Read Online Almost A Spinster by Jenna Petersen - Free Book Online

like to touch his face as he pressed his mouth to hers… well, it was all she could think about.
    And that was a very bad thing, especially considering the fact that he refused to spare her more than a very few dismissive glances. He seemed… angry.
    He set his cup into the saucer and sighed. “Grandmother, you have never made it a habit of interviewing any other woman I have expressed an interest in.”
    Lady Stanton barked out a laugh. “Perhaps because you’ve never really expressed an interest in anyone before.”
    Wesley leaned back, draping one muscular arm over the back of the chair that he dwarfed and grinned. “Bald lies, my lady! I have danced with an abundance of women, chatted with a plethora of debutantes-”
    “You have never been seen kissing a lady of quality on a terrace during an important ball before.”
    Wesley stopped speaking and swung his gaze to Jane. She met his eyes with difficulty and hoped he could read her thoughts in them. His mouth thinned, lips pursing together before he said, “Such gossip, Grandmother. Normally I do not hear you repeating what you know is likely idle talk.”
    “My source is impeccable.” Lady Stanton’s face softened. “You know I only wish the best for you. I only want you to be happy. Since you have not brought this young lady to meet me, I took in into my own hands. If this report is true, tell me, do you intend to marry?”
    The room went deathly still as Wesley stiffened, his shoulders bunching. Jane caught a gasp before it escaped her lips, her fingers digging into the chair arm. In all their plotting to fool the ton and the woman before them, she had never considered that someone would be so bold as to question their intentions directly. Breaking off a courtship would be easy. To break an engagement would be much more complicated. Someone would end up looking the injured party… someone the callous rejecter.
    Either that, or they would end up man and wife. Judging from Wesley’s pale face, that was not an outcome he relished.
    Why did that hurt so much?
    “Grandmother!” his voice was sharp as he shoved to his feet.
    “Jane?” Lady Stanton ignored his outburst. “Do you intend to become my grandson’s wife?”
    Jane slowly got to her feet, her hands shaking and her mind spinning. Telling the lady yes would give her the peace she clearly yearned for, but the ramifications were endless.
    “I-” she stammered, looking to Wes to help her. He stared back, holding her gaze for a long moment… almost as if he were waiting for her answer as much as Lady Stanton.
    Then he shook his head and reached out to grasp her arm. He turned to his grandmother with a frown. “I will come back here in a moment to discuss this with you further, Grandmother. But for now I will escort Jane downstairs. She is expected at home, I’m sure.”
    Lady Stanton nodded, blinking up with wide, innocent eyes. But as Wesley turned Jane away and lead her to the parlor door, Jane looked back to find Lady Stanton with a sly smile on her face.
    Almost as if her bold questions were by design. Almost as if this entire afternoon had been a trap. But for Jane? Or for Wesley?
    ***
    Wesley stood outside the sitting room where he had left Jane alone for a moment while he sent for her carriage. His whole body ached like he had been in a fist fight, his head throbbed and he was finding it very difficult to step inside.
    All because he knew he had something to say, something to do. Something he feared… and he never feared anything.
    Drawing a calming breath, he stepped inside. Jane spun from the window where she had been standing and stared at him. She didn’t say a word, she didn’t move, she just looked. Somehow that was worse than her usual bubbling words. Her smiles. Her teasing grins. Because it brought home that the relationship they had once shared was gone. Lost to this ruse. Lost to a stolen kiss. Lost to the direct questions of a well-meaning grandmother.
    One who he was starting