Preview: Worthy of her Love – Chapter 1

How did May sneak up on us so quickly? I have a lot happening this month! My oldest is graduating from Texas A&M this month and was accepted to graduate school, and I have a new book ready for you. We’re finally getting around to Jane. I’m sure it hasn’t been easy for her to watch Elizabeth, Amelia, and Nicholas find their HEAs and be left the sole Montford cousin left unwed. But don’t worry! This isn’t the last book. I have considered Georgiana an honorary Montford cousin since the first book, so her story will be last 🙂

Title so far is Worthy of her Love and release day is so far set for May 21st. So, let’s get started on that preview!

Chapter 1

15^th March 1814

The crisp morning air held a distinct chill that was not unusual for mid-March. Despite the biting cold, two swans glided across the glassy surface of the water while Jane’s exhalations caused hazy clouds of mist to billow from her nose and mouth. Few wandered Hyde Park before the fashionable hour, but of late, she sought the solace of a solitary ramble before those who thrived on gossip descended upon the paths to see and be seen. The frigid weather alone was enough to keep most from the park today. The time alone would provide some much needed peace.

“Miss Montford, should we not return to Richmond House?”

Jane glanced over her shoulder at Sutton, her maid, who stood beside one of her grandfather’s footmen. Well, almost solitary. Since the debacle with Mr. Bingley, Grandpapa insisted she take a maid and at least one footman on every excursion. To tell the truth, he had always required her to have a footman accompany her within London, and Jane had never been one to argue.

“Just a little while longer.”

Sutton pursed her lips. Her maid had never been enamoured of the out of doors and the cold even less. Jane had not been fond of walks before Lizzy married, but for some reason, Richmond Castle and House had become confining. She longed to spread her wings, and though she remained an eligible prospect for a gentleman to marry—it seemed none wanted her for more than a dance at a ball or a call or two. What was wrong with her? Was she not meant to marry?

When she stood along the lake as she was, the freedoms she had experienced when living at Longbourn seemed so distant, and while a peace of sorts had been brokered for Lizzy’s wedding, relations were still tense between the Montfords and her father, Mr. Bennet. Since she would not return to live in her father’s house, walks in Hyde Park were her only alternative to town and the busy nothings she now preferred to avoid.

She turned as her gaze followed the curves of the Serpentine, halting at two little girls standing on the path. What was this? Even though their thick woollen coats spoke of wealth, they had no maid or servant to accompany them. The younger of the two had bright, red-rimmed eyes and streaks down her pale cheeks. Jane did not hesitate to hasten towards them. Something was amiss. Those two should not be on their own.

“Miss!”

She ignored Sutton’s entreaty without breaking her stride. No doubt, her maid would have her avoid the children for fear of it being some plot, but Jane would not leave two frightened young girls alone in Hyde Park. Goodness knows what would happen to them!

As Jane approached and knelt so she was eye to eye with them both, the child who appeared to be the oldest wrapped her arms around the other.

“Are you well?”

The younger child sniffled, but neither made to answer.

Jane glanced behind her at Sutton, then pressed a palm to her chest. “I am Miss Jane Montford, and this,” she pointed over her shoulder, “is my maid, Sutton, and my grandfather’s footman Matthew. My grandfather is the Earl of Richmond. I promise we shall not harm you.”

The older of the two looked between each one of them. “My name is Emmeline, and my sister is Juliana. Our footmen and governess are gone, and we do not know how to get home.”

“Perhaps if you tell me your father’s name, I can help you.”

The younger peered at her sister with wide hazel eyes. “He is Papa.” Her voice was almost a whisper.

“The servants call him ‘Your Grace,’” said the older. She could not be more than five or six, with chestnut ringlets peeking from her bonnet and the same hazel eyes as her sister.

Their father was a duke? It was strange indeed for them to be out without someone—anyone.

“Perhaps we should walk around for a while in an effort to locate your maid, but if we cannot, I shall take you to Richmond House with me until we can find your father.” She stood and offered her hand, which the youngest took quickly for someone who had but a moment ago appeared terrified. Jane held out her other hand to Emmeline. After a moment’s pause, the elder took her hand as well.

