The Persuasion of Miss Jane Brody (11 page)

Still Charlotte hesitated.

“Now,” insisted Jane, looking around for it. “Is that your portmanteau?”

Charlotte nodded. Jane sped to the bag where it sat on the floor, grasped it firmly in one hand and strode back to Charlotte. “Charlotte, listen to me. We are leaving now. You must do as I say. You want to be free of him don’t you?”

“Yes,” she breathed.

Taking Charlotte’s hand firmly Jane drew her to the door and opened it gently. There was no-one around, but anytime soon the residents of these working-class houses would be spilling out to go to the labours. She slipped out pulling Charlotte behind her. Putting down the portmanteau she softly closed the old door. “Quickly now Charlotte. Walk fast without looking back.”

Jane’s stomach was roiling with fear that Captain Flynne would return, or that someone would see them and report to him where they had gone. Their post chaise would be ready to depart in less than half an hour. They must be quick!

They walked briskly into the Kings Arms to await the coach. Jane had paid her tariff the night before but there was just time to order and drink coffee before the coach was ready. Charlotte appeared disoriented and fearful. Jane had to coerce her to drink the coffee, but even so she only sipped at it, warming her hands on the cup.

An approaching coach blew its horn. The sun had now fully risen, but its watery silver light had no heat in it. No-one got down from the coach for this stop. Jane took the cup out of her sister’s hands and steered her towards the yard where the post chaise stood now ready and hurriedly clambered into it with Charlotte. As the stage coach pulled out of the yard Jane saw past it to a tall dark haired man inside the door of the inn. She sat back in her seat in surprise. He had looked very much like Jonathan.
It couldn’t be.

Then she glanced down the high street. Not fifty feet away was Charlotte’s husband, looking angry, his every stride bringing him closer to the inn. He knew! He knew she was gone! Would the landlord tell him where they were headed? Would he follow them? There was no way of knowing.

♥ ♥ ♥

Jonathan had woken at dawn, shaved, dressed and left his room in time to hear yet another coach sound its horn for arrival. He found the inn-keeper, paid his tariff and enquired about whether the young governess was about yet. The horn sounded again, this time for the coach’s departure.

“She’s already gone, my lord. Paid her shot last evening and left in a post chaise whot she had arranged. It’s leaving now.” He pointed outside.

Jonathan swiftly strode to the door. The coach was already in the high street. “Where is it bound for inn-keeper? Winchester?”

“Why do you want to know, my lord.”

“I mean her no harm. Is it Winchester?” Jonathan asked again.

The innkeeper looked him over obviously considering the result of his actions. “Winchester it is, my lord.”

Jonathan nodded. “Where does it pull in at Winchester?” Jonathan inquired further.

“At The Swan, just off the high street.”

“Thank you.” Jonathan strode quickly out the door bound for the stable. As he did so, a broad-shouldered cavalry officer brushed past him on his way into the inn. “Do you mind?” said Jonathan.

“Bugger you,” was the obscene response as the man strode to the desk where the inn-keeper stood. Jonathan stopped and turned to watch and listen, suspecting this was the injurious husband.

“Inn-keeper, have you seen my wife today?” he demanded.

“No, I have not seen your wife this last week. I thought she might have been unwell when she wasn’t here for your brandy each day.”

“Ill? Not her, just lazy. If you see her let me know. We leave for India soon and she hasn’t packed a thing.” He scowled.

The inn-keeper retained his bland face. “Certainly.”

The officer, still angry, stormed out again pushing past Jonathan who cautioned, “Careful”.

“Careful yourself,” the officer replied and swung at him with a heavy fist. Jonathan saw it coming, side-stepped the blow and neatly landed a left hook to the man’s jaw. He fell to the ground but soon got up, swore and stormed off.

Not usually a violent person, Jonathan felt no regret at hitting a man who thought it acceptable to hit his wife, or probably any woman.

Jonathan coolly turned back to the inn-keeper. “Do you know the woman he was looking for?”

“Yes, I know her well, poor young thing. How she got tied up with that brute is a mystery. Must have fallen on hard times. But he can appear charming at first, so maybe that’s how. That’s what we found – fine at first, then his true colours came out.”

“Thank you. I hope you won’t change your mind about telling him where she went.” Jonathan handed the man a guinea for his trouble.

“I won’t do that, m’lord.”

Jonathan’s groom was already harnessing the horses into the curricle. “Where we going now, your lordship? Into Portsmouth?”

“No, Nate, Winchester.”

“Ah well, that’s closer to home. We’re heading in the right direct’n at least.”

“These new horses look up to some pace?”

“They’ll do Gvn’r.”

