Another said, "Can't imagine her old man would let his darling marry this rake."

They all laughed.

Another said, "Can't imagine tins rake would settle for a silly, little virgin like Farthington."

Everyone laughed again; then Margaret continued. "Oh, it's even more delicious than imagining Wessington sawing away between the thighs of some wide-eyed blueblood." She paused with dramatic effect. "He's decided to settle for a merchant's daughter." There was a particularly vicious gleam in her eye, and Jane decided then and there that she despised the woman. Needing to do something with her hands before she threw something, she picked up the tray and started offering it to each individual.

"A merchant's daughter? Really, Wessington, I heard the rumors about your finances, but how low are you willing to stoop? There really should be a limit imposed. We can't be diluting the blood by marrying just any old one."

The other woman, dressed as shockingly as Lady Margaret, leaned over to better see the Earl. "Have you gotten a look at her, Wessie?"

Margaret answered. "Oh, he doesn't need to see her. He doesn't care about how she looks. It's only the size of her purse that matters."

"Yes, well," one of the men put in, "even in these necessary unions, it's nice to stumble on a pretty face."

"Or a nice arse," another added.

"Or an ample set of duckies," yet another chimed in. "Always nice to suckle a juicy pair."

Jane flushed with embarrassment. Margaret, in a silent bit of communication with the Earl that Jane couldn't begin to understand, waved a dismissive hand. "I've done some checking on the girl, myself. She's plain and thin. Homely as a post they say, with mousy brown hair and a mousy personality to match." Her eyes gleamed wickedly as she looked at the Earl, then glanced at the others. "I hear her father's trying to marry her off at the first offer. None around her home will have her."

The other woman said, "Well, if she's got plenty of money, and there's no one near her home who'll have her, you certainly should do some checking."

"And," Margaret added, hitting at the Earl's most vulnerable spot, "I'd certainly be requesting a midwife to check her. Wouldn't want to find a bun in the oven, now would you, Wessington?"

Jane paused in front of Margaret, waiting for the Earl to say something in her defense, one kind thing that would soften the harsh words of his friends.

The Earl looked over at Margaret and said blandly, "Her money's the same color as everyone else's or so I hear."

If Jane had been standing next to the Earl, she'd have dropped the tray on him. As it was, she was standing in front of Margaret. She tipped the thing just right, making sure every bit of the pastries slid down the woman's bodice and onto her lap.

Margaret screeched and jumped to her feet. "Of all the clumsy, idiotic ..." she sputtered. "You blithering fool!" Her eyes blazing, she reached out and took a swing. Jane saw it coming and jumped back before the slap could land on her cheek.

"Margaret, stop!" the Earl shouted in his most authoritarian tone, his command bringing a halt to all movement in the room. He stepped to Jane and took her hand in his own. "Are you all right, my dear?" he asked softly.

Not wanting him to see the tears of rage burning in her eyes, Jane curtsied low in his direction. "I most humbly beg your pardon, milord." Before he or anyone else could say or do anything, she jerked her hand back and scurried away, Margaret's bitter words ringing in her ears all the way down the stairs.

"Really, Wessington, the caliber of the servants you hire is absolutely beyond imagining. I expect that horrid girl to be beaten, then discharged. Just look what she did to my gown ..."

Graves was lurking in the shadows, peeking curiously toward the noises coming from the parlor. Jane untied the apron and held it out. " 'Twas nice to meet you, Mr. Graves. Thank you for giving me a chance, but I just don't think I'm cut out for this line of work."

She was out the door and running down the street before anyone thought to stop her.

Chapter Five.

The next afternoon, Jane sat on the stiff couch, waiting for the arrival of her first caller, Phillip Wessington. She'd risen early, taken hours with her bath and toilette, so long in fact, that Elizabeth began to think that perhaps she really was taking the matter of marriage to heart by trying to look her very best. Elizabeth was partly right. Jane was trying to look better than she ever had, but not for any reason her friend could have ever imagined.

