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If Jane thought her hair was on end before, it was fully at attention now.

“We sneaked out and there was poor Miss Fairfax pulling herself along the floor! She had broken her leg getting in the window:

‘Help me to the stairs, children,’ says she, ‘for I have injured myself and must account for it. Pull me to the stairs, then wake Nurse.’

So, we pulled Miss Fairfax to the stairs but she moaned most horribly, even though we could see she was trying to stifle it. We knew she must be hurt very badly because she is quite stoic—why, she hardly cried out when she dropped the window sash on her hand in the schoolroom, and it was definitely broken; her finger sticking out at an odd angle.”

Jane paled.

“Finally, we got her to the stairs. She kept fainting and we had to stop, because we were worried we might hurt her if she could not cry out. We propped her up and got Nurse, and Felix got permission to find Frederick. He ran for the doctor, and Meg came up to help, along with Cook, who gave Miss Fairfax some rum to drink. Her leg was broken most horribly, the bone sticking through the skin and the marrow coming out. When Cook tried to set it to rights, Miss Fairfax fainted dead away again.”

Jane could feel the gorge rising in her throat. Her heartbeat drummed in her ears, but Cherise plunged on, unable to see how dreadfully pale her new governess has become in the candlelight.

“The doctor arrived soon enough. After he had fastened a splint, Frederick scooped Miss Fairfax up as if she were light as a feather and carried her to her bed. It was so romantic! It is a pity he is a footman, else I might marry him!”

Jane raised her eyebrows at this aside, which aided her recovery somewhat.

“You know that would be quite inappropriate, Cherise,” Jane gently reminded her.

“Frederick is worth a dozen Frank Churchills!” replied Cherise hotly. “What did he say when you said Jane had broken her leg. Did he acknowledge his complicity? Express any remorse?”

“No, he was surprised that she was hurt. I suppose he must not have heard her cry out. He said he would have to go to Highbury to visit his father.”

“He is such a sneak! He doesn’t want anyone to know he is seeing Jane because he is afraid his aunt will disapprove and disinherit him! If he really valued Miss Fairfax, he would learn a profession. Then he would not have to hang around his aunt’s skirts. He is no gentleman! I believe he is playing with Miss Fairfax’s affections! Promise me you won’t speak to him again if he should be outside tomorrow! I told Mother he is Miss Fairfax’s brother, but that excuse will not do for you. He cannot be brother to both of you!”

“Oh dear!” said Jane, alarmed that Mrs Garth should be so strict. “Do you think your mother saw me last week?”

“No, because I distracted her by saying I had lost one of my gloves, when it was in my pocket all the time.”

“Well, thank you!” said Jane appreciatively. “But hopefully my uncle’s footman will not be late this time. He will ensure that Mr Churchill does not bother me if I tell him.”

With this reassurance Cherise was satisfied and took herself off. Jane settled down to bed, considerably easier in her mind.

The following morning, Mick arrived to escort Jane to church on time. She was further relieved to find there was no sign of Mr Churchill.

Jane was grateful to see her relatives again after her trying week, even if her torture had largely been in her own mind. Lizzy had sent a letter from Longbourn, which Jane took to a corner of the parlour to devour while lunch was being set on the table. Her aunt and uncle made no mention of Mr Thorne after the Church service or during lunch. Jane began to hope that the topic would not be raised after her lack of enthusiasm on the previous week. Following the Sunday meal, Mr Gardiner offered to play ball in the street with his sons while Mrs Gardiner retrieved a length of veil that had been spared from Mr Gardiner’s warehouse at her niece’s request. Jane planned to embroider the veil for Mary’s wedding.

“I believe your uncle had five yards cut,” said Mrs Gardiner, handing over the packet.

After untying the string, Jane opened the brown paper to reveal a material as fine as gossamer.

“Oh, Aunt!” she exclaimed, draping it across her hand. “It is so beautiful! I have never seen anything like it!”

“It is lovely, isn’t it? It is one of the new machine-made voiles. I was quite amazed when your uncle showed it to me. What do you plan?”

“I will do a scalloped edge and then embroider a floral motif as a border.”

“Coloured or in cream to match? Perhaps I have some thread in my sewing basket...”

A preference for cream was averred and an appropriate thread and a needle with a tiny eye found.

“I am sure it will look lovely,” said Mrs Gardiner as Jane elaborated on her plans. “Mr Elliot seems an estimable young man. I do hope it works out for them.”

“Can there be any doubt?” enquired Jane.

“His expectations are not certain. Your uncle cannot in good conscience give his final approval to the match if Mr Elliot is unable to live as a gentleman. Did Lizzy not relate the circumstances in her letter?”

“No. She mostly spoke of the estate and her reading. She seems to have plunged into some of father’s more philosophical works and is also trying to read some of the classics in Latin. She says she can only do so in the mornings when her mind is acute, being only able to manage books in her native tongue in the afternoons.”