Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

" I can't believe the library is finally done. I was beginning to think the renovations would never end," Nora said from the settee in front of the window overlooking the small back garden.

"If my husband had any more say in the matter, that would have been a possibility." Frances stood next to the fireplace, rocking a now-sleeping Simon in her arms.

Jenny sat in a chair opposite the empty fireplace, watching Frances whisper sweet nothings to her child. Her mood seemed to sink further with each sway of her sister-in-law's skirts.

She could have children with Harry. It could be her one day rocking her own child in her husband's house. The thought should fill her with joy. Instead, she rubbed her chest where an unrelenting ache had settled in and refused to leave.

She sank back into her chair and tried to refocus on the tea she was having with her sister-in-law and Nora.

"Frannie, Simon is just adorable. But I must ask, how is your husband dealing with fatherhood?" Nora asked as she reached for another biscuit.

Frances handed the sleeping baby over to her maid. "He's doing as well as you'd expect. He's madly in love with Simon but is still learning that his life is now controlled by a tiny tyrant who can't speak," she said with a laugh.

"It's true," Jenny chimed in. "Just the other day, he was about to have a meeting with Frannie's father when Simon started to cry. He was so confused. ‘Doesn't he know I have a meeting?' he barked. As if poor Simon could plan his cries around his father's schedule."

The women burst into fits of giggles.

"Yes, he's still learning the ins and outs of fatherhood. But…" Frances leaned in and whispered, "Don't tell anyone I said this, but he is a big softy when it comes to his son. I've found him singing Simon to sleep a few times." She brought a hand to her heart. "It stole my breath."

The love in Frances's eyes was apparent to anyone who looked at her, and while she'd never begrudge her sister-in-law any amount of happiness, just looking at her made Jenny feel ill.

Her wedding to Harry was just a few days away. The closer the day came, the more she thought of David. No matter how many times she and Frances, along with Nora, met with the modiste or talked about flowers and banquet food, her mind would drift back to the one man who had rejected her.

Nora and Frances continued to talk about motherhood while Jenny's mind wandered back to the unattainable Duke.

She recounted their nights together so many times that it felt like they happened recently and not a month ago. She was told heartache got better with time, but in her experience, the wound just grew and festered.

As her wedding day neared, she didn't feel relief that her dreams were coming true. Instead, she felt increasing anxiety and the need to run.

"I'm so glad the Duke found someone, but did they really need to elope to Gretna Green?" Nora's voice broke through Jenny's reverie.

"The Duke? What duke?" Jenny snapped. Her heart started to pound as the sound of rushing water echoed in her ears.

They couldn't be talking about David, could they?

Oh please, say that it's anyone but David.

"The Duke of Greymore ran off with one of Lord Chester's daughters. Haven't you heard? Everyone is talking about it," Nora confided.

Frances tsked. "Since when have you become our group gossip, Nora?"

Nora leaned back and rubbed her growing belly. "Since it's getting harder to move, I find myself sitting at events. Turns out, if you sit still long enough, people forget you're there and say the most scandalous things without realizing you can hear them. I've learned many things over this past month," she said with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

Frances shook her head. "You used to be the moral center of our little group. What is Sarah supposed to do now? You took her role."

Nora laughed. "Who do you think I heard all of this from? If she was able to join us today, she would have told you herself. Think of me as her second-in-command."

The two women laughed, while Jenny was still reeling from the feelings that washed over when she thought David was the duke they were talking about. The thought of David eloping with someone else made her stomach churn. She put the biscuit she was about to eat back on her plate.

Frances played with the napkin on her lap and looked out the window. "I still can't believe they tried to elope only to be caught just outside of town."

Nora guffawed. "Ha! I knew you were interested in this story, " she said triumphantly.

Frances snorted, not a bit embarrassed to show her curiosity. "Of course, I am. Like you said, everyone is talking about it. I was surprised to hear that Lord Chester disapproved of their marriage plans. It was widely known he was looking to offload his daughter onto someone. I think the Duke of Greymore is an excellent match for her."

Nora nodded. "I agree. I heard that when he caught up to the happy couple, there was such a scuffle between the two men that the poor bride-to-be fainted. Thankfully, all parties involved were safe and there were no mishaps, unlike other unlucky couples trying to elope to Gretna Green." Her eyebrows rose and fell above her eyes comically, hinting at a juicier story.

Frances rolled her eyes. "You really are turning into Sarah. Aren't you usually the one scolding her for bringing up gossip about eloping couples."

Nora studied her. "Usually, but you yourself admitted that these stories are fascinating. For instance, I finally found out what happened to the Duke of Marlow's sister."

Jenny sat up straight. Her eyes went wide. She didn't want to miss a word of what Nora was about to say, so she held her breath, afraid that even her own breathing would hinder her hearing.

Frances sighed. "Can't we leave that poor family alone and let her rest in peace."

"What happened?" Jenny's voice was barely above a whisper, but it was quickly drowned out by Nora's exclamation.

"Aha!" Nora pointed at Frances. "So you do know what happened. Why didn't you tell me?"