Sutton eyed Jane with her mouth formed in a thin line. “If they are truly a duke’s daughters, they ran into some foul scheme for them to be separated from their servants. Are you certain this is wise?”

Jane gasped and drew closer to her maid. “You would leave them here in the cold?” She could never be so heartless. How could her maid even suggest it?

Sutton shook her head and leaned close to Jane’s ear. “No, Miss, I would not abandon them, but we should not remain in the park for long. If this was a plot gone wrong, whoever is at fault may be searching for them. Matthew and I may not be enough to keep you and those two children safe. I believe we should return to Richmond house directly.”

“What if these two wandered off? Their servants must be frantic.”

“I feel it unlikely that is what happened, Miss,” said Matthew. “The entire household would be searching Hyde Park if that were the case. By the red complexions of those two, they have also been in the cold for some time now.”

Jane wore at the inside of her cheek with her teeth. Matthew and Sutton both made excellent arguments, and Lizzy always said Jane never saw the ill intentions in those around her. Would she not attribute the least disturbing reasoning here also? “Very well. We shall walk towards the Cumberland Gate. If we happen upon no one who claims them, we shall return home. My grandfather will surely know what to do.”

They encountered no one the girls recognised or who approached them before the Cumberland Gate—in truth, they encountered no one at all—so without making a fuss, Jane looked over her shoulder at Sutton, and they made their way onto Park Lane. Her maid said naught but glanced about her as though searching. Matthew was doing the same. They believed the worst, it seemed.

When they stood in front of Richmond House, Jane bent down to Emmeline. “This is my grandfather’s house. I hope he will know your Papa. If not, we shall take care of you until your father can be found.”

Emmeline stood tall and nodded but gripped Jane’s hand tighter and tighter as they climbed the stairs. Mr. Gideon opened the door and startled at the sight of the children. “Why, Miss Montford, who do you have here?”

“Mr. Gideon, these are the Misses Emmeline and Juliana. We found them alone in Hyde Park.”

Juliana stared at Mr. Gideon with wide eyes while she tugged on Jane’s coat sleeve. She had likely not met many butlers from Africa in her short life. Mr. Gideon’s dark skin and accent was no doubt a surprise.

When Jane knelt, the little one leaned so her mouth was close to Jane’s ear. “We are called wadies.”

Jane glanced up to Mr. Gideon’s raised eyebrows. “You are Lady Juliana?” They had said their father was called “Your Grace.” His rank had momentarily slipped her mind since the elder introduced them by their names alone.

“Forgive me. I forgot you mentioned your father is a duke.”

As soon as they bustled inside, Sutton drew closer to Jane’s side. “Miss Montford, I shall take your coat and hat as well as those of the children.”

“The earl is in his study should you like to introduce your guests,” said Mr. Gideon.

“Thank you.”

For some reason, her stomach turned in somersaults when she knocked and gained entry to her grandfather’s study. Her cousin Nicholas was with him, sitting in the chair across from Grandpapa’s desk.

Her grandfather frowned. “What is this?”

“We found the two of them all alone in Hyde Park, and I simply could not leave them with no servant or maid to ensure they did not freeze.” Lady Juliana wrapped her arms around Jane’s legs while she stared at Grandpapa. “These are the Ladies Emmeline and Juliana. They have managed to tell me that much, but they do not know who their father is, other than to say he is called ‘Your Grace’ by the servants.”

Emmeline looked between Grandpapa and Nicholas. Her hand trembled in Jane’s. The poor dears were frightened, which was understandable. They had lost their servants and knew no one. She held the Emmeline’s hand just a bit firmer. Perhaps that would bring the little girl some comfort. “Girls, this is my grandfather, Lord Richmond, and my cousin, Lord Hatton. I promise they are very kind and will be of aid to us.”

“Nicholas?” Fiona, Nicholas’s wife, paused in the doorway and knelt down so she was face to face with the girls. “Well, who do we have here?” Her thick Irish brogue gave a lilt to her question while her green eyes sparkled. Fiona adored children.

“These seem to be the Ladies Emmeline and Juliana,” said Nicholas. “But we have no other information. Janey found them alone in Hyde Park.”

