A Summer Shame by Elizabeth Ann West Read Free Book Online

beginning of the second movement, she asked where Haddington was located.
    "It's a town built on my ancestor's holdings in eastern Scotland, madame."
    Suddenly, Jane realized where she had heard Haddington before, it was the town on all of her letters from Elizabeth! "Oh, perhaps you've seen my sister and her husband, Mr. Darcy?"
    The marquess shook his head as they separated for a moment to complete the dance. When they returned to applaud the musicians, he bowed and Jane took stock of his person. His chin was a firm sort, shown as exceptionally masculine in contrast to his silky black curls neatly tied behind him. Jane noticed he was of a large build, but did not appear to particularly broad. He was in every way the opposite of the fair-haired Mr. Bingley and Jane found herself bemused by her mild attraction to the kind man who would dance with a stranger to save a reputation.
    As Lord Haddington escorted Jane back towards his distant cousin, he explained he was unfortunately in London with his father to learn the politics of the seat he would one day inherit. "The experience has been an eye-opening one and I can't say I'm eager to rush home to the sheep and rolling fields," he said, with a laugh expecting Miss Bennet to agree with him.
    Instead she frowned. "London does have its charms, but I do so miss the quiet of my home county. I-I do enjoy the delights of a dance, though." She added the last part as she realized her honesty would likely be seen as rather rude to this complete stranger.
    "I believe most ladies do." The Marquess bowed over her hand and gave it to the Colonel who was waiting most anxiously for his turn. The peace was short lived as Mr. Bingley weaved his way through the crowds to request a dance. With a stern face, and a slight feeling of guilt, Jane did as she was instructed and ignored him entirely, giving him the cut direct. Nearby patrons laughed at Mr. Bingley's hopeless faux pas and the Colonel happily escorted Jane to the dance floor after making a slight glance to ensure Mary was in safe hands with his brother.
    Jane teased the Colonel about losing a button on his red coat and was so convincing in her tale, she made the young man inspect his person during the set. When he realized he had been had, he gave biting words back to Miss Bennet. "I knew not to underestimate you, private. I do believe you are having a modicum of fun."
    While the ballroom was hardly full of families she grew up with, Jane began to relax, feeling at ease in the protection of the Fitzwilliams. The practice through the week in preparation for the slings and arrows of society had put her nerves on edge, but when she allowed herself to feel happy, she found the emotion swept over her quickly.
    Desperately thirsty, Jane asked the Colonel if they might visit the punch bowl before she danced the third set with Lord Ashbourne to make up for his stolen first set. She could see Mary was already at the bowl with Miss Bingley, showing signs of discomfort in the conversation.
    Setting her shoulders back, Jane approached the punch bowl where she accepted the shallow compliments of her once would-be sister-in-law. Before she could form a polite response, the devilish Bergamote appeared from behind Jane to request his dance. So flustered by having to change her dance plans yet again, Jane gave the Viscount a look of regret, but knew the older Fitzwilliam son danced only for ceremony. He had no interest in Jane and she could not claim such desire on her part, either, no matter how many times Lady Matlock sat the two of them next to each other over dinner.
    Her second dance with a relative stranger, Jane stuck with the approved topics of the size of the ball and how it compared or contrasted to other balls this Season. She heard the commotion before looking over to the punch bowl, nearly missing her step. Craning her neck despite the turns and handoffs, Jane could clearly see Mary, upset, with a dark red stain down her ivory gown and Miss