Chloe pointed her eyes to the ceiling. “Do not be deliberately obtuse. Regardless, I must politely reject your plan to tie me to one of Belden’s dragons for the remainder of the Season.”
The floorboards creaked and they swung their gazes to the entrance of the room. The determined Jane Munroe, who should have taken her leave two days ago, stood at the threshold. Hesitant, hovering, and uncertain, she bore traces of the woman who’d first shown up on his doorstep.
He climbed to his feet, a grin on his lips. “Chloe, may I present to you one of Mrs. Belden’s instructors.” His sister had the good grace to blush. “This is Mrs. Munroe.” After all, there was little doubt that Jane had, in fact, heard the unfavorable words leveled at her.
His sister stood. “Mrs. Munroe,” she murmured.
Jane executed a flawless curtsy. Her gaze strayed momentarily over to Gabriel and then she swiftly returned her attention to Chloe. “My lady, it is a pleasure.”
Chloe warily eyed her, as though she feared one wrong word and the woman would drag her back for another year of finishing school. Ah, Jane, who’d been so very confident of her persuasion that she’d commandeered his home and boldly rejected his plans of returning her to Mrs. Belden’s. Amusement filled him and Gabriel felt himself grinning as he reclaimed his seat.
Chloe returned her attention to her plate. From over the top of her head, he caught Jane’s gaze and lifted his cup in silent challenge. She narrowed her gaze, and then with stiff footsteps made her way to the sideboard. The lady heaped eggs, kippers, ham, and bread atop her plate. His lips twitched at the healthy portion for the trim young woman. His skin pricked and he glanced over at his sister who paused, her fork midway to her mouth, and studied him.
Silence descended upon the breakfast parlor, which with his usually garrulous sister was a rarer occurrence than a solar eclipse. Jane slid into the vacant chair beside Chloe and a footman helped push the chair forward. She gave a murmur of thanks and then, head bowed, proceeded to butter that warm, flaky bread just as she’d done yesterday morn.
Gabriel settled back in his seat and cradled his cup between his hands. He eyed Jane over the rim. In the two days with which to develop a proper entreaty to put to his sister regarding Jane’s suitability as a companion, she was now silent. He broke the impasse. “I trust you’ve had several days to resolve yourself to the necessity of a companion, Chloe. As you are in the market for a husband, it is essential you,” we, “have a proper,” at his sidelong glance, Jane’s frown deepened, “companion.”
Chloe finished her bite and then dabbed her lips with the edge of her white napkin. “There is no need for a companion.” She paused. “I’ve resolved that your presence will suffice.” She cast a sheepish glance at Jane. “I mean no offense, Mrs. Munroe. I simply do not need you.” With those six words, she severed Jane’s connection to his household.
Jane politely inclined her head in acknowledgement. For a moment, panic flared to life in those expressive, crystalline eyes, and the depth of emotion there froze him. The fear and desperation there went beyond mere pride. She opened her mouth, as though prepared to launch a defense, but then her lower lip quivered. The muscles of his stomach clenched and he hated he’d noted that slight tremble, but there it was. And it could not be unseen. Through the young woman’s tumult, Chloe attended her breakfast, unknowing that she’d ultimately decided Jane’s fate.
The matter of Jane and her position as companion to Chloe was at last settled. As he’d demanded from the onset, Jane would board his carriage and return to her post at Mrs. Belden’s. So why did that prospect cause this odd, empty, bereft feeling in his chest? Where was the earlier victory? The elation? He stared at the contents of his plate.
“Despite your hopes and expectations for me,” his sister spoke, bringing his head up. “I am not in the market for a husband.” Those words were said to both of them. With the same show of defiance she’d practiced since she was a mere girl, she pursed her lips and favored Gabriel with a glower. “I’ve no intention of marrying.”