“I am pleased to meet the two of you.”

“You are pwetty,” said Juliana in a breathless tone.

Fiona grinned. “Thank you. You are pretty too.” When Fiona stood, she propped her hands on her hips. “Until their family can be found, they need to be warmed. The wee lasses still sport red noses from the chill. Perhaps we can find some chocolate to help put the two of you to rights. What do you say, ladies?”

Emmeline squeezed Jane’s hand, and she bent down. “I shall not leave you. Come. My cousin is right. Both of you still have cold hands.”

“Janey,” said Grandpapa. “All you know is their father is a duke? That does not give me a great deal to be of help.”

“They have told me little else but that they lost their servants. Sutton and Matthew feared foul play, yet the children seem hale. That said, we did not tarry in the park.” The girls were likely too young to be able to offer much to be of aid.

Nicholas’s eyebrows drew down some. “Since we have so little information, Sutton and Matthew were wise in their counsel.” He glanced at the girls. He would never say his suspicions in front of the girls if he suspected foul play as well.

“I agree.” Grandpapa sat down and lifted his pen. “I suppose I should contact the Bow Street Runners. Should someone request their assistance in locating their missing daughters, they should know where to find them.”

“Grandpapa, Fiona and I should really see to the girls. They were quite chilled when I happened upon them.”

He glanced over his spectacles. “Yes, forgive me. Do as you will.”

By the time Jane led the girls to one of the family parlours, Fiona had requested a tray. They no sooner had the girls situated at a smaller table than a maid hurried in boasting a tray set out with chocolate, tea, and Cook’s Shrewsbury cakes, her favourite.

“Here we are.” Fiona sat in her chair and assisted Emmeline with her drink and a cake. “Do you know how many servants accompanied you to the park?”

How did Fiona know what to ask? Jane had certainly not considered questioning them about how they ended up alone—not with such care anyway.

“Miss Fletcher, John, and Adam.” Emmeline finished her list with a curt bob of her head.

When Jane glanced at Fiona, the lady had lifted her eyebrows. “When did you become separated?”

“When we saw the swans,” said Juliana. Her eyes filled with tears, and Jane rubbed her back.

Emmeline nodded and swallowed. “We watched the swans from the grass near the water while our servants waited for us on the path. When we made to return, they were gone.”

“What did you do?” asked Jane.

“We looked for Miss Fletcher until we found you.”

After chewing on her lip for a moment, Fiona rose. “I wonder if anyone in the kitchens knows of a Miss Fletcher who works for a duke.”

“I had not thought to ask in the kitchens.” Jane was well educated in how to run a household. Why had enquiring of the servants not occurred to her?

“Servants are often familiar with those in other households—not in great detail mind you, but enough that if the house is nearby, we may learn the identity of their father without much effort.”

Not long after Fiona departed, Grandmamma entered. “Fiona told me you brought home two little girls from the park. I could hardly believe it until I saw them with my own eyes. I have never heard of a duke’s children being stranded in the park by themselves, especially in this chill. This winter has been frightfully cold.”

Jane stood and gestured to the older of the girls. “May I present Lady Emmeline and Lady Juliana. Girls, this is my grandmother, Lady Richmond.”

They turned when Fiona entered and returned to the table. “Mrs. Taylor believes a duke lives on the far end of Park Lane—near Hyde Park Corner—but she is also sending servants to Darcy House as well as Audley Place to see if they know of a Miss Fletcher before your grandfather makes the call.” She bent closer to Emmeline. “Did you take a carriage to the park, or did you walk?”

“We always walk,” said Juliana with biscuit in her mouth.

Gran smiled. “That is very helpful, Lady Juliana. Thank you.”

Jane tapped her finger upon the tablecloth. “So, they live close.”

“I shall tell your grandfather,” said Gran. “He may not want to wait now. I know he would prefer to find this duke sooner rather than later. If their father knows they are missing, can you imagine the worry the poor man must be enduring?”

Jane looked down and jumped to help cradle a wobbly cup in Juliana’s small hand. “I am certain he and his wife must be beside themselves.”

Tell me your thoughts or predictions below! Next post is here on Tuesday, May 14th!