The Persuasion of Miss Jane Brody

by Hargreaves, Isabella

  The snow that had been threatening all afternoon began its feathery descent to earth. Within an hour the ground was covered and it 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.

  Ten

  In the morning, cobwebs of frost decorated the formal garden beneath Jane’s window and the birdbath in its centre was frozen. The heavy snowstorm of the previous afternoon had been followed by extreme cold. Jane sighed with relief at the sight - the snow wasn’t going to melt quickly, Charlotte was safe.

  The first thing Jane did was check that Charlotte was still sleeping. They hadn’t talked much yesterday, instead Jane had concentrated on getting Charlotte bathed, fed and into bed so that sleep could start the healing process. Dr Logan examined her gently while Jane held her hand. At the conclusion, he drew Jane aside.

  “No permanent damage seems to have been done,” he said. “But there is a lot of bruising. The physical signs of this abuse will disappear with time but I suspect the scars to her mind will heal less quickly. She needs rest, good food and no concerns. I think she will get that here with her family.” He smiled reassuringly and patted Jane’s shoulder. “She will be fine.”

  Charlotte had seemed lost and bewildered until after Jane had drawn back the bed sheets, guided her sister into the warmed cocoon and tucked her in tightly. As Jane moved to extinguish the candle by the bed, her sister exclaimed, “No, don’t!”

  Jane sat on the side of the bed and soothed her. A few minutes later as she was about to leave the room, thinking that Charlotte was asleep, she heard a whispered “thank you”, and took it as a sign that her sister was becoming more aware.

  This morning Charlotte was awake, sitting in the window seat looking out upon the winter wonderland which the park had become. She smiled as Jane came into the room and greeted her.

  “I haven’t seen so much snow for years! Remember tobogganing in the gardens that winter before mother got sick?”

  “I do. Perhaps there’s a good slope for it here. If you feel up to it?”

  Before Charlotte could answer, Anna had let herself into the room, so the discussion of a possible tobogganing trip included her. With agreement reached that Jane should ask Jonathan and organise the equipment, she left her sisters to talk. They were close in age and Jane wondered whether Charlotte would tell Anna more than she had revealed to her.

  Jane found Jonathan was the only person in the breakfast room. He welcomed her warmly. “I’m just reading old newspapers that I missed. Care to join me or shall I put them away so we may talk?”

  “I have a small request to make and then we can delve into the papers.” She smiled.

  He looked at her with polite interest. “Ask away.”

  “My sisters and I wish to know if there is a good slope at Everslie and do you have sleds which we could use?”

  He laughed. “Indeed we do. There is a marvellous slope a short walk from the house. Elizabeth and I used to spend hours there – until our feet hurt so much we had to go indoors to defrost. I expect the old sleds are about – maybe in the attic. I’ll have them brought down directly.” He stood and rang the bell for his butler. “I’m sure Elizabeth and Dr Logan will join us also.”

  Jane was pleased that the expedition would take place, hoping that it would raise Charlotte’s spirits. “Where are Elizabeth and Dr Logan, by the way?”

  “I believe Elizabeth is showing Logan the rare editions of Latin scholars that I have in the library. I intended to join them after breakfast unless you wish me to take you for the guided tour of the house.”

  “Let’s do both,” Jane suggested.

  He nodded. “By-the-bye, I have written to my friend in the foreign office. He should have a good idea of regimental movements and will let me know when they get off. I’ve sent the letter with one of my stable-hands – a single horseman with local knowledge may get through the snow to the main road.”

  Jane thanked him and told him of Charlotte’s improved appearance and mood, then for the next half hour settled down to her toast and tea, while reading papers and magazines in companionable silence.

  Jonathan later escorted Jane to the library where they found Dr Logan up a ladder reaching for a book on the highest shelf of the large book-lined room. Elizabeth was seated on a sofa in front of a bow window with her book angled to catch the winter sunlight. Jane joined her friend on the sofa while Jonathan and Dr Logan talked on the merits of different translations and interpretations by Latin scholars. Jonathan soon drew Dr Logan to the far end of the library, where his first edition books were kept under lock and key, to a particular title that they were discussing.

