Ruined by a Lady by Jane Charles

Author:Jane Charles [Charles, Jane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-11-21T05:00:00+00:00

J illian watched as Lady Hannah Storm crossed to the teacart and then made her way to the blanket Jillian was sitting upon. She and Lady Hannah were barely acquaintances. In fact, everyone here was an acquaintance, and that’s the way it had always been. She’d also tried not to ever let it bother her. She kept her chin high and back stiff, keeping others at a distance. Her father taught her that there were no real friends in the world, only people who wanted something from you. A lesson she had learned at the age of six and ten. She’d done well since and convinced herself that it didn’t matter and that the friendships she witnessed were nothing to be jealous of because one was the means to the end for the other.

Except she no longer wanted to be this way, nor did she believe Father’s view of Society was correct. And she hadn’t realized how very alone she’d been until Samuel Storm had blown into her life.

Jillian also understood why none of those gathered in the gardens would wish to be her friend. Bianca Valentine, the recent bride of the Duke of Roxburg, stood in conversation with Lady Felding. The two were sisters, and she’d almost ruined their lives. They had good reason to hate her. As for the rest of the ladies, she’d never encouraged a friendship and held herself aloof, being better than they were. Not that she truly believed that was true, but as her father would not approve, it was easier to remain reserved than endure his lectures. Within the first year of her entry into Society, those who might have been friends no longer bothered with her. In fact, she wasn’t even the one who’d been invited to this gathering. It had been her brother, and he only brought her so there would be even numbers.

It served her right that everyone kept their distance. She was a horrible person. She didn’t deserve their friendship, and she certainly didn’t deserve Samuel. She hated herself and what she’d become. Her father might have made her this way, but she had allowed it. She didn’t deserve to be happy because of the pain she’d caused others.

“Hello,” Lady Hannah greeted. “May I join you?”

Jillian blinked at her. “Yes.”

Lady Hannah settled down beside Jillian, taking her by surprise.

Oh, she had never been very good at conversation. Rarely did she have to participate. She did well enough at a supper table, where topics were general and benign, but when the ladies retired to await the gentlemen, she usually sat by herself sipping tea.

“I have a confession,” Lady Hannah blurted out.

“Yes.”

“I am horrible at social gatherings.”

Jillian laughed. “As am I.”

Lady Hannah frowned. “I find that very difficult to believe.”

Which was further proof that she was very good at exhibiting what she wished people to see. “Truthfully, I can become anxious when I am in conversation with those I don’t know.”

Lady Hannah pulled back. “If you would like me leave…”

“No!” Jillian hastened to say.

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