Jane wasn’t surprised by this development.“Surely that is a good sign.Surely, if Jonathan had said no immediately, Dr.Logan would have been out of there within minutes.”
“Maybe Marcus is taking a roundabout way of getting to the subject.”Elizabeth pleated her napkin in a distracted way.
“It’s possible, but so is that they are discussing settlements and so forth.”
“Do you think so?”Elizabeth relaxed a little.“Yes, you must be right.There is no need to worry.I will be positive.”
As she spoke the words, the door to the breakfast room opened.Dr.Logan stepped inside.A furrow creased his forehead.
Elizabeth hurried to him.“Oh, Marcus, what did he say?”
Dr.Logan led her back to her seat and sat beside her.“The answer is no, but a qualified no.More of a not yet.”
“What do you mean?”Lady Elizabeth asked.
“According to your brother—and I have to agree with him—you are too young to be making a decision to marry such an older man.He would prefer we wait.”
“How long?”Elizabeth asked, stricken.
“Until you are twenty-five.”His words were bleak.
Elizabeth gasped.“Five years!Oh, how could he be so cruel?”
“He doesn’t see himself as being cruel, but as protecting you from a bad mistake,” Dr.Logan answered evenly.“You are young and may change your mind.He doesn’t want you to be trapped in an unhappy marriage.”
Jane gasped.How could he?She must do something.She must speak with Jonathan.Jane stood abruptly.Her chair scraped on the polished floor.“Excuse me.”She strode to the doorway and tugged the heavy door open.She marched along the hall to Jonathan’s library to demand that he allow Elizabeth to find happiness with Dr.Logan.
With her hand raised ready to knock on the door, she came to her senses.It would do her no good to demand anything from Jonathan.He would only dig his heels in further...she must be logical in her argument for Dr.Logan’s suit.
Taking a deep breath, Jane rapped on the door and entered the room.
“Jane, my love.”Smiling, Jonathan stepped forward to take her hands in his and kiss them.“I have longed to see you this morning.”
“Yes, and I you, my lord.”
He chuckled.“I don’t think you should ever call me ‘my lord’ again after what we have shared.”
Jane smiled tightly.“Jonathan...I have just spoken with Elizabeth and Dr.Logan.You have refused their engagement.Why?”
Jonathan’s upturned lips flattened into a grim line.“I am obliged to protect my sister and all the women of my family.”
She took a steadying breath.“Yes, I understand your duty, but why this decision?Dr.Logan is a good man, the very best.I’ve known him for years and he’s never committed a dishonorable act.He would take good care of your sister and she seems devoted to him.They have known each other for a year now.It is not a new acquaintance.He is not a fortune hunter.Whatever can be against the match?”
“If I must enumerate the reasons for you,” he replied sternly, “they are these: Elizabeth is twenty—”
“But so are many young ladies married each Season at such an age.”
“You’re correct, but she has chosen a man twice her age who is not of her rank and is not wealthy.Each of these factors would be enough in its own right for me to refuse him as a match for my sister.”
“Are you saying that when they have waited until Elizabeth is twenty-five and they are still of the same mind that you will then refuse permission for their marriage?”
“No, I will have no say in their marriage then.Elizabeth will be master of her own funds and of her own fate.They will know by then that their love has lasted and will last.”
“By then Dr.Logan will be close to fifty years old, five years closer to the end of his life.They may have twenty years together, but Elizabeth may still be left with young, fatherless children.”Indignation at his maligning of her friends’ characters simmered in her.
“That is not sufficient an argument for their marriage now.”His face looked stern and implacable.
Elizabeth tried another tack.“Dr.Logan is a gentleman.He may not be of Elizabeth’s rank but he comes from a good family and he is related to a baronet.”
