Page 55 of The Governess and the Rogue

Bea hesitated for a fraction of a second before taking Hannah’s hands in return. “And I you, my lady.”

“Hannah, please,” Hannah said. “And may I call you Beatrice? Or do you prefer Bea?”

“Either will suffice,” Bea said.

James offered Bea a bow. “Miss Layton.”

Bea inclined her head to him. “My lord.”

Before either of them could utter another word, Maberly materialized with Jack’s and Bea’s luggage on a hand cart. He wasn’t unacquainted with Jack’s family, having accompanied Jack home on leave multiple times during his years serving as Jack’s batman.

“Your luggage, Colonel Beresford,” he said, perspiration dotting his brow. “And Miss Layton’s. Where shall I⁠—”

“You may load it onto my carriage, Maberly,” James said. “It’s by the cab stand. My footman will assist you.”

“Yes, my lord.” Maberly bobbed his head before obediently haring off with the bags.

Jack’s fingers tightened on the handle of his cane. “Who sent the wire?” he asked his brother.

“A Mrs. Rawson,” James said. “She claims an acquaintance with me.”

“Mrs. Rawson, of course.” Jack might have known.

“She was concerned about you traveling home in comfort,” James said. “And about Miss Layton being properly chaperoned.”

“Not to worry on either count,” Hannah said. “We have brought our traveling coach. And I am here to ensure Miss Layton isn’t without female companionship.” She addressed Bea. “You must be dreadfully tired after traveling all through the night.”

“I am,” Bea admitted. “But you needn’t put yourself to any trouble on my account.”

“Nonsense.” Hannah slipped her arm through Bea’s. “You are soon to be my sister-in-law. You must allow me to take care of you.”

Jack exchanged a weighted glance with Bea as Hannah drew her toward the waiting carriage. The single look seemed to contain an entire conversation.

“Why on earth didn’t you tell them the truth?” she asked with her eyes.

“It’s complicated,” he answered back silently. “My brother wouldn’t understand.”

“What about our amicable breakup?”

“Later.”

“And my reference?”

“You’ll have your reference. I gave you my word and I mean to keep it. I just require a bit of time.”

Jack had never communicated so much with another person in his life. Not without words. Not in a single scorching look.

But things with Bea had always been different, hadn’t they? She hadn’t chased him. Hadn’t wanted him. She had, he was fairly certain, at one time thought he might be insane.

Given their current predicament, Jack wouldn’t be at all surprised if she was reconsidering that diagnosis.

“Where did you meet her?” James asked.

Jack turned his attention to his brother. Despite all these years, James still had the ability to make him feel like a feckless boy of eighteen. “On the voyage home from India.”

“Rather hasty on your part.”

“Not at all. We were many weeks at sea.”