Page 39 of Dukes All Night Long

Jenny

“I cannot believe you!” Jenny shouted, fists clenched to keep from hurling something at her brother. “You won’t even give him a chance. You make him out to be some kind of villain.”

Elias paced before the fireplace, expression tight. He’d summoned her to inform her of Fin’s visit. Her heart had leapt until she saw the disapproval etched on Elias’s face. The conversation had devolved into shouting almost immediately.

“I won’t have that libertine scoundrel anywhere near you.”

“And what if he’s telling the truth?” Jenny snapped, fury boiling in her chest. “I believe him. And don’t act so high and mighty. You weren’t exactly innocent before marrying Lydia.”

Elias halted, fixing her with a glare that would make most people cower. But not her. “That’s entirely different, and you know it.”

“Is it?” she challenged, lifting her chin. “Or is it just that men get to have their indiscretions while women must remain untouched for the very same arses? You found love, Elias. Why would you deny me the same? Can’t you see that I love him?”

His posture softened slightly. “Jenny… I’m trying to protect you. That man abandoned his own—”

“He doesn’t have a child!” she choked. “He has a family that controls his happiness. Just like you’re doing to me.”

Elias sighed, looking less like the formidable Viscount Snowdon and more like the brother who used to sneak her sweets behind the governess’s back. “You can’t know he’s telling the truth. Men say anything when they want something from an innocent woman.”

“You don’t even know him. He helps women. He and I risk our lives to help women escape their husbands and—”

“You do what?” Elias roared.

“Brother,” Jenny started, taking a few steps back. “The women’s shelter… they require assistance sometimes.”

“And you have been sneaking out of this house? Unchaperoned and putting yourself in danger with no one aware of where you’ve gone?”

Jenny shifted on her feet, not meeting her brother’s eye for the first time.

“I should haul you back to Father immediately,” Elias practically growled. “You are to never sneak out of this house again. And if I catch you so much as looking at Lord Reid, we shall depart from London within the hour. Now leave my sight while I calm myself.”

Tears burned in her eyes, but she wouldn’t allow her brother to see them as she turned away, hurrying from the room.

Once in her chamber, she slammed the door behind her and collapsed onto her bed, sobs muffled by her pillow. She cried until her throat was raw and her limbs heavy. But when the tears finally ceased, one truth remained. She wouldn’t lose Fin again.

Slowly, Jenny sat up, wiping her face with trembling fingers as her mind raced. They would be together no matter what.

She scrambled to her feet and hurried to her writing desk, scrawling a quick note to Fin, requesting that he meet her in her family’s garden at midnight.

She sealed it, then crept into the corridor, flagging down a passing footman.

“See that this is delivered at once,” she whispered, pressing a coin into his hand. “No questions.”

He nodded and slipped away.

Together, she and Fin would contrive with a plan to ensure they could wed, even if that meant departing immediately for Gretna Green.

*

It was a quarter to midnight when Jenny slipped from her room, wrapping her dressing robe tight over her night rail. She had to allow her maid to dress her for bed or it would have raised suspicions.

Once outside, the cool night air brushed against her skin as she slipped through the shadowed paths of the garden.

Jenny’s heart pounded with each step, equal parts excitement and trepidation coursing through her veins. She reached the gazebo and settled on the stone bench, pulling her robe tighter around her shoulders. The longer she waited, the more her doubts crept in.

Had he received her note? Would he come?

A rustle behind her broke the silence. She stood, heart racing.

“My lady,” said a man with a deep voice. “How lovely to see you.”

But it wasn’t Fin.

Jenny took a step back, her blood turning cold. “What are you doing here?”

Thomas Reid stumbled into view, clearly intoxicated from too much drink, moonlight casting shadows across his face. He appeared far too dangerous. “Haven’t you heard? My brother is to wed Miss Crowley. So, I’m afraid he won’t be joining you tonight. My father sent me instead.”

“That’s a lie,” she said, wrapping her arms around herself. “He came today to ask for my hand.”

Thomas’s drunken smile widened, his gaze raking over her form, much like a wolf stalking his prey. “Well, plans have changed. My father believes you would make the perfect duchess. My duchess.”

Jenny’s stomach churned as his words sank in. “I’ll never marry you.”

“Come now, little minx,” he said, stepping closer. “As the heir, you know I’m the better catch.”

“Stay away from me!” she shouted, praying someone would hear. She backed toward the house, calculating her chances of outrunning him in his state.

Thomas’s eyes gleamed. “I appreciate your attire tonight. I might be jealous if I didn’t know my brother was far too proper to have bedded you already.” His hand brushed her arm. “But if you are willing, I see no need to wait for our wedding night.”

He reached for her, but Jenny yanked away, nearly tripping over the bench. Without another thought, she bolted.

His laughter, followed by a hiccup, echoed behind her as he lumbered behind. Jenny’s heart hammered against her ribs as she raced toward the house, her bare feet silent against the grass. The night air caught in her lungs, sharp and cold, as panic propelled her forward.

“You can’t run forever, Lady Jenny,” he called. “My father will see to it. One way or another, regardless of whether you or I, for that matter, find that this is what we want, you’ll be mine.”