“Good. Hurry along Nate. We’re still in a tearing rush. I’ll bring my bag down myself.”

Within ten minutes they were back on the road following Jane’s coach to Winchester. It was a short distance there so Jonathan knew he had to arrive before them. Once they left the coach to find accommodation he would need to spend time finding them, so he pushed the new team of horses along at a brisk pace.

♥ ♥ ♥

Jane thought the jolting would never stop. Her back still ached from yesterday. Charlotte had fallen asleep opposite her with her neck stretched forward and her chin on her chest. She would be sore when she woke. It was testament to how exhausted she must be that she could sleep at all on this swaying ship of the road.

Jane set her mind to the next stage of the plan. They must get something to eat at Winchester and safe lodgings for a week.

At last they were arriving at The Swan. Their conveyance entered the yard and stopped with a lurch. She leaned forward and gently shook Charlotte awake. The first look on Charlotte’s face was fear, then realisation, as she peered around and saw where she was. Her shoulders relaxed in relief.

“We’re here. Breakfast now and somewhere to stay,” said Jane.

She climbed out of the coach and reached back to help her sister. Jane watched Charlotte’s face change back to fear as she looked over Jane’s head. In terror, Jane turned expecting to see Flynne come after them. She screamed. Her legs turned to jelly and she sank towards the ground.

She didn’t reach it as Jonathan’s hands grasped her arms and arrested her momentum. “That’s a reaction I didn’t expect from you Jane!” he exclaimed.

She grasped his shoulders and pulled her small frame erect. “You gave me such a fright. I thought you were Captain Flynne.”

Jonathan smiled grimly. “I expect it has been a stressful and traumatic day and a half for you. That is more than enough explanation.” He had slid his arm about her waist and turned her towards the coach. “Introduce us Jane, if you would.”

Jane swung her attention back to her sister who was watching them through bleary, dark-circled eyes. She introduced Jonathan to Charlotte. He moved forward to hand Charlotte down from the carriage but she flinched away from him. He stepped back and made no further effort to be his usual gentlemanly self, standing back so that Jane could help Charlotte from the coach.

“First, something to eat.” Jonathan escorted them into the inn and organised a room for the women to wash and tidy themselves in, plus luncheon for three in a private parlour.

After they satisfied their immediate hunger, Jane put her sister to bed and returned to the parlour where Jonathan began to explain what he had arranged. “I have hired another post chaise to take you and your sister to
Everslie
this afternoon, if you still wish to spend Christmas with the family there.” This statement was delivered as a question and his face, still impassive, showed polite enquiry.

Jane wasn’t sure of his real state of mind – anger at her escapade, disappointment that she didn’t trust him enough to come to him with her problem, or indifference. She decided she would just answer the question and leave the explaining to later when they were safe.

“I don’t wish to place you in the untenable position of harbouring my sister from her husband. Perhaps it would be better if we were to stay in Winchester until he has left the country.”

“Is there a chance that he won’t leave the country with his regiment if his wife is missing?”

Jane was perplexed. “I hadn’t considered that.”

“I think it would be better if you both came to
Everslie
where you will be under my protection. I can write to my contacts in the army and to ensure that he does leave the country. Once we know, then Charlotte will be free to leave at will. As with your other sisters, I am willing to settle money on her for her future upkeep.”

“You are most kind and generous. I really don’t know how to thank you.” Jane felt quite abashed at her lack of trust in him to help her save her sister.

“I’m sure there are many ways that you can thank me Jane.” His eyes glinted with amusement. “The first is to say yes and set out for
Everslie
… I will let you know some more of them when we are married.”

Jane caught his meaning and blushed.

“But for now Jane, we need to get a move on. The weather has changed this morning from clear and frosty to threatening snow. If we don’t want to be stuck in Winchester for Christmas I think we should get you and your sister into the carriage and set off as soon as possible. I will follow you in the curricle. It should only take an hour or two before we are home. One good thing about this snow is that it will keep your husband cut-off from
Everslie,
should he be intent on hunting Charlotte down.”

Jane hurried to her sister’s room to rouse her and accompany her to the carriage. Jonathan paid their host, put the ladies in the carriage and gave directions to the postilion before swinging himself up into his curricle. “Well Nate, we’re off again. On the home stretch this time.”

“It’s been a rum two days I must say. I hope we beats the snow G’vnr.”

“Indeed.” Jonathan tooled the curricle into the high street after the coach, setting off on the road to the west.

It was nearly dark when the carriage, with curricle close behind it, turned through the gates to
Everslie.
The gatekeeper had been expecting them since Lady Elizabeth’s arrival the previous day and was on the look-out, ready to open the wrought iron gates upon their approach.