  “How are things with Dr Logan going?” Jane whispered.

  Lady Elizabeth smiled and leaned towards her and answered similarly. “I was so surprised when Jonathan ordered that we collect Marcus from his home in our carriage. I had no idea that he had been invited for Christmas. Marcus has taken the invitation as an act of charity for a middle-aged professional man with no family. On the face of it, that is what it appears to be. I believe Marcus had initially refused his invitation citing work commitments at the home, but Jonathan was quite insistent and another doctor agreed to take over his cases for the week he would be away. However, it was extremely embarrassing initially to have him in such close proximity when we had agreed some weeks ago not to see each other again. I took your advice, you see, and gave Marcus an ultimatum about either seeking my brother’s permission to court me or ending any contact with him. It appears that absence did make the heart grow fonder.” Elizabeth laughed softly.

  Jane smiled but made no comment.

  Elizabeth continued, “For myself I was heart-broken when Marcus wouldn’t relent. However, the fact that he agreed to come here for Christmas and had arranged to travel with Jonathan was a heartening sign that he had had a change of mind.”

  “And has he?” Jane enquired.

  She smirked in triumph. “Yes, he has proposed at last Jane. I am the happiest of women.”

  “Wonderful. What made him change his mind?”

  “Sheer desperation I believe. It appears that I am as essential for his future happiness as he is for mine.” Elizabeth smiled again.

  “Have you any idea what Jonathan’s reaction might be when Dr Logan speaks with him?” Jane queried.

  “I have none. I am only so very glad that my Aunt Lucinda could not travel here for Christmas. She would not be so blind, as Jonathan obviously is, to our mutual attachment.”

  “He may not be as unaware as you think – not that he has said anything to me though.” Jane was contemplative.

  “Marcus has decided to speak with him at the end of the holiday, probably Boxing Day, as he leaves the next day for London. That way the week is not ruined by an unfavourable decision by Jonathan, should he be so disobliging as to refuse.”

  “I hope all goes well Elizabeth. I really do.” She squeezed her hand.

  “Even if he does not approve it is only a few more months before I am of age and can make my own decisions. However, my money is under his trusteeship until I am twenty-five, so we would have to live on Marcus’s income until that time. He is not a poor man, but my money would make life simpler, especially if we have a large family, which I am hoping for.”

  “Does Dr Logan similarly want a large family?”

  “He is willing to leave that up to me. He says there are ways to limit the number of babies a woman bears.”

  “You have found a very free-thinking man Elizabeth. You are to be congratulated. If only there were more of them, so many women would be happier and healthier.”

  “Don’t tell Jonathan though Jane, I don’t think he would approve. He is a traditionalist believing we should be grateful for all th
e children God brings us and not try to limit family size.”

  Jane’s experienced a return of her fear about her future. It sounded as though Jonathan would be a husband like many others. Not for her the broad-minded stance of Dr Logan. Not yet, but she resolved to change that circumstance. “Well then, I will have to change his opinion.”

  “Yes, you shall.” Elizabeth agreed.

  As Jonathan approached them with Dr Logan their conversation ended.

  “Jane, I believe we are engaged to view the house.” A small smile played across his mouth and his eyebrows quirked together making his statement an enquiry.

  She accompanied Jonathan from the room but took a quick backward look which showed that Dr Logan had taken her place and was in earnest discussion with Elizabeth.

  Their tour of the house began with introductions to the housekeeper and butler, followed by a purposeful walk through the ground and first floor rooms, many of which Jane had seen since her arrival. This was followed by a visit to the long gallery where Jonathan showed Jane the family portraits of his ancestors. The predominance of female antecedents as aunts and great-aunts was obvious. “The family curse, it seems – not enough male descendants. That’s why I’m so beloved by my family – I only had to be male to achieve it.” Jonathan quipped.

