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David helped her in the carriage and saw them off. For the first time in a long time, he was looking forward to hosting someone in his home.

Jenny settled into the seat across from Frances. The two women stared at each other as the carriage pulled away.

“Well?” Frances prompted. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

Jenny tried feigning ignorance. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Frances cackled. “Oh, don’t give me that. I was once young and smitten with someone, and look where it got me!”

“Happily married with a beautiful son?” Jenny noted.

Frances leveled a glare in her direction. “I’m serious. I know what I saw, Jenny. Is there something going on between you and the Duke of Marlow?”

“No. We danced at Lady Staunton’s and had a lovely conversation about Lord Banefield’s goal to wipe out balls altogether by injuring all the women. He was just inquiring about my recovery.”

Frances arched an eyebrow. “While I’m impressed by how quickly you came up with the semi-believable lie, I don’t believe it.”

Jenny smiled to herself and moved the window curtain to watch the passing scenery. While nothing scandalous happened during the opera, she did feel closer to the Duke. She didn’t know what that meant, but she couldn’t ignore the butterflies that fluttered in her stomach whenever she saw him.

“Jane.”

Jenny’s eyes snapped to Frances. She never used her given name.

“I’m serious. Be careful. You are still young in your Seasons, but there are men out there who are willing to disrupt your life for a night of reckless abandon. The Duke of Marlow is known to be that kind of man. I do not wish to see that happen to you.”

Jenny’s eyes narrowed. “You did it with my brother, and may I remind you how that turned out?” she snapped.

Frances sighed. “Jenny, not everyone is so lucky. You are so young?—”

“Stop. Just stop!” Jenny cried. “I’m tired of people dictating what I want or how I should live my life based on their own experiences. When do I get to experience life, Frannie? When is it my time to make mistakes and fall in love and out of love? To learn what love even is?”

Frances sat back, shocked, staring at her.

A wave of exhaustion washed over Jenny, and she rested her head on the back of her seat. After a breath, she apologized.

“I’m sorry, Frances. It’s just that I keep hearing that this is the time of my life where I’ll get to experience what is truly out there, but I feel like no one is letting me experience it.”

Frances dropped her eyes to her lap. “I’m sorry, Jenny. I had no idea you felt this way. I’m so caught up in the household and raising Simon that I haven’t been around much for you.”

Jenny reached across the carriage and took Frances’s hand. “I do not blame you. If anything, I am envious of you. I wish I had the same.”

Frances put her other hand on their joined ones and squeezed gently. “And that is why I implore you to stay away from the Duke of Marlow. Nothing but scandals follow him.” She cupped Jenny’s face, stroking her cheek. “Your match is out there, I know it. Just give it time. And I’ll do better at being there for you.”

Jenny forced a smile. She was beginning to realize that she didn’t want another man. She wanted the butterflies, the mystery. She wanted the enigma that was the Duke of Marlow.

CHAPTER 9

Jenny waited by the pianoforte for David to return with Millie, one of his maids who knew how to play. She had spent all day flittering around her house with nervous energy, but now that she was here, she felt frozen in place.

She’d been to David’s residence several times now, and each time she kept waiting for it to get easier. It never did.

She knew there was something brewing between them, but she also knew she wasn’t experienced enough to know what it was.

She walked over to the large window that looked over the back half of a garden. Rows of beautiful flowers swayed in the summer breeze, lit by the moonlight.

She felt his presence behind her.

“My sister helped plant them. She and my mother worked tirelessly with our gardener to make it just right.”