Claiming the Chaperon's Heart by Anne Herries Read Free Book Online Page A

clapped his hands and said very seriously that he thought the sahib was wise not to waste his strength on a courtesan when he could have a sweet young bride. Selima would be waiting for him when he returned to India, his heir already born or on its way.
    Everyone had felt certain that Paul would return. Why would he wish to live in a cold, wet climate when he could have a life of ease in the heat and splendour of palaces made cool by tinkling fountains and little pools, with lilies and beautiful courtesans to play in them and await the attentions of their master? A wife was necessary for sons, who could inherit his wealth, but after one had sons there was so much more to enjoy.
    Paul did not truly know what he wished for. Since his return, almost two weeks since, he’d taken a trip into the country to look at various estates, hoping to find Miss Bellingham where he’d expected her to be. Failing that, he’d visited her aunt and finally returned to London in a less than contented mood. He was still not quite back to his full strength and felt the extra journey had been wasted. Finding that his ward was out when he’d called that afternoon had seemed the outside of enough, and now this letter... For two pins he would sell his estates here and return to India. There seemed little reason for him to stay and he had almost made up his mind to book a passage next month, leaving the winding up of his various estates to his agents and lawyers.
    * * *
    Jane had just come downstairs the next morning and was about to write some letters in her parlour when she heard the door knocker sound in a manner that was no less than imperious. She hesitated as the footman looked at her, inclined her head and said, ‘I’ll be in my parlour if it is for me, John.’
    Going into her parlour, Jane sat at her desk and dipped her pen in the ink. She had just begun her first reply to an invitation when a tap at her door heralded the arrival of the impatient guest. She waited as the door opened and the man she was expecting was announced. Getting slowly to her feet, Jane looked at the man that entered, her heart suddenly beating faster. He was at least a head taller than she, and she was a tall woman. Harry had been slightly shorter but that had never mattered because they were so much in love, but this man could look down on her. Her first thought was that he had a harsh face, but was otherwise unremarkable, and then she looked at his eyes—fierce, and wild, she thought with a little shock, untamed.
    ‘I have come to speak with Lady March and my ward, Miss Amelia Bellingham. Would you have the goodness to ask them to come down, ma’am?’
    ‘I am Lady March, and I will certainly ask Melia to come down shortly, but perhaps it might be wise if we spoke first alone?’
    ‘You—but you’re far too young...’ he said, looking astonished.
    ‘What have you been told?’ Jane felt a laugh escape her, try as she might to control it. ‘Forgive me, sir, but I believe you are Lord Frant—and I am certainly Lady March. My brother, the Viscount Salisbury, will verify that if you wish.’
    ‘Of course not...forgive me,’ he said and his eyes glinted, though she was not sure whether it was anger or something else she saw in them. ‘I presumed from...but no matter. I hope I do not inconvenience you but you did say any morning at this hour?’
    ‘So I did,’ Jane replied. ‘Melia is trying on some gowns that were delivered this morning, but I will send for her in a moment. When we have established why it is so very urgent that you see both of us.’
    ‘I merely wished to make her acquaintance,’ he said, looking as if the wind had been taken out of his sails. ‘Without my consent or knowledge, her father made both Amelia and Elizabeth my wards. The elder girl is married but I thought...’ He paused, as though he was not sure what he wanted to say. ‘It was never my wish that they should be turned from their home and I wanted to make sure that