Chapter Eleven
A SHARP brEATH ESCAPED Jane. She stared at The Gazette where it lay open among the breakfast plates. Her engagement announcement, printed in cold, black ink, stared back.
The enormity of yesterday’s decision hit like a blow to her chest. Any feeling of normalcy evaporated. Despite knowing at some level of consciousness that she was to marry him, it was only now she really comprehended that reality.
She was to marry the Marquess of Dalton. No, he was now Jonathan to her. He had told her so. And she was “My Jane,” as he had said, many times, as he kissed her yesterday morning.
It was really happening. She was to marry him—in February, after the House of Lords resumed for the new year. A quiet wedding, as Jane and her family were still in mourning.
What had she done?
Her heart raced. Chest constricted, she gasped for breath. She closed her eyes to blank the newspaper evidence of her fate, to gain control of her emotions.
You made a decision. The right one for your family.
It will be all right. Think of the advantages.
Don’t let your fears get the upper hand.
Count off the good points. One—he kisses divinely.
No! One—he is willing to assist my siblings.
Two—he is a good man who will treat me kindly.
Three—his sister is a dear friend, so surely his family must be likeable also.
Four—he is very wealthy and has influence, so I will be able to help others. Five—he is very attractive.
Katherine’s voice cut through her thoughts. “Jane, are you listening? Shall I commence the next translation from Homer after breakfast?”
Jane blinked her eyes open and sucked in a deep breath. “Yes, yes of course, Katie, please do, and then the next set of mathematical problems in the book. I’ll check them after speaking with Mrs. Creevy.”
“Whatever are you reading?” Katherine asked. “You look like you have seen a ghost.”
“Just my engagement notice.”
Katherine put out her hand for the paper. “Let me see then.” Katherine took The Gazette and read the few lines. “Oh, Jane, Lord Dalton is such a handsome, well-dressed gentleman. You are so lucky. I hope I shall have a husband like him one day.”
“Yes, I’m sure you will—that is, if you are sure that you do not wish to continue to study, then perhaps teach afterwards. You are very bright, you know.”
“Can’t one do both, Jane?”
“Only with a very wealthy, supportive husband, otherwise it’s all babies and household duties.”
Katherine’s face fell before a new thought came to her. “Oh, well, then I must choose very wisely, like you.”
Surprised by her sister’s insight, Jane hesitated before answering. “Yes, indeed. Off you go now to your studies.”
Jane’s first destination after completing all her household duties with Mrs. Creevy was to visit Lady Elizabeth at Dalton House in Grosvenor Square. As the weather was fine and frosty, she decided to walk the considerable distance, with Joe acting as her footman.
Upon their arrival, the butler led Jane up the wide staircase, as on previous occasions. He knocked on the drawing room door and opened it to admit her without announcement. Word of the engagement had obviously reached below stairs.
Jane entered the now-familiar room. The scene before her was not the one she expected. Lady Elizabeth had quite obviously just resumed her seat at the end of the chaise longue, having been sitting much closer to her guest... her only guest, as Jane’s swift glance around the room revealed.
Lady Elizabeth was flushed, whether by embarrassment or arousal or both, Jane couldn’t be sure.
Jane’s gaze locked on Elizabeth’s visitor.
She raised an eyebrow in question. He quickly straightened his cravat and coat while rising to his feet to bow to her.
Jane tried not to smirk as she calmly greeted her dear friend and family doctor.
It was perfectly obvious to Jane that Lady Elizabeth had been doing the kissing while Dr. Logan was the recipient.
Things were moving along at a smart pace in this relationship.
After greeting her, Dr. Logan rapidly took his leave, citing his patients. He shot a swift apologetic look toward Lady Elizabeth.
Jane thought at first that Elizabeth would brazen it out and say nothing about what Jane had stumbled upon, but with a closer look, she saw that tears were welling in Elizabeth’s eyes.
“Oh, Elizabeth, whatever is the matter? Are you embarrassed by what I have seen? If you are, you needn’t be.
I know Dr. Logan to be an honorable and worthy man. You make a good couple.”
At these words, Elizabeth dissolved into tears. Jane hurried to sit beside her on the lounge. She wrapped an arm around Elizabeth’s shoulders. “Tell me what has happened. This can’t be caused by embarrassment.”
