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“I fear that I did let it go. No sense in being a wanderer when one has a home. But I must say, that is the only thing about Cornwall that I shall miss.”
“I think that you should stay here and give up on this wandering,” Jane went on. “Buy another cottage. I shall love to have you nearby.”
“That’s very endearing, Sister. It is so agreeable to be wanted.”
All at once, John felt very exposed for saying this. What he could not mention was that he felt rather lonely in Cornwall. After their parents had died, John went looking for work, as Jane had already been stationed at Pelham Downs, and John was tied to nothing. There were several prospects there in terms of taking a wife, but none of them were appealing to John. He wanted someone with heart as well as beauty, and this could not be found where he lived in Cornwall.
Alas, he could consider the notion of staying near to Jane, but what was wandering most of all was John’s mind. He had turned into a keen reader, and this practice made him philosophical. This mental hunger led John to want to see new places and experience new adventures.
Whilst he was contemplating all of this, John noticed that Margaret was gazing at him in curiosity. “Pardon me. There are many things on my mind these days.”
“Such as?” Margaret asked.
“Being alone gives one plenty of time for contemplation. I get lost in my thoughts.”
“This happens to me, as well,” Margaret went on. “Oh, I dream of wandering and seeing the world. Sadly… this isn’t to be so.”
“Why?” John asked.
Jane cleared her throat as though they were breeching a difficult subject. “Margaret is to be married,” Jane said.
Why did this statement make John’s heart sink? He felt a constriction in his chest and wondered if this was why Margaret appeared so downcast.
“You are not pleased to be married?” John asked.
Margaret shook her head. “I am afraid that certain circumstances are surrounding the event which are… unsavory. Pardon me. This is a difficult conversation to have.”
Yes, John’s suspicions were correct. This was the very reason that Margaret came across the way that she did. “Can it be prevented?”
“The marriage?” Margaret asked.
“Indeed.”
“That matter is not within my control, however much I wish that it was.”
“Do not allow someone else to tell you what to do.”
Margaret laughed. “Such as my father? He holds all of the control.”
John felt anger wash over him. There were plenty of things that he wished to say, but considering his anger, John thought it best to hold his tongue, for the most part. “My only hope is that the situation ends in a way that you would deem favorable.”
John noticed that Jane remained silent throughout this exchange. Was there something else that she wished to say? Perhaps, in a private conference, he could learn more. Oh, but he caught himself yet again being keenly interested in Margaret’s affairs, only upon encountering her briefly. This was very odd for John, but his quiet fondness dictated it.
“Oh, let us talk of other matters,” Margaret said, throwing her hands in the air. “I fear that it has been occupying my mind, and I do not wish for such an unsavory topic to ruin a good afternoon.”
As they continued to walk along, John clasped his hands behind his back and smiled to himself. It was a lovely day; the sky was a perfect blue, and there was not a cloud in the sky. He looked over to Pelham Downs, and in the window the viscount stood and abruptly fled upon seeing John. Jane had mentioned some elements of his character in her letters, but John was beginning to see that the situation might be worse than expected.
“Did you ride through Farthington?” Margaret asked. “I love the village so.”
“I must admit that I did not ride through. I came directly here.”
“We should walk there, so that you can see it. There are charming shops, and everyone that resides there is so kind. I think that you will find that staying here is something that you might enjoy.”
So, now Margaret was expressing interest that John should stay? That proved even more intriguing. Still, he was sure that she was merely being polite. There was no chance that she was as struck by him as he was by her upon first glance.
“Quaint villages always remind me of my childhood,” John went on.
“Don’t bring up such grand memories!” Jane protested. “I fear that I shall shed a tear. I miss mother and father so.”