To think that the cad had the nerve to plan to wed an innocent victim, a woman like herself, who would then be exposed to his life of intemperance and debauchery. She shuddered, just thinking about what might have been her fate if she'd politely met the Earl in her apartment, taken a look at his handsome face and compelling physique, and decided to marry him based on the one tightly controlled and chaperoned encounter.

The previous afternoon's fiasco had given her a renewed purpose for her meeting with the Earl, which was scheduled to begin at any moment. Remembering his attitude set her temper flaring all over again. She'd spent all night trying to calm herself enough to be able to face him again. As morning dawned so did her idea on how to get even.

A hand knocked loudly on the door downstairs. The woman hired temporarily to cook and look after them opened the door, and voices could be heard.

Elizabeth leaned over and squeezed her hand. "Jane, this is so exciting, isn't it? And I've never seen you look lovelier."

The servant announced the two men, Wessington and his solicitor, Thumberton, who had arranged the entire sordi episode. Elizabeth bade the woman show them up, and Jane took a last quick glance in the mirror, making sure nothing was out of place. She hid a wry smile. Liz was right: She'd never looked better.

Her chestnut hair was artfully scooped onto the top of her head, cascading down in soft ringlets which curled delicately around her face. Her dress, although not as fancy as anything the Earl would be used to, was conservative but stylish. Showing just a hint of bosom, the high waist emphasized her slender figure. The green color brought out her lovely emerald eyes and set off, in startling contrast, the red highlights in her hair.

Thumberton was the first to enter. He was a pleasant older man, and, from the gentle look in his eyes, Jane knew she wouldn't be able to be unkind to him. He was only doing his duty. She flashed him a welcoming smile as he bowed over her hand.

Phillip entered the small salon a step behind Thumberton. Graves had spent hours primping and preening his master until Phillip felt as though he were a cock being prepared for the fight. Or a lamb for the slaughter, he thought ruefully.

The thought of marrying again was distasteful. He'd wooed Anne and married her at such a young, foolish age. So much in love and so ready to live happily ever after, only to have his romantic yearnings crushed by her repeated infidelities. And this from a woman he'd known and loved! What terrible things could happen being wed to a woman he didnat even know? To be bound and shackled to a stranger was unthinkable.

Forcing off the morbid thoughts that had plagued him since he'd agreed to the stupid meeting, he stepped into the room. Nobody was forcing him to marry, he reminded himself. Nowhere was it set in stone that he was bound to this woman or that he owed her anything. He was taking a look, that was all.

Nothing prepared him for the female sitting on the sofa, making introductions for herself and her friend. She was lovely, with flowing chestnut hair that curled gracefully around her heart-shaped face and striking emerald eyes that sparkled like a green summer lawn. Her nose turned up slightly at the end, her cheeks were rosy and dimpled. Her trim figure was perfectly flattered by the cut of her gown. The creamy, white skin of her bared bosom hinted at small, but perfect, treasures hidden beneath. Phillip actually felt his body stir as a vision of himself, buried between her shapely thighs, flew unbidden through his mind.

There had to be something wrong with her. Her looks were flawless, so perhaps she had a voice like a screech owl or the personality of a shrew. Listening to her chat with Thumberton put an end to both thoughts. Her voice was soothing and gentle, her manner soft-spoken and delightful.

Through his reverie, he realized he was being introduced. He stepped forward as Jane Fitzsimmons extended her hand. " Tis a pleasure to meet you, Lord Wessington."

"The pleasure, lovely lady, is all mine." He bowed low and kissed the back of her hand. Her skin was smooth and soft, and she smelled of lilacs. Her fingers were slim and elegant, the nails perfectly manicured, and he imagined the feel of them wrapped around his hardened shaft as he taught her how to pleasure him. Where the notion came from he couldn't say, but it sprang freely into his mind.

The afternoon was turning out to be much more interesting than he could ever have imagined.

