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‘But you do try his patience sorely, Issie. He is looking very strained and I wonder how bad things really are.’
‘You do not think that odious man at Aunt Emmeline’s soirée was telling the truth, do you?’
‘No, of course not.’
When she went to her room, Bessie had already unpacked her things and had gone to do the same for Isabel. Jane sat on the edge of her bed, wondering how much, if anything, she should tell her parents about the rumours and Lord Bolsover. It might only serve to upset them. On the other hand, forewarned was forearmed. She would leave the decision until the next day when everyone was less tired and they had settled in at home again.
* * *
Supper was a time for catching up, with Sophie telling her sisters what had been going on in the village in their absence, Isabel chattering about all she had seen and done, avoiding any mention of Andrew Ashton, and Jane apprising them of her visit to the Foundling Hospital and the progress she had made with her orphan project. ‘Mark was a great help,’ she said.
‘Yes, he told us about the Foundlings when he called to inform us of Isabel’s accident,’ her mother said. ‘How did that happen? Hacks in the Park are not usually fraught with danger.’
‘I ducked to avoid the overhanging branch of a tree,’ Isabel said. ‘And my saddle slipped and I came off and hit my head.’
‘I am surprised Mark did not check the girth before you started out,’ Sir Edward said.
‘I am sure he did, but it was a hired mount and a hired saddle, which no doubt did not fit properly.’
‘And I believe your aunt arranged a soirée for you, Jane. Did you meet any interesting people?’
‘Yes, Aunt Emmeline’s drawing room was a squeeze. They knew that I would be speaking about the Hadlea Children’s Home. I was very nervous at first, but I soon forgot that as I talked.’
‘There were all manner of people there and some were very noisy,’ Isabel added. ‘There was one man who said—’
‘Isabel,’ Jane put in quickly, ‘Mama and Papa do not want to hear that.’
‘Hear what?’ her mother demanded.
‘It was only someone trying to cause trouble,’ Jane said. ‘Mark and Mr Ashton soon got rid of him.’
‘Trouble?’ Sir Edward queried. ‘What sort of trouble?’
‘He doubted my honesty. There are some people who think a woman not capable of handling money and Mark had to explain that the funds for the Hadlea Children’s Home would be administered by a trust of which he would be a trustee and that seemed to satisfy most people.’
‘That’s not all he said.’ Isabel ignored the fierce look Jane gave her. ‘He said you were nigh on bankrupt, Papa, and the money Jane collected for her orphanage would go to pay your debts.’
‘Issie!’ Jane admonished her, noting her father’s frown and the high spots of colour on his cheeks and her mother’s quick intake of breath. ‘There was no need to trouble Papa with that. It is of no consequence.’
‘It seems to me you have been mixing with a very bad sort of society,’ their mother said. ‘I am surprised at Emmeline allowing it.’
‘Do not blame Aunt Emmeline,’ Jane said. ‘She was very particular about those to whom she introduced us. The man arrived uninvited.’
‘I heard D—Mr Ashton—say he had been sent by Lord Bolsover,’ Isabel went on. ‘He’s the one Teddy owed all that money to. He is evidently angry that Teddy escaped.’
‘Well, I am very relieved that you are both home again and away from all that,’ their mother said. ‘Let us talk of other things. I have been several times over to Broadacres to visit Lady Wyndham. She is bearing up remarkably well and talking cheerfully of the wedding. Jane, you must finish the alterations to the gown now you are home.’
‘I will work on it tomorrow, Mama, when I have come back from visiting the Rector and Mrs Caulder. They will wish to know how well I did raising money.’
* * *
The sun was warm as Jane walked to the rectory next morning and she wore a simple gingham gown and a light lace shawl. The parasol she carried was a pale-cream silk with a matching fringe. In her reticule she had a record of all the people who had donated to the fund and the notes she had made after her visit to the Foundling Hospital.
Mrs Caulder was in her garden cutting early rose buds from the bush that climbed the archway of the gate. ‘Jane, you are back. How did it go?’
