Chapter 9: A forbidden Desire

Jane barely slept that night.

Her body was exhausted, her muscles aching from the long day of work, but her mind refused to quiet. Every time she closed her eyes, she felt Jack's hands on her face, his breath so close to hers.

She had made a terrible mistake.

She had let her guard down.

And now, she feared she could never go back.

---

A Morning of Tension

The following morning, Jane moved through the halls of the Lawrence estate like a ghost, trying to avoid Jack at all costs.

But she could feel him.

His presence lingered in every room, every corridor. When she passed the library where they had stood in the candlelight, her breath caught.

Susan noticed her distress. "You look pale, child," she murmured as they polished the grand staircase railing together. "Are you feeling ill?"

Jane shook her head quickly. "I am fine."

Susan gave her a knowing look but did not press further.

Jane wished she could confide in her, wished she could share the torment of what had happened last night. But some things were too dangerous to say aloud.

Some things were better left unspoken.

---

Jack Won't Be Ignored

Jane thought she had been successful in avoiding Jack.

But she should have known better.

That afternoon, as she carried fresh linens toward one of the guest rooms, she turned a corner—

And nearly crashed into him.

She froze, clutching the fabric to her chest.

Jack, dressed in a dark navy coat and looking impossibly handsome, blocked her path.

His expression was unreadable, but his blue eyes burned with intensity.

Jane immediately stepped back. "Forgive me, sir—"

"No." His voice was firm. "Not this time."

Jane's heart pounded. "Sir, I must go—"

Jack reached out and caught her wrist. His grip was gentle, but it sent a bolt of heat through her.

She sucked in a sharp breath. "Jack—"

His name had barely left her lips before he leaned in slightly, lowering his voice to a near whisper.

"Do you regret last night?"

Jane's pulse raced.

She should say yes.

She should lie.

But she couldn't.

Jack studied her, his fingers tightening slightly around her wrist.

"Then why are you running from me?"

Jane squeezed her eyes shut. "Because this cannot happen."

Jack exhaled sharply. "Why?"

Jane forced herself to look at him. "Because you are Jack Lawrence, and I am just a maid."

A muscle in his jaw ticked. "You think that matters to me?"

Jane swallowed hard. "It matters to everyone else."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The tension crackled between them like a summer storm.

Then Jack released her wrist.

His gaze softened. "I won't force you, Jane."

Jane's chest ached at the way he said her name, the quiet plea hidden beneath his words.

"I only ask one thing," Jack murmured. "Be honest with me."

Jane's throat tightened.

But before she could answer, the sound of approaching footsteps forced them apart.

Jane quickly turned away, gripping the linens tightly.

Jack did not stop her this time.

But as she walked away, she felt his gaze burning into her back.

---

A Warning from Margaret Lawrence

Later that evening, Jane was summoned.

The moment Susan told her Mrs. Lawrence wished to see her in the drawing room, Jane's blood turned cold.

She had been dreading this moment.

Steeling herself, she entered the grand drawing room where Margaret Lawrence sat like a queen upon her throne. The air was thick with the scent of lavender and the weight of unspoken judgments.

Margaret did not look up immediately. Instead, she delicately stirred her tea, taking her time.

Jane stood stiffly, her hands clasped in front of her.

Finally, Margaret set her spoon down with a soft clink.

"You are quite the ambitious girl, aren't you?"

Jane's stomach twisted. "Ma'am?"

Margaret lifted her gaze, pinning Jane with her sharp blue eyes. "Do not play coy with me. I know what you are doing."

Jane's hands trembled, but she forced herself to remain still. "I do not understand."

Margaret's lips curled into a cold smile. "You've caught my son's attention."

Jane's breath stilled.

Margaret leaned forward. "Listen to me, girl. I have seen many like you before—maids who think they can rise above their station by ensnaring a wealthy man."

Jane flinched. "That is not what I—"

"Enough." Margaret's voice cut like ice. "Jack is not for you."

Jane swallowed hard.

Margaret's smile remained, but there was steel behind it. "You will not entertain his affections. You will not encourage him. If I find that you have disregarded this warning…" She leaned back gracefully, her gaze turning cruel. "I will see to it that you are removed from this household. And your father? I will make certain he suffers as well."

A cold chill ran down Jane's spine.

Margaret took another sip of tea. "Do we understand each other?"

Jane's throat felt tight, but she forced herself to nod. "Yes, ma'am."

Margaret smiled. "Good girl."

---

A Choice to Make

Jane barely made it back to the servants' quarters before her knees gave out.

She collapsed onto her small cot, burying her face in her hands.

Margaret Lawrence was not a woman to make idle threats.

Jane had to end this. Truly end this.

She had to tell Jack—this time, without hesitation—that there could be nothing between them.

She had no other choice.

But deep down, in the darkest corners of her heart, she knew the truth.

Even if she pushed Jack away again…

It was already too late.

Because she had already fallen.

---

The Night That Changed Everything

That night, long after the house had quieted and the world outside was bathed in moonlight, Jane found herself unable to sleep.

The weight of Margaret's threat pressed heavily on her chest.

She thought of her father, frail and ill, depending on her wages.

She thought of Jack, of the way he looked at her, of how her heart raced whenever he was near.

Her love for him was forbidden.

But how could she stop loving him when her heart already belonged to him?

Unable to fight the pull, Jane slipped from her quarters and made her way through the darkened halls.

Her feet carried her to the same place she had found him the night before—the library.

And there, as if fate had drawn them together, stood Jack once more.

He turned when he saw her, surprise flickering in his eyes before something deeper, something raw, replaced it.

"Jane..." he breathed.

She took a trembling step toward him.

"I tried to stay away," she whispered. "I truly did."

Jack closed the distance between them, his eyes filled with longing. "And yet, here you are."

Jane's heart pounded as he reached for her, his hand brushing her cheek.

"I am terrified," she admitted.

"So am I," Jack murmured.

He leaned in, his breath mingling with hers.

And this time, when his lips met hers, Jane did not pull away.

The world melted away as Jack's kiss consumed her, filled with passion and desperation.

In that moment, nothing else mattered.

Not Margaret's threats.

Not the world's judgment.

Only him.

Only their love.

And though she knew they would face a storm ahead, for this stolen moment, Jane allowed herself to surrender to the one thing she could no longer deny...

Her forbidden desire for Jack Lawrence.