw dropped open. Papa looked befuddled. Jane gaped at him, thinking she must have misheard. Only Marianne smiled, rushing forward, taking the gentleman’s arm, and leading him to the sofa where they had been sitting.

“Of course, you may, my lord,” she said in a delighted voice. “I shall send for tea.”

“Oh, very good,” said Papa, masking his shock. “Yes, please sit, Lord Carlisle. I shall be in my study if anyone needs me. You may chaperone, Marianne.”

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