“No, they have offered of course, but they have so little themselves I refused outright. I’m sure that with time they would be able to assist us, but not yet.”
He briefly considered her response. “You don’t have any wealthy aunts or uncles willing to assist you?”
Jane laughed dryly. “None that I know of. I have applied to our maternal grandfather, who cut off our mother when she married Papa, but the answer was a decided “no” and no wish for further contact.”
“That would be old Lord Tindale, wouldn’t it?”
“Yes.” Uncomfortable with such personal questions, Jane fidgeted in her seat.
“Well, he is in very good health for his age so I wouldn’t count on him dropping off his perch any time soon!”
“No, indeed.” Jane wondered what his next angle of attack would be.
He paused. “There was no pension due from the parish that your father served?”
“No, I checked with the Bishop but he was adamant that there was nothing due to my father upon his death.”
“And you father’s independent income is what you are living on at present?” Dalton continued to probe.
“Yes. It is paid quarterly but it is very hard to make ends meet on so little. I have asked the servants if they wish to obtain other employment but they do not. They wish to remain with us. That is wonderful and makes life easier but they still must be paid. Their wages plus rent take most of the interest from father’s invested funds.”
He raised an eyebrow. “That leaves nothing else which I can think of except accepting charity from your friends.”
“Well, we certainly won’t do that!” exclaimed Jane.
“Will you be able to pay all your bills on the income that you receive from your father’s investment funds?”
“Not without my sister or myself working as a governess or by moving to an even smaller house in a less expensive area in London, which will make it almost impossible to run our school.”
“And that is the way in which you and Anna wish to earn your living for the rest of your days?”
“Well, I do, but Anna wishes to marry one day and so does Katherine. That is why I need to earn more money so that they have the option to marry with some dowry.”
“By that time your brothers may be able to assist you though?”
“Hopefully, but I would not guarantee it. And besides, they may wish to marry themselves and would need to support their families. Frances, I know, has a sweetheart and my other brothers may do also. I must find a way to sustain myself and my sisters without relying on anybody else.”
“What are you willing to do to achieve that?” He leaned forward as he asked.
“I don’t know.” Jane was confused now with where this conversation was leading.
“Are you willing to put by some of your principles?”
Jane sat upright and exclaimed in surprise. “My principles? Why should I put aside my principles?”
“Answer the question Jane. What are you willing to do to save your family from penury?”
“Almost anything.” She slumped forward.
“Would you lie? Would you cheat? Would you steal?”
She shook her head. “No. I have not reached that level of desperation yet.”
“Would you be willing to marry for money and security to save your family?” He was leaning back, his head tilted to one side, looking at her speculatively.
Jane hesitated. “Perhaps. But why do you ask? I have nothing to bring to a marriage. I have no dowry. I have a tarnished reputation in society because of my views on the education and rights of women. Who would be willing to take that blemish into their family?”
“Perhaps some wealthy man of middle-class origins, who wishes to align himself with a descendant of an aristocrat who can bring an association with the rich and powerful?”
Her low voice was firm and sure. “Well that isn’t me because my grandfather won’t recognise us.” She threw back her head as though to laugh at the suggestion.
“All right then, maybe someone who doesn’t need your name to add lustre to his family. Someone who is wealthy enough not to need a dowry, nor even to want his wife to have one.”
Jane laughed outright. “Believe me, I know of no-one who fits that bill!”
“Do you not?” He asked quietly, his eyes searching her face.
She scoffed. “No. What does that generous soul get in repayment for his troubles?”
“You, of course.”
She expressed her mirth and disbelief. “I don’t think I’m the usual bargain that men get on marriage. I am not passive, biddable, concerned only with the home and interested only in raising children and bringing social status to my husband and family.”
Dalton ploughed on. “No, you are not. Perhaps then the bargain should be made with your sister Anna? She is all of those things from what I can gather. The only detriment to her that I can perceive is her relationship with you!”
Jane was immediately serious. “No! Anna will not be sold off to the highest bidder. She is all that is beautiful and innocent. I won’t let her be harmed by marriage for mercenary reasons.”
“Then that only leaves you, doesn’t it?” He was implacable.
Jane froze. “Yes, it would have to be me.”
“I agree entirely.”
Jane’s mouth set into a disbelieving line. “Yes, but where is this mythical paragon who wishes to marry me to save my family despite all the things against my name?” Jane was scathing.
“Jane. You are looking at him.”
“You?” She was incredulous.
“Who else Jane? I have offered for you already. Can it be any surprise that I would still wish to marry you?”
Jane was flustered. “But, but… your offer last time was in the heat of the moment. Based on lust! Without thought to the consequences of your actions! This is a much different proposal. You have laid out the reasons why no man of sense and position would want to ally himself with me. What is there in it for you?”
