“Perhaps, at last,” commented Jilly, her voice uncharacteristically somber, “she will understand that I intended only to rescue you from a fate similar to hers.”
“No doubt,” Ellena replied with equal earnestness before sucking in her breath and announcing, “So, then, we are in accord. You will return to Trenton Grange and begin corresponding with me at once so that I shall not feel your absence too much. Ingsley can pack for you and Dominic will arrange for the carriage and footman. This time tomorrow, you can be back in the bosom of your family, no doubt sampling something exceedingly tasty from your mother’s skilled efforts.”
“Tomorrow?” Jilly drew back. “Why so sudden?”
“Why not tomorrow? We are agreed your return home is overdue. Besides, the sooner you are home, the sooner you may yearn again for the gloomy halls of Munro House.” Ellena pinched one eye shut in a wink.
“Oh, you! It’s not as bad as all that! Not all of your great estate is daunting to me. I love the ballroom, though you don’tuse it nearly often enough. The nursery is particularly splendid now that it has little Master Christopher in it. And the kitchen is filled with goodies that Cook tries to hide unsuccessfully.”
“But there aren’t nearly enough arms to welcome you here,” said Ellena. “It is time to get your fill of the most important things in your life. I am happy to step into the background for a few months.”
“Oh!” Jilly cried, her eyes flying open at a sudden thought. “Mr. Bradford was going to visit later this week. I should like to say goodbye to him in person before I leave. I could wait a day or two. It would make no difference.”Except to me, Jillian thought. One more visit with him mattered a great deal to her.
“Or we could explain the circumstances to him,” Ellena countered quickly. “He will not begrudge you time with your family. He knows you miss home.”
Jilly felt her ears grow warm. “Oh, I don’t mind a short delay. I had not even thought of leaving until we started this conversation. It would be worth postponing my plans to have one more walk with him.”
Ellena tapped one fingernail on the polished armrest. “I am not certain that is such a good idea, Jilly.”
“Why, what do you mean?”
“Your fondness for Mr. Bradford might be misunderstood.”
“As what?”
“As…” Ellena hesitated. “As putting yourself forward for consideration.”
Jilly’s laughter sounded out like the tinkling of a silver bell, all mirth and unfettered delight. “How serious you look! As if the union of two of your dearest friends was not greatly to be desired!”
Ellena’s expression, however, remained unchanged, her mouth a straight line and her eyes unlit from within. “We are, of course, very pleased that our friends should find each other’scompany agreeable, but anything more than that is simply not plausible.”
Jilly’s smile disappeared. “Why do you say that? Mr. Bradford and I must have similar good qualities for us to be frequent guests in the very well-guarded sanctuary of your home. If we have your approval as individuals, why would we not have it as a pair?”
Ellena’s face softened. “You both have impeccable character and generous spirits, but the truth is that your paths would never have crossed if it were not for the very sanctuary our home offers. You can be yourself here, Jilly. The rest of Munro, of England, of human nature, is not as accepting.”
“And what must they accept?”
“Come now. You are being intentionally obtuse. Society does not welcome a mixing of classes. You would be the object of spiteful gossip. I do not wish that for you.”
“You and Lord Howell are also mismatched, if it comes to that,” Jilly protested. “You have endured meanness from people who disapproved of a viscount marrying a merchant’s daughter. Yet you are happy.”
“Dominic holds much power in Munro. Many have ceased their ill-mannered speech to maintain healthy relations with him. And they have found me equal to the task of being his wife. After all, that is what my entire childhood trained me for. But, Jilly dear, Mr. Bradford does not wield such influence, nor have you had such an upbringing. The naysayers would remain opposed, and you, my all-too optimistic friend, would find yourself in over your head. Don’t let theideaof a match blind you to its reality. I would not see either of you hurt.”
Jilly fell silent at these words. Ellena had convinced herself of the worst possible scenario. Jilly would forgive her such negative ruminations. After all, the Trenton household had not been a happy one. There had been little opportunity for dreaming. ButJilly was not bound by such a dark way of thinking. Her life had been very cheerful, free of any trouble at all. Even illness and poverty had eluded them. She was not in the habit of expecting the worst. Things had a way of falling into place. Why would a proposal from Mr. Bradford change that?
Ellena seemed quite determined that it would. In fact, she appeared to have given it some thought.
A realization landed with a thump in Jilly’s mind.
Ellena would only have pondered the consequences of a match if the possibility of one actually existed. Had Mr. Bradford given them some indication of this?
Jilly’s thoughts returned to the perplexing behavior at last night’s dinner. Their host had been almost stern. And Mr. Bradford had fluctuated between highly attentive and withdrawn. Had the gentlemen, too, had a debate about the practicalities of a match between Mr. Bradford and herself? Had Lord Howell expressed similar dismay at the idea?
A cold fist twisted in her stomach. Was this why Ellena had suggested her departure with such urgency? That would explain why she would not want Jilly to bid Mr. Bradford goodbye in person. Was a proposal imminent?
For a few brief moments, Jilly bristled at the interference of her best friend. Who was she to chase Jilly home to avoid a match that would make her friend happy?
Yet the anger dissipated as quickly as it had formed. Jilly was not one to cling to unpleasant thoughts. Besides, Ellena had no reason to wish her anything but the best. Her friend’s concern was misplaced, certainly, but it came from a place of love.
