Chapter Fourteen
WOULD THE JOLTING OF the carriage over these rough roads ever end? Jane’s back ached from yesterday. Charlotte had fallen asleep opposite with her chin on her chest. It was testament to how exhausted she must be that she could sleep at all on this swaying ship of the road.
Jane planned the next stage of their journey. They must find safe lodgings in Winchester for a week.
At last they arrived at The Swan. Their vehicle entered the yard and stopped with a lurch. Jane shook Charlotte awake. Surprise and fear etched Charlotte’s face. Seeing Jane, her body relaxed and she peered around.
“We’re here. Breakfast now and somewhere to stay,” Jane said.
She climbed out of the vehicle and reached back to help her sister. Charlotte looked over Jane’s head. Her eyes opened in fear. She shrank back into the post chaise.
Jane’s stomach lurched. Had Flynne followed them? Jane turned. A strangled scream ripped from her throat. Her legs turned to jelly, and she sank toward the ground.
She didn’t reach it. Jonathan’s hands gripped her arms and arrested her momentum. “That’s a reaction I didn’t expect from you, Jane!” he exclaimed.
She grasped his shoulders and pulled herself up. “You gave me such a fright. I thought you were Captain Flynne.”
Jonathan smiled grimly. “I left him behind at the inn.” He slid his arm about her waist and turned her toward the coach. “Introduce us, Jane, if you would.”
In his warm and comforting embrace, her racing heart slowed. Charlotte stared at them with dark-circled eyes. Jane introduced Jonathan.
He moved forward to hand Charlotte down from the carriage, but she flinched away. Jonathan stepped back, allowing Jane to help Charlotte instead. Charlotte was more damaged than Jane had imagined if she reacted in such a way to Jonathan’s gentlemanly behavior.
“First, something to eat.” Jonathan escorted them into the inn and organized a room for the women to wash and tidy themselves, followed by luncheon for three in a private parlor.
Afterward, Jane helped her sister to bed. She returned to the parlor, her stomach weighed heavy with dread. Would there be recriminations for her hasty actions?
Jonathan stood in front of the fireplace, staring into the flames of the flickering fire. He turned as she entered and offered her a chair.
Jane dropped into the seat, clutching her hands in her lap.
His face was impassive. “I have hired another post chaise to take you and your sister to Everslie Park this afternoon... if you still wish to spend Christmas with the family there?” His words were stiff and formal. His face showed only polite inquiry.
Jane couldn’t read his real state of mind.
Was he angry at her escapade? Disappointed that she didn’t trust him enough to come to him with her problem?
Or indifferent? She would just answer the question and leave explaining to later when they were safe.
“I don’t wish to place you in the untenable position of harboring my sister from her husband.
Perhaps it would be better if we were to stay in Winchester until he has left the country. ”
“Is there a chance that he won’t leave the country with his regiment now his wife is missing?”
“Ah... I hadn’t considered that.” How na?ve to think he would still leave without Charlotte.
Jonathan broke into her thoughts. “I believe it would be better if you both came to Everslie Park where you will be under my protection. I can write to my contacts in the army and ensure that he does embark for India. Once we know, your sister will be free to leave at will. As with your other sisters, I am willing to settle money on her for her future upkeep.”
Jane froze. Such generosity. How could she have lacked trust in him? She swallowed past the lump in her throat. “I really don’t know how to thank you.”
“I’m sure there are many ways that you can thank me, Jane.” His eyes glinted with amusement. “The first is to say yes and set out for Everslie Park with me.” He winked at her. “I’ll let you know some more ways when we are married.”
Jane’s face flushed hot. She couldn’t meet his eyes. Must he always tease her?
His face resumed its usual seriousness. “But for now, Jane, we need to get a move on. Snow is threatening. If we don’t want to be stuck in Winchester for Christmas, I think we should set off as soon as possible.
I will precede you in the curricle. It should only take an hour or two before we are home.
One good thing about this snow is that it will keep your brother-in-law cut off from Everslie Park, should he be intent on hunting Charlotte down. ”
Jane nodded agreement and hurried to rouse her sister. Jonathan saw them into the carriage and gave directions to the postilion before swinging himself up into his curricle.
Jane heard him say, “Well, Nate, we’re off again. On the home stretch this time.”
His gnarled tiger responded, “It’s been a rum two days an’ all. I hope we beats the snow, guvn’r.”
Jane watched Jonathan tool the curricle into the high street in front of their carriage, heading west.
It was nearly dark when they turned through the gates to Everslie Park. Upon their approach, the gatekeeper had hurried to open the wrought iron gates and called to Jonathan that he had been on the lookout for them since Lady Elizabeth’s arrival the previous day.
With Charlotte’s head leaning heavily on her shoulder, Jane couldn’t move from her position to peer out the window at the house through the midafternoon gloaming.
Jane yearned for a cup of tea. First thing first—she must get Charlotte to bed.
She still seemed exhausted from her ordeal.
Was it from relief at being freed from danger or exhaustion from living with brutality, or both?
The carriage jerked to a halt in front of a Palladian-fronted stone building.
Jonathan opened their carriage door and offered his hand to assist her from the vehicle.
A warm rush of gratitude flowed through her.
He had come to her aid without being asked.
He hadn’t cited the law against her actions.
He had just cared enough to help her and her family.
She examined him now. He too looked tired from two days of driving and worry. She felt a surge of affection for this quiet, conservative man. Yes, he was a sobersides, but he had proven himself to be a hero, determined to protect her and her family at whatever cost.
Jane placed her hand in his. His firm grip steadied her as she stepped down from the carriage, but set her pulse racing. She squeezed his hand in thanks and held his gaze. “Thank you, Jonathan, for everything you have done and will do for my family and me.”
He raised her hand to his lips. “I did it all for you, Jane,” he said. “And would do it all again as many times as necessary, if it would make you happy.”
Before more could be said, Lady Elizabeth rushed from the house with Anna and Katherine to greet them. They hugged and exchanged greetings. There was laughter of relief as they led Charlotte into the house.
Arm in arm, Jane and Jonathan followed the group.
Jonathan turned to her. “Tomorrow I will write to my friends in the military to make sure that Flynne actually leaves the country and discover how long the regiment is expected to stay overseas.”
Jane nodded. Another wash of gratitude warmed her.
Jonathan continued, “But once that is done, I hope you will accompany me on a tour of inspection of the house and park. It’s not the best time of year to see it, but you can imagine what it will look like in spring.”
She smiled at him. “I would be delighted to.” For the first time that she could remember, Jane felt at peace, as though all the struggle of the last decade was over.
She had finally reached a state of contentment.
Had this man provided this for her or was it because the stress of the last thirty-six hours was over? She didn’t know.
The snow that had been threatening all afternoon began its feathery descent to earth.
Within an hour, the ground was covered, and snow kept on falling steadily. By morning there would be snowdrifts across every road in the vicinity. Never had Jane been so grateful for snow blanketing the ground and threatening to keep everyone indoors.
Was the danger from Flynne at last over?