“Lord Dalton, thank you for agreeing to come back so soon.”
“It is my pleasure, as always Miss Brody. Won’t you please call me Jonathan?”
“Do you think we are at that level of familiarity, Lord Dalton?”
“I certainly hope we shall be after this meeting, Miss Brody,” he responded with a half smile.
“Perhaps.” Jane was non-committal in her answer even now.
“Well, will you do me the honour of marrying me Miss Brody?”
“Before I answer that question Lord Dalton, I have a few more of my own. Let us sit down first before we begin.”
They sat on the same worn sofa. “I will gladly answer them Jane.”
She ignored his use of her name and launched into her rehearsed speech. “Lord Dalton, I need to know that you will provide dowries for my sisters or settle money on them should they not marry. I am most concerned that they benefit from this marriage should it go ahead.”
“Of course Jane. I have every intention of treating them as I do my own sister. They would have a dowry of five thousand pounds settled on them and if they don’t marry they will have this money provided to them at age thirty. I hope that is satisfactory.”
“Yes, it certainly sounds fair to me. You will have this legally drawn up before our marriage?”
“Yes, of course, at the same time as your own marriage portion is drawn up, before our nuptials.”
“I also want to know that you will exert your influence to help my brothers gain suitable employment in their chosen careers. How can you help them?”
“I assure you that I am most willing to assist your brothers. However, I would like to meet all of them before I begin so that I may personally know the men for whom I am providing a reference. That would be a matter of honour for me.”
“You are most kind.” Jane responded.
“What else can I tell you that will reassure you that I will look after your family and you as much as it is possible? Do you have any other questions for me Jane?”
She hesitated. “This is a particularly delicate question to ask you Lord Dalton and I hope you won’t take offence…” Her gaze left his as her words petered out.
“Go on Jane, you can ask me anything.” Jonathan prompted her gently.
She fixed her gaze upon her hands, knotted in her lap. “I would like to know before we make any final decisions, whether you have a mistress, or children from previous liaisons.”
♥ ♥ ♥
Jonathan felt taken aback to be asked but told himself that of course Jane would ask such a question. She was a female emancipist expecting to be treated as an equal. He silently resolved that he would try to treat her as she wished.
“These aren’t the usual questions that a lady asks her suitor but I will answer them. The first question is easy. No, I have no mistress and have not had one for some time. With regard to your second question; I haven’t been a rake but neither have I been an angel. I am sure there are no consequences from my actions which have caused distress for the other party. That is, there are no by-blows. I hope that is a sufficient answer.”
“Yes, thank you, it is.” Jane looked relieved.
“Now Jane, tell me, have I answered all your questions to your satisfaction?”
“Yes, you have.”
“Well, it is my turn to ask some questions, if I may?”
“Of course,” Jane answered.
“Is there any reason that you cannot marry me? Do you love someone else? Someone who has let you down perhaps?
Her eyes flew to his. “No! Not at all. There is no-one either in the past or present who has any hold over my affections.”
“I am pleased to hear it Jane.” He paused, relieved, then drew a deep breath. “So will you have me Jane? Do you think we can deal well together? I know there is no-one else I would rather have as my wife.”
She gazed directly into his eyes. “Yes, I will marry you Lord Dalton.”
Her answer came as a relief. He hadn’t realised that he had been holding his breath waiting for it. His heart seemed to swell with joy. He took her hands in his. “You make me very happy Jane. I hope I will do the same for you.” He drew her to him and kissed her. It was like the explosion of last time. She was in his arms and he didn’t know how she got there; kissing him just as she had done before. It was going to be all right. She must feel something for him, if only lust. It was a start - a good start. He hoped he could build on it.
Eight
The Gazette lay open among the breakfast plates. Jane’s attention had been arrested by the sight of her own engagement announcement in black ink. The feeling of normalcy, despite knowing at some level of consciousness that she was to marry Lord Dalton, evaporated. A sharp breath escaped her as the enormity of yesterday’s decision hit like a blow to the chest. She was to marry. She was to marry Lord Dalton. No, he was now Jonathan to her. He told her so. She was his Jane. “My Jane,” he had said, many times, as he kissed her yesterday morning. Still, 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?
Silence! she told herself. 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 the fog of her thoughts. “Jane, are you listening? Shall I commence the next translation from Homer after breakfast?”
“Yes, yes of course Katie, please do, and then the next set of mathematics problems in the book. I will check them after speaking with Mrs C.”
“Whatever are you reading? You look like you had seen a ghost.”
“Just my engagement notice.”
“Let me see then.” She took the paper and read the few lines before commenting. “Oh Jane, Lord Dalton is a 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 the realisation, Jane hesitated before answering. “Yes, indeed. Off you go now – to work.”
♥ ♥ ♥
Jane’s first destination after completing all her household duties with Mrs Creevy was to see 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 Jane was led up the wide staircase as she had been on previous occasions. The butler knocked on the drawing room door then opened it to admit her without announcement. Jane wryly noted that word of the engagement had obviously spread fast below stairs.
She entered the now-familiar room. The scene that appeared before her was not the one that Jane had 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’s appearance was flushed, whether by embarrassment or arousal or both, Jane couldn’t be sure. Jane’s gaze by now was riveted on the visitor, who had quickly straightened
his cravat and coat while rising to his feet to bow to her. She tried not to smirk but instead to calmly greet 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 for this relationship then.
