Page 5 of The Truth about the Marquess (Whispers of the Ton #3)

Chapter Four

S wallowing her fears, Jane lifted her gaze and began to walk through London’s Hyde Park, leaving her carriage behind her. Her brother-in-law had been very generous indeed – though Jane had protested, of course - but he had been most insistent. She now not only had a townhouse of her own, but also a carriage and horses, as well as a whole host of servants to care for her and the house. There had been a great many tears upon her departure, tears from Jane herself, as well as from her sister and family, but it still had not deterred her. She was now quite determined to make her way in London and to see what the future might hold for her, though now with the assurance of income and employment, Jane certainly felt far more at ease. There was no longer the fear of being left alone, without funds and hope, no longer the concern that she would have to become a governess and scrape for as much money as she could so that she could live out her final days in vague comfort. No, there now came a sense of freedom, of hope and anticipation, and Jane was grateful for that.

Though coming back to London has been a good deal more overwhelming than I had ever anticipated.

Keeping her head held high and a light smile on her face, Jane continued to wander through the Park, silently wondering if anyone would greet her. Mayhap society had forgotten about her, for it had been two years since she had last been among them – and it had only been her second Season when she had been wed to Lord Harsham. It felt rather strange to be walking alone, without a chaperone or friend beside her. When she had last been in London, the requirement had been that she would always be with someone, would always be present beside either her father or her sister but, now, given that she was a widow, it was entirely acceptable for her to walk on her own.

“Jane?” Hearing her name, Jane continued walking, though she slowed her steps, uncertain as to whether she had heard correctly. It was most unusual for anyone to be called by their Christian name, especially when they were out in public! “Jane, is that you?”

Stopping, Jane turned around, only for her eyes to flare wide as her breath caught in her chest.

“Louisa?”

The next moment, she was enveloped in a tight embrace, her dearest friend in all the world holding her tight. Tears came into Jane’s eyes as she stepped back, grasping Louisa’s hands, barely able to make out a word her friend was saying, despite the torrent that was pouring from her lips.

“I am sorry,” she found herself saying, over and over. “I am so sorry, Louisa.”

“Sorry?” Her friend squeezed her hands, tears now on her cheeks. “What are you apologizing for?”

“I did not write to you.” Jane closed her eyes, recalling how her husband had torn up her letters in front of her eyes, refusing to let her send even the smallest greeting to anyone. “I tried but–”

“I understand. Please, you need not be upset. I understand the difficulties you faced.”

Confused as to how her friend could know such a thing, Jane frowned.

“I do not… oh. Emma.”

Her friend nodded.

“Yes, Emma told me all. When I did not hear from you, I wrote to her directly, begging to know if all was well. She told me that your marriage to Lord Harsham was not a happy one, that you found yourself in a great deal of difficulty, and that she had not received a letter from you in some time, despite writing very often.” A small, sad smile touched her friend’s lips. “I understood it then to be that Lord Harsham must have been preventing your letters.”

“That and a good deal more,” Jane answered, heavily. “I am so very glad to see you again, Louisa. And I am all the more relieved that you are not angry and upset with me! I know that I could have written to you once I returned to my sister’s estate, but the truth is, I was not certain what you would say or do, should I have done so. I felt so much guilt and shame and… in truth, all manner of emotions, I often felt my heart torn by confusion and doubt. How glad I am that you have not turned aside from me.”

“I could never do so,” her friend promised. “How glad I am to see you in London! Are you come for the Season?”

Jane nodded, tilting her head.

“Just so that I might be back in society again and, I suppose, to think about my future and what I must do. Though you are here again for a match, I suppose?”

“Not I!” A warm smile spread across the lady’s face. “I was a truly dreadful daughter and eloped with Lord Guilford last Season!”

Jane’s mouth fell open in astonishment as Lady Guilford giggled, her cheeks pinking.

“You… you eloped?”

“I had no choice! My father was insistent that I consider Lord Soutar, a gentleman from the very farthest town in Scotland, and I had no interest in him whatsoever! Particularly after there was a scandal with a young lady by the name of Miss Dutton, though Lord Soutar insists it was she who encouraged him, rather than the other way around.” Her smile grew. “I wanted to be in the arms of Lord Guilford and, thus, since my father would have refused his request to court me, we chose to drive to Scotland and marry there.” She shrugged. “He does not have as high a title as Lord Soutar, for he is a Viscount whereas Lord Soutar an Earl, but I do not care for such things. I am very happy indeed and I am certain I always shall be, now that I am wed to the gentleman I love.”

“Goodness.” Jane put one hand to her stomach, her breath hitching. “That is astonishing, though I am glad to hear of your happiness!”

Her friend smiled and the softness in her eyes made Jane’s lips curve also. It was clear that Louisa was very happy indeed, and Jane was truly delighted to see it.

“Are you now in London simply to enjoy the Season?”

“Yes, that is so.” Taking Jane’s arm, Louisa turned and the two began to walk together. “Though how wonderful it shall be, now that you are here!”

“I confess that I am very glad to see you. I was filled with anxiety about walking through the park alone, hopeful that someone – anyone – would remember me! I did not think that to have no one to speak with would make for a very pleasant afternoon.”

Louisa smiled gently.