With Charlotte’s head leaning heavily on her shoulder, Jane couldn’t move from her position to peer out the window at the house through the gloaming. It was mid-afternoon and Jane was already eager for a cup of tea and something to eat. First things first - she would get her sister to bed as Charlotte still seemed exhausted from her ordeal. Jane didn’t know whether it was relief from being freed from danger or exhaustion from living with brutality, or both, that had resulted in Charlotte’s collapse into sleep.

When the carriage stopped in front of the Palladian-fronted stone building, Jonathan was there to open its door and offer his hand. Jane had never felt so much gratitude to another person. He had come to her aid without being asked. He had not cited the law against her actions. He had just cared enough to help her and her family.

She looked at him closely now. He too looked tired from the last two days of endless driving and worry. She felt a surge of affection for this quiet, conservative man. Yes, he could be a sobersides, but he had proven himself to be a hero, determined to protect her and her family at whatever cost.

Her hand in his, she stepped down from the carriage. She surprised herself by squeezing it in thanks before raising it to her lips, still holding his gaze with hers. “Thank you Jonathan, for everything you have done and will do for my family and me.”

“I do it all for you Jane.” He answered softly. “I would do it all again as many times as necessary if it would make you happy.”

Before more could be said, Lady Elizabeth arrived with Anna and Katherine to greet them. There was hugging and talking and the laughter of relief as Charlotte was led into the house for a bath and food before bed.

Jane and Jonathan, arm-in-arm, followed the group.

Jonathan turned to her and said, “Tomorrow I will write to my friends in the military and see whether the regiment is expected to stay overseas for long and to make sure that he actually leaves the country.”

She nodded.

“But once that is done, I hope you will accompany me on a tour of inspection of the house and park. It’s not the best time of year to see it, but you can try to imagine what it will look like in Spring.”

“I would be delighted to.” She smiled at him. For the first time that she could remember Jane felt at peace, as though all of the struggle of the last decade was over. That she had finally reached a state of contentment. Had this man provided this for her or was it because the stress of the last thirty-six hours was over? She didn’t know.

The snow that had been threatening all afternoon began its feathery descent to earth. Within an hour the ground was covered and it kept on falling steadily. By morning there would be snowdrifts across every road in the vicinity. Never had Jane been so grateful for snow blanketing the ground and threatening to keep everyone indoors.

 
Ten

In the morning, cobwebs of frost decorated the formal garden beneath Jane’s window and the birdbath in its centre was frozen. The heavy snowstorm of the previous afternoon had been followed by extreme cold. Jane sighed with relief at the sight - the snow wasn’t going to melt quickly, Charlotte was safe.

The first thing Jane did was check that Charlotte was still sleeping. They hadn’t talked much yesterday, instead Jane had concentrated on getting Charlotte bathed, fed and into bed so that sleep could start the healing process. Dr Logan examined her gently while Jane held her hand. At the conclusion, he drew Jane aside.

“No permanent damage seems to have been done,” he said. “But there is a lot of bruising. The physical signs of this abuse will disappear with time but I suspect the scars to her mind will heal less quickly. She needs rest, good food and no concerns. I think she will get that here with her family.” He smiled reassuringly and patted Jane’s shoulder. “She will be fine.”

Charlotte had seemed lost and bewildered until after Jane had drawn back the bed sheets, guided her sister into the warmed cocoon and tucked her in tightly. As Jane moved to extinguish the candle by the bed, her sister exclaimed, “No, don’t!”

Jane sat on the side of the bed and soothed her. A few minutes later as she was about to leave the room, thinking that Charlotte was asleep, she heard a whispered “thank you”, and took it as a sign that her sister was becoming more aware.

This morning Charlotte was awake, sitting in the window seat looking out upon the winter wonderland which the park had become. She smiled as Jane came into the room and greeted her.

“I haven’t seen so much snow for years! Remember tobogganing in the gardens that winter before mother got sick?”

“I do. Perhaps there’s a good slope for it here. If you feel up to it?”

Before Charlotte could answer, Anna had let herself into the room, so the discussion of a possible tobogganing trip included her. With agreement reached that Jane should ask Jonathan and organise the equipment, she left her sisters to talk. They were close in age and Jane wondered whether Charlotte would tell Anna more than she had revealed to her.

Jane found Jonathan was the only person in the breakfast room. He welcomed her warmly. “I’m just reading old newspapers that I missed. Care to join me or shall I put them away so we may talk?”

“I have a small request to make and then we can delve into the papers.” She smiled.

He looked at her with polite interest. “Ask away.”