Jenny remembered that David's sister eloped with a man and somehow the poor girl was killed. What else could have happened that would cause more gossip than that?

Frances played with the napkin on her lap. "Because it is none of our business and it isn't a proper topic."

"Oh, come now, Frannie. You and I both know, and it happened in the past. What is done is done." Nora shrugged. "I don't see the harm in discussing it."

"What is done? What happened to the poor girl?" Jenny blurted out.

Nora nodded towards her. "Jenny doesn't know. It would be rude of us not to include our friend in our conversation."

Frances gave her friend a knowing look but motioned for her to continue.

Nora leaned towards Jenny. "Do you remember how Sarah told you the Duke's sister wanted to elope and how the Duke was unhappy when he found out?"

Jenny nodded impatiently. "Yes, yes, I remember all that."

Her heart still broke every time she thought of David losing his younger sister.

"Well, it turns out that the Duke was so unhappy with the situation that he actually chased them down with two of his men."

Jenny's heart stopped. She could see the young Duke fearful for his sister, hurt by her disobedience, chasing after her.

"When he got there, there was a fight between the Duke and the brigand. The Duke had a ransom note the man left when he convinced the Duke's sister to leave with him. The poor girl actually thought the man loved her. I can only imagine the heartbreak she felt when she learned the truth."

Jenny chewed on her bottom lip. She didn't want to hear anymore. Each new detail gutted her. Yet, at the same time, it shone some light on the mystery that was the Duke of Marlow.

"So, the two men fought." Nora leaned in as far as her pregnant belly would allow her. "Now, here is where the stories diverge. Some say it was the man she eloped with." She paused for dramatic effect, coaxing a heavy sigh from Frances. "And some say it was the Duke who killed her."

Jenny blinked, then let out a loud laugh. "Impossible."

Nora had the audacity to look offended.

Frances chuckled at her friend's expression. "See, Nora? Not everyone is so gullible to fall for such a ridiculous theory."

Jenny shook her head. "It's not a theory, but a most outlandish lie."

Nora's eyes narrowed on her. "You sound like you have first-hand knowledge of the Duke in question." She raised a blonde eyebrow.

Frances and Jenny exchanged looks.

Jenny heaved a sigh of relief—Clearly, Frances hadn't told Nora about her feelings for the Duke.

Thank goodness.

She nodded. "I have spent some time with the Duke, and while he can be irritatingly broody and frustratingly moody, he has never shown any flaw that would lead anyone to believe he could be capable of murder, let alone be responsible for the murder of his sister."

Jenny felt her cheeks flush and her pulse race. The man had been through so much, and the thought of this ugly rumor following him wherever he went made the ache in his heart deepen.

Frances waved Nora off. "This conversation is moot. The brigand that the Duke's sister ran away with confessed to stabbing her when the Duke was trying to defuse the situation. The man was hung, and the Duke is now doing his best to move on. I think we should let him." She gave her friend a pointed look.

"Oh, fine." Nora flopped back in her chair. "I don't know how Sarah does this anyway. Gossiping is exhausting. It's so hard to keep up with everything."

Frances rose and walked over to where Nora sat, offering her hands to help her stand up. "Then it is best to leave it to Sarah and the professionals. Besides, I'm sure getting yourself all worked up over nonsense is not good for the baby. Come, let us get you home. You must be getting tired."

With one firm pull, Nora was standing on her tired feet. "Very well then. I shall get going."

She and Frances walked towards the library door. Frances turned back to Jenny. "Are you coming to see Nora off, Jenny?"

Jenny still sat in her chair, staring at the painting over the fireplace. It was of two young children running in a field, chasing dogs.

"Go on. I'm feeling quite tired myself. I think I will retire to my room for the afternoon."

Jenny's eyes returned to the painting. Her father bought it for her and Thomas before he passed. He said it reminded him of the two of them when they were children. However, when she looked at it now, she couldn't help but think of David and his sister.

She couldn't help but feel they must've been close. Did they run in a field together? Did they play tricks on each other and get into mischief like she and Thomas did?

Jenny glanced back at the door. She didn't know what she'd do if she lost Thomas in such a manner. The utter devastation David must have felt being there, trying to rescue his sister, only for the unthinkable to happen.

"Jenny?" Frances's question startled her. "I thought you were going to lie down?"

Jenny shook off her melancholy. "Uh, yes. I'm going now."

Frances leaned against the doorjamb. "Are you all right? You do look a little pale. Should I send for the doctor? I would hate for you to get sick so close to your wedding day."

Jenny waved her off. "No, I'm fine." She stood up, smoothing the wrinkles in her dress.

Frances smiled and walked over to her. "It must be all the wedding planning. I love your brother dearly, and I am so glad I married him. But if I had to plan another wedding, I don't know what I'd do. It was not an easy process."

Jenny pursed her lips. "My brother is more opinionated than Harry. Any suggestion I have, Harry agrees with. Other than the church. He was adamant about getting married in a church."

Frances eyed her curiously.