Jane watched the Earl as he leaned over her hand. Gregory was the only man she'd ever been close to, and he'd always smelled of an overpowering cologne that she hadn't particularly cared for. The Earl had a clean, manly scent all his own. A fresh soap smell, mixed with tobacco, leather and other things she couldn't describe. His head of beautiful, dark hair hovered before her eyes. If she hadn't already known what a despicable cad he was, she'd have welcomed the temptation she was feeling to run her fingers through it.

Fine thoughts for a woman who had only been away from her beloved for a matter of days!

Wessington touched her hand, his moist breath brushing her skin, his warm lips lingering much longer than was appropriate under the circumstances. Jane knew he was flirting with her. He wanted her money badly enough to do anything for ita"even if it meant trifling with someone he detested. Well, he could have his fun and so would she.

As he released her hand and rose, she gave him her most winning smile, and a question furrowed his brow. "What is it, milord?"

Phillip was surprised that she so quickly read his expression without knowing anything about him. "I don't mean to be forward, but when you smile like that, Miss Fitzsimmons, it seems as though I must know you from somewhere. Have we met previously, and, I am embarrassed to ask, have I forgotten the occasion?"

Jane's heart fluttered for a moment. He couldn't possibly have paid enough attention the previous afternoon to connect her with the serving girl in his drawing room. "No, sir, I'm sure not." She smiled again as Wessington and Thumberton settled themselves across from the two ladies. "I must say I would certainly have remembered even a chance encounter with you."

The Earl wasn't ready to let it rest. "Have you spent much time in London?"

"Hardly any, sir. I've been to the city only four times previously in my entire life. The last time was almost three years past."

"Perhaps, in Northampton, then, where many of my family's properties are located."

"No, I've never had the pleasure of visiting there. Perhaps I simply have one of those common faces that blends easily with others."

"Hardly." He flashed her the smile that had never failed to melt a female heart "There is nothing about your lovely face that one could consider common. "

They chatted as strangers do, all the while, everyone keenly aware of the true reason for the Earl's visit. Thumberton steered the conversation after the initial introductions, relieved to see that Phillip was behaving himself and showing the manners that had been so carefully drilled into him at an early age but which he so seldom chose to use. He actually seemed to be quite taken with Miss Fitzsimmons, and Thumberton heaved a great sigh of relief. She was lovely, well educated.

She'd be good for Phillip and an excellent mother for Emily.

Thumberton was thrilled.

Elizabeth quietly watched Phillip Wessington as much as she dared without being caught staring. He was tall, dark and handsome as well as charming and funny, and he conversed with ease on a number of topics. There was an air about him of self-possession and self-assuredness that made it seem as if he filled up too much of the room simply by being in it. He obviously knew how to woo a woman, for his gaze, when he trained it on Jane, was thoroughly encompassing, and he listened and watched her as if nothing or no one else existed in the world. To think that this man had materialized in the flesh from Jane's list and could very likely end up as her husband!

Elizabeth was thrilled.

Phillip was a master at playing a woman. His earliest memories were of women falling all over themselves to please him. He'd had a lifetime of it. He knew how to draw them in, to make them open themselves up in a way they di to no one else. When talking to him, they felt important, comfortable, cherished and valued. He was better at playing this game than any man he knew. And he was playing it now with Jane Fitzsimmons, giving her the full force of his attention, and liking every bit of what he saw.

While her looks were nothing that he'd expected, neither was her manner. If she'd had any reservations about marrying so far above her station, it didnat show. While most women were thoroughly overcome by his position and personality, she didnat seem to be the least bit intimidated. The woman was no shrinking violet, hiding behind her fan while flashing coquettish looks in his direction.

Even more amazing was the fact that she had actually been working at the family business for several years, and if she was to be believed, had quite a responsible position at her father's side. She'd thrown out the admission proudly, as if daring him to chastise her or be offended at the prospect of his future wife having such a scandalous background.

