“Oh, perfectly fine. He’s only a bit cross with me. It’s nothing that won’t mend.” Seeing Jane’s worried expression, Bertie sighed and returned to his chair. She followed suit, occupying a leather armchair that squeaked as she settled into it. Bertie continued. “You recall that he invited me to visit Bath with him when we were there for the races? Well, I suppose he took it a bit personally when I declined. He feels that I’m…neglecting our friendship.”
Jane took a moment to absorb both what Bertie said and what he left unsaid.
“Anyway,” he said briskly, “our quarrel doesn’t concern you. We always sort things out.”
Jane normally would have let the matter end there, for she was of the view that Uncle Bertie could decide for himself how much he wished to share with her, but this felt different. He might have gone with Mr. Linden if only he weren’t so caught up in his charges’ lives.
Cecily was married now, Jane was engaged to Eli, and even Edmund was nearly an adult. Yet Bertie still devoted himself wholly to their various concerns. No doubt her recent engagement would only add to the responsibilities that kept him from following his own heart.
“Forgive me,” Jane pleaded. “I fear we’ve been terribly thoughtless.”
“What can you mean, my dear?”
“You should go to Mr. Linden. He needs to know that he’s a priority in your life, and if it weren’t for me and Cecily, you could have gone to Bath with him as he wanted instead of fretting over our plans for the season. When was the last time you had a chance to pay him a visit that didn’t center on all of us?”
“My dear Jane.” Bertie laughed, blushing slightly at her declaration. “I couldn’t possibly rush off to Bath now. Lieutenant Williams is facing an inquiry! And then there’s your wedding to think of, once he’s cleared. I’m sure once I explain all that’s transpired since we left Sunninghill, he’ll understand.”
“If someone is important to you, you have to show them,” she insisted. “I know you’re trying to care for me the way you’ve always done, and I’m grateful, but I’m old enough now that you can trust me on my own. Cecily and Edmund too. At the very least, you should go down to visit for a few days and tell Mr. Linden that you’ll take that trip with him as soon as my wedding is done with. It would show him that you’re taking his feelings to heart. It isn’t far, and you can be back before Eli’s inquiry on Tuesday. I can manage the house until then.”
Bertie stared at the letter for a long moment without reading it.
“I know you can,” he said at last. “You’re a very capable young lady. I’m quite proud at how well you’ve turned out. It’s only that…I don’t know. I suppose I feel guilty if I’m not there when you might need me. As if I’m being selfish.”
“You aren’t,” she assured him. “You never could be.”
With a slow nod to himself, Bertie seemed to decide. “Very well then. I’ll pop down to Sunninghill tomorrow, and I’ll entrust things here to you. Only you mustn’t entertain any gentleman callers while I’m away. You don’t have the protection of a husband quite yet.”
“Of course not. The only gentleman caller is likely to be Eli, and I’ve told him he should put all his focus on preparing for the inquiry anyway, so he won’t come again until afterward.”
Regret hit her the moment she’d said it. She didn’t relish waiting alone here for news, but she would have to manage. Eli needed to focus on his defense, and Bertie needed to call on Mr. Linden.
“But what about all we have todo? You must allow me to take you to the dressmaker today, at the very least. I won’t have you wait until the last minute and risk looking shabby.”
“Let’s not worry about that yet,” Jane pleaded. “Even if the lieutenant is cleared, there’s so much to sort out before we can finalize any plans.”
“What is there to sort out, aside from the special license?”
Jane dropped her gaze, suddenly shy. Bertie was so happy to see her engaged after all this time, she hated to complain. “Only the usual things, I suppose,” she mumbled unconvincingly. “I’m sure every bride needs a little time to plan for married life.”
The creases on Bertie’s forehead grew deeper as he scrutinized her. “I fear we may be long overdue for a good talk. Are you cross with me for pressing your engagement? I know it might not have been the most illustrious manner of achieving a match, but there’s no reason that should bode ill for your future happiness. The important thing is that he shall make you a fine husband, and you shall be settled in comfort.”
“It isn’t that.” She sighed.
“Then what?”
“It’s only that I hate to think of him returning to the navy when there might be a war soon. What’s the good of a fine husband if he puts himself in danger?”
“Hmm.” This seemed weighty enough to finally dampen Bertie’s enthusiasm. “Have you asked your lieutenant whether he intends his naval career to be a long one?”
“I think things might be different if he didn’t have need of the income, but there’s no other way for us to afford a house in town. He doesn’t wish for me to live in the country with his parents.”
“I must say I agree. Devon is entirely too far from me.” Uncle Bertie gave her a playful wink, but his countenance grew somber afterward. He passed a long moment in deep thought, then seemed to shake it off as quickly as it had come. “But enough of this. You must take your own advice, my dear. Don’t search for reasons to put off happiness. You and Lieutenant Williams care for one another and you’re both people of good character. I’m sure we shall find a solution to everything.”
He made it sound so simple, as if happiness could be assured by wishing alone.
Even so, Jane hoped he was right. She was certainly wishing hard enough for it.
Twenty-Six