  Jane smiled. Turning she saw a more recent painting of a quite beautiful woman wearing a fashionable evening dress from the turn of the century. “Is this your mother?” Jane asked.

  “Yes.”

  “She was quite exquisitely beautiful. I can see the resemblance between you and her. How did she die?”

  “Child birth – with Elizabeth. I was ten at the time.”

  “How awful for you both – and your father. Did he suffer from it as mine did? Tell me about your childhood Jonathan,” Jane prompted.

  “He suffered very much and withdrew from us children completely.” He hesitated then continued. “And began to drink heavily and gamble. He did not return to his former self; the person who I remember from my early childhood, who was always with his family. I wanted to be nothing like him. I was sent away to school and Elizabeth was raised with Aunt Lucinda’s daughters. I spent my holidays with my uncle and aunt’s family. I think the drinking killed him in the end. Once I inherited and gained access to funds I brought Elizabeth to live with me, away from the overbearing personality of our aunt. However, we are still reliant upon Aunt Lucinda for chaperoning Elizabeth during the Season.”

  Jane nodded. It was not a happy tale and revealed Jonathan’s childhood pain, the motivation for his conservatism and his need to create a family of his own.

  “Enough of this maudlin talk, it must be time for luncheon.” Jonathan escorted her from the gallery without a backward look.

  The whole house party assembled in the hall after luncheon. The ladies wore their warmest cloaks, boots, gloves and muffs. The two gentlemen in coats, old boots and gloves, were charged with carrying a timber sled apiece. Jonathan led the way from the house in the direction of a little wood off to the side. The landscape was still and quiet, hushed into somnolence by the snow. Thirteen year old Katherine soon ran ahead. When they reached the tree line they watched small birds flitting in the undergrowth of holly, bright with berries. A robin’s red breast flashed near a log and from time to time, the sound of snow pushed off a branch by squirrels reached their ears.

  Within a few minutes they had reached the foot of a long gentle slope. Some debate commenced about who should be the first to try their luck.

  “Come on Dalton, show us how it’s done,” Dr Logan requested, which was soon taken up by Elizabeth and Jane. Katherine was eager to be one of the first down the slope. Anna volunteered to accompany her so the two began trudging up the slope with Jonathan, drawing their sleds behind them.

  Elizabeth and Dr Logan soon drew away a little from Jane and Charlotte to talk privately. Jane placed her arm about Charlotte’s waist and drew her close, smiling into her marred face. All conversation was interrupted by Jonathan hurtling down the slope towards them, followed closely by Anna and Katherine, whose screams rent the air, demolishing the silence of the snowy landscape. Four pairs of eyes squinted into the weak sun to watch the event. Jonathan attempted to make a controlled halt of his run by changing direction with a sharp turn to the left, but instead of achieving a graceful finish the sled tipped on its side, depositing him in the soft snow down which he slid on his back, coming to rest at the feet of Jane and Charlotte. If he was expecting sympathy, he didn’t get it. Covered in wet snow, his clothes were getting damper by the minute and his wavy hair was curling strongly. Both sisters laughed at him. Anna and Katherine, who had followed him, managed to avert his disaster by simply tobogganing straight down the hill until their sled slowed and stopped. They laughed too. There was really nothing else for him to do except join in and threaten dire consequences when they had their turn.

  Next Katherine insisted that Charlotte join her for a ride and Elizabeth took a solo journey. Jane felt overjoyed to see Charlotte smile - her first since she had been rescued. The three sisters then demanded that Jane have a turn while Elizabeth was just as forceful in her determination that Dr Logan be next. He demurred, “I think I am far too old for this sport Lady Elizabeth.”

  “Never too old Dr Logan!” she responded. “Not even you.”