He looked her in the eye. “Jane, I need a wife. I need a companion to assist me with my many social duties, both with the ton and with my dependents. I need someone who doesn’t bore me Jane – and you never do that.”
“Hah! You would be sick of me within a month. I would give you no rest. I am not a peaceful person to be around, especially when there is a wrong to be righted or an opinion to be changed.”
“So very true Jane.” He smiled. “But also so very exciting to be around.”
She disagreed. “You only say that because you don’t know me well enough.”
“We can change that Jane.”
“Not before it is too late and the vows are said!”
“I think we can get to know one another before they need to be said.”
“What if you were to change your mind?”
“If I did, would you hold me to the promise and sue me?”
“No! But I would be back to square one with no means of support and an even more tarnished reputation.”
“Jane, what if I arrange to make a breach of contract payment to you should that happen? Would you be willing then?”
Jane thought for a moment. “What if I change my mind and don’t wish to marry you?”
“The same deal then. A payment that would allow you to live, not a wealthy life, but one affluent enough for you and your sisters not to have to work.”
Jane raised her hand as if in protest. “No. I couldn’t. You are offering charity.”
He leaned forward as if to emphasis his point. “Not charity Jane. A workable marriage or, if not that, a way to cause you no harm.”
Still shocked, Jane asked, “Why not just settle the money on me without the engagement, if you are feeling so charitab
le?”
He sat back on the sofa to deliver his answer. “Because, Jane, I am gambling on higher returns than that.”
The wind went out of her sails with this answer. “This is madness. You can’t be serious with this offer. I feel like I am negotiating for property.”
“At least you are thinking about my offer. That comforts me considerably.” He smiled ruefully.
“I… I… don’t know what to say.”
He leant towards her and spoke earnestly. “Say nothing but that you will think about my offer and give me an answer soon. I will not pressure you … and I will not ask again if you decide against me.”
Astonished and perplexed by the bewildering conversation that had taken place, Jane merely nodded her agreement.
Taking her hand in his Jonathan raised it to his lips and softly kissed each of her fingers. “You will do me the greatest honour if you will accept my proposal Jane.”
“Th… thank you,” she stammered. Her eyes held his, seeking answers.
He released her hand as he stood. “Let me know your decision. I won’t see you again unless you contact me about discussing matters further.”
Jane, looking up into his handsome face, nodded in agreement again.
A few minutes later she heard the street door close, signalling that he was gone.
She sat stunned for a few moments longer then stood up and restlessly roamed the room, not seeing anything as the Marquis’ words raced through her brain. Striding to the sitting room door she wrenched it open, stepped to the top of the rear stairs to the kitchen and called down to Mrs Creevy that she was stepping out for a while. In response the housekeeper came to the lower door and Jane said, “I’ll be back in time for lunch.”
“All right Miss. Don’t forget your pelisse, it’s getting bitterly cold.”
Jane ran up to her room to retrieve it then exited the house, stepping briskly along the footpath looking neither left nor right.
What should she decide? To marry to save her family or to hold onto her principles?
Were her principles doing her any good, or had they made this whole situation worse because they marked her as outside the social norm and made her, in people’s minds, a potential threat to the order of society? She paced onwards.
Their financial situation was dire. Her sister was forced out of the family home into the role of a governess and her youngest brother was at sea with his life at risk from the elements at the age of twelve. All of this, due to her attitudes making it impossible to get families to support their school as a suitable educational institution.
But it was more than that! To save her family she would have to become a man’s property. Could she live like that? The bitter northerly wind whipped her skirts around her legs. Would it be any worse than living in poverty? If she couldn’t find work when Katherine was grown up, what alternative employment then would be available to her? Her pamphlet writing brought in precious little money. She may have worse choices to make then, when she was much older and no-one wanted to marry her.
Would her sisters be able to find husbands if they had no dowries? She may be condemning them to hang from the rope of her principles and they were not even their beliefs. That would be bitter to live with indeed in her old age.
At last her thoughts turned to Lord Dalton. Could she live with him? He was certainly a good looking man. She had had no difficulty responding to his kisses. Even in the bitter cold her cheeks blushed warm as she thought back to that scene many weeks ago. She cooled her cheeks with both her uncovered hands. Her steps slowed. Maybe it wouldn’t be so hard to lie with him. No, it wouldn’t. In fact it was something she had dreamed of in the weeks since their first passionate embrace.
Was she prepared to live with, or die from, the consequences? How many children would she have to bear? It was a woman’s duty to accept as many children as were sent to her. She hoped it would not be too many. She consoled herself that as Lord Dalton’s wife there would be no shortage of servants and nursemaids to assist her. Would he be a good father? Would he be a good husband? Would he be a good lover? These were questions that only the future could answer.
She hoped he was all three.
So, it seemed she had made her decision… she would accept him. God help her.
