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‘Gone out?’ Jane echoed. ‘I thought she had gone to rest before changing for dinner. I did not even know Mr Ashton had arrived. I hope it will not exhaust her.’
‘Your aunt and Drew will make sure she does not become too tired.’
‘Will you wait for them?’
‘Of course.’
‘Did you see my parents?’
‘Yes, I did. They are naturally very concerned about Isabel, but I was able to reassure them. They are looking forward to having you both safely home again.’
‘I shall be glad to go home too,’ she said. ‘But there is the soirée tomorrow evening. I must stay for that.’
‘You are going ahead with it, then.’
‘Yes, Isabel would not have it cancelled on her account, so we simply informed everyone it would be a week later. I have been rehearsing what I will say to persuade people to part with their money.’
‘While we wait, will you tell me what you are planning to say?’
They seated themselves on a bench in an arbour, shaded from the sun. ‘I thought I would begin by telling everyone about the little beggar boy that set me thinking and how I felt not enough was being done for the soldiers’ families. The men left their homes, wives and children to risk their lives and die for king and country and we should not forget that. The least we can do is remember their sacrifice and help their children. After that I will tell them about the Hadlea Children’s Home and how we plan to run it and how much it will cost. I have worked out some expenditure: buying the home, furnishing it, taking on staff, running expenses like food, clothes, heating.’
‘Would you like me to check the figures?’
‘Would you? That would be a great help, but can you spare the time?’
‘For you, Jane, I will always spare time.’
‘Oh.’ She was taken aback, but pulled herself together to laugh. ‘You want to know how your money is being spent?’
‘No, of course not. I trust you implicitly.’
‘I was only joking.’
‘I know, but other contributors might be more demanding and it is as well to have the answers at your fingertips.’
‘If I get any other contributors.’
‘I am sure you will.’
‘Shall we go indoors? My notes are all there.’
They rose and went into the morning room, where Jane had left her papers spread out on the table.
* * *
They were absorbed in the calculations when Lady Cartrose and Isabel returned, accompanied by Drew.
‘Mark,’ Isabel said as he rose to greet them. ‘I was not expecting you back so soon.’
‘I came in order to attend the soirée tomorrow evening and to take you home. Your parents are anxious to have you back.’
‘I am not sure I am recovered enough.’
‘You were well enough to go out,’ Jane said.
‘We did not go far and we went in the carriage.’
Lady Cartrose summoned a maid to bring refreshments and they sat down to converse until they arrived. ‘I wanted some pink ribbon to match my gown for tomorrow,’ Isabel went on. ‘And Drew bought us ice creams at Gunter’s. Then we saw the Regent riding by in his carriage. He deigned to smile and lift a hand in salute to us, but there were others on the road who booed him. He is enormously fat.’
‘He is known to eat prodigious quantities,’ her ladyship put in, demonstrating her own ability in that area when a maid brought in the tea tray and a plate of cakes.
‘And that when half his people are starving,’ Jane added, accepting a cup of tea, but declining anything to eat. ‘No wonder he is booed.’
‘There are rumours he means to divorce his wife,’ Lady Cartrose put in. ‘He wants an heir, but if Princess Charlotte manages to bring her latest pregnancy to term, we might have one sooner than we think.’
‘I have a good mind to write to him and point out the desperate straits of the soldiers’ orphans,’ Jane said.
‘I do not suppose a letter would ever advance beyond a second or third secretary,’ Mark said, smiling at her. ‘You would do better appealing to others further down the social scale.’
‘Like the Duke of Wellington,’ Isabel said with a giggle. ‘Do you know, Mark, Jane had a reply from his secretary.’
‘Did you, Jane?’
‘Yes. He said the Duke was cognisant of the problem and would enter into anything the Government might do to alleviate it,’ she answered, ‘But he did not feel it fair to subscribe to one small charity above others, especially in a part of the country with which he is unfamiliar. His Grace could not give to all and therefore must decline.’
