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‘Jane is sitting with her. She is blaming herself.’
‘Whatever for?’
‘I do not know, something about not curbing Isabel’s exuberance.’
‘Exuberance,’ he mused aloud. ‘Is that what it’s called? I would have called it wilfulness. Isabel set off to gallop and the mare got the bit between her teeth and bolted. It had nothing to do with Jane.’
‘You are very fond of Jane, are you not?’
‘Indeed I am. I admire her greatly for the way she tries to keep the family together, making sacrifices for them, which they seem to take for granted. She is always making excuses for their bad behaviour. If it isn’t Teddy, it’s Isabel.’
‘You make a good champion of her, Lord Wyndham.’
‘There is no one else to do it.’
‘Not even Mr Ashton?’
‘Drew?’ he asked, puzzled. ‘No, I do not think so. She always behaves coolly and correctly towards him. What made you think it?’
‘He is so often in your company, the four of you together.’
‘Why not? Drew is my friend.’
‘Oh, I see. I did not quite understand.’
He was not one to analyse his own feelings too closely, but the events of the past few days when he had been more in Jane’s company had opened his eyes to the differences between her and her sister and what he saw and felt filled him with doubts. Drew returned before he could ponder that more deeply.
‘How is she?’ he asked, after bowing to Lady Cartrose.
‘Awake and sitting up,’ her ladyship answered. ‘She will recover, but must have a week in bed.’
‘Thank goodness it is no more than that,’ he said, taking the chair her ladyship indicated.
‘Did you manage the horses?’ Mark asked.
‘Lord Bolsover turned up just as I was rounding them up and offered his assistance. He said he had seen what happened and was on his way to ask after the invalid.’
‘What on earth is the man playing at?’
‘I’ve no idea, but I was glad of his help. Four horses on a busy street are not easy to handle. We each rode one and led another.’ He turned to Lady Cartrose. ‘When will we be able to visit Miss Isabel?’
‘I think perhaps tomorrow Mark may see her, if she feels up to it.’ It was plain she did not think it fitting that Drew should see the young lady while she lay in bed.
‘Then we will take our leave,’ Mark said, rising to bow to her. Drew followed suit.
* * *
‘I had not intended to stay in town above three or four days,’ Mark said, as they walked to South Audley Street. ‘And I ought to go back to Hadlea and inform Sir Edward what has happened. No doubt Jane will want to stay with her sister. I can come back for them when Isabel is well enough to travel.’
They separated on the corner of Mount Street and South Audley Street, arranging to meet at White’s for supper that evening. Mark went to the mews to order his carriage to be ready to return to Norfolk the next morning and then went into the house to change and deal with some paperwork. But he could not settle to it and found himself pacing backwards and forwards, his mind on Jane and Isabel. The latter was lovely, charming and sensitive in many ways, but in others, completely selfish. Not until recently had he realised that.
As for Jane, she was far from the plain Jane she was purported to be. Her beauty was in her inner self, in her compassion and selflessness which shone through in everything she did. Why had he not seen that before? Was it because everyone else overlooked her and treated her as if she did not matter, was as familiar and static as the furniture? He had been as guilty as anyone. It was not that she lacked confidence; she was more independent than most and able to hold her own in an argument when the subject was something she felt passionate about, especially the orphans. Not everyone needed to be lively and flirtatious—indeed that could sometimes pall. There he was, comparing them again. Did that mean he had made the wrong choice? He stopped his thoughts abruptly before they carried him away where it was best not to go.
* * *
On his way to White’s he stopped at Mount Street to enquire of the invalid and was told by her aunt that she was comfortable and resting. ‘Jane is sitting with her,’ the old lady said. ‘But the medicine the doctor prescribed has made her sleep and there is nothing we can do but watch over her. What her father will say of my guardianship of his daughters I dread to think. I have written to my sister-in-law and told her Isabel will have the best medical attention available.’
