The Private Affairs Of Lady Jane Fielding by Viveka Portman Page A

lament.’ He smiled though the gesture did not quite reach his eyes, yet I was once more reminded how utterly charming his features could be.
    Would that I could have both men in my bed.
    The thought sent a powerful paroxysm of longing straight to my womb. I imagined having both men, their mouths on my body, their manhoods locked in my willing body. My face roared with colour.
    I was turning into a slattern, certainly.
    ‘Have you perchance imbibed much ale at your luncheon?’ I asked, swiftly changing the subject. I walked to the looking glass to straighten my gown and lament my unfinished hair.
    ‘No, mayhap yes.’ Jacob reclined on the stuffed chair beside the window and sighed heavily. ‘What a situation we have found ourselves in, Jane.’
    ‘What a situation indeed,’ I agreed, and before I could return to his side to seek solace and passion in his touch, there was a curt rapping at my door.
    ‘Yes?’ I called.
    ‘Milady!’ Esther breathlessly entered. ‘No one has seen Mary Anne since breakfast! Och! Mrs Bates is in a fine state about it. There’s no one to prepare the breads for supper!’
    I spun to face Jacob. ‘You must find Arthur,’ I said. ‘Mary Anne is missing, and we know what shame may be wrought on that simpleton girl if we don’t find her, or we do find her in Arthur’s presence.’
    My words were needless, as at Esther’s words Jacob had risen, and was making for the door.
    ‘I shall find Arthur,’ Jacob said, and swept from the room.
    ‘Esther, fasten my bonnet. I shall take a quick turn around the grounds to ascertain that he has not happened upon her in the kitchen gardens again.’
    ‘No, Milady, I have Maeve to do it,’ Esther countered, yet was already obliging me with my bonnet.
    ‘Certainly, still, I shall not stay here whilst terrible things may be underfoot. I must join the search.’
    She tied the green ribbon beneath my chin, and without farewell I hurried from the room and down the stairs.
    It was bright outside, but already the sun was moving towards the horizon. A lazy summer breeze heady with the sound of bees wafted around me as I hurried towards the kitchen gardens and greenhouses.
    I was certain I should find Arthur with Mary Anne there. No carriage had left the grounds, of this I was most certain, and I should have heard if he had left. I walked past the stables, and there I saw Matthew’s luggage, piled awaiting a carriage. My stomach sank upon the sight. The situation with Matthew was one that must be rectified, and quickly, before he left and neither my husband nor I would ever see him again.
    I turned around the corner of the building, towards the walled kitchen garden. I paused, my slippers crunching loudly on the gravel pathway, and listened for sounds of activity.
    For a time, not a sound hailed on the breeze except the occasional chirp of birdsong and buzz of insect life. Slower now, and with a calmness my heart seemed to lack, I pushed the gates open.
    The kitchen garden spread forth beyond, green, lush and lovely. No one graced the grand expanse of vegetation, not gardener nor maid. I sighed in relief.
    Perhaps all would be well?
    Almost the moment the thought left my head, I heard a muffled cry, somewhere beyond. My heart lurched, and despite the heat, I shivered. I looked around, hoping that perhaps Maeve may come so that I may investigate the cry with her. Yet as I carefully closed the gate, and hesitated once more, I knew no aid would come. I paused, listening, trying once more to fathom the direction of the unusual sound.
    The sound repeated, and I turned to face the greenhouses. Fielding was fortunate enough to have three — an older orangery, and two large fine glass and iron structures of the latest design. As I stared at the structures, I realised swiftly it was the orangery from which the sounds came.
    As I moved towards the beautiful, white brick and glass building, the cry sounded again. Was it Mary Anne and Arthur? Was I to happen upon