The Return of Lady Jane by Michaels Jess

Author:Michaels, Jess
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Passionate Pen
Published: 2019-01-07T16:00:00+00:00

Jane sat in Arthur Wharton’s parlor, waiting anxiously for his arrival. She worried a handkerchief in her fist, trying not to focus too much on what he might want from her when he called her here.

“You’re going to rend that thing in two.”

She jumped from her seat and turned to watch the man, himself, enter the parlor. To her surprise, he reached back and closed the door nearly all the way. She wrinkled her brow, for the increased privacy was anything but proper. And it made her think this conversation was going to be very serious if he didn’t want anyone to hear it.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Wharton.”

His lips thinned as he went to the sideboard. “Arthur, please. After all, we are family.” He emphasized that word as he motioned to the teapot. “Drink?”

She shook her head. “No, thank you. Perhaps in a while.”

He smirked and she drew back a fraction at the odd expression. There was something so cold in his eyes. Oh, he’d always been standoffish toward her, at the party the night before he’d been flat out rude, but this went beyond that.

Still, she was here. She had no choice but to face him and hope he would help her out of love for his cousin in the end.

“I was surprised to receive your summons today,” she said.

He laughed. “My summons. I like that. As if I am a king.”

She forced a smile. “I-I suppose.”

“But here you are,” he said, taking a seat across from her. She retook her own chair and shifted uncomfortably as he looked her up and down. “In the flesh.”

“Y-yes,” she said, still very confused by his demeanor. It was not what she had been expecting. “I assume that since you and I have never enjoyed a social connection, you called me here to discuss Colin.”

“In a matter of speaking,” Arthur said, setting his glass aside. “I suppose the topic is my dear cousin. And his relationship with you.”

“You don’t approve.”

He caught her eye. “I do not.”

She bent her head. “I wish I understood why. I feel as though you and Colin believe I should, but I don’t. In fact, I thought that by coming here, perhaps I could learn more about the barriers which separate me from my husband. Perhaps I could find a way to earn the trust you don’t yet have for me. That he doesn’t have for me.”

Arthur’s eyes narrowed, and then he surprised her by breaking out into a long, chilly laugh. When he had regained his composure, he leaned forward, fingers steepled on his knees. “Even after all he’s done, you care for him still, don’t you?”

She blinked, for there it was. Oh, Arthur mocked with his tone, of course. But he had said it nonetheless. And if she wanted to overcome what stood between her and Colin, she had to admit he was right.

“Yes,” she said softly. “I do care deeply for your cousin. Despite all that has happened, I want our marriage to be real. To be happy.

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