“My dear friend, you are altered, though not so much that I would not recognize you. I must say, I am glad that you are free of Lord Harsham.” She winced as she spoke, sending a sidelong glance toward Jane. “I do not mean to say that I am glad that he has passed away, that is not what I mean in the least.”

“I understand what you mean, for I confess that I feel it myself.” Jane let out a slow breath, then shook her head. “I should tell you that the new Lord Harsham had me removed from the estate just as soon as he was able, which is why I sought refuge with my sister and her husband. My late husband did not leave me any sort of income either, for I was barely mentioned in the will!”

“Goodness! Then he was even more of a cruel sort than I thought him!”

Jane nodded, her gaze now on the path before them, rather than looking at her friend.

“I have enough to pay for my food, and mayhap a maid and one footman but nothing more – and that would be difficult enough! I did not have a place to live aside from my sister’s estate and thus, I came to London with the initial intention of finding a husband, though I confess I was loath to do so.”

“I quite understand.”

Jane took in another breath, a little surprised at just how overwhelmed she was in telling Lousia all of this.

“I told my sister all of this and, much to my surprise, her husband insisted that their townhouse in London be given to me – and so it has been! I was most astonished and tried to tell them that I would not take it from their possession, but it seems that Lord Armitage desires to purchase a new property here in London and he was determined to assist me.” A small sense of relief washed over her again as she recognized the freedom she now had. “The footmen and maids come with it – paid for by Lord Armitage, though I have told him that I will pay their wages once I am able to – and he has also given me a carriage and horses. All in all, he is the most generous of gentlemen I think I have ever come across, and I am truly grateful for all he has done.”

Lady Guilford leaned a little closer to her, her eyes now glistening.

“I am glad that you have been given such kindness after what you have endured.”

Smiling briefly, Jane nodded.

“I have also been given employment, though I do not want you to speak of it to anyone, I beg of you.”

“Employment?”

Lady Guilford’s voice was so loud, it made Jane wince, though her friend quickly whispered an apology, her cheeks pinking.

“Yes, with The London Chronicle,” Jane explained, quietly. “I will have to reply to those seeking advice – and I must tell you, I am already rather overwhelmed at the thought! I do not know if I will be able to give any sort of advice and I fear that I will fail!”

Lady Guilford clicked her tongue.

“I am sure that you will not, you must have a little more confidence in yourself!”

“But might you be willing to help me, should I need it?” Jane asked, a knot of worry tying itself in her stomach as she looked at her friend. “I do feel a little overcome with all manner of thoughts about this employment, I confess it, but to know that I might have someone to turn to would make me feel a good deal better, I am sure.”

“Of course you can.” Lady Guilford smiled warmly, just as they reached a small group of ladies who were all standing together, though most turned their heads towards Jane and Lady Guilford, a flicker of interest in some of their eyes. “Now come, let me introduce you to some of my acquaintances. You will soon find a great many friends here in London, I am sure of it, and you shall have the most wonderful Season! Without any requirement to find yourself a husband, there is nothing to hold you back from having the very best Season thus far, is there?”

Jane smiled, a gentle swirl of happiness beginning to grow in her chest. In finding Lady Guilford, she had found herself a friend, a support, and a true companion, and that brought a fresh brightness to all she now considered.

“Yes, Louisa, I think that you are right,” she agreed, as the ladies nearby broke apart from their small circle so that they might come to join them. “A most wonderful Season indeed.”

“A letter has arrived for you, my Lady.”

Jane thanked the butler and took it, at once, from the tray that he held out to her. Looking at it, she expected to see her sister’s curved handwriting on the address but, to her surprise, it was not hers at all. Wondering who else would be writing to her, Jane made her way to the drawing room, only for a sudden streak of excitement to rush through her.

The London Chronicle!

Sitting down, she carefully unfolded the letter, only for something to fall out onto her lap. Picking up what appeared to be yet another letter, she set it to one side before reading the first.

‘I am delighted to welcome you to The London Chronicle. Please find enclosed the first letter seeking advice, which we hope you will soon be able to answer. As this is your first response, we would ask for it to be returned to us no later than in three days’ time.’

Jane did not even stop to look at the rest of the letter, setting it aside so that she might pick up the other. Opening it with trembling hands, she closed her eyes for just a moment as she took a long breath, not quite certain that she was prepared for all that was to come. She read it aloud.

‘I am writing in the hope that you might offer me some advice since I can get none from those around me. I have a gentleman eager to court me and both my father and mother are encouraging me to accept his courtship, though I myself am a little less than inclined. Instead, there is a second gentleman whom I wish to consider. The first gentleman is known to have an excellent character, and is morally upright and kind-hearted, though he does not have as high a title nor as great a fortune as the second gentleman. The second gentleman, on the other hand, does not have as excellent a character as the first, though I find that I am drawn to the latter rather than the former. My parents are both very good in that they permit me to make my own decisions, though I do feel the pressure of their desires. I look forward to reading what you have to say.’

Jane closed her eyes, her heart aching suddenly for this young lady, whoever she was.

“I do not need three days to respond to this,” she murmured to herself, opening her eyes and rising to her feet, suddenly eager to write her response that very moment rather than losing any time. “And I know exactly what to say.”