Secretly delighted, he had no problem with educated, strong women, preferring them to the blithering, gossiping ninnies raised by members of the ton. But he was a quick study, and he also saw a great possibility looming with Jane as his wife.

Phillip hated accounting, numbers and oversight, but Jane appeared to thrive on such things. She was hardly the type to want to sit around embroidering all day and would want something valuable to do. He would be more than happy to let her busy herself with the situation at Rosewood; then he could stay in London with friends, gambling and carousing just as he'd done for all of his adult life.

Of course, they'd have to spend time together occasionally to breed an heir, and from looking at her and watching her, he could see that bedding her would definitely be the least of his problems. Those green eyes, those ruby lips, the pert breasts. Just imagining what it would be like to twirl those two lovely nipples between his fingers made his fingertips start to itch.

Phillip was thrilled.

Jane was watching Wessington very carefully. She found it easy to read his expressions and, with each passing minute, could see how the idea of marrying her was seeming less offensive. While she wasn't sure what she'd said, she could tell the exact moment when he'd come to the decision that a union with her might be just the thing he needed. Without even realizing what was happening, Wessington was being reeled in to his doom.

Jane was thrilled.

The two hours they'd allotted for the meeting was quickly drawing to a close. Thumberton was the first to notice after glancing at his timepiece. "I see our time is almost up. I must say, Miss Fitzsimmons, that it has been a delight to meet you." He'd already talked with Phillip in advance about what his response should be if he was interested in pursuing the matter by meeting again, and the boy didnat disappoint.

"Yes," Phillip added, "I must say I've enjoyed this time very much. If you have no other plans for this evening, I'd like to ask you to join me for supper." He smiled at Elizabeth. "With Mrs. Carew and Mr. Thumberton joining us, of course. I realize it's quite bold of me to issue such an invitation on such short notice, but Thumberton has instructed me that you're under some time constraint in making your decisions."

It was all Jane could do to keep from cheering at how well things were going. "Yes, I do have a very short time to make decisions. I'm eager to get on with them."

Phillip took this as a positive sign. "I'd like to speak further with you about your thoughts and plans." He paused for effect. "And about mine." He smiled at Elizabeth again. "And I have a box at the theater. After dining, perhaps you ladies would care to join me for an evening of entertainment."

"Oh, that would be positively lovely," Elizabeth gushed. "The theater, Jane. Just imagine! Wouldn't it be fun?"

"I don't know, Elizabeth." Jane paused, watching the smile in her friend's eyes turn to a question. "Actually, Lord Wessington, I've had a bit of time to think, and I don't think we'd suit." Wessington sat ramrod straight in his chair, obviously surprised that a lowborn chit would have the audacity to refuse him, but it was Thumberton who seemed most openly surprised, as if she'd dashed dozens of unnamed hopes and dreams.

"If you'll beg my pardon, Miss Fitzsimmons," Thumberton said slowly, feeling the irritation rolling off Phillip in waves and wanting to quell it before he unleashed his harsh tongue on the young lady, "these things should often be decided after a little more reflection. Perhaps you might spend some time tonight with Mrs. Carew, and we can talk again tomorrow."

"Actually, I don't think it would do any good to think on it any longer." Jane rose and casually walked to the sideboard, poured herself a fortifying glass of wine as she glanced over her shoulder. "I'm sure you'd agree, milord, that you couldn't possibly settle for a merchant's daughter." She leaned forward slightly, as if baiting him, and carefully repeated the harsh words one of his male friends had uttered in his parlor the previous day. "After all, how low are you willing to stoop? There should be a limit imposed. You aristocratic types shouldn't be allowed to marry just any old one."

Phillip's cheeks were flaming red. He knew there were those who felt exactly as she'd implied. At a different time in his life, he was probably one of them. Now, with his feelings toward marriage significantly cooled by his first experience, he no longer cared who married whom. "Really, Miss Fitzsimmons, if that was what I believed, I would never have come here today."

