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She gasped. ‘He didn’t mean no ’arm, sir. He’s only a little lad and he wanted to ’elp me. I lost me ol’ man to the war, yer see, and now I’ve lost me job, on account of staying at home to look after Lizzie, who was sick. You in’t a-goin’ to turn ’im in, are you?’
‘No, I do not think so. We have the money safe. Go home and see to your family.’
‘Thank you, m’lord. God bless you.’ She bobbed a curtsy and fled.
He took the jar back to Jane. ‘It is all here,’ he said. ‘No harm’s done.’
‘Oh, thank goodness. I didn’t want the day marred by something so unpleasant. Who took it?’
He told her what had happened. ‘Did you not say you were thinking of offering the Butler children a home?’ he asked.
‘Yes. I haven’t mentioned it to Mrs Butler yet, but I will do so soon. She may not want to part with him.’
‘I think she might. She has just lost her job and her chances of finding another while she has two children to care for are slim.’
‘She could work at Witherington House, then they could all be together. I need to recruit staff.’
‘Good idea. Shall we join your parents and sisters?’
Jane looked round and spied them watching the skittles competition. Lord Bolsover was with them. ‘No, I do not think I will. I’ll go and see Mrs Butler. You go.’
But he did not want to join them either and went in search of the parson’s wife to give her the good news and return the pot to her after emptying its contents into a canvas bag Jane had stowed under the dais for just that purpose. There was money being taken on all the stalls and it occurred to him that it might be a good idea to take temptation out of the way and collect it. He would take it up to the house and put it in the safe until it could be paid into the Hadlea Children’s Home account. By the time he had finished the bag was heavy. They had done well, but he would not count it—that was a pleasure he would leave for Jane.
* * *
Mark was almost home when he saw a familiar figure coming towards him, a slightly plump figure dressed in a blue military-style frockcoat, embellished with silver braid. ‘Jonathan Smythe, you old dog,’ Mark said, smiling with pleasure. ‘Where have you sprung from?’ They clapped each other on the back.
‘Scotland, where else? I’ve been up to the house and your mother told me where to find you.’
‘I will be going back there after I have put this in a safe place.’ He held up the bag. ‘Come with me.’
Jonathan turned and they walked side by side. ‘I was sorry to hear of your father’s demise, Mark.’
‘Thank you.’
‘My mother’s cousin died, too. I’ve inherited a pile of stones, as cold as charity, but it comes with a sizeable fortune so I must not grumble. I assume your mourning has delayed your wedding?’
‘Yes. Much has happened since you left.’
‘If you still want me to be your groomsman, I am yours to command.’
Mark could think of nothing to say to that except to thank him again.
‘You’ll never guess whom I met while I was up north. Drew Ashton. I hadn’t seen him since we were at school together. He’s come up in the world by all accounts.’
‘Drew is in Scotland?’
‘Yes. He was visiting his great-aunt. I must say I was surprised by that. She never bothered with him when he was a boy and he don’t need her blunt now. I reckon it was a convenient bolt hole. He was havey-cavey when I asked.’
‘He always played his cards close to his chest. You don’t happen to have his direction, do you?’
‘I think I have it in my trunk. I left it at Broadacres, by the way. I assumed you would invite me to stay, what with the wedding and all.’
‘Of course, stay as long as you like. There’s a fair on the Ten Acre Field that I’ve been helping to organise, which is why I am carrying a bag of small change. I have to go back as soon as I’ve put it in the safe. There’s to be a country dance this evening which I am obliged to attend. Come if you like.’
It was incredible how cheerful he suddenly felt. At last he could see a way out of his dilemma.
Chapter Twelve
The field was lit by lanterns on poles for the dance in the evening. Everyone joined in, including the children, and it proved to be the most fun of the whole day, if only because it was impossible to dance properly on grass. Jane and Mark partnered each other in an eightsome, which meant occasionally holding hands in full view of everyone. She was acutely aware that she must in no way betray how she felt about him, but the slight squeeze he gave her fingers every time they met and circled together told her he was aware of it, too. He seemed unusually light-hearted, smiling and joking with everyone. Afterwards she sat with her parents, watching him dance with Isabel while his friend, Mr Smythe, danced with Sophie.
