“Holder Heights?” Jane questioned.
“My father’s primary estate in Staffordshire,” Hadlock replied.
“My next younger sister, Elizabeth, loves nature. Are some of the Peaks visible from the estate? I too like nature, but where Lizzy likes to walk among wild, untamed areas, I enjoy gardening, especially cultivating herbs and flowers for use in the still room,” Jane responded.
Hadlock had suspected this was the woman for him, but the fact that she asked not one word about the size of the estate, its income, or anything in that vein, convinced him that it was time to take a more official step. “Miss Bennet, may we sit and speak?” He inclined his head to a nearby bench. After a nod from the lady, he led her to the bench and once she was seated, he also sat, leaving more than enough distance between them to satisfy propriety.
The footman stood where the couple was in full view butwould not be heard.
“Miss Bennet, I pray you do not think this precipitate, but there is a question I would like to ask of you,” Hadlock began.
“Before you do, Sir, there are some things I must tell you. If after I have finished you still want to ask your question, I will be willing to hear it, just as long as it is not a proposal of marriage. We have not known one another long enough yet,” Jane responded.
‘She is a true diamond of the first water,’ Hadlock thought. ‘Any other woman would have claimed compromise that first time, and now they would have hurried me to declare myself. Not one of them would tell me they were unwilling to entertain a proposal of marriage now.’ Aloud he said, “I will listen to what you have to say, but unless you have murdered someone, or something of that kind, I do not see myself withdrawing.”
“As you have heard mention, I live on the estate of Longbourn in Hertfordshire…” Jane told him all, about the entail to heirs male, about her all but non-existent dowry, and she revealed everything pertinent regarding her family members, their behaviour and characters. “As you can tell, even Lizzy, who I am closest to in the world, has faults, but not in behaviour.” Jane took a deep breath. “Around Michaelmas last year…” She proceeded to speak of the Bingleys, the Hursts, and Mr Darcy. She told all, including Mr Darcy’s insult to her sister at the assembly. When she mentioned Mr Wickham, a dark look came over his countenance, but Viscount Hadlock did not disturb her. Jane revealed how she had thought herself in love with Mr Bingley, his abandonment of her, the letter his sister wrote, and the way they had treated her in London. “As I said, if all I just related does not cause you to take to your heels[3], then I am more than happy to hear you.”
“As you are not at fault for anything you related to me, I have no reason to leave,” Hadlock assured her. “However,you mentioned George Wickham.” He saw Miss Bennet nod. “I know that Darcy and Fitzwilliam have far more experience with him, but I was a year behind him at Oxford before he was sent down. If Miss Elizabeth is as intelligent as you describe, she should have been able to see through his lies, although I believe that Darcy’s insult caused your sister to think the worst of him no matter what. Wickham is anything but honest and honourable.
“Now, as to that Miss Bingley, the daughter of a tradesman. That she thinks herself above you and your family fits with what is known about her in London. Bingley was a fool to give you up so easily, although I am not complaining.” Hadlock paused as he cogitated on how much to tell her. He remembered what his father said: ‘knowledge is power’. “Miss Bennet, you must know that Bingley is known for rake-like behaviour. He seems to fall in love with his angels, as he called you, and then falls out of love with them just as fast. He has never been accused of meddling with a lady, but he cares nothing for their reputations after he raises expectations and disappears without fulfilling them. This may sound selfish on my part, but I think he and his pernicious sisters, and possibly Darcy, did you an unintentional kindness.”
“You describe a man who, although not vicious, harms others with his selfishness and immaturity. Perhaps in time he will consider the effects of his actions on others,” Jane said as she shook her head.
“Now to my purpose here today. Miss Bennet, I agree that we do not know enough about one another for me to propose to you…yet. Which is why my request to you is for an official courtship,” Hadlock said as he took her hands into his own.
“There were positive aspects to Mr Bingley’s desertion, it has forced me to see the truth of people where before I only sought to see the best, regardless of reality.” She paused and looked directly into her suitor’s eyes. “Seeing that I was notable to scare you away, I would be happy to grant you an official courtship,” Jane responded with a beatific smile.
“Should I ride to Longbourn to gain your father’s permission?”
“As I am of age, that is neither needed nor is it a good idea,” Jane saw his questioning look. “You remember I described my father and his desire to make fun of everything, especially at my mother’s expense?”
“I do.”
“My father would try to exercise his wit against you, and he would tease my mother mercilessly after you left. I need permission from no one. That being said, if you would like to seek the blessing of my Uncle Edward, it would please me.”
“Then that is what I will do. Once I have returned you to your aunt’s side, I will call on Gardiner at his offices and seek his blessing. Before we return to your aunt, I do have one more request. When we are in private, which includes in the Gardiners’ or my parents’ houses, please call me James, or what I prefer, Jamey.”
“That is an easy request to grant,Jamey, as long as you address me as Jane in the same situations.”
Hadlock bestowed a kiss on each of Jane’s gloved hands.
Being gloved did not stop the frissons of pleasure shooting throughout Jane’s body, which resulted in a definite heating of her cheeks.
The reaction he saw in the lady he was now courting, pleased Hadlock.
They stood and this time instead of Jane’s hand resting politely on Jamey’s arm, her arm was wrapped around his. As they made the short walk back to the house, it hit Jane that she had never felt this kind of excitement in Mr Bingley’s company. With him she had been in love with being in love. Perhaps shehad manufactured the feelings, thanks to the pressure Mamma placed on her with the nonsense about not being so beautiful for no reason.
“That is wonderful news!” Maddie exclaimed when Jane and Viscount Hadlock, or Jamey as she had been asked to address him, shared their news. Lilly and May were also very happy they would be related to the kind man who had brought them flowers.
“Mrs Gardiner, after I gain your husband’s blessing, may I take Jane to Holder House so we are able to share our news with my parents and sisters?” Hadlock requested.
Maddie looked at Jane who nodded. “You may, but Jane will be accompanied by a maid. You have footmen with you, do you not?”
“Indeed, I do, and I would not expect anything less than for Jane to be accompanied by a maid.” Hadlock took his leave temporarily while he made a quick walk to Gardiner’s offices next to the Gardiner and Associates warehouse. When he returned, he was not alone.
“I happily gave my blessing. You have my best wishes for the future, Jane. No one deserves to be happy more than you,” Gardiner stated.
Ten minutes later, the happy couple and one of the Gardiners’ maids boarded the Hadlock coach.
