Francis cleared his throat. “But Jane, it is what I’ve aimed for since I first went up to Oxford at sixteen years of age. How can I turn down such a gift, especially when Jonathan has, no doubt, overlooked a dozen equally worthy recipients to offer theliving to me. Father would have been ecstatic about such an opportunity.”
“That’s as maybe, Francis, but our father was a country-raised man and always yearned to return there. That was not to be, and we grew up here in London. I think you’re far more at home in the capital than you would be in rural Hampshire.”
Francis shook his head. “I’m persuaded I must take it.”
“But will it make you happy?”
“If my wife is beside me, I expect I will be marvelously happy.”
Jane lifted an eyebrow but held her tongue.
“But at what cost to me, Francis?” Clarissa whispered.
“Think on it, Francis,” his brother-in-law advised, looking uncomfortable. “We will talk about it again another time. For now, let’s enjoy our dinner.”
The family resumed their meal and tried to restart conversation around the table, but the happy atmosphere had disintegrated.
“Are you sure you will not try Hampshire?” Francis asked, sotto voice, once more after the dessert was served and the servants had left the room.
“No, Francis, I will not give up acting for country life yet. It grieves me to say so, but if you move to the country, you will do so alone.” Hopefully no one could hear their conversation.
“I have no other choice. The bishop has dismissed me from St Paul’s Parish.”
His words sucked the air from her lungs. “How can that be?” Clarissa whispered hoarsely.
Francis looked around the table at the curious faces of his family. With a sigh of defeat, he recapped his meeting in the bishop’s office for everyone at the table, explaining that there was no option for him to stay in London. The bishop would not approve him for any position in his bishopric.
Francis’s family was clearly dismayed by this news and told him so.
Clarissa’s heart melted in compassion for his predicament. “Francis, remember that I earn a good income at present to contribute to our household.”
“Thank you, my dear, but I would rather support my wife myself.”
Her jaws clamped together so she didn’t reveal her frustration with his stubbornness about accepting her income.
“And if you were to be without roles for a while or, heaven forbid, were expecting a baby? What would happen then?”
“Would we not have savings upon which to live?” Clarissa asked.
“Yes, but they can run out.”
Clarissa closed her mouth and returned her attention to her dessert.
Soon afterwards, the meal came to a solemn conclusion. Clarissa turned to Francis.There is so much we need to discuss.“I think we should leave, Francis.”
He nodded his agreement, then made their excuses and wished everyone a happy evening. Clarissa thanked her hosts profusely for the dinner and apologized for spoiling the meal through her wish to remain in London.
Jane waved away her apology with a sympathetic smile. Dalton was similarly forgiving. The dinner party broke up. With concern filling their eyes, Francis’s brother and sisters bid them a goodnight and headed towards Jane’s sitting room.
Clarissa’s face heated at the thought of being the topic of their sitting room conversation once they left.
Dalton shook Francis’s hand and they proceeded without him down the grand staircase leading to the foyer.
“How can I protect you from your aunt and her scheming friends, if you are in London and I am in Hampshire?” Francispersisted as they walked downstairs. “Dora and Travener have already shown they are ruthless and relentless.”
“Really, Francis, I do not know.”
As Clarissa hurried down the staircase eager for enough privacy for them to talk, he kept pace with her and retrieved her cloak from the hall footman. A knock carried to them from the front door. While Francis adjusted her cloak on her shoulders in the foyer, Clarissa heard the man at the door ask to speak with the Marquis of Dalton.