Jane stopped walking and looked around her. She was almost at Cavendish Square. She had walked a long way in what seemed to be a short time! Mrs Courtice’s house was a few doors away. Jane decided she couldn’t be so close and not visit her.
Within minutes she was being escorted up to the drawing room and into her old friend’s arms. “Jane, Jane, how lovely to see you again. You look flushed despite the weather my dear. Are you keeping well or coming down with a fever?” Mrs Courtice looked concerned.
“My dear Mrs Courtice, I am fine. I have so much to tell you.
“Well, take a seat and tell me everything.”
Jane sat quickly. “I think I am going to marry the Marquis of Dalton.”
Mrs Courtice couldn’t hide her shock and surprise. “Why? How did this come about?”
“Because he asked me and because I have no means of support for my family. My name has been sullied and I have failed to find any more pupils in the weeks since we moved. I’m at the end of the road Mrs Courtice. I believe I have paid all our creditors but there is no money for my sisters’ dowries and no money for anything but subsistence living. That is not how I wish to care for my siblings. I promised our parents to do my very best for my brothers and sisters. I have done so until now and this is the one way I can continue to do so. Doors will open for my sisters so they may meet eligible men who won’t pass them by because they bring nothing but themselves to a marriage.”
“It is a harsh world in which we live, for certain,” Mrs Courtice responded. “But is there no other way?”
“I have thought and thought and tried all the means that I have but am unable to find another answer.”
“But how did this proposal come about?”
“Lady Elizabeth told her brother that we were having financial difficulties now that the school has closed and he came to make the offer this morning.”
“But had you no inkling of his interest in you beforehand?”
Jane flushed again. “Well, yes, two months ago or more he did lead me to believe that he was interested in me. He even proposed, but I refused him them and told him I would not see him again.”
“But now you are to marry a man who you previously refused? Do you think that wise? If you did not love and respect him enough then, perhaps you never will? That is a very bad beginning to a marriage for life my dear.”
“I see no other answer Mrs Courtice. Besides, I believe Lord Dalton is a good man. I am hopeful that I will learn to love him. He has promised that if either of us is unwilling to marry that he will pay me a sum of money that will be sufficient for a comfortable but not extravagant life. That seems very fair.”
“Indeed, it is quite extraordinary,” Mrs Courtice agreed. “It would be difficult for you to take such money though, wouldn’t it Jane?”
“Yes, it would. It would seem like charity but if I feel that I must - that I couldn’t live with him - then I shall.” Jane spoke firmly.
“At least you know that you like his sister. It seems a small factor, but an important one, if you are to get on with his closest family.”
Jane agreed. It was one more thing that supported her decision.
“A pity his aunt, Lady Mulgrave, can be a martinet.”
Jane chuckled. “Yes, she warned me off him, I believe, some time ago. She will not be pleased.”
Mrs Courtice asked more questions which Jane answered as honestly as she could over the ensuing afternoon tea. The weather kept other visitors away and they were able to have a long uninterrupted conversation. By the time Mrs Courtice ha
d called out her coach to take Jane home she looked rather more at peace with Jane’s decision but still contemplative. Jane had done the best she could to reassure Mrs Courtice and make her reasoning clear to her. There was nothing more to be said. Jane hugged the dear old lady again and left.
Upon arriving home Jane went straight to the sitting room where the morning’s extraordinary happenings had taken place. She opened her writing case and penned a letter to Lord Dalton for Joe to deliver immediately.
♥ ♥ ♥
Jonathan took the letter from the tray offered by his butler. He didn’t recognise the writing or the seal. He hoped it was from Jane. “The manservant is waiting for your answer, m’lord.”
He read: Lord Dalton. I would be grateful if you would call upon me again tomorrow morning at the same time to discuss your proposal further. Jane Brody.
Jonathan felt let down. “Hah. Well, she’s not giving anything away with that response.” He grimaced. He was going to have a restless night worrying about her decision. Aloud he said to the butler, “Tell the man that I would be honoured to call upon his mistress tomorrow at ten o’clock.”
♥ ♥ ♥
Today he had dressed with special care. Jonathan wanted nothing, including his appearance, to deter Jane from agreeing to marry him. He hoped he would be making a formal proposal after she told him her decision.
Once again Jonathan was shown into Jane’s sitting room with its pale blue walls and white ceiling. There the similarity ended, as this time Jane wasn’t looking surprised to see him, although she was dressed in unremitting black again. Today she was standing, facing the door with her hands clasped together in front of her waist. She greeted him gravely, as if about to give her condolences after a death in the family.
He thought it did not bode well for his chances seeing her thus. However, he decided not to be faint-hearted but to proceed as he had planned. He bowed briefly to her and took her proffered hand. It was cool in his warm grip and he thought it trembled. So, she was not as calm about this meeting as her demeanour appeared.
The Persuasion of Miss Jane Brody Page 8
