A Summer Shame by Elizabeth Ann West

paying closer attention as she did not feel nearly as secure as she would if one of her sisters had joined her.
    "You're up, Caldwell." Torrington smugly taunted the other man as the servants at the end of the lane scurried to reset the pins. He sat with overt pomp and circumstance next to Jane at the table. "Miss Bennet, may I say how lovely you are today? The pale green of your gown is simply ravishing for an afternoon's delight."
    The double meaning to the Viscount's words put Jane's nerves on edge. "Thank you, my lord."
    "Please, call me Henry." The Viscount reached for her gloved hand and as he bent to bestow a kiss on it, nudged the edge expertly with his thumb to brush a small amount of her bare skin with his lips. Jane yanked her hand back as if she had been burned, cradling it with her other. Henry laughed. "A new stirring, eh? Has no man ever kissed the fair maiden of Bennet?"
    "The last man to take liberties with me against my wishes felt the swiftness of my right fist connecting with his nose." Jane spat out, waving her hand above her head to Viscount Ashbourne, the Colonel's older brother. Robert Fitzwilliam begged apologies to the ladies he was speaking with and hurried over to the umbrella Jane and Henry were sitting beneath.
    "Torrington." Robert tersely acknowledged Jane's companion with a brief nod.
    "Ashbourne, don't be a bother. We are perfectly content to converse without you, old man."
    Robert ignored Viscount Torrington's bored statement and offered a hand to Jane, which she readily accepted. He made polite conversation about introducing his mother's guest to the ladies he was speaking to earlier. As soon as the two of them reached the halfway point on the lawn, and out of earshot of Viscount Torrington, Jane begged Robert to not leave her alone with him.
    "Did he harass you?"
    "No, not in any way to embarrass only him and not me. He is loose with his hands and suggestive in his speech. Promise me you will keep an eye on him, I do not trust his intentions."
    Robert Fitzwilliam ground his teeth, angry at being so powerless to thrash Henry Longwell for his improper attentions. These cat-and-mouse parties were his least favorite pastime that came with his rank. He was only present at the behest of his mother as he preferred to be back in London, with his friends, discussing the latest politics over a bottle of port. No sooner had he given his promise to watch over Torrington than he and Jane were approached by Mr. Holmes, carrying a silver tray.
    "Forgive me sir, but these two expresses just arrived for Miss Bennet." Jane accepted the two notes, dreading the contents. The only reason to send an express was poor news, and she was grateful when Robert directed her to a stone bench on the far side of the lawn, away from the activities of the others.
    Opening the letter that was the worse for wear, Jane smiled and laughed that her dear brother-in-law would send an express merely to request her presence in Scotland. Jubilation over the end of her service to Lady Matlock's matchmaking schemes made Jane lose her careful serenity in a fit of giggles. She was free! Robert Fitzwilliam turned around from his impromptu guard position.
    "Who sends funny news via express? You had me worried!"
    "Me too! But it is poor news, Mr. Darcy asks me to join them in Scotland as the situation there has gone completely out of hand." Jane frowned as she perused the contents of the other express, dated long after the first and only a week ago. Lydia had been injured, though not gravely, and was fighting the prescribed bedrest.
    "Oh, I must hurry." Clutching her letters, she nearly forgot herself out of concern and sprinted across the yard, but instead sighed as Robert offered his arm. Leisurely strolling to the croquet game, Jane smiled and nodded at other members of the house party while secretly cheering in her head that she would soon be away from the fake and phoniness that had been London and now camped in the country. As they