The Persuasion of Miss Jane Brody

by Hargreaves, Isabella

  “Yes. We dropped her at the staging inn for Portsmouth almost an hour ago. She will be on her way.”

  He considered her words, thinking quickly.

  “This is what we will do Elizabeth. You and Jane’s sisters will set off for Everslie. There is still time to get there today but you will take Dr Logan with you in the carriage. He was to accompany me in the curricle.”

  He could see that this turn of events threw his sister into confusion.

  “I didn’t know he was invited! I haven’t seen him recently.”

  “Yes, a late development. I will explain later. So, now you are to drive to Dr Logan’s residence on Harley Street and deliver a note from me. It will explain everything. Take him up with you and proceed to Everslie. I will take my curricle and try to catch the stage coach before it reaches Portsmouth. Do you know where she was to stay?”

  Elizabeth gave him the details and took the note he wrote at his desk.

  Within a few minutes Jonathan had seen the womenfolk off, ordered his curricle to the door and had his portmanteau stowed in it. With a dry comment to his groom up behind him about the freezing weather, and which part of him might fall off before the journey was over, Jonathan set off at a swift pace for Portsmouth.

  “Hope this weather don’t turn to sleet g’vnr. Don’t mind bits not used falling orf but wouldn’t like to get me beaut’ful face cut abart.” The gnarled groom’s reply forced a bark of laughter from Jonathan before his mind returned to planning how to save two women from their actions.

  ♥ ♥ ♥

  After hours of driving, the last few in the dark on unfamiliar roads, the lights of the Kings Arms had all the comfort of a safe harbour after a storm to Jonathan. His eyes were gritty and his shoulders ached as he pulled up in the yard. Jonathan secured the reins and jumped down. The groom held the horses’ heads already. “See to the horses Nate, while I organise the accommodation.” Jonathan strode into the inn and made the arrangements.

  “Have you had the coach from London arrive today?” he asked the landlord.

  “Yes, my lord. Bit late owing to the frost.”

  “Did a young lady get off?” he enquired.

  “Don’t know about a young lady. Just a slip of a governess who gave me a talking to when I wouldn’t give her a room.”

  Jonathan smiled in recognition of something Jane would do. “So you didn’t give her a room?”

  “No, I gave her one. Easier to do that than be everlasting talked at!”

  “Ah, that would be so.” Jonathan gave instructions for his being woken at first light the next day and followed the chambermaid to the room he had been assigned.

  ♥ ♥ ♥

  Dawn was just lighting the sky as Jane, wrapped in her winter cloak, slipped out of the inn and walked briskly to the nearest set of houses. As she approached, a uniformed officer stepped out of the door of the end house of the terrace. Jane crept quietly to the side of nearest house. Even at this distance she could hear the man, whom she recognised as her brother-in-law from his solid build and light-coloured hair, order someone inside to stay indoors and get on with the packing. “I expect it done by sundown,” he barked.

  Without looking her way, he marched off down the street towards an encampment of cavalrymen just discernable in the middle-distance. From the description that Charlotte had given, this was her temporary home. Jane stayed where she was until she was sure Charlotte’s husband was gone, then walked slowly and quietly to the door. She tapped lightly on it. “Charlotte, it’s me, Jane. Let me in.”

  The bolt of the door was drawn and the door inched open. Charlotte peered out from the crack to check who had arrived. Seeing Jane, she wrenched open the rough door and pulled her inside the room and into her arms.

  Jane hardly recognised the attractive girl who had walked down the aisle a year ago. Her hair was dull, her eyes red from crying and her face marked by blue-black bruises. Jane dare not react or she would break down and her mission would fail.

  Charlotte spoke at last. “Oh Jane. Is it truly you? Has he really gone? He might come back!” Her hug was ferocious.

  Jane commanded her quietly and calmly. “Quickly then. Are you ready to leave?

  “Yes,” came the scared whisper.

  “Put on this cloak, its cold outside.” Jane pulled it around her sister, drawing the hood over her head.

  “But what if he comes back?” Charlotte asked, clearly petrified.

  “We will be gone by then. Get your bag.”

  Still Charlotte hesitated.

  “Now,” insisted Jane, looking around for it. “Is that your portmanteau?”

  Charlotte nodded. Jane sped to the bag where it sat on the floor, grasped it firmly in one hand and strode back to Charlotte. “Charlotte, listen to me. We are leaving now. You must do as I say. You want to be free of him don’t you?”

  “Yes,” she breathed.

  Taking Charlotte’s hand firmly Jane drew her to the door and opened it gently. There was no-one around, but anytime soon the residents of these working-class houses would be spilling out to go to the labours. She slipped out pulling Charlotte behind her. Putting down the portmanteau she softly closed the old door. “Quickly now Charlotte. Walk fast without looking back.”

  Jane’s stomach was roiling with fear that Captain Flynne would return, or that someone would see them and report to him where they had gone. Their post chaise would be ready to depart in less than half an hour. They must be quick!