She had almost reached the terrace stairs when his hand clamped around her wrist.

“I’m not going to force you into my bed,” he slurred, pulling her against him. “But in time, you’ll see it’s best to just do as my father wishes.”

Not certain she could trust his words, when she had the opportunity, she drove her knee hard between his thighs.

He dropped to the ground like a stone, cursing. Seizing the opportunity for escape, she gathered her night rail and took off into another run, right into another hard figure.

“Don’t touch me!” she shrieked, struggling when the figure clasped her shoulders. “Help!”

“Jenny, it’s me.”

Fin.

She collapsed into his arms, shaking with relief.

Before she could speak, to tell him how glad she was to see him, another voice boomed from the terrace.

“Get your hands off my sister, you bastard!”

Elias barreled down the stairs, shoving Fin away from her.

“No!” Jenny cried, when it seemed Elias would strike Fin. “Fin did nothing. His brother…he’s the one who—”

“What are you talking about?” Elias stood frozen, his gaze darting between her and Fin.

A laugh from behind them made them all turn.

Thomas emerged, limping and scowling. “Well, isn’t this touching? The whole family is here to celebrate my betrothal to Lady Jenny.” The man stumbled on his feet and she wasn’t even certain his eyes were open.

Fin and Elias lunged at Thomas. In seconds, the man was flat on his back, his lip bloodied.

“You are nothing to my sister,” Elias growled.

Fin leaned over his brother. “Why the hell are you here? I presume you are the one who had me locked in my chamber?”

“Earlier, Father overheard you speaking to your valet while you were packing your things and knew you’d come here tonight. I was ordered to ensure Lady Jenny became my wife.”

Fin punched his brother in the jaw. “Never say that again.”

Jenny stepped forward. “You were packing?”

Fin met her gaze, leaving Elias to guard Thomas. “Father cut me off. I refused to cover for my brother again. I won’t marry anyone but you.”

Jenny’s heart soared at his words. “But… without your father’s support—?”

“I have funds of my own,” Fin said, taking her hands in his. “Plenty enough for us to purchase an estate and live comfortably.” His eyes searched hers, determined. “If you’ll have me.”

She nodded, eyes stinging. “I love you, Fin.”

Behind them, Thomas laughed bitterly. “You’re a fool, brother. Father will destroy you both.”

Elias hauled him upright and clocked him again. “Tell your father that if either of you come near my sister again, I’ll see you at dawn. And I never miss.”

Thomas looked as if he might argue, but when Elias raised his fist again in threat, he staggered off, mumbling over his shoulder. “It’s not as if I wanted to wed the chit anyway.”

“What is going on out here?” Lydia stood on the terrace, wrapped in her dressing robe.

“My sister put herself in danger by sneaking out of the house again. And we are going to prepare our things for departure. Father can deal with her.”

Jenny raised her chin. “I love Lord Reid. And the only thing you are going to deal with is agreeing to the marriage.”

Lydia descended the stairs, slipping her arm through Elias’s. “Perhaps we should move this inside before you wake up the entire household.”

Elias cast a scowl at Fin, and then motioned for them to follow.

Jenny and Fin fell into step behind Elias and Lydia as they made their way to a small parlor.

“I love your sister, Snowdon!” Fin immediately declared. “And surely you can see that it is my brother and father who are the villains, not me.”

Elias paced before the window, shaking his head as he remained silent. Jenny held her breath, her fingers intertwined with Fin’s as they awaited her brother’s response.

Lydia stepped in front of her husband, clasping his hands. “You know they’ve been in love since they first laid eyes on each other. Don’t stand in their way.”

“I believe that you care for my sister,” Elias said finally, turning to face Fin. “But how can I be certain you will always be there for her? That you won’t leave her devastated like last time?”

Fin’s grip tightened on Jenny’s hand. “I will spend the rest of my life making that up to her.”

Jenny’s entire body tensed, hoping that Elias would relent.

After a few moments, Elias released a long sigh and extended his hand to Fin.

Fin took it and they shook. “Then you’ll permit me to marry your sister?”

Elias rubbed his face. “If I refuse, I suspect my sister will simply elope with you, anyway.”

“I already have a bag packed,” Jenny said sweetly, shrugging at her brother.

Fin blinked. “Do you really?”

She smiled. “You didn’t think I was letting you get away again, did you?”

He pulled her against him and kissed her, but Elias cleared his throat loudly.

“There shall be no trips to Gretna,” Elias said firmly. “But tomorrow we must procure a special license.”

Jenny crossed the room and threw her arms around Elias’s neck. “Thank you, brother.”

Elias hugged her back, then stared at Fin. “Welcome to the family. Keep her happy… or you’ll answer to me.”

“You have my word,” Fin replied.

“I believe we should all get some rest,” Lydia said. “We have much to plan tomorrow.”

“I’ll walk you to the door,” Jenny said to Fin.

“Straight to bed after, Sister,” Elias warned.

She nodded. But when they’d reached the door, she pressed up on her toes to give Fin a quick kiss and whispered, “Wait for me on the terrace.”

“Jen—”

“Just wait for me,” she interrupted. “Please.”

She’d lost him once, and she wouldn’t spend another night not being his. In every way.