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Jacqueline sat on a bench in the garden with a smile. Her gaze kept straying to where Griffen had made passionate love to her. She had cried at the end, and he’d comforted her without needing to understand why her tears fell. His unspoken acceptance made her realize the depth of his love. The emotions their lovemaking invoked had overwhelmed her. Even when Griffen declared his love, he’d done so because he needed to voice his emotion, not to hear the sentiment in return.
She’d awoken this morning eager to declare her love. After eating breakfast in Evelyn’s bedchamber, she’d rushed belowstairs to find Griffen. But to her disappointment, she couldn’t find him anywhere. When she came upon Aunt Susanna, she told her Griffen had joined Ramsay, Lucas, and Uncle Theo for fishing. She didn’t know when they would return. Jacqueline’s heart warmed at this news. It meant Uncle Theo once again thought Griffen was suitable.
Now she waited near their secret hideaway, hoping he would seek her out upon his return. However, she wasn’t alone. Lord Falcone had requested for Abigail and her to walk with him in the garden again. They’d agreed. Only this time, she’d convinced Eden to join them, too. Falcone and Abigail separated from them to discuss the flowers, as they had on their previous walk. It didn’t bother Jacqueline in the slightest because then she could lose herself in her memories of Griffen.
He made her heart race like no other. His kisses warmed her insides, and his caresses built her desires higher. But it was his loving embrace Jacqueline found the most comfort in. It wrapped her securely in his arms, showing her the protection he offered from her greatest fears in the best way he knew how. It was in his embrace that her fears disappeared. She rested her hand on her stomach, eager to share her news with him. And her love.
“I hope Abigail is not falling for Lord Falcone’s false charms?” Eden muttered.
Eden’s question startled Jacqueline from her musings. She felt dreadful for ignoring her friend while she daydreamed about Griffen. She refocused her gaze on Abigail and Falcone. Abigail laughed at something the marquess said. While she appeared to enjoy herself, her smile never reached her eyes. No. Abigail wasn’t falling for Falcone. Lucas’s stubbornness still tore her apart.
“No, I think the gentleman is only a welcome distraction.”
“That is a relief. I feared she’d fallen for his nefarious charms.”
Jacqueline frowned. “Do you believe Lord Falcone is false with his regards?”
Eden scoffed. “The gentleman’s every action is false.”
“That is a harsh accusation. What reason do you have for your opinion? He has only ever acted like a gentleman toward me and Abigail.”
Eden glared at Falcone. “All an act, my dear friend. I don’t understand what his true motive is, but believe me, he has one.”
Jacqueline tried to laugh at Eden’s declaration, but her friend truly believed the worst about Falcone. “You are serious?”
Eden turned her gaze on Jacqueline. “Yes. I have watched my brothers use the same finesse on countless ladies, so I know a rake when I see one.”
Jacqueline nodded in understanding, even though she didn’t hold the same opinion of Falcone’s deception. Eden acted out of friendly concern for Abigail’s welfare, and that alone was touching. Abigail needed all the friendly acceptance she could gather.
She patted Eden’s hand. “You are a kind friend. Do not worry, though. Abigail has already lost her heart to my cousin and will not allow herself to feel any affection for another gentleman. No matter how kind or charming they may be.”
“Your cousin is a fool.”
Jacqueline chuckled. “I agree.”
Jacqueline’s amusement drew Abigail and Lord Falcone over to them. They stood in front of Jacqueline and Eden with curiosity written across their faces. Eden’s look of displeasure toward Falcone, who was oblivious to it, only made Jacqueline chuckle harder.
“May we inquire about your amusement?” Lord Falcone asked.
“Oh, we were discussing the merits of what made a gentleman a rake. Present company included,” Eden taunted.
Falcone quirked a brow. “Please tell. I am most interested in the details of my questionable character.”
Eden bristled. “Sorry, but it is a private discussion between ladies.”
Falcone clutched at his heart dramatically, earning a giggle from Abigail. “You will not even allow me to defend myself?”
“What, with more false declarations of your charm? I know your style, Lord Falcone. You ply ladies with promises and seduce them with your wicked words, only to break their hearts when you tire of them.”
A wicked smile drifted over Falcone’s lips. “I did not realize you thought so highly of me.”
Eden hissed. “Do not flatter yourself.”
“Oh, but I do.”
Falcone rocked on his heels with a smirk as Eden kept opening and closing her hands into fists. Jacqueline shivered at the animosity rolling off Eden and smacking Falcone in amusement. The air sizzled around them. She needed to repair their visit and play peacemaker, a skill she had perfected over the years with her family and their disagreements.
“Are you enjoying your stay at Colebourne Manor?”
“Yes, I am.” Falcone never once turned his stare away from Eden.
Abigail tried to help Jacqueline with the awkward situation. “Lord Falcone shared with me his excitement for the hunt.”
“I offer my apologies if my company has offended you, ladies. But in my defense, I don’t see how I differ from the other gentlemen in residence. Especially considering Lord Kincaid’s reputation.”
Eden jumped to his defense. “Lord Kincaid’s reputation is impeccable. He is an honorable gentleman.”
Falcone pinched his lips. “Which only proves my point of how innocent you ladies are. You cannot see the difference between a gentleman whose only purpose is to seduce you into a scandal from a gentleman who only entertains with harmless flirtation.”
“Why, that is preposterous!” Eden harrumphed.
Jacqueline tilted her head in confusion. “Are you implying Lord Kincaid has ulterior motives?”
“Yes. It is my impression he does. He is a penniless viscount who seeks your uncle’s purse for a business venture that is sure to fail. I only warn you because you are not the first lady he has fooled with his attention.”