  They walked briskly into the Kings Arms to await the coach. Jane had paid her tariff the night before but there was just time to order and drink coffee before the coach was ready. Charlotte appeared disoriented and fearful. Jane had to coerce her to drink the coffee, but even so she only sipped at it, warming her hands on the cup.

  An approaching coach blew its horn. The sun had now fully risen, but its watery silver light had no heat in it. No-one got down from the coach for this stop. Jane took the cup out of her sister’s hands and steered her towards the yard where the post chaise stood now ready and hurriedly clambered into it with Charlotte. As the stage coach pulled out of the yard Jane saw past it to a tall dark haired man inside the door of the inn. She sat back in her seat in surprise. He had looked very much like Jonathan. It couldn’t be.

  Then she glanced down the high street. Not fifty feet away was Charlotte’s husband, looking angry, his every stride bringing him closer to the inn. He knew! He knew she was gone! Would the landlord tell him where they were headed? Would he follow them? There was no way of knowing.

  ♥ ♥ ♥

  Jonathan had woken at dawn, shaved, dressed and left his room in time to hear yet another coach sound its horn for arrival. He found the inn-keeper, paid his tariff and enquired about whether the young governess was about yet. The horn sounded again, this time for the coach’s departure.

  “She’s already gone, my lord. Paid her shot last evening and left in a post chaise whot she had arranged. It’s leaving now.” He pointed outside.

  Jonathan swiftly strode to the door. The coach was already in the high street. “Where is it bound for inn-keeper? Winchester?”

  “Why do you want to know, my lord.”

  “I mean her no harm. Is it Winchester?” Jonathan asked again.

  The innkeeper looked him over obviously considering the result of his actions. “Winchester it is, my lord.”

  Jonathan nodded. “Where does it pull in at Winchester?” Jonathan inquired further.

  “At The Swan, just off the high street.”

  “Thank you.” Jonathan strode quickly out the door bound for the stable. As he did so, a broad-shouldered cavalry officer brushed past him on his way into the inn. “Do you mind?” said Jonathan.

  “Bugger you,” was the obscene response as the man strode to the desk where the inn-keeper stoo
d. Jonathan stopped and turned to watch and listen, suspecting this was the injurious husband.

  “Inn-keeper, have you seen my wife today?” he demanded.

  “No, I have not seen your wife this last week. I thought she might have been unwell when she wasn’t here for your brandy each day.”

  “Ill? Not her, just lazy. If you see her let me know. We leave for India soon and she hasn’t packed a thing.” He scowled.

  The inn-keeper retained his bland face. “Certainly.”

  The officer, still angry, stormed out again pushing past Jonathan who cautioned, “Careful”.

  “Careful yourself,” the officer replied and swung at him with a heavy fist. Jonathan saw it coming, side-stepped the blow and neatly landed a left hook to the man’s jaw. He fell to the ground but soon got up, swore and stormed off.

  Not usually a violent person, Jonathan felt no regret at hitting a man who thought it acceptable to hit his wife, or probably any woman.

  Jonathan coolly turned back to the inn-keeper. “Do you know the woman he was looking for?”

  “Yes, I know her well, poor young thing. How she got tied up with that brute is a mystery. Must have fallen on hard times. But he can appear charming at first, so maybe that’s how. That’s what we found – fine at first, then his true colours came out.”

  “Thank you. I hope you won’t change your mind about telling him where she went.” Jonathan handed the man a guinea for his trouble.

  “I won’t do that, m’lord.”

  Jonathan’s groom was already harnessing the horses into the curricle. “Where we going now, your lordship? Into Portsmouth?”

  “No, Nate, Winchester.”

  “Ah well, that’s closer to home. We’re heading in the right direct’n at least.”

  “These new horses look up to some pace?”

  “They’ll do Gvn’r.”

  “Good. Hurry along Nate. We’re still in a tearing rush. I’ll bring my bag down myself.”

  Within ten minutes they were back on the road following Jane’s coach to Winchester. It was a short distance there so Jonathan knew he had to arrive before them. Once they left the coach to find accommodation he would need to spend time finding them, so he pushed the new team of horses along at a brisk pace.

  ♥ ♥ ♥

  Jane thought the jolting would never stop. Her back still ached from yesterday. Charlotte had fallen asleep opposite her with her neck stretched forward and her chin on her chest. She would be sore when she woke. It was testament to how exhausted she must be that she could sleep at all on this swaying ship of the road.

  Jane set her mind to the next stage of the plan. They must get something to eat at Winchester and safe lodgings for a week.

  At last they were arriving at The Swan. Their conveyance entered the yard and stopped with a lurch. She leaned forward and gently shook Charlotte awake. The first look on Charlotte’s face was fear, then realisation, as she peered around and saw where she was. Her shoulders relaxed in relief.

  “We’re here. Breakfast now and somewhere to stay,” said Jane.

