Honor squealed and hurled herself at Jane. "Oh," she cried, "that is wonderful! I knew it. I just knew it. I am so glad. And I thoroughly approve. Oh, Jane, I am so happy for you. I am so happy." She hugged and kissed her cousin and danced her around in a circle. A group of young gentlemen who passed at that moment gave her openly appreciative glances.
The few seconds had given Fairfax the time necessary to recover from what had felt like a low and vicious punch. He held out a hand to his friend. "Congratulations, Sedge," he said. "I wish you happy. I am sure you will be.You dark horse!"
"How could I tell you?"Sedgeworthsaid with a grin. "She might have refused and I would have felt foolish in your eyes."
Honor turned from Jane and looked as if she would hurl herself atSedgeworthtoo. She checked herself in time, but her eyes sparkled and her lips smiled. She held out both hands to him. "Mr.Sedgeworth, I am so glad that it is you who are to be my cousin-in-law," she said. "Is there such a thing? You are very fortunate to have Jane. She is a very special person, you know. But I think she is fortunate too. Congratulations, sir."
Sedgeworth, smiling, lifted her hands one at a time to his lips. Fairfax and Jane were left standing a little apart while this interchange was taking place. He turned to her, his face drawn and unsmiling. He held out a hand.
"My best wishes, Miss Matthews," he said. "You have chosen a good man. I wish you happy."
She put her hand in his and raised her eyes to his. Their hands remained clasped and their eyes locked for nameless seconds. What message passed? Fairfax wondered. He felt almost that he needed an interpreter. For the space of a few seconds their eyes penetrated beyond surfaces. They looked into each other's souls. He was left with a sense of deep grief and loss.
"Thank you, my lord," she said evenly.
He raised her hand to his lips and they broke eye contact.
"I have been persuading Jane to marry me this summer,"Sedgeworthwas saying, "so that I may take her traveling during the autumn. Provided the Continent is safe for travel by then, of course. But I think we can trust to old Wellington. If it is still not possible to travel there, we will go to Scotland, will we not, Jane?" He tucked her arm through his and smiled warmly at her.
"Wherever you wish," she said. "Almost everywhere in the world is new to me."
"Travel," Honor said."Oh, lucky Jane!May I be your bridesmaid and accompany you on your wedding trip?" She laughed so gaily that they all joined in.
So that was it, Fairfax was thinking. She wanted something more glamorous from marriage than a home in the country and a ready-made family. She preferred Sedge and his adventurous life. He would not have thought it. It seemed he had misjudged Miss Jane Matthews from the start. And was she happy with her choice? She smiled and clung to Sedge's arm, but she did not appear as exuberant as he. And she studiously avoided looking at himself again.
"Fairfax!"Sedgeworthlooked back at him as if he were about to announce some world crisis. "Jane has positively refused to say she will come to Templeton Hall next week. I have committed myself to coming with Joy and Wallace, yet I cannot possibly leave my betrothed here. Now you must give her a formal invitation so that she can see she will be quite welcome."
Good God! For perhaps a few seconds Fairfax viewed his problem, aghast. He could not have the woman at Templeton Hall. He would go mad. Yet there was no possible way he could refuse Sedge's request. It would not have occurred to Sedge, of course, to ask in private. He could not know that there was any possible objection to Miss Matthews' visiting the Hall. Good God.
"There can be no question of your refusing, Miss Matthews," he said to the back of her head. "Of course you must come with Sedge. I cannot do without his presence, you know, and he must not be asked to do without yours. I formally invite you to join my small house party at Templeton Hall next week. You will be very welcome, ma'am."
"Joseph!" she said in a stifled voice. "How could you put Lord Fairfax into such a very awkward predicament?"
He laughed. "He knows very well that I would do the same for him," he said. "I told you we are like brothers."
"And Miss Jamieson,"Fairfaxwas saying, "if your cousin is to come, why not you too?Would you be willing to miss a few weeks of the Season in order to join my house party? Sedge's sister will be there to act as a chaperone. Shall I call on your mother tomorrow and ask her permission?"
Honor glowed up at him. "Oh, that would be divine, my lord," she said. She performed a few skipping steps. "What a wonderful day this is turning out to be."
She was still bubbling with excitement when they returned to the box and could hear that the orchestra was just beginning a waltz tune. No one else from their party had yet returned. "It is a waltz," she said, clasping her hands. "Mr.Sedgeworth, do come and dance with me. I wish to have a serious talk with you to discover if you really are suitable for my cousin." She giggled and hauled a smilingSedgeworthoff in the direction of the floor.
Jane sat down.
"Would you care to dance, Miss Matthews?" Fairfax asked.
She looked up at him, obviously quite as embarrassed as he. She appeared to be about to refuse, but she stood up and took his arm. Perhaps she realized, as he had, that silence while they were dancing would be preferable to silence as they sat side by side in Lord Dart's box.
They danced without a word for a while. He had never been physically aware of her before when he had danced with her. Now his hand at her waist registered her slimness. Her head reached above his shoulders. She was taller than most ladies. She moved with grace. There was a perfume about her that did not overpower but seemed to be a part of her. He had noticed it before without being quite conscious of the fact. Her brown curls were soft and shining.
"Does Sedge know that you are Jane Matthews?" he asked.
She looked up into his eyes, startled, a slight frown creasing her brow. Then she flushed deeply. "Yes, my lord, I believe he does," she said.
"I am glad," he said. "I knew you only as a commodity and a footstool, did I not?" He had not meant to sneer. In fact, he had not meant to say what he had at all. What was the matter with him?
She was still looking at him, her eyes wide and bright.
"I was angry," she said. "I spoke in haste. I am sorry. I did not mean to insult you."