“Perhaps you are mistaken,” Abigail said.
“I wish that were the case, as does my sister.”
Jacqueline whispered, “Your sister?”
“Yes. Kincaid caused a rift in my sister’s marriage with his irrefutable behavior. Then he made matters worse when he made a bet with her husband for her affections. One game of billiards almost destroyed her marriage all because he found boredom in the structure of our society. She amused him with her sweet and innocent nature. Your uncle might have stopped his foolishness, and he changed his image to a stand-up gentleman, but his true character will never change.” He turned his attention back to Eden. “And that, Lady Eden, is an example of a rake with nefarious intentions.”
“No, you are wrong,” Jacqueline whispered in denial. Nothing Falcone spoke held any truth. The gentleman he described was one with a callous character, not the gentleman she’d fallen in love with.
“I am not.” His voice echoed firmly.
Jacqueline searched his features for any sign that he spoke out of revenge, but his stare reflected what he thought to be facts, along with a hint of pity. Jacqueline kept shaking her head in denial. Her stomach recoiled at the disturbing information. She covered her mouth and bolted toward the manor.
“Excuse me.” Abigail watched Jacqueline pale and hurried after Jacqueline, wanting to offer comfort.
“How could you?” Eden demanded.
“I thought it was in the best interest for Lady Jacqueline to learn of Lord Kincaid’s character before he seduced her with his whispered promises. I do hope I am not too late,” Falcone answered smugly.
Eden wanted to rant at his arrogance, but her mother had raised her to always act like a lady, even when someone might provoke her otherwise. Also, she refused to show Lord Falcone how much he infuriated her. Instead, she would question the validity of his accusation.
“You hold a strong vindictiveness toward Lord Kincaid for an action in the past not involving you.”
“It involved my sister,” he snarled.
Eden nodded. “Yes, it did. And does your sister still hold animosity for Lord Kincaid?”
Falcone paused, hesitating with his answer. He couldn’t rightly say. He’d never asked his sister about the consequences of her involvement with Kincaid. It didn’t matter anyhow. Kincaid was in the wrong. “It does not matter in the scope of his past behavior.”
Eden rose and smoothed out her skirts. “Doesn’t it, though? You cannot outright judge their interest in one another when you do not know the reasons behind their involvement. Only your sister and Lord Kincaid hold knowledge of the depth of what happened all those years ago. Your only knowledge is hearsay. Perhaps your sister gravitated towards Kincaid because she felt neglected and he offered her affection she found missing from her marriage. My point is, you had no right slandering Kincaid without him here to defend himself.” With that said, Eden sauntered away, leaving Falcone to ponder over his affront.
Falcone watched the blonde vixen, enjoying the swish of her hips as she walked away. Lady Eden was a most tempting distraction, but one he must not indulge in if he favored his life. And he did. Her brother already doubted his undercover abilities. He didn’t want to anger Graham Worthington by trifling with his sister. Also, innocents weren’t quite his flavor. No, he liked women who purred at his every word. And all Lady Eden did was hiss.
However, her parting words struck his interest. The next time he paid his sister a visit, he must inquire the full details of her relationship with Kincaid. While her marriage appeared happy and her husband doted on her, maybe it hadn’t always been in that regard.
Either way, he’d accomplished what the duke ordered of him. While it might cause the other guests to treat him differently, it was for the best. After the hunt, he would travel back to the continent and finish his assignment while clearing another one of his debts to Colebourne.
Hopefully, his debts will be cleared soon.
~~~~~
KINCAID SWUNG TOWARD the open door to see Jacqueline’s pale face streaming with tears. He started toward her, but once she saw him, she gasped and came to a stop. “Jacqueline, what has troubled you?”
Her eyes widened, and she covered her mouth again. Without answering, she flew past him and rushed up the stairs.
“Oh, my. I must see to Jacqueline’s welfare.” Lady Forrester followed her.
Colebourne set a hand on Kincaid’s shoulder. “Get cleaned up, and I will arrange for you to talk with Jacqueline. In the meantime, I will discover what has upset her so.”
Kincaid nodded, but he held little faith in Colebourne convincing Jacqueline to meet with him. Her hurt-filled gaze could only mean she’d already learned the truth from Falcone. She felt betrayed he hadn’t confided in her.
Gray offered his own support after his father and Ramsay left. “Believe in your love, it will get you through this troubling mishap.”
Kincaid became even more doubtful when Abigail rushed up the path and came to a halt before them. “Jacqueline?”
“What happened? She was white as a ghost,” Kincaid asked.
She winced. “Lord Falcone told her some disturbing news.”
“Sorry, mate.”
Kincaid pinched his lips. “I only have myself to blame.”
“Jacqueline tried to defend you, but Falcone remained adamant on what he perceived to be the truth,” Lady Eden explained, walking up behind Abigail.
Kincaid raked a hand through his hair. “Which is the truth. If you will excuse me, I must try to speak with Jacqueline.”
Abigail placed her hand on his sleeve. “You must give her time to herself. She is most upset, and I am afraid she will say something she might regret later. I must go to her.”
Kincaid nodded, too choked to speak. His embarrassment caused him to walk away without another word. Now everyone had learned of his past misdeeds. He went to his bedchamber to change and found the servants filling the tub with warm water. Lady Forrester, while seeing to Jacqueline, also offered him some comfort, too. He would take Colebourne’s advice and prepare to meet with Jacqueline. Hopefully, the duke could convince her to speak with him.
If not, he would wait patiently until she would.