Page 11 of The Wildcat and the Rogue (The Shifter Season #8)

JANE

Despite knowing that I'm the mistress of the house and can go where I wish, it is still strange to do as much, especially after living in my cousin's house as more of a semi-tolerated guest.

"Mrs Milne."

My heart skips a beat at the sound of Ewan's voice, even if I should be used to it by now. I turn to find him leaning against the wall outside the parlour with a content smile on his face.

"I believe Jane is permitted now, even by the most proper members of Society," I respond.

"I know, but I like the way Mrs Milne sounds. Though perhaps I'll like the name Lady Striline better."

I blink a couple of times as I process what he's saying, and the reminder that one day, he's going to be a baron, and as his wife, I'll have a title of my own. "I still like Jane best."

"Then Jane it is," he responds. "I was wondering if you were free to promenade with me."

"I'm not," I respond. "Mrs Stoaly is coming for tea."

"Ah, of course. I should have remembered."

"It is not your duty to remember my social calendar," I point out. "Perhaps tomorrow?"

"I shall consider it the most important engagement of the day," he responds.

I laugh. "I would not go that far."

"You are my wife, Jane. And I promised that we could court, though sadly, I believe we will no longer be able to dance with one another at balls."

"Not without getting ourselves disinvited from other events for being dreadfully uncouth," I point out. "So perhaps it's best if we avoid that. The speed of our marriage is already going to cause some raised eyebrows, we should make sure we don't give the ton any reason to raise them further."

"Then we shall refrain from dancing. Though it is a shame, I very much enjoyed dancing with you."

"And I with you," I whisper softly.

His smile grows, and I get the sense that I've said something which pleases him greatly. "Then it is agreed, no dancing, but a promenade tomorrow."

"Yes." I smile at him. There's a part of me that wishes he had insisted on the two of us going straight to what a husband and wife should be together, but that is a part I don't wish to listen to. This marriage is going to be difficult for my family to take as it is. I need to be able to assure them, and myself, that they will be taken care of despite the situation.

I think I can trust Ewan, but I need to know for sure.

"Ma'am?"

I turn to see a maid standing to the side. She dips into a curtsy.

"Is everything all right?" I ask.

"Mrs Stoaly has arrived," she responds.

"Ah, I will join her in the parlour." I look back at Ewan and offer him an apologetic smile. "I'm afraid our conversation must be cut short."

"So it should," he responds. "Perhaps we can continue it over dinner, unless you have plans."

"I do not."

"Then dinner it is. I hope you enjoy your tea with Mrs Stoaly."

"I'm certain I will." I long to reach out and touch his arm. To show him the affection I truly feel for him, but I'm nervous about that and unsure how he'll respond to it.

He nods and walks off before I make up my mind, leaving me to watch him go and regret not listening to my instincts.

I take a deep breath and turn in the direction of the parlour, trying not to worry too much about the conversation to come. I have no reason to believe that Harriet will be anything other than supportive. I make my way inside, finding my friend already waiting.

She rises to her feet and smiles. "Good afternoon, Mrs Milne."

"Good afternoon, Mrs Stoaly," I respond before letting out an accidental laugh. I cover my mouth with my hand. "Sorry."

"Don't be. It's a strange thing to get used to, sometimes. Particularly when there is no time to get used to the news of an engagement."

"I barely had time to get used to it myself," I respond, gesturing for the two of us to take a seat.

"You must tell me what happened," Harriet says.

"It was a little like what happened for you and Mr Stoaly except that it was entirely my fault."

She laughs. "Please at least tell me that you got to kiss Mr Milne first."

"No."

"Ah, well, that is a shame."

"There is nothing that can be done about it now." I lift the teapot and pour us both some tea, appreciating that Ewan seems to be doing well enough in his fortunes that we can have some. I'm not entirely sure what I expected, considering the barony is on the verge of ruin, but he did say he's been working to ensure that he has a fortune of his own. It would appear as if that work is paying well.

"At least this now means I shall have company at Lady Ferrington's evening for married ladies. The last time I went, there was no one there that I knew very well. Now I shall have company," Harriet says.

I nod and drink some of my tea, almost scalding my mouth as I do.

"Perhaps I should write to Lady Ferrington and request an invitation for this week for you," she muses.

"Don't you think that might be too soon?" I ask.

"Only if you wish to avoid social events."

I pause before saying that I don't think I'm ready to attend because there would be an advantage to the event. If I could get an introduction to Lady Whitstripe, then perhaps I could help Ewan with his task of retrieving the necklace from her. It might not work out the way we intend it to, but I certainly believe that it is worth a try. "It sounds delightful," I say instead of denying any need for such an invitation. "If you think Lady Ferrington won't object to my presence."

"Absolutely not. No one has heard a whisper of a scandal surrounding your marriage. And now that you are married, they can hardly say anything."

"It's only a matter of time," I respond. "It was a maid who caught us together and alerted my cousin. While I don't think I am of any note, Mr Milne is the heir to a barony."

"A barony in Scotland," Harriet reminds me. "It could be that a lot of people don't know who he is. And it is not as if either of you were courting anyone. There is no one to hurt, and no one to think any worse of you."

"I hope you are right."

"I am," she assures me. "And you will see soon enough."

I hope she's right. Losing my place in Society in London as well as back home would be catastrophic for my family, and isn't something I am willing to do or try. But only time will tell if we've saved ourselves from ruin.