Page 24 of The Duke's List
“Sidmouth, you are a genius. But how are you going to get her out of there?”
“Carrington knows his way in and out of the hedges. I’ll send him in an hour or so to lead her back out.”
When Jane smiled at the way he handled Christina, he almost hated what had to be said next. “When she comes back out, I’ve instructed Carrington to bring her here. I don’t know what is between the two of you, but it’s time to put whatever it is behind us. I’m so sorry I misjudged you in Venice, but you have to choose. It’s time we lived together as man and wife.”
Jane walked across the small sitting room to a locked chest on top of a sideboard. She took a key from a chain around her neck and opened the chest. Inside was a cheaply printed black and white book of illustrations.
Dread reached up out of Sidmouth’s gut and threatened to cut off his breathing. He didn’t want to know what was in the book, because he’d seen many similar books when he was a lad at Eton. The bold-lettered title said it all: “Instructional Positions for Young Lovers.”
Chapter Seventeen
Jane could tellby the expression on Sidmouth’s face that he knew what the booklet contained. What he didn’t know was who had posed for the illustrations. Her heart hammered so hard against her breastbone she was afraid he could hear.
What came next would either end with her being banished to the Continent, or being locked up at Bocollyn until she produced an heir and then who knew? As her husband, under English law, Sidmouth could have her committed to an asylum for the insane. Once he had an heir, and she’d been shuttled away from polite society, he’d be free to love whom he pleased. Men never had to worry about the censure of society. He’d also have full control over her inheritance.
She came to a sudden decision and sat down across the table from him. She extended the booklet toward him and waited for him to skim through the pages. She wondered how long it would take for him to recognize the girl in the illustrations. She’d only been fifteen when Christina had coaxed her into posing, but her face had not changed that much.
Although most men didn’t pay any attention to the faces on girls in booklets like these. The problem was that this particular booklet had been famously popular. Christina had sold thousands of copies. Time was probably already running out before someone would recognize her as the girl in the illustrations.
Jane’s father had had no inkling she’d been coaxed into posing for such a book. If he had, Christina would have been in Old Bailey by now, and her mother would have been banished to the Continent long before her death.
Sidmouth paged through the booklet carefully, looking at each pose. The longer he studied the illustrations, the paler his face became until he looked like he wore a mask of white parchment. She’d imagined this moment for months, but never had she imagined Sidmouth’s reaction. He did not seem particularly incensed or angry.
The expression in his eyes was the most eloquent. He seemed infinitely sad and lost. She had not expected this reaction. He didn’t shout, threaten, or accuse her of being a wanton. Instead he covered her hand with his and simply said, “How horrible for you, Jane. You were just a child. You weren’t even old enough to know what you were doing was wrong.”
Even though she knew in her heart he was right, she wanted to rage at him for judging her, and her mother’s friend, Christina.
Instead, she asked in a small voice, “What will you do?”
Sidmouth had never wanteda woman more than he wanted Jane right now. But he knew she was in such a fragile state, he’d have to leave her alone until he found his way through the shock of what he’d learned about her past. He had no idea what to do. He couldn’t even share what had happened to her with his friends from Rose Cottage. The fewer people who knew, the better.
He finally decided to consult his father’s solicitor the family had used for years in Falmouth. He had to protect Jane from whatever kind of scandal might come from someone recognizing her image in the booklet. Now he understood her reluctance to be seen in public as the Duchess of Sidmouth. Zeus, what a tangle.
Her stubborn chin quivered as she looked to him for an answer.
“I love you more than my own life, Jane, but I have to do what is best for our family. I’ll have to get a legal opinion before I do anything.
At that moment Jane’s footman announced Christina and ushered her into the cottage parlor. There was a stricken look on her face, but Sidmouth didn’t care. She stopped in front of Jane and said, “I’m so sorry. I wanted to present the problem of the booklet to both of you in the maze where no one could eavesdrop.”
“I know you also asked Joseph Hawley to join you in the maze. What game were you planning to carry on with him?”
“You probably won’t believe me, but I thought I was doing what was best for you.”
“The way you compromised her innocence by making her your model for sensual illustrations?” Sidmouth could barely hold his anger in check. “Is that your idea of doing what’s best for a child?”
Christina ignored Sidmouth’s outburst. “You could come back with me, Jane. I’ll take care of you. You’re of no use to him now.”
Jane turned to Sidmouth. “She’s right. I care too much for you to destroy your family. I’d also surely destroy any chances our children might have in society. I’ll disappear, and you can tell everyone I threw myself off one of the bluffs. You could marry again. I promise you will never hear from me again.”
She turned back to Christina. “I’m not going anywhere with you, either. It’s time I lived my own life.”
Jane turned her back of both of them and walked out of the cottage, headed toward the stables. She directed her path toward the place she loved most with the creatures who understood her best.
Sidmouth headedtoward Bocollyn House to have his valet help him find a decent jacket and riding clothes for the trip into Falmouth. He was so lost in thought, he nearly bowled over Harriet, who was walking to the stables for an early morning ride.
“Pardon, I’m so sorry, Harriet.” He steadied her by her shoulders and started to move around her.
“Sidmouth-stop. What’s wrong?”