Of love and deceit

Chapter Nineteen

Edward was taken aback when he walked into his drawing room and found Jane already there. The room was bathed in the soft afternoon light that filtered through the large, ornate windows. Jane stood by the fireplace, her posture rigid, as she took in the room with a meticulous gaze.

Her presence, unexpected and unannounced, stirred a curiosity within him. The butler had relayed her arrival with an air of mystery, prompting Edward to wonder about her intent.

The engagement was already a matter of public record; congratulatory notes had poured in from the highest echelons of society. Even his closest friend, Charles, had sent a letter full of jovial remarks and plans to visit, eager to meet the woman who had managed to capture his heart.

As Edward approached, he noted the way she studied the room with a detached air, as though assessing every detail for hidden meanings. Her gaze seemed to linger on the rich tapestries and the carefully arranged furniture, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that her scrutiny was a deliberate ploy to unnerve him.

“How may I help you, Lady Jane?” he inquired, his voice steady but tinged with amusement.

Jane turned to face him, her blue eyes sharp and unwavering.

“You used my title,” she remarked with a dry tone. “How proper of you.”

Edward couldn’t suppress a chuckle.

“If your visit is solely to remind me of my manners, perhaps I should retreat to my study. I do have pressing matters to attend to.”

Jane’s lips tightened into a thin line, but she held her ground.

“I’m here to understand your reservations concerning our forthcoming marriage.”

Edward raised an eyebrow, bemused.

“Our marriage, as you are well aware, was never intended to be a union of hearts. I’ve made it clear: while we won’t have a love match, I vow to treat you with respect and ensure that you want for nothing. You will be cared for and honoured in every way that is due to a duchess.”

He paused, letting the weight of his words settle in the air.

“But you should know, you will never have my heart.”

The admission hung heavy between them. Jane’s breath hitched slightly, and her face paled momentarily. The dream of marrying for love, which had always been her guiding fantasy, seemed to crumble before her eyes. Yet, she steeled herself, a flicker of resolve igniting within her.

“I’m not promising you anything, Your Grace,” she said, her voice steady despite the chaos she felt. “But I vow to conduct myself with the utmost propriety and to uphold the reputation of this dukedom.”

“Good,” Edward replied, his tone softening just a fraction. “I suggest you call me Edward, since we are to be married after all.”

Jane tested the name on her lips.

“Edward,” she said, letting it linger in the air.

A shiver ran down Edward’s spine. The way she pronounced his name made it sound almost— enchanting. He allowed his gaze to drift over her.

Jane was undeniably beautiful; her blonde curls, shimmering like threads of gold, framed a face of delicate beauty. Her eyes, a piercing blue, reminded him of the sky on a clear summer’s day.

For a brief moment, he was tempted to reach out and touch the silken strands of her hair, to test their softness. But he quickly dismissed the thought, shaking his head as if to clear it of such distractions. She would be his wife, and that would be all. Nothing more, nothing less.

Their eyes met again, and Edward saw a flicker of determination in her gaze. It was clear she was resolved to make the best of the situation, even if her heart was not in it. He admired her composure, even if it was a  reminder of the cold practicality that will govern their union.

“Is there anything else you wish to discuss, Jane?” Edward asked, his voice regaining its formal edge.

Jane hesitated for a moment, she liked the sound of her name on his mouth, then shook her head.

“No, Edward. That will be all for now.”

As the door closed behind her, Edward found himself lost in thought, contemplating the strange twist of fate that had brought her into his life.

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