He had thought she merely had never been proposed to before, and that she’d give up that equality business if she had the opportunity for a family.After all, with his support, her charitable works could increase, and everyone knows women can never be equal to men.
He had been so sure she would accept.He knew a score of women who would have been silently whooping in triumph had he proposed to them.
But Jane wasn’t one of them.She wasn’t focused on catching the highest matrimonial prize possible.That was what intrigued him about her, he acknowledged with a grimace.
But surely it could not just be explained by her championing of women’s rights.She was attracted to him.He knew it.He needed to get close enough to her to make her recognize that attraction.
More than that, to make her act on it.
Chapter Eight
JANE CLOSED THE DOORsoftly, conscious of the finality of her actions.It was over.That brief period of madness, excitement, and attraction was ended.
Leaning her forehead against the door, she told herself she had made the right decision, done the right thing for them both.Then why am I crying?Tears slid from the corners of her closed eyes.She felt them tracking to her chin before they launched to the floor.Why did she feel so devastated when they had just a short acquaintance?She allowed herself a few minutes of silent sobbing before squaring her shoulders and ruthlessly wiping the evidence of tears from her face.
She walked around the solitary desk to the abandoned chair, where a few short minutes ago she had been lost in a world of sensual bliss.She dragged in a breath and forced the sensation of his touch, his strong arms around her, his warm lips on hers from her mind.She slid into the chair and inched it toward the waiting paperwork.
Jane picked up the sheet on top of the pile and started reading.An hour later, she had finished her tasks, the ledger now up-to-date, a series of letters ready for the post, and the desk tidied.There was nothing left to do except to speak with the supervisor, Mrs.Green, before she departed.She should feel a sense of satisfaction; instead her chest ached with unshed tears.
She found Joe to send him to bring a hackney carriage while she quickly spoke with Mrs.Green.
“Beg pardon, Miss Jane, but his lordship sent his carriage back for your use.”
“Oh!”She hadn’t expected such consideration from him.He had been so angry.She couldn’t impose upon him when she had so brutally dismissed him, and she wasn’t returning directly home.“Send my thanks and let the driver know that I will not be needing his assistance.”
By the time the hackney arrived, Jane waited impatiently at the entrance, anxious to complete the remainder of the day’s tasks and retreat to her bedroom.Joe stepped down and helped her in before giving the address and joining her inside.
Jane stopped briefly in Fleet Street to arrange the printing of her latest pamphlet.Within half an hour she was once again walking across the threshold of her home.
Instead of the usual quiet calm of a well-run household, a scene of upheaval and anguish greeted her.Anna ran to the door as it opened, looking stunned and blanched.“Oh, Jane, at last you’re home.”
“What’s happened?”Jane asked.
Anna gulped.“It’s Papa!He’s had a fall.He was climbing the stairs after the children’s lesson when he stumbled and fell.He couldn’t get up.Kit, Katherine, and I had to help him to his bed.We sent for Dr.Logan, and he is with him now.We are waiting to hear his diagnosis.”
Katherine and Kit hovered in the background.