  She climbed out of the coach and reached back to help her sister. Jane watched Charlotte’s face change back to fear as she looked over Jane’s head. In terror, Jane turned expecting to see Flynne come after them. She screamed. Her legs turned to jelly and she sank towards the ground.

  She didn’t reach it as Jonathan’s hands grasped 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 her small frame erect. “You gave me such a fright. I thought you were Captain Flynne.”

  Jonathan smiled grimly. “I expect it has been a stressful and traumatic day and a half for you. That is more than enough explanation.” He had slid his arm about her waist and turned her towards the coach. “Introduce us Jane, if you would.”

  Jane swung her attention back to her sister who was watching them through bleary, dark-circled eyes. She introduced Jonathan to Charlotte. He moved forward to hand Charlotte down from the carriage but she flinched away from him. He stepped back and made no further effort to be his usual gentlemanly self, standing back so that Jane could help Charlotte from the coach.

  “First, something to eat.” Jonathan escorted them into the inn and organised a room for the women to wash and tidy themselves in, plus luncheon for three in a private parlour.

  After they satisfied their immediate hunger, Jane put her sister to bed and returned to the parlour where Jonathan began to explain what he had arranged. “I have hired another post chaise to take you and your sister to Everslie this afternoon, if you still wish to spend Christmas with the family there.” This statement was delivered as a question and his face, still impassive, showed polite enquiry.

  Jane wasn’t sure of his real state of mind – anger at her escapade, disappointment that she didn’t trust him enough to come to him with her problem, or indifference. She decided she would just answer the question and leave the explaining to later when they were safe.

  “I don’t wish to place you in the untenable position of harbouring 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 if his wife is missing?”

  Jane was perplexed. “I hadn’t considered that.”

  “I think it would be better if you both came to Everslie where you will be under my protection. I can write to my contacts in the army and to ensure that he does leave the country. Once we know, then Charlotte will be free to leave at will. As with your other sisters, I am willing to settle money on her for her future upkeep.”

  “You are most kind and generous. I really don’t know how to thank you.” Jane felt quite abashed at her lack of trust in him to help her save her sister.

  “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… I will let you know some more of them when we are married.”

  Jane caught his meaning and blushed.

  “But for now Jane, we need to get a move on. The weather has changed this morning from clear and frosty to threatening snow. If we don’t want to be stuck in Winchester for Christmas I think we should get you and your sister into the carriage and set off as soon as possible. I will follow 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 husband cut-off from Everslie, should he be intent on hunting Charlotte down.”

  Jane hurried to her sister’s room to rouse her and accompany her to the carriage. Jonathan paid their host, put the ladies in the carriage and gave directions to the postilion before swinging himself up into his curricle. “Well Nate, we’re off again. On the home stretch this time.”

  “It’s been a rum two days I must say. I hope we beats the snow G’vnr.”

  “Indeed.” Jonathan tooled the curricle into the high street after the coach, setting off on the road to the west.

  It was nearly dark when the carriage, with curricle close behind it, turned through the gates to Everslie. The gatekeeper had been expecting them since Lady Elizabeth’s arrival the previous day and was on the look-out, ready to open the wrought iron gates upon their approach.

  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 gloaming. It was mid-afternoon and Jane was already eager for a cup of tea and something to eat. First things first - she would get her sister to bed as Charlotte still seemed exhausted from her ordeal. Jane didn’t know whether it was relief from being freed from danger or exhaustion from living with brutality, or both, that had resulted in Charlotte’s collapse into sleep.

 
; When the carriage stopped in front of the Palladian-fronted stone building, Jonathan was there to open its door and offer his hand. Jane had never felt so much gratitude to another person. He had come to her aid without being asked. He had not cited the law against her actions. He had just cared enough to help her and her family.

  She looked at him closely now. He too looked tired from the last two days of endless driving and worry. She felt a surge of affection for this quiet, conservative man. Yes, he could be a sobersides, but he had proven himself to be a hero, determined to protect her and her family at whatever cost.

  Her hand in his, she stepped down from the carriage. She surprised herself by squeezing it in thanks before raising it to her lips, still holding his gaze with hers. “Thank you Jonathan, for everything you have done and will do for my family and me.”

  “I do it all for you Jane.” He answered softly. “I would do it all again as many times as necessary if it would make you happy.”

  Before more could be said, Lady Elizabeth arrived with Anna and Katherine to greet them. There was hugging and talking and the laughter of relief as Charlotte was led into the house for a bath and food before bed.

  Jane and Jonathan, arm-in-arm, followed the group.

  Jonathan turned to her and said, “Tomorrow I will write to my friends in the military and see whether the regiment is expected to stay overseas for long and to make sure that he actually leaves the country.”

  She nodded.

  “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 try to imagine what it will look like in Spring.”

  “I would be delighted to.” She smiled at him. For the first time that she could remember Jane felt at peace, as though all of the struggle of the last decade was over. That 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.