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“I am sure I will be all right, Frederick,” said Jane as she stepped through the door in the gate. “It is broad daylight and not far.”
Turning quickly in the direction of her destination, Jane set off down the hill. She had not gone more than fifty yards when a voice called out behind her:
“Hang on there, Jane! Don’t be sore! I brought the primer!”
Before she had time to think, Jane turned instinctively to see a handsome and well-dressed man of about twenty-five years running towards her.
Chapter 14: A primer
Jane had instantly realized the gentleman had mistaken her for Miss Fairfax and rued her instinctive decision to turn around. She turned back towards the church but was in a quandary—having to choose between the impropriety of talking to a stranger or the rudeness of snubbing him. As she stood there hesitantly, the gentleman reached her and peered into her poke bonnet. Her clear blue eyes returned his gaze, noting his noble countenance, immaculately shaved chin resting on the snowy froth of his muslin cravat, and his impressive haircut.
“I beg your pardon, ma’am,” he apologized; finally appreciating that the beautiful face framed by the poke bonnet did not belong to his Jane. “I thought you were Miss Jane Fairfax.”
Jane’s heart went out to the handsome young man who had obviously been awaiting the appearance of Miss Fairfax. Pity overcame propriety. “I am sorry, sir, but Miss Fairfax is not residing here at the moment. But if you will excuse me, I am late for church.”
She set off at a brisk pace down the hill, veering to the edge of the lane as the Garths’ carriage passed her.
“Not here! What on earth do you mean?” he asked, catching up with her in a few brisk strides. Then, with a note of alarm in his voice: “She has not been turned off?”
“No, sir,” replied Jane, keeping her eyes fixed firmly ahead as she continued on her way. “But I should not be talking to you. We have not been introduced.”
“Well, I am Frank Churchill. There! Now we are half-introduced!” he said with a charming grin.
Jane suppressed a small smile and kept walking. So this is the infamous Mr Churchill!—alleged to have kissed the governess through the pass-through. I should have guessed!
Frank was not deterred and kept pace. “You turned so quickly when I called to you, I thought for sure ‘twas my Jane, in a miff with me. Wait... Let me guess. You are Jane, too!”
Having unconsciously echoed Amabel’s pronouncement, Mr Churchill made Jane smile again.
“There!” he said, taking her smile for affirmation, “now we are three-quarters introduced!”
Jane’s smile broadened at this sally, displaying her white teeth.
“Well, Miss Jane, let me escort you to church! And in return I only ask you to tell me what you know of my dear Jane!”
So saying, he offered his elbow and Jane was not proof to his charm.
“I gather we are headed for St Paul’s?” he stated.
“Yes, sir. But I am afraid I cannot be of much use to you in providing information. Miss Fairfax broke her leg and has gone elsewhere to recuperate.”
“Broke her leg! What a silly thing to do!”
“I am sure she would have avoided it if she could, sir,” Jane said wryly.
“Well, I suppose so!” he laughed. “And you have no idea how this came about? I hope those rascally children weren’t involved.”
“I hardly know, sir. I only arrived this week to teach the children until Miss Fairfax returns.”
Mr Churchill was thoughtful. “Jane would have returned to her aunt and grandmother in Highbury to recuperate, of course. Hang it! I will just have to pay another call on my father!”
He paused and champed on his lip, as if thinking about this. “And how long have you been here?”
“A week, sir.”
“Well, the last time I saw her was Sunday three weeks ago. Confound it! Now I am stuck with this stupid book!” he said, brandishing the offending article.
This reminded Jane of Mr Churchill’s opening sally. “Is that the Latin primer Miss Fairfax was waiting for?” she asked.