Jane was incensed that he didnat seem to recognize that she'd thrown the words of his friend in his face. The encounter in his parlor had obviously been so insignificant that he didnat even remember it. Her anger started to rise along with her voice.

"I realize how disappointed you must be that I'm not interested in you as a husband, especially when you are so smitten with the size of my purse."

"Jane," Elizabeth hissed, completely mortified by her friend's comment. "Where are your manners?"

"I left them at home. This is my choice, my life we're talking about." She turned her furious gaze back to Wessington, altering her voice to do a good imitation of the male friends who had teased him. "Even in these necessary unions, it's nice to stumble on a pretty face"a" she laid a hand on her cheek "or a nice arse"a"she brushed a palm along her hipa""or an ample set of duckies. Always nice to suckle a juicy pair." She ran a hand seductively across her bosom.

"Jane!" Elizabeth shrieked.

Phillip watched in stunned amazement as the gentle, pleasant woman he'd enjoyed for two hours turned into a whirling termagant. He couldn't imagine what he had done to cause the change. The words she was using seemed familiar, but he couldn't place them.

Realizing that Mrs. Carew and Thumberton were both looking to him for answers, he said calmly, "Miss Fitzsimmons, it seems I've displeased you in some way, and I'm not sure what it is I've done. Let me say that I never intended any slight. I came here with an open mind and an eager heart, wondering if an arranged marriage could be a possibility, buta""

"Really, Lord Wessington? Would you truly and seriously consider marriage to me when all your friends are spreading the word that I have a bun in the oven?" Jane raised the wine goblet she had in her hand and hurled it at the fireplace where it shattered most effectively. "Now, get out of here before I dump a tray of pastries on you as I did to that doxy you were entertaining in your parlor."

"You!" Phillip roared, coming to his feet.

"Jane, oh Jane, what have you done?" Elizabeth asked in wide-eyed wonder.

Jane kept her furious gaze locked on Wessington's, but answered her friend. "I only made the lucky decision to find out what this scoundrel is really and truly like, and I'm happy to say that I've saved myself from a life of heartbreak and humiliation."

Phillip crossed the room in three angry steps, standing nearly nose-to-nose with Jane, his entire body quivering with rage. "You break into my homea""

Jane placed her hands on her hips and shouted, "I didnat break in. I was invited."

"a"unannounced and unwelcomed, and you have the audacity to be upset about what you saw and heard?"

Thumberton stepped closer, laid a hand on Phillip's arm, but the Earl shook it off. "Excuse us, Thumberton," he said in a quiet voice filled with fury.

"Phillip, I don't thinka""

Phillip whirled on his advisor.' 'That was not a request. It was an order. Go! And take Mrs. Carew with you. I will only be a moment."

Jane welcomed the chance to be alone with the blackguard. She had more than a few things she wanted to get off her chest. "Yes, please, Master Thumberton, do give us a moment of privacy."

Elizabeth, blushing red, found her voice, "Jane, I don't believe it would be at all appropriate for you to remain in here alone with the Earl."

Jane peeked around from behind his broad torso. "You needn't worry about his temper, Liz. He didnat bring along any of his whores, so there's no one to strike me. And as for my virtue, I have it on good authority that he only tumbles those servants who are willing."

"God's teeth!" Phillip roared again, whirling back to face her.

"Sir, you will not blaspheme in my presence!"

"I will damn well speak in any manner I choose." Only inches separated them, and Phillip was secretly amazed and impressed that the chit had the fortitude to stand her ground. Her rage burned as hody as his own, and she stood toe-to-toe, ready to give as good as she got. "Thumberton, take Mrs. Carew and leave this moment." Phillip used his most authoritative voice, knowing that neither of them would dare argue, and he stood still while he heard the shuffling of feet. The door clicked shut behind them. He took a step forward, but the woman didnat move a muscle or bat an eye.

Between clenched teeth, he said, "I give you credit for having the most audacity of any woman I have ever met."