“My sisters and I wish to know if there is a good slope at
Everslie
and do you have sleds which we could use?”

He laughed. “Indeed we do. There is a marvellous slope a short walk from the house. Elizabeth and I used to spend hours there – until our feet hurt so much we had to go indoors to defrost. I expect the old sleds are about – maybe in the attic. I’ll have them brought down directly.” He stood and rang the bell for his butler. “I’m sure Elizabeth and Dr Logan will join us also.”

Jane was pleased that the expedition would take place, hoping that it would raise Charlotte’s spirits. “Where are Elizabeth and Dr Logan, by the way?”

“I believe Elizabeth is showing Logan the rare editions of Latin scholars that I have in the library. I intended to join them after breakfast unless you wish me to take you for the guided tour of the house.”

“Let’s do both,” Jane suggested.

He nodded. “By-the-bye, I have written to my friend in the foreign office. He should have a good idea of regimental movements and will let me know when they get off. I’ve sent the letter with one of my stable-hands – a single horseman with local knowledge may get through the snow to the main road.”

Jane thanked him and told him of Charlotte’s improved appearance and mood, then for the next half hour settled down to her toast and tea, while reading papers and magazines in companionable silence.

Jonathan later escorted Jane to the library where they found Dr Logan up a ladder reaching for a book on the highest shelf of the large book-lined room. Elizabeth was seated on a sofa in front of a bow window with her book angled to catch the winter sunlight. Jane joined her friend on the sofa while Jonathan and Dr Logan talked on the merits of different translations and interpretations by Latin scholars. Jonathan soon drew Dr Logan to the far end of the library, where his first edition books were kept under lock and key, to a particular title that they were discussing.

“How are things with Dr Logan going?” Jane whispered.

Lady Elizabeth smiled and leaned towards her and answered similarly. “I was so surprised when Jonathan ordered that we collect Marcus from his home in our carriage. I had no idea that he had been invited for Christmas. Marcus has taken the invitation as an act of charity for a middle-aged professional man with no family. On the face of it, that is what it appears to be. I believe Marcus had initially refused his invitation citing work commitments at the home, but Jonathan was quite insistent and another doctor agreed to take over his cases for the week he would be away. However, it was extremely embarrassing initially to have him in such close proximity when we had agreed some weeks ago not to see each other again. I took your advice, you see, and gave Marcus an ultimatum about either seeking my brother’s permission to court me or ending any contact with him. It appears that absence did make the heart grow fonder.” Elizabeth laughed softly.

Jane smiled but made no comment.

Elizabeth continued, “For myself I was heart-broken when Marcus wouldn’t relent. However, the fact that he agreed to come here for Christmas and had arranged to travel with Jonathan was a heartening sign that he had had a change of mind.”

“And has he?” Jane enquired.

She smirked in triumph. “Yes, he has proposed at last Jane. I am the happiest of women.”

“Wonderful. What made him change his mind?”

“Sheer desperation I believe. It appears that I am as essential for his future happiness as he is for mine.” Elizabeth smiled again.

“Have you any idea what Jonathan’s reaction might be when Dr Logan speaks with him?” Jane queried.

“I have none. I am only so very glad that my Aunt Lucinda could not travel here for Christmas. She would not be so blind, as Jonathan obviously is, to our mutual attachment.”

“He may not be as unaware as you think – not that he has said anything to me though.” Jane was contemplative.

“Marcus has decided to speak with him at the end of the holiday, probably Boxing Day, as he leaves the next day for London. That way the week is not ruined by an unfavourable decision by Jonathan, should he be so disobliging as to refuse.”

“I hope all goes well Elizabeth. I really do.” She squeezed her hand.

“Even if he does not approve it is only a few more months before I am of age and can make my own decisions. However, my money is under his trusteeship until I am twenty-five, so we would have to live on Marcus’s income until that time. He is not a poor man, but my money would make life simpler, especially if we have a large family, which I am hoping for.”

“Does Dr Logan similarly want a large family?”

“He is willing to leave that up to me. He says there are ways to limit the number of babies a woman bears.”

“You have found a very free-thinking man Elizabeth. You are to be congratulated. If only there were more of them, so many women would be happier and healthier.”

“Don’t tell Jonathan though Jane, I don’t think he would approve. He is a traditionalist believing we should be grateful for all the children God brings us and not try to limit family size.”

Jane’s experienced a return of her fear about her future. It sounded as though Jonathan would be a husband like many others. Not for her the broad-minded stance of Dr Logan. Not yet, but she resolved to change that circumstance. “Well then, I will have to change his opinion.”

“Yes, you shall.” Elizabeth agreed.

As Jonathan approached them with Dr Logan their conversation ended.

