Free Her One True Love by Rachel Brimble

done—to ruin her trust and friendship? He stood in the hallway and turned back to the drawing room door. No, he would not harangue her. She would be fine here. She had friends and acquaintances all over the city.
    Taking his hat from the stand in the hallway, Matthew looked toward the kitchen at the end of the corridor. “Simmons? We’re leaving.”
    Jane appeared at the drawing room door, her cheeks flushed and her beautiful hazel eyes wide.
    He waited.
    She came closer until she stood barely a foot away from him. She plucked a piece of lint from his lapel before placing her hand against the same spot. Her gaze traveled the length and breadth of his face before she met his eyes. “Tea. We’ll have tea with Katy tomorrow.”
    Relief whispered through him as Matthew fought to keep his face impassive. “You are certain you want me there?” His heart beat hard under the warmth of her palm. “I did not come with you to be in your way. I want you safe and happy. That is all.”
    She nodded. “I know.”
    Simmons appeared from the kitchen, his boots thudding along the wooden floor. Jane flinched and stepped back. The warmth from her touch lingered on Matthew’s chest as he donned his hat. “Until tomorrow then.”
    She nodded, her smile tight. “Until tomorrow.”
    Matthew turned and moved toward Simmons as he waited at the open front door.
    The door clicked closed behind them before they’d even boarded the carriage.

Chapter 5
    J ane waited with her back to the front door until the crunch of Matthew’s carriage wheels faded and only then, released her held breath. Opening her eyes, she took a step forward and gripped a side table, her heart thundering. It had been foolish to storm from the drawing room and chase after him. How on earth would he interpret her actions now that she’d demonstrated such desperation?
    Closing her eyes, she pressed her thumb and forefinger into her brow.
    If he hadn’t guessed her feelings ran deeper than friendship before, he certainly would now.
    â€œMiss Jane? Is everything all right?”
    Jane snapped her eyes open and straightened as Jeannie hurried toward her, concern etched on her face. Jane forced a smile, raising her hand in an effort to placate Jeannie’s worry. “I am quite all right. A little weakened from Miss Wrexford’s tirade, maybe.” She took Jeannie’s elbow and steered her toward the kitchen. “Did you manage to find some tea?”
    â€œYes, but—”
    â€œThen that is all I need to settle me. Come.”
    The kitchen wasn’t much brighter than the drawing room. Jane sighed as she looked about her. “First, we’ll get to know Bath a little better, then we’ll make some much-needed changes about the house.” She moved to the window. “Even some pretty fabric to hang at these windows would brighten things up a little. Don’t you think?”
    Jeannie wrapped a tea cloth around the handle of the kettle and lifted it from its place above the fire. “I do. I could even make some cushions for the kitchen chairs, and a good scrub of wax on that table will bring it back to its proper glory.”
    â€œIt’s all about a woman’s touch. This place has my father written all over it. As much as I might have loved him, the house is mine now, and I wish to make it feel that way.”
    They sat at the small kitchen table until dusk fell and the room was lit by flickering lamps and candles, the fire slowly dying down. Jane looked at Jeannie’s heavy eyelids and slowly slumping shoulders. “Why don’t you go to bed? There are three bedrooms, with the biggest at the front. I’ll take that one, but you can choose which of the other rooms you prefer.”
    â€œAre you sure, miss?”
    Jane lifted her eyebrows and feigned annoyance. “It’s Jane from now on, remember? And of course I am. Now go. Tomorrow we will