Chapter 10: A Love Too Dangerous

Jane had known Margaret Lawrence's warning would come sooner or later.

She had tried to be careful, to keep her head down, to ignore the growing attraction between her and Jack. But it hadn't been enough.

Now, she was faced with a choice that wasn't a choice at all.

If she didn't put an end to this once and for all, she would lose everything—her job, her home, and worst of all, her father's security.

She couldn't let that happen.

---

Avoidance is Not Enough

For the next few days, Jane made every effort to avoid Jack.

She changed her routes through the house, ensured she was never alone in any room where he might be, and busied herself with so much work that she collapsed into bed at night too exhausted to think.

It didn't help.

Jack wasn't stupid. He noticed.

He had tried to catch her eye during dinner service, had lingered in the hallways when she passed, had even come close to speaking to her once—but she had ducked away before he could.

Still, she felt his frustration growing like a storm.

And she knew it was only a matter of time before it broke.

---

A Tense Confrontation

The moment came late one evening, just as Jane was finishing her duties in the main parlor.

She was alone, fluffing the cushions when she heard the door close behind her.

She froze.

Slowly, she turned—

And there he was.

Jack stood near the door, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable.

Jane's heart slammed against her ribs.

She lowered her gaze. "Sir—"

"Enough," Jack cut her off, his voice tense. "Are you going to tell me what this is about?"

Jane swallowed hard. "I don't know what you mean."

Jack took a step closer. "You've been avoiding me."

She gripped the fabric of her apron. "I have been busy."

"That's a lie."

His words were quiet but firm.

Jane squeezed her eyes shut for a moment. He isn't going to let this go.

She took a deep breath, steeling herself, then forced herself to meet his gaze.

"This has to stop, Jack."

Jack flinched slightly at her use of his name instead of 'sir,' but he recovered quickly. His jaw tightened.

"You don't mean that," he said.

"I do." Jane lifted her chin. "I should have never let things go this far. I should have never allowed—"

She stopped herself before the words left her lips. Allowed what? Allowed myself to fall for you?

Jack took another step closer, his expression darkening.

"If you tell me you feel nothing for me, I'll let you go," he said. His voice was rough, filled with emotion. "But you can't, can you?"

Jane's breath hitched.

She clenched her hands into fists. "It doesn't matter what I feel."

Jack's eyes flashed. "It matters to me."

She shook her head. "Your mother—"

"I don't care what my mother thinks."

Jane let out a bitter laugh. "Then you're a fool."

Jack flinched.

Jane took a shaky breath, forcing herself to continue. "She threatened me, Jack. She threatened my father. If I do not put an end to this, she will destroy us both."

Jack's entire body went rigid. "She what?"

Jane swallowed the lump in her throat. "She will never allow this, Jack. Even if—" Her voice broke, and she had to gather herself. "Even if we wanted it, it can never be."

---

The Heartbreak of Truth

Silence fell between them.

Jack stared at her, his hands clenching at his sides. "So that's it? You're just going to let her win?"

Jane forced herself to nod. "Yes."

Jack exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

His next words were quiet, but they shattered something inside her.

"I would fight for you, Jane."

Jane felt her heart squeeze painfully.

She had to leave. If she didn't, she would break.

Without another word, she turned and rushed past him, slipping out of the room before he could stop her.

But even as she fled, she knew—

This was not the end.

Not even close.

---

A Lonely Night

Jane lay awake in her small cot that night, tears streaming silently down her cheeks.

Her heart ached in a way she had never known before.

Jack's words echoed in her mind.

I would fight for you.

A part of her longed to believe him, to surrender to the love that burned between them. But the fear was stronger.

Margaret Lawrence would never allow her son to marry a maid.

And if she defied her, her father would suffer.

Jane turned her face into her pillow, stifling her sobs.

She had done the right thing.

Then why did it feel like her heart was breaking?

---

Jack's Determination

On the other side of the estate, Jack stood by the window of his room, staring out into the dark night.

He could still see the pain in Jane's eyes, the fear that his mother had planted in her heart.

His hands clenched into fists.

He would not lose her.

Not to his mother. Not to the cruel world that sought to keep them apart.

If Jane wouldn't fight for them, he would.

No matter the cost.

---

A Secret Meeting

The next afternoon, as Jane was folding linens in the servants' quarters, Susan appeared in the doorway.

"There's someone waiting for you in the old stable," she said quietly.

Jane's heart nearly stopped. "Who?"

Susan's gaze softened. "Go and see for yourself."

Hesitant and trembling, Jane slipped away from her duties and made her way to the abandoned stable at the edge of the Lawrence estate.

The air was thick with dust and memories, but when she stepped inside, she found Jack waiting for her.

"Jack, you shouldn't be here," she whispered anxiously, glancing over her shoulder.

"I had to see you," he said, stepping toward her. "I won't let my mother control my life. And I won't let her keep us apart."

Tears welled in Jane's eyes. "You don't understand—"

"I understand perfectly." Jack reached for her hands, holding them firmly. "I love you, Jane. And I will fight for us. But I need you to believe in me."

Jane's breath caught.

No one had ever fought for her before.

No one had ever loved her the way Jack did.

Her heart waged war with her mind.

But as Jack leaned closer, his forehead resting against hers, Jane felt her resolve shatter.

"I love you too," she whispered.

Jack's lips captured hers in a tender, desperate kiss, sealing the truth they had both tried to deny.

In that moment, nothing else mattered.

Not Margaret.

Not the world that looked down on them.

Only their love.

---

A Dangerous Path Ahead

When they finally pulled apart, Jack pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"We will find a way, Jane. I swear it."

Jane nodded, though fear still lingered in her heart.

Loving Jack was dangerous.

But denying her heart had nearly destroyed her.

And now, there was no turning back.

No matter the cost, she belonged to Jack Lawrence.

Even if it meant risking everything.