Chapter Four #3
He straightened and answered in a stiff and quelling voice.
“At present, I can’t see how I can assist you.
Much as I might wish to help you and your causes, I cannot fly in the face of the order of society.
That is not my role in this country. My role is to maintain stability, prosperity, and opportunities for men to support their families. ”
Jane searched his face for a flicker of wavering from his implacable stance. Seeing none, she swallowed her disappointment and looked toward her sister.
“Come,” he said, rising from the table.
She glanced back at him and saw that his expression showed sympathy.
For disappointing her, presumably. “Come,” he said again, taking her hand in his and drawing her to her feet.
“Let us not be at odds about this when we get on so well otherwise.” He kissed her hand and drew it through his arm, smiling into her eyes before turning them both towards their sisters’ table.
“The dancing is commencing. I cannot partner you again this evening, but I suspect that Dr. Logan will be more than happy to do so, if you have no objection?”
She fought a strong desire to sob with frustration and regret because they could not agree, and momentarily clutched his arm as they approached the other table.
Dance partners changed and the group broke up, with Dalton leading a startled Anna for a country dance while Dr. Logan escorted Jane. Mrs. Courtice and Lady Elizabeth strolled off together in conversation.
After another hour or more of dancing, Dalton gathered his party together for their departure. Seeing Dr. Logan talking with his sister, he offered him a ride home, which the doctor accepted with thanks.
They hurried through the cool night to the carriage when it arrived, and Dalton assisted the women to enter, giving instructions to the driver before following Dr. Logan into the warm interior.
With an extra person in the confined space, the proximity of Dalton disturbed Jane even more than on the earlier journey.
The legs of both men crowded the three women.
Elizabeth seemed unconcerned by Dr. Logan’s proximity and talked animatedly with him about the ball and their mission work.
In contrast, Jane could feel herself blush warmer every time a bump on the cobblestone road rocked Dalton’s legs and feet against hers.
She had difficulty following the conversation going on beside her, to which Dalton occasionally contributed, and peered through the gloom of the interior, trying to read her companion’s thoughts and feelings.
A streetlight flared into the carriage as it stopped to let off Dr. Logan, who bid them all a cheery good evening. By its light, Jane saw Dalton’s eyes fixed upon her, keenly watching her face. Her hands clenched in her lap.
Unaware of the tension in the carriage, Elizabeth laughingly started to tell them of Dr. Logan’s family, which, he had informed her at supper, numbered ten children.
He was the eldest, followed by four brothers and five sisters, all given Latin names because their father was a Latin scholar and particularly interested in Roman history.
The doctor’s name was Marcus Aurelius, while his siblings included Tertius, Septimus, Octimus, Noni, and Decimus.
Jane was thankful the distraction of Elizabeth’s retelling of Dr. Logan’s amusing tale relieved the tension between Dalton and herself. That feeling lasted until the well-sprung carriage swayed to a gentle full stop outside her home.
Dalton sprang into action, opening the door, leaping out, and letting down the steps for Anna and Jane.
After assisting Anna, he leaned wordlessly into the carriage, offering his hand to Jane.
With only a slight hesitation, she placed her own in his and balanced herself as she stepped down onto the pavement.
Instead of releasing her, Dalton drew her arm through his as he escorted her to the front door, where he rapped loudly on the lion’s head door knocker.
He took her hand from his arm and raised it to his lips, pressing a kiss onto her fingertips.
Jane gasped in surprise as she felt his soft lips against her thin gloves and tried to pull her hand away.
She felt a slight resistance before it was released.
Startled by his behavior, Jane peered up at his face, searching for a clue as to whether he was amusing himself at her expense.
Before she could determine his meaning, the door opened, breaking their steady gaze.
Anna slipped into the house, murmuring her thanks to Dalton.
“May I call on you in the morning, Miss Brody?” he asked.
“You may, but why?”
“Does a gentleman need a reason to call on you?” She could see his smile spread to his eyes.
“Why no, of course not, but I thought you may have wanted to discuss our women’s rights cause.”
“Ah yes, of course. We may continue that discussion.”
“Is there anything else you would wish to discuss with me, my lord?”
“Perhaps.” He took her hand again and bowed over it. “Sweet dreams, Miss Brody.”
Jane watched him stride to his carriage and swiftly step up into it. She turned and entered the house through the door still held open by the housekeeper. Jane halted in amazement as she climbed the long staircase to her room—she was looking forward to Dalton’s promised morning visit.