Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed by Jo Beverley Read Free Book Online Page B

all. Yet, such behavior would definitely not have been permitted at Carne. Still, her betrothed seemed at his ease and undisturbed.
    He had obviously not chosen his bride from Carne out of insistence on elevated principles. If Mrs. Danvers was to be believed—and, despite the fact that she could not take to the lady, Jane had no reason to doubt her veracity—there were dozens of well-bred, young debutantes desperate for the chance to wear his ring. So it could only be her money which had attracted him. She knew she was one of the greatest heiresses in the land. If Lord Wraybourne needed her money then it explained his desire to please her and lessened any chance that he would lightly break the engagement.
    For the first time in her life Jane felt herself to be in a position of power. She still had no desire to be a figure of fun but she also no longer felt excessive fear of failure. In fact, from this new position of confidence, she regarded Lord Wraybourne’s attention with some skepticism. He was charming and skilled in social pleasantries, but she would be foolish to take him too seriously as yet. She did not intend to become doting-fond of a man who wanted only her fortune. In time, she hoped, a true regard would grow between them. Until then, she must keep a tight rein on her feelings.
    Her worst fear put to rest, Jane began gradually to find her feet in this strange new world. As the dinner party was informal, the conversation proved general, and Jane needed only commonplace pleasantries to supply her part. She concentrated on listening to the others. The talk was mainly of people and events of which she was in ignorance; but being attentive and clever, she learned a great deal.
    Mrs. Danvers, she decided, did have a particular manner when addressing Lord Wraybourne and she was a special friend of Lady Harroving. Did the woman have tender feelings for the earl? Were they returned? Would they have married if the lady had been free? And where was Mr. Danvers?
    Jane also noticed that an intimate manner seemed de rigueur between ladies and gentlemen. Lady Harroving had a similar demeanor when she spoke to Sir Marius and Lord Randal but not when she spoke to her husband. She seemed to despise her husband, who did appear to be unpleasant, eating greedily and noisily and paying no attention to his wife or his guests. Jane wondered if the marriage had been arranged. Perhaps, like herself, Lady Harroving had been given no choice. If so, honesty forced Jane to admit, despite Lord Wraybourne’s pragmatic approach to matrimony, her own parents had made a much better arrangement in her case.
    Uncomfortable with the manners of the older ladies, Jane turned to Sophie in search of a model. She and Lord Randal chattered away like precocious children, seeming to be of an age even though he must be ten years the elder. Jane decided that, though she would give a great deal to be able to exchange witticisms with the younger couple’s air and joie de vivre, their behavior was as yet beyond her range. What was she to do?
    “A penny for your thoughts, Jane,” said Lord Wraybourne, “or perhaps, more tempting, an apricot tart?” He held the plate towards her, and she took one.
    “The food is delicious,” she remarked. “And so many courses.”
    “Oh, this is informal. Maria would not consider this anything special. Was that what you were thinking? About food? You did take a tart so you owe me your thoughts.”
    With effort, she met his eyes directly. Lacking a model, she must be herself. “But they are not your tarts to bargain with, Lord Wraybourne.”
    His eyes glinted appreciation of her wit. “Then perhaps I should offer you a penny, or a bracelet of tigereye quartz. Would that tempt you to reveal yourself?” His voice was soft and light. Yet there was a particularity in his manner which enveloped her in a disquieting way.
    She laughed to break the mood. “Perhaps. If I could remember what I was thinking. Thoughts are like