Greetings over, Dr Logan rapidly took his leave of them, citing his patients and giving only a swift apologetic look towards 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 her 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 honourable and worthy man. You make a good couple.”
At these words Elizabeth dissolved into tears and Jane hastily seated herself beside her on the lounge to hug her. “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.”
Jane was concerned his actions did not equal his words. “He appears to have 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. 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 case someone calls.” Jane started restoring Elizabeth’s hair to its tidy knot.
Elizabeth dried her eyes and remembered the probable reason for Jane’s visit. “I’m so sorry you are worrying about my problems when I should have congratulated you on your engagement to Jonathan. Are you happy?”
Jane was measured in her reply. “Yes, I am satisfied. I think we will make a good partnership after we get used to each other.”
“That’s not a very romantic answer Jane.”
“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. “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 honourable behaviour and, I presume, your brother’s attitude to Dr Logan’s suit!”
“I think convincing Marcus 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, we know, 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 some gentlemen have a habit of doing just such a thing. A little matter of pride.” Jane smiled.
“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 you may wish to be rid of later on?”
“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!”
“So you can see it is a conundrum which cannot be solved.”
“Yes, it appears the only answer is to plunge right into the future together, or abandon the dream and separate yourselves completely. Only you can decide that. If it is to be together despite the issues, then you still have Jonathan to convince to give his permission since you are under age. 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 and if that fails we must never see each other again.” She hugged Jane just as the drawing room door opened.
Separating, they turned to find 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. Jane felt relief. There was a chance that she could love him.
“Jane and Elizabeth – I expect you are savouring the good news. I don’t think you will have any problems getting along as sisters.” He smiled and strode into the room to take Jane’s hands and draw her close to kiss her cheek. “My betrothed. How are you this morning? No regrets I hope?” She saw him search her face for such thoughts.
“Lord Dalton… Jonathan, of course, I am quite reconciled to our marriage.” She paused.
“Only reconciled to it, Jane? I hope to have you change your attitude.” His eyes were laughing although his mouth was a ‘moue’ of disappointment.
In the same teasing vein Jane replied, “I hope you will soon have some legal paperwork for me to see.”
“Of course, within a few days.”
Elizabeth interjected. “I’m sure you wish to discuss things and be alone for a while. I have some letters to write if you will excuse me.” She didn’t wait for their acquiescence but immediately left the room.
“Well Jane. It is good to see you in my house again. This time I would like to show you around so you are familiar with your future home.”
“Yes, where shall we start?” she said, glad to encourage his change of conversation and overcome their awkwardness with each other.
“I think the picture gallery would be a good place and we can work our way downwards.” He opened the door for her and ushered her up the next flight of stairs to a mezzanine floor where portraits of his ancestors were hung.
“These are only the title-holders. Fathers and heirs separately and together. The family paintings are at Everslie in Hampshire - you will see them at Christmas. You and your family will stay with us for Christmas, won’t you? You don’t have another engagement? I’ll send you in my carriage.”
“We would be happy to join you. Anna has two weeks’ leave as a holiday from the Marchmere children, so she can accompany us.”
“Of course. She works for Marchmere, you say?”
“Yes. Do you know the family?”
“I know Lord Marchmere, of course, he is a staunch Tory.”
“She seems to like Lady Marchmere, but she hasn’t mentioned his lordship.” Jane smiled. “The children take after their mother apparently, w
hich is to their great advantage, I’m told.”
He laughed. “Quite probably. He looks quite bulldog-like, with the tenacity to match.” They walked a little closer to the first portrait - a small painting of a Tudor scoundrel smiling out from a dark background. “Now here is the first Lord Dalton. We suspect he made some of his money through piracy and he was favoured by the Queen.”
“Will I see a trend develop as I view the succeeding ancestors?” She waved her arm towards the gallery. “Will they all be smiling rogues in different costumes?”
He laughed. “You have our measure.” He tucked her hand through the crook of his arm and led her around the collection giving a brief and humorous character sketch of each ancestor.
Half an hour later, the portrait tour was completed. Instead of leading Jane down to the public rooms on the next floor, Jonathan said, “The bed chambers are on this floor also. I will show you your future suite of rooms and you can tell me whether new paper and drapery should be ordered.”
They approached a door down the nearest corridor which Jonathan opened to reveal the most beautiful wallpaper, depicting yellow chrysanthemums intertwined on a delicate blue background. The bed drapes were akin with a smaller pattern of flowers while the carpet echoed the pale blue of the walls. The furniture was similarly light and elegant in design.
“It is quite beautiful,” said Jane. “Did your mother decorate this room?”
Jonathan looked pleased. “Not at all - it has been decorated recently - after I came into the title.”
Jane was curious. “Did you hire a well-known decorator to refurbish your new home?”
“This is the only room which has been refurbished. I felt that if there was to be a new Marchioness then she should have a new room, not one dictated by her predecessor. Of course, you may change it in any way you wish.”
Jane was adamant. “Nothing should be altered. It is exquisite.”
Jonathan smiled again. “I am very glad that you are pleased by my choice.”
The Persuasion of Miss Jane Brody Page 9
