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‘Oh, it was nothing. I am quite well and a night in my own bed has worked wonders, also the news that the Reverend Caulder has found some premises for our home. I have just come from the Rectory and decided to call to ask if you could spare the time to accompany me on an inspection. The trustees will need to make the final decision as to whether we buy or not.’
‘Willingly. Let us go indoors and we can decide on a day and time. I must fit it in with my obligations here and my duty to my mother.’
‘If you are very busy...’ she began diffidently.
He smiled at her, a special kind of smile she liked to imagine was one for her alone, but which she knew was fantasy on her part. ‘Jane, when I took on the trusteeship, I knew what it would entail and I always make a point of fulfilling my obligations, so think no more of it. We will go as soon as maybe. Perhaps Isabel might like to accompany us?’
They did not have to wait to ask her. Lady Cavenhurst and Isabel were sitting in the morning room with Lady Wyndham. The two older ladies were in animated conversation about plans for the wedding, but Isabel was silent and looking glum, which worried Jane. How long before she got over her infatuation for Andrew Ashton? If she went on looking gloomy for much longer, everyone would notice. But she could not altogether condemn her; she knew what it was like to yearn for someone you could not have.
‘I did not know you were coming here, Jane,’ her mother said. ‘You could have driven the trap, you know how I hate driving it. I am always fearful it will turn over and land us all in a ditch. And your papa positively forbade us to have the horses harnessed to the carriage for so short a trip.’
‘I went to the rectory, Mama, and decided to come on here afterwards. Reverend Caulder has found a house for the Hadlea Children’s Home and I needed to consult Mark about it.’
‘Jane dear,’ her mother said gently, ‘I do think you should refer to his lordship in a more respectful way. You are no longer children.’
‘Oh, no,’ Mark put in. ‘I should hate that. It means I must call Jane Miss Cavenhurst and Isabel, Miss Isabel. It would be too stiff for words. Let us go on as we always have.’
‘Honestly, Jane,’ Isabel said, ‘do you never think of anything else but that project of yours? I am sure Mark is bored to death with it. I certainly am.’
‘I am sorry you think that,’ Jane said. ‘I was going to ask if you would like to come with us to view the house. It is at Witherington.’
‘No, I should not. I have better things to do with my time. I am sure you do not need a chaperon, being too old for courtship, as everyone knows.’
‘Dear me,’ Lady Wyndham said. ‘I fear, Isabel, you are becoming a little nervous. It must be the wedding playing on your mind.’
‘Yes, perhaps it is,’ she said and lapsed into silence.
Nothing more was said for several seconds while the heated air cooled and then Lady Cavenhurst rose, followed by her daughters.
‘I will call at the Manor later,’ Mark said, obviously meaning when Isabel had regained her composure. ‘We can arrange the outing to Witherington then.’
Jane followed her mother and sister to the trap, feeling nothing but foreboding. If Isabel continued to be difficult, she feared for Mark’s happiness. A calamity was unfolding before her and she could do nothing but watch helplessly.
* * *
‘Isabel, what is the matter with you?’ Lady Cavenhurst asked when they arrived home and her younger daughter had said not a word on the short drive. ‘What has put you in the dismals?’
‘Nothing,’ she muttered, looking at the hall floor.
‘Come now, I do not believe that. You have been in the suds ever since you returned home. I begin to think you are not glad to be back and would rather have stayed with your aunt.’
Isabel raised eyes swimming with tears. ‘It isn’t that.’
Jane put her arm about her shoulder. ‘Issie, you had better tell Mama the whole.’
‘If there is something to tell, then we will go into the parlour and sit comfortably,’ their mother said, leading the way.
Isabel shot a glance at her sister. ‘Come, too, Jane.’
Lady Cavenhurst sat on a sofa and patted the seat beside her. ‘Sit here, Isabel, and let us hear what is making you so unhappy.’
Isabel hesitated. ‘Go on,’ Jane said.
Her sister took a deep breath. ‘I can’t marry Mark, Mama.’
‘Can’t marry him? Why ever not?’