“Jane, I believe we are engaged to view the house.” A small smile played across his mouth and his eyebrows quirked together making his statement an enquiry.

She accompanied Jonathan from the room but took a quick backward look which showed that Dr Logan had taken her place and was in earnest discussion with Elizabeth.

Their tour of the house began with introductions to the housekeeper and butler, followed by a purposeful
walk through the ground and first floor rooms, many of which Jane had seen since her arrival. This was followed by
a visit to the long gallery where Jonathan showed Jane the family portraits of his ancestors. The predominance of female antecedents as aunts and great-aunts was obvious. “The family curse, it seems – not enough male descendants. That’s why I’m so beloved by my family – I only had to be male to achieve it.”
Jonathan quipped.

Jane smiled. Turning she saw a more recent painting of a quite beautiful woman wearing a fashionable evening dress from the turn of the century. “Is this your mother?” Jane asked.

“Yes.”

“She was quite exquisitely beautiful. I can see the resemblance between you and her. How did she die?”

“Child birth – with Elizabeth. I was ten at the time.”

“How awful for you both – and your father. Did he suffer from it as mine did? Tell me about your childhood Jonathan,” Jane prompted.

“He suffered very much and withdrew from us children completely.” He hesitated then continued. “And began to drink heavily and gamble. He did not return to his former self; the person who I remember from my early childhood, who was always with his family. I wanted to be nothing like him. I was sent away to school and Elizabeth was raised with Aunt Lucinda’s daughters. I spent my holidays with my uncle and aunt’s family. I think the drinking killed him in the end. Once I inherited and gained access to funds I brought Elizabeth to live with me, away from the overbearing personality of our aunt. However, we are still reliant upon Aunt Lucinda for chaperoning Elizabeth during the Season.”

Jane nodded. It was not a happy tale and revealed Jonathan’s childhood pain, the motivation for his conservatism and his need to create a family of his own.

“Enough of this maudlin talk, it must be time for luncheon.” Jonathan escorted her from the gallery without a backward look.

The whole house party assembled in the hall after luncheon. The ladies wore their warmest cloaks, boots, gloves and muffs. The two gentlemen in coats, old boots and gloves, were charged with carrying a timber sled apiece. Jonathan led the way from the house in the direction of a little wood off to the side. The landscape was still and quiet, hushed into somnolence by the snow. Thirteen year old Katherine soon ran ahead. When they reached the tree line they watched small birds flitting in the undergrowth of holly, bright with berries. A robin’s red breast flashed near a log and from time to time, the sound of snow pushed off a branch by squirrels reached their ears.

Within a few minutes they had reached the foot of a long gentle slope. Some debate commenced about who should be the first to try their luck.

“Come on Dalton, show us how it’s done,” Dr Logan requested, which was soon taken up by Elizabeth and Jane. Katherine was eager to be one of the first down the slope. Anna volunteered to accompany her so the two began trudging up the slope with Jonathan, drawing their sleds behind them.

Elizabeth and Dr Logan soon drew away a little from Jane and Charlotte to talk privately. Jane placed her arm about Charlotte’s waist and drew her close, smiling into her marred face. All conversation was interrupted by Jonathan hurtling down the slope towards them, followed closely by Anna and Katherine, whose screams rent the air, demolishing the silence of the snowy landscape. Four pairs of eyes squinted into the weak sun to watch the event. Jonathan attempted to make a controlled halt of his run by changing direction with a sharp turn to the left, but instead of achieving a graceful finish the sled tipped on its side, depositing him in the soft snow down which he slid on his back, coming to rest at the feet of Jane and Charlotte. If he was expecting sympathy, he didn’t get it. Covered in wet snow, his clothes were getting damper by the minute and his wavy hair was curling strongly. Both sisters laughed at him. Anna and Katherine, who had followed him, managed to avert his disaster by simply tobogganing straight down the hill until their sled slowed and stopped. They laughed too. There was really nothing else for him to do except join in and threaten dire consequences when they had their turn.

Next Katherine insisted that Charlotte join her for a ride and Elizabeth took a solo journey. Jane felt overjoyed to see Charlotte smile - her first since she had been rescued. The three sisters then demanded that Jane have a turn while Elizabeth was just as forceful in her determination that Dr Logan be next. He demurred, “I think I am far too old for this sport Lady Elizabeth.”

“Never too old Dr Logan!” she responded. “Not even you.”

When he still resisted, she changed tack. “Well, help me drag the sled up the hill, it’s exhausting. Old or not you have more strength than me, I’m sure.”

As he had no answer to this tactic, he agreed and joined her in trudging up the slope.