“Jane, he won’t marry me. I know that he loves me. He says our love is not enough reason for our marrying... that his rank is so far beneath mine, and his age so much greater ... that it would be like my committing social suicide... so he won’t propose.”
But did his actions accord with his words? “He sounds like he regards your welfare as his primary concern, but tell me, has he tried to seduce you?”
“No, no. He won’t lay a hand on me. I am the one pursuing him, as you saw!” She blushed at the admission.
“You are quite sure that he does not let you feel that you are the one doing the chasing, before becoming the leader in the seduction?”
“No, Jane, he is, at most, receptive of my kisses but never goes further. In fact, he tries never to be alone with me.” She blushed redder.
“It was only through my aunt’s unexpected absence today that we found ourselves unchaperoned.
He has taken to visiting once a week, and my aunt is always present and usually we have a roomful of guests.
But now most people have left town for Christmas in the country.
We leave ourselves in a week or so, as soon as Jonathan finishes his business in town. ”
“I see.” Jane was satisfied with the answer but still concerned about her friend’s dilemma. “Well, just in case they aren’t all gone, let’s tidy you up a little in the event someone calls.” Jane started restoring Elizabeth’s hair to its tidy knot.
Elizabeth dried her eyes with her lace handkerchief. “I’m so sorry you are worrying about my problems. I should have congratulated you on your engagement to Jonathan. Are you happy?”
Jane fought the weight of dread and replied with as much positivity as she could. “I am satisfied. I think we will make a good partnership after we get used to each other.”
Elizabeth looked troubled. “That’s not a very romantic answer, Jane.”
Jane sighed. “It’s not a very romantic marriage. It is most definitely a marriage of convenience.”
“For now.” Elizabeth looked at Jane speculatively. “I have hopes that your marriage will surprise you by becoming a love match.”
Jane laughed at the thought. “You are the eternal optimist, Elizabeth. Be satisfied with your own love match. Others cannot hope to equal it. But thank you anyway. We need to find a solution to your problem with Dr. Logan’s honorable behavior and, I presume, your brother’s attitude to Dr. Logan’s suit. ”
“I think convincing Marcus... Dr. Logan... that we should marry is the first step. How do I convince him that the difference in status, wealth, and age can be overcome?”
Jane counted off the positives. “He is a gentleman by birth... just not a titled one. There should be no real impediment there. He must be comfortably well off. He has a large practice and assists a number of charities through time and money. Your marriage portion would mean that you and your children would never want for anything, surely?”
“Yes, you are right.” Elizabeth nodded.
Jane continued. “Maybe that is part of the problem. Although well off, he cannot provide you and your offspring with the style of life to which you are accustomed.”
“He should not concern himself with that!”
“Hmm, perhaps, but gentlemen have a habit of doing just such a thing. A little matter of pride.” Jane smiled at her friend’s naivety.
“And then there is the age difference. Nothing is going to change that.” Elizabeth sounded despairing.
“No, but it is quite acceptable in society for older men to marry very young women. It is only Dr. Logan’s prejudice that is working there. Does he distrust the durability of your affections because you are young, or does he see himself as a future burden that you will regret later?”
“I suspect both concern him, from what he has told me.”
“Well, the lasting nature of your affections can only be determined by time, but the longer you wait to find out that answer, the older he becomes.”
“You can see it is a conundrum that cannot be solved.”
“It appears the only answer is to plunge into the future together, or abandon the dream and separate yourselves completely. Only you can decide what to do. If it is to be together despite the issues, you still have to convince Jonathan to give his permission, since you are underage. I will do all that I can to support your cause if you can convince Dr. Logan you have a future together.”
Elizabeth looked resolved. “It seems clearer now. I will try to persuade Marcus. If I fail, we must never see each other again.” She looked close to tears at the thought.
Jane hugged her just as the drawing room door opened. Separating, they turned to see Jonathan.
Today, he still looked handsome, tall, slim, and athletic to her. His presence still inexplicably made her stomach flutter. Whatever it was about him that excited her, it hadn’t gone away. Relief washed through her. There was a chance that she could love him to some degree eventually.
He smiled and strode into the room. “My dears, I expect you are savoring the good news. I don’t think you will have any problems getting along as sisters.
” He took Jane’s hands and drew her close to kiss her cheek.
“My betrothed. How are you this morning? No regrets, I hope?” He searched her face for evidence.