Page 36 of What a Widow Wants

“A boy?”

“Girl.”

“Pah.” Kinellan poured more spirits and gulped it down. “Make sure she gives you a boy right off.”

“I assure you, we will try our absolute best to oblige you as quickly as possible. And therein lies the reason for our haste. We wish to be married the soonest possible, so once I meet the child and we are seen to get along fairly well, you will receive a summons to St. Georges.” Matthew winced, but continued. “If all fares well, you may need to cut your shooting trip short as well.”

“What?” The spray was confined just to the earl himself this time.

“Need you to stand up with me, Kinellan. No other man for the job.”

A sigh came from deep in his friend’s soul. “It is a sin, Lathbury, a downright sin for a man to let a woman come between him and his shooting party. Mark my words”—Kinellan struck a pose, one finger raised—“forever after this, no woman will ever come between me and my shooting pleasure.”

“I will bear witness to it, old chap. But I will make your excuses if you wish to change before joining us. I’d like for you to be there for the announcement of our betrothal.”

“Certainly, certainly.” The earl waved him toward the door. “I have aided you twice in your wooing and now in wedding as well. Will you also require my assistance on the wedding night?”

Matthew burst out laughing. “In that, Kinellan, I can assure you, your services will not be required.”

* * *

The drawing room at Hunter’s Cross teemed with the after-dinner chatter of women. Sipping tea, they broke into small groups of twos and threes for the most part, discussing the picnic, clothes, the coming Little Season in London. Fanny sidled up to Jane, who had gotten into a lengthy conversation with Lady Pamela Guire about the latest fashions in bonnets. Raising an eyebrow at her sister-in-law, Fanny tasted her tea, only to exclaim, “Gracious, there’s no sugar in this tea. Do pardon me, ladies.”

Hurrying away to the tea table, she hoped Jane would follow her soon. “No sugar” was their signal for need of a private conversation. By the time she’d pretended to chip off some small lumps of sugar, Jane was at her side, gathering a fresh cup for herself.

“Where have you been all afternoon?” Fanny began as her friend poured. “I tried to find you after the luncheon but you were nowhere in sight. I didn’t even see you in the brake on the way home.”

“Lord Kinellan invited me to come to his stand during the afternoon shooting.” Jane sipped her tea, made a face, and added more milk. “Scandalous, I know. Shooting is such a man’s sport, and they are usually so secretive about it, I really felt as though I should go, if only to experience it once.” She sent a subtle sideways glance to Fanny. “Although now, I suspect I shall have more opportunities.”

“Indeed?” Fanny led them to a chaise in a relatively secluded corner of the drawing room. “Have you made yet another conquest, my dear?”

Jane’s soft laugh brought a twinkle to her eyes. “I suppose one could call it that. He’s invited me to his shooting party next week in Scotland. There’s to be two weeks of it, which may prove frightfully boring. This afternoon watching him shoot was fascinating, but it is a very loud business and I suspect the fascination will pall quickly.”

“If you fear you’ll be bored, why attend? You could have pled an obligation in Town.”

“Yes, but I believe there will be sufficient compensations. At least during the nights.” A self-satisfied smile appeared on Jane’s lips. “Perhaps beginning tonight.”

“Of all the members of our club, you are certainly taking advantage of your widowhood, my dear.” Fanny could scarcely believe how many men her sister-in-law had reputedly dallied with since June.

“As have you, I believe, if Elizabeth is to be believed about your exploits in Brighton.” Jane’s arch tone said Fanny might tread on delicate ground.

“I doubt she knows all that occurred there, but yes, I have had a bit of fun.” More than a bit, and more to come. “But only with one man. You, on the other hand, are beginning to seem like a lady rake.”

“A lady rake!”

“Shhh.” Lord knew who might hear them.

“I like the sound of that.” Jane settled back with her cup, seemingly delighted with the term. “Why should men have all the fun?”

“Because men do not increase. A reason you need to heed well lest you wish to become a wife again. Although”—Fanny set her cup on a nearby table, finally ready to tell Jane her news—“that constraint no longer concerns me.”

Jane jumped and her cup rattled in its saucer. She set it aside and clutched Fanny’s arm. “Fanny! Tell me you are not with child.”

“Heavens, no.” Fanny frowned, appalled that her friend would think such a thing. “I have had my courses since the last time I was with Matthew and I did not dally at Charlotte’s.” Thank goodness, she added silently.

“Then why are you not concerned about getting with child? I will simply not believe you have sworn off men or are about to take the veil.”

“Nothing so unlikely,” she said, taking Jane’s hand. “I have agreed to marry Matthew.”