Chapter Fifteen #3
She sat gingerly between his legs on the front of the sled and felt his warmth surround her.
He passed the rope across her body. Then they were off and racing down the slope.
Her stomach flip-flopped. Jonathan’s legs and arms formed a safe enclosure around her, but they didn’t protect her from the snow that whooshed up into her face.
She screamed. Me, scared? Hah! The end of the slope was approaching fast. Jonathan wasn’t going to try his fancy finish again, was he?
Alas, he did. Once again, it bucked out of control. Jonathan gripped her waist, holding her to him.
They splatted onto the snow. Jane gasped as the wet mush hit her face. She dragged in a breath, the cold air rasping her throat as she lay sprawled half across Jonathan’s chest, her legs entwined with his.
Relief and exhilaration rippled through her body. She slumped on top of him and laughed. Jonathan’s hold on her tightened. She looked into his eyes and stopped laughing.
He was going to kiss her.
She moved to meet him. His lips were warm on her cold ones, and she returned his kiss. Jonathan’s hand on her waist began to slip lower and took up residence on her buttock while his other hand strayed into her hair, holding her close for his mouth to do its tantalizing work.
Katherine’s demanding voice cut through her befuddled mind. “Come on, Jane, you’re taking too long with the sled.”
Jonathan abruptly stopped kissing her.
Oooh! They were in the open, kissing for all to see. Jane flushed hot enough to melt all the snow on her neck into steam.
Jonathan released her and held out his hand to help her off the wet ground.
She looked around, her face still burning.
Her sisters stood nearby. They must have run to assist her.
Now they stared, saucer-wide eyes betraying different thoughts.
Katherine’s face showed impatience, Anna’s envy, while Charlotte’s showed shock and disbelief.
No one uttered a word about their indiscreet display.
Jonathan recovered first, assumed his usual urbane demeanor, and laughed off their indiscretion. He retrieved the sled and dragged it over to Katherine’s eager hands.
Jane put her snow-covered gloves to her cheeks to cool the heat there. She didn’t regret the kiss one bit. In fact, she couldn’t wait to kiss him again. This was all so new and confusing.
A long scream came from the slope behind, and they all turned toward the sound.
Elizabeth and Dr. Logan hurtled toward them. Elizabeth’s face was alive with joy... and was that triumph too? She had persuaded Dr. Logan to sled with her in full view of her brother.
Dr. Logan’s face was grim with concentration as he steered the sled. Jane glanced at Jonathan to read his expression. He was frowning slightly, with one eyebrow cocked, as he watched the couple’s progress. They slowed to a halt. Dr. Logan’s face briefly looked relaxed and happy.
Until Jonathan strode to the sled, his face shuttered and unreadable. He offered his sister his hand to rise. Elizabeth’s joyous look sobered as she took his assistance.
He knows! Or he suspects. Jane sucked in a breath. What will he say?
But the moment passed, and Jonathan said nothing, just watched.
Jane’s sisters enjoyed a few more slides until the early setting sun brought even greater cold, heralding the night. They trudged back to the house, more than ready to change into warm, dry clothes and assemble for an early dinner.
The evening was spent reading, playing card games, and listening to music supplied by Lady Elizabeth and Anna. Jane’s dread of a confrontation between the men slowly subsided.
The next few days followed similar lines, with the same cold, crisp weather and the snow scarcely melting during the day. Jonathan and Dr. Logan disappeared into the park together on several occasions. Jane watched them trudge through the snow until they disappeared from view.
Was this the day Jonathan would warn Dr. Logan away from his sister?
Each time they trudged back with no sign of disagreement on their faces. Jane asked about the purpose of their walks, but neither would say more than they were making the most of the fine conditions.
With each passing day, Charlotte became more like herself again. As Jane had suspected, she slowly and tearfully revealed to Anna the history of her year of marriage.
The abuse had begun with harsh words when he was displeased with the running of his house.
After about four months, the first slap.
With each move to new quarters as they were transferred around the country, his temper had worsened.
Soon after they received news that the regiment was to embark for India for an indefinite period and moved close to Portsmouth, he had become completely enraged with her.
He beat her then. So much, she was too embarrassed to go outside for a week.
His violence became regular. She wasn’t allowed to leave the house without permission. She had to follow his instructions to the letter or he would fly into a rage.
After the last beating, her neighbor had knocked on the door after Captain Flynne departed the next morning. When Charlotte had finally opened the door, the woman had pushed inside and insisted that Charlotte write to her family for help. She had waited and then taken the letter to post.
Jane sent a silent prayer of thanks to that unknown woman when Anna told her the story.