"I always dreamed of a beautiful outdoor wedding, with strings of flowers hanging from trees," Jenny explained. "Thomas and I grew up in the outdoors—we used to run in the fields just outside of town when Papa would go pick up stock for the store. Those are the best memories from my childhood."

Frances smiled warmly. "Well, consider yourself lucky it's only one thing you needed to concede to. Your brother fought me on almost every decision. And in the end, he got his way, the sneaky scoundrel."

Jenny gave a wistful smile. "I remember. You wanted a formal ceremony, and Thomas talked the minister in doing the shortest wedding ceremony in the history of mankind so he could?—"

Frances threw her hand up to cut her off. "We don't to go into the reason why your brother did what he did. Or what we did afterward," she added with a devilish wink.

"Frannie!" Jenny let out a genuine laugh that helped loosen the knot that tightened around her heart since their discussion of David and his sister.

Frances pulled Jenny in her arms. "Oh, it is so good to hear you laugh. I was beginning to think you forgot how."

Jenny cringed.

I guess I'm not getting better at hiding my true feelings.

"What is it? Is Harry not treating you fairly?"

Jenny scrunched up her nose. "It's not that at all. As I said, he is being perfectly agreeable with wedding decisions, and he talks lovingly about our future. It sounds like everything I wanted."

Her eyes dropped to the floor.

Frances dipped her head, hoping to catch Jenny's eyes. "Is it Elizabeth? I've heard she is quite the handful. He's lucky to have found Mrs. Winslow. There are stories of a constant rotation of nannies because she is a terror that scares everyone away. Mrs. Winslow is the only constant."

Jenny shrugged. "I've only met her that once." She furrowed her brow. "I think he may be keeping her away from me for fear I may change my mind about marrying him," she mused.

Frances's eyes widened. "Is she really that bad?"

Jenny shrugged. "I don't think so, but what do I know? I'm not a mother. She was energetic and easily excitable, but she seemed like any other curious child to me."

"You're not marrying him just for the sake of the child, are you?"

Jenny barked out a laugh. "What? No! Why would you say that?" She paused. "Although, I do think she needs more of a mother figure than Mrs. Winslow, and I do think someone needs to rein in Harry's discipline. Plus, I could do for her what you did for me." She shook her head. "But no, I'm not marrying him for the sake of Elizabeth." She eyed her sister-in-law. "Why are you asking me these questions?"

"Because you do not seem like a woman who is happy to be getting married. It used to be all you talked about, and now that it's happening, you look as if you're walking to the gallows, not to a loving husband."

Jenny sighed and looked out the window to avoid Frances's gaze.

"Oh…" Frances murmured, her voice low. She closed her eyes and brought her hands up to her face. Behind her hands, her voice was muffled. "Please do not tell me this melancholy is because of a certain duke."

Jenny screwed up her face.

Frances peeked from behind her hands. "Jane! You cannot be serious."

Jenny straightened her spine and looked at her sister-in-law. "I'm not going to lie and say I haven't thought of him. I have. His rejection still hurts, but Harry is the man for me. I'm going to marry him because, unlike David, he wants me. From what I hear, that is a good start to a marriage."

Frances studied her. "My dear sister." She paused as she hugged her once more. "I wish I could tell you that it gets easier. I warned you against love. It's a horrible affliction."

Jenny chuckled against Frances's shoulder. "Spoken like a woman in love."

Frances swayed them back and forth as if Jenny was a babe. "Oh Jenny, if you only knew." She pulled away and peered into Jenny's eyes. "Hmm. Maybe you do."

Jenny swallowed, fighting the tears that were forming along with the lump in her throat.

"I have a feeling it will all work out in the end."

Jenny sniffled. "How do you know?"

"Because, my dear, you and your brother share some traits. One of them being stubbornness." Frances led them out of the library and towards the stairs.

Jenny arched an auburn eyebrow. "Is that a compliment?"

Frances laughed. "For the sake of this discussion, yes. You are simply too stubborn to give up on what you want. If you're anything like your brother"—she leaned in—"and you are, you will get what you want. One way or another."

Jenny smiled and took the first step, before turning back towards her sister-in-law. "Thank you, Frances. I'm grateful that I have you in my life to help me navigate this terrible… affliction," she snorted.

She turned to continue up the stairs when Frances's voice called to her.

"Jenny? You are a grown woman now, one who is old enough to make her own decisions and live with the consequences of those decisions. No matter what you decide, Thomas and I will always defend you. If you say you want to marry Harry, then we will stand by you. We both know what it means to fight for what you want. If you want this marriage, then so be it."

With that, Frances nodded and made her way back into the library.

"And if you want to fight for something else, then we'll also stand by you," she added before she closed the door. Her voice echoed in the hallway.

Jenny continued up the stairs, contemplating Frances's parting words. Was she willing to fight for what she wanted? She had always thought she would stop at nothing to get her happily ever after. Now that her dream was finally in front of her, she needed to figure out if it was worth fighting for.

Or has this fiasco with David changed what she wanted?