He could stubbornly let his decision stand or he could go to his sister, his only and very dear sibling, and try to convince her that although immediate agreement wasn’t possible, a short wait of six months should bring the result she wanted.If she still wanted Logan after a full Season of society events and meeting all the eligible bachelors, then she could have him.
Jonathan turned his mount for home.His stomach had settled.Eating breakfast...make that luncheon...now seemed a possibility.If Elizabeth didn’t join him for the meal, he would visit her sitting room and talk with her.
When he entered her rooms later that afternoon, Elizabeth looked pale and unwell.
Jonathan did what he should have done previously and explained his strategy carefully.“By the end of the coming Season, you will be of age and have experienced everything the social round can show you, and be much more able to know that Logan is the right man for you.I am not looking, and never have looked for a society match for you if you don’t want that.”As he spoke, he could see Elizabeth’s hope returning.“Aunt Lucinda is, though, so we must carefully play our cards.You must not hang on Logan’s sleeve, but take part in all the social events she thinks you ought attend.”
He made his final words severe.“If you choose Logan, you will be choosing a man who has to work for his living, and that will mean that you have to allow him time to do that.He won’t be at your beck and call for social events as a gentleman of leisure might.”
Elizabeth nodded.“Jonathan, that is part of his attraction—he has a profession that takes him out to do good in the world.I am willing to support that.It was through our interest in helping people that we first became aware of each other.”
Jonathan, reassured by her words, left her to write the news to Dr.Logan.However, he was still estranged from Jane.Reconciling with her would not be as easily solved.
Chapter Twenty
ARRIVING HOME LATEin the evening, Jane and her sisters exited the carriage to hammer on their front door, hoping that Mrs.Creevy or Joe would hear them.They were a sorry sight after a long day’s travel.A footman and Dr.Logan were grouped behind them on the pavement, ready to assist with their baggage.
They didn’t wait long.Joe chinked the door open to see who stood on the front step at such an hour, then flung it wide to admit them.The house was not warm like Everslie Park,so there was no incentive to dally out of bed away from the heated bricks ready to warm their toes.Leaving their portmanteaus to be unpacked the next day, the sisters prepared for bed and slid under the covers as soon as they could.
Jane stared up at the bed canopy.Her mind churned through the events of the last few days as she tried to decide her future.What was best for her siblings?Should she marry, swallow her pride and accept that decisions other than household management would no longer be hers to make?
She had missed Jonathan in her bed last night, but the suspicion that the whole affair had been a setup for political reasons made anger burn in her.At the end of a long, restless night, she was still resolved to end their engagement.
She rose at dawn and penned a formal letter requesting that their engagement be dissolved and that a notice to that effect be placed in the newspaper.Tears trickled down her face as she folded and addressed the missive.Drying her eyes with ruthless determination to return to normality, Jane planned the forthcoming day.She would restart the family routine—lessons for Katherine, sewing and household tasks divided between the sisters, while she and Anna set forth dutifully on social calls.
They walked through the gray streets, devoid of snow and ice but still wet from the rain that had washed them in the night.Their first call was to Mrs.Courtice.
She looked forward to spending a talkative half hour with her old friend.The butler greeted her at the door, but barred her entry.With great sadness in his voice, he told her that the dear lady had passed away the previous day.
Stunned, Jane returned home with Anna, putting off their visiting until the next day.She then set out instead to confer with Dr.Logan.Not only had they lost a dear friend but also a valued, essential coworker in their charities.There would be much to do.
Jane joined the doctor’s waiting room queue, anxious to speak with him.At last it was her turn.His response to her news was as shocked as Jane’s had been.However, as Mrs.Courtice’s doctor, he knew much more about the elderly woman’s ill-health.
Jane agreed to take on Mrs.Courtice’s philanthropic tasks for the Welfare League as well as her own.That wasn’t enough.The League needed a benefactor to replace her.It would be almost impossible.
Wearily, Jane returned home.Emotional blows seemed to be coming thick and fast.Despair weighed her down.She told herself that the silver lining to the cloud was waiting to be found.