  When he still resisted, she changed tack. “Well, help me drag the sled up the hill, it’s exhausting. Old or not you have more strength than me, I’m sure.”

  As he had no answer to this tactic, he agreed and joined her in trudging up the slope.

  “Shall I drag your sled for you Jane?” asked Jonathan. Taking the rope he offered his other arm to her, which she accepted, and they climbed the slope with some dignity.

  By taking a more direct route they arrived at the summit before Elizabeth and Dr Logan. “Are you brave enough to slide by yourself Jane?”

  “Indeed I am!” Jane responded. “But thank you for your concern.” She softened her response, not wanting to start a disagreement.

  “I meant no offence dear Jane, just angling for a ride with you rather than watch you disappear into the distance away from me again.”

  “Oh!” said Jane. “If that is your meaning, then I’m sure we can manage together.”

  He smiled. “Excellent. You may have the exciting front seat and I can steer from the rear.”

  She paused to consider his words. “It sounds like a sensible plan, my lord.” In fact, it sounded like a delicious plan for a way to have his strong arms around her and feel protected again.

  “Jonathan,” he reminded her.

  She looked at him blankly, lost in her thoughts.

  “My name.”

  “Of course, Jonathan.”

  He sat on the sled with the rope steering in one hand. “Come aboard Jane,” he encouraged.

  She gingerly sat on the front of the sled between his legs and felt his warmth surround her. He arranged the rope into his two hands by passing it across her body. Before she could register any other sensations or trepidation, they were off and racing down the slope. She thought she screamed but couldn’t be sure. Jonathan’s legs and arms formed a safe enclosure around her, but they couldn’t protect her from the snow that whooshed up into her face as the breeze moved the light snow. The end of the slope was approaching fast and Jane hoped that Jonathan wasn’t going to try his fancy finish again. Alas, he was, with the predictable result that once again the sled’s occupants were thrown off as it bucked out of control.

  Jonathan must have foreseen the crash because he transferred his grip from the rope control to her waist in an attempt to protect her from harm and snow. The result was the two of them entwined on the ground. His grip on her had slipped on impact and Jane lay half across his chest with one of her legs lying between his. After the initial shock, she collapsed on top of him lau
ghing in relief and exhilaration.

  Jonathan strengthened his hold on her. She stopped laughing and looked at his gaze, recognising his intention to kiss her. She moved to meet him. His lips were warm on her cold ones. Surprise barely registered, so intent was she on returning his kisses. Jonathan’s hand on her waist began to quest lower and took up residence on her buttock while his other hand had strayed into her hair to hold her close for his mouth to do its tantalising work.

  “Come on Jane, you’re taking too long with the sled.” Katherine’s demand cut through her befuddled mind. Jonathan stopped kissing her. He released her and helped her off the wet ground. Her sisters were standing nearby, having obviously run to her assistance before hesitating, then stopping to watch her and Jonathan, with saucer eyes betraying different thoughts. Katherine’s face showed impatience, Anna’s envy, while Charlotte’s showed shock and disbelief. Jonathan recovered first and was at his most urbane as he laughed off their indiscretion and dragged the sled to Katherine’s eager hands.

  No further mention of their display was made as a loud scream from the slope behind had them turning to see Elizabeth and Dr Logan hurtling down. Elizabeth’s face was alive with joy and triumph at persuading Dr Logan to accept a sled ride with her in full view of her brother. Dr Logan’s rugged, but attractive, face was set in concentration as he controlled the run of the sled. He too looked happy and relieved. Jane glanced at Jonathan to read his expression. He was frowning slightly, with one eyebrow cocked, as he watched the couple’s progress. As they slowed to a halt Jonathan strode to the sled and offered his sister his hand to rise. Her joyous face sobered as she took his assistance.

  Jane’s sisters enjoyed a few more slides until the early setting sun and its accompanying chill brought the activity to an end for the day. Everyone trudged back to the house to change into warm dry clothes for their early dinner.