Landing a Laird (Novella) by Charles Jane

Author:Charles, Jane
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, england, historical, regency, novella, jane charles, tenacious trents
Publisher: Jane Charles

Gideon nodded to various acquaintances as he strolled along the grand walk of Vauxhall. This evening he was sharing a supper box with Jordan Trent and a widow whose name escaped him. Gideon felt out of place in their company and decided to take a walk, leaving Jordan and his current ladylove alone. They wouldn’t even know he was gone and would probably disappear down one of the dark walks before he returned. Lydell was to have joined them, but Lydell was no longer on speaking terms with Gideon, as though it was Gideon’s fault Lady Moira didn’t want to live in Bath.

As though summoned by his thoughts, Lady Moira appeared, walking in his direction, along with her brother and sister-in-law. Now all he needed was for Mr. Garson to make an appearance. Then his role as matchmaker could be completed, and he would be free to seek out his own entertainment. Perhaps he should take Jordan’s advice and get a ladylove to keep him company during his stay in London.

“Good evening, Lady Moira, Lady Hearne. You both look lovely this evening.” Well, he assumed Lady Moira looked lovely. On the few occasions they’d had the opportunity to meet, she had always looked quite fetching with her grey eyes, sprinkle of freckles, and shimmering red hair. However, tonight she wore a wide-brimmed hat that shaded most of her face from the torches throughout the gardens. All he could see was her chin, which appeared to have developed a rash. Not that he would remark on such a blemish.

“Good evening, Lord Ainsely,” Lady Hearne greeted. Lady Moira, however, remained silent and kept her head down. At least he assumed she was Lady Moira. The more he studied the young woman, the more he began to question himself. Usually, Lady Moira wasn’t so quiet and her breasts had seemed larger on previous occasions.

“My pardon. I mistook this young woman for Lady Moira.”

“Oh, it is Moira.” Hearne snorted.

Lady Hearne struck him in the ribs with her elbow.

Gideon squinted to see Lady Moira more clearly, but she kept away from the light and seemed to draw into herself. Nothing like the lady with whom he’d made a previous acquaintance.

As Lady Moira was doing her best to ignore him, Gideon said to Hearne, “I haven’t seen your brothers in Town. Are they remaining in the country with their wives? Or will they be joining the Season soon?”

Lady Hearne stiffened as her husband answered, “They won’t be joining us this year.”

Gideon got the distinct impression his question had upset Hearne’s wife, especially when tears welled up in her eyes.

“They cannot go into society,” Lady Hearne announced.

Hearne put an arm around his wife. “Excuse us for a moment.”

Gideon nodded. Hearne pulled his wife down a darkened path, leaving Gideon alone with Lady Moira. Her face was no longer shaded as she watched her brother and Lady Hearne walk away. The sadness in her eyes and downturn of her mouth pulled at him. This was clearly a family situation, and he felt like an intruder.

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