Cocky Earl - Annabelle Anders Page 0,65

informed me that she hid from her in the orangery last night. We can’t have an unmarried woman cavorting about the premises with heaven knows who, now can we? I have Tabetha’s reputation to protect.”

“And Bethany’s,” he said through clenched teeth. Although that wasn’t at all the issue here.

“Of course.” She tilted her head, looking more serene than he knew she really was, daring him to contradict her.

“And no doubt the doggedly attentive Mrs. Crabtree told you that Miss Jackson was with me?” he asked, cracking several of his knuckles simultaneously. “I am not joking. Please don’t make this difficult. And do call off your watchdog. I won’t have my future betrothed made to feel uncomfortable in our home.”

His mother pursed her lips. Of course, she’d known. She’d likely noted his interest in Charley earlier, which had caused her to bring out the stern chaperone in the first place. His mother was an intelligent, discerning woman.

“You would break the agreement made by your father before his passing.”

“There was no official agreement.”

“The match was decided upon years ago.”

“I never agreed to any arrangement, Mother.”

“Jules—” His mother reached out a hand.

“I have an official agreement with Miss Jackson.” He’d said all that he’d intended. He wouldn’t break his word. Not losing Charley meant far too much to him.

Jules loved his mother. She was a strong woman who looked out for her children fiercely. She was also creative and charismatic. But he couldn’t live his life for his mother.

She removed a handkerchief from inside one of her sleeves and dabbed it at the corner of one eye. “Your father must be turning in his grave. An American, Jules? And an uncouth one at that. What on earth are you thinking?”

He ignored the guilt she expertly summoned. “You’ll refrain from making disparaging comments about her.”

“Did you lose a bet? Oh, Jules. Tell me this isn’t because of some wager you made with Chaswick or that Spencer boy.”

Jules rose and crossed to the window, presenting his mother with his back. Blast and damn, she poked her nose into his business far too much for his liking. It was one thing when he’d just stepped into his father’s shoes, quite another now that he was contemplating marriage.

More than contemplating it.

As much as he’d liked to have fulfilled that wish on his father’s part, Jules had always had difficulty envisioning Felicity as his wife. He scrubbed his hand down his face to erase the unease he felt to even float the idea through his thoughts.

“Spencer is hardly a boy.” He inhaled. “Inform Mrs. Crabtree that her services will not be necessary.”

“Miss Jackson will require a chaperone now more than ever when our guests discover you are… interested in her.”

“Courting her.”

“Well. Yes then.” She narrowed her gaze. “Brightly is not going to be happy.”

“I don’t suppose he will be. And I apologize if this puts a riff in your relationship with Felicity’s mother.” He winced. “But my mind is made up.”

In her eyes, he could practically hear all the things she refused to say out loud. And then she inhaled a deep breath and released it. “Very well. I will have a talk with Mrs. Crabtree. I would still have her accompany Miss Jackson, but I will ask that she do so with less… enthusiasm.”

The vice that had been squeezing his lungs for most of this conversation finally released. Her capitulation was a fair compromise. “Thank you,” he said.

“Will you be speaking with Felicity then?” she asked. “Your sisters are going to be dreadfully disappointed.”

“They’ll come to terms with my decision in time. It’s not as though they would have been the ones marrying her.”

“But you will speak with Felicity.”

It was not a question. Jules rubbed a hand along the back of his collar. “Of course, I will.” Damn but this was becoming more complicated than he’d imagined. “And Lord Brightly as well. And Mother?”

“Yes, darling.”

She smiled at him as though all of this had been resolved as she wished. He knew better.

“Inform Mrs. Crabtree that if Miss Jackson has any complaints whatsoever, she’ll answer to me.”

Chapter 18

EVER SHOT AN ARROW, MISS JACKSON?

Mrs. Crabtree had presented herself at Charley’s chamber the next morning, filled with apologies and promising to perform her duties going forward in a more discreet manner. And then shortly after, Bethany and Tabetha arrived to inform Charley of the lesson Julian had arranged.

Archery.

Since this would be a private lesson, Bethany pointed out as Mrs. Crabtree trailed behind them, targets had been set up in the