He raised her hand to his lips.“I did it all for you, Jane,” he said.“And would do it all again as many times as necessary, if it would make you happy.”
Before more could be said, Lady Elizabeth rushed from the house with Anna and Katherine to greet them.They hugged and exchanged greetings.There was laughter of relief as they led Charlotte into the house.
Arm in arm, Jane and Jonathan followed the group.
Jonathan turned to her.“Tomorrow I will write to my friends in the military to make sure that Flynne actually leaves the country and discover how long the regiment is expected to stay overseas.”
Jane nodded.Another wash of gratitude warmed her.
Jonathan continued, “But once that is done, I hope you will accompany me on a tour of inspection of the house and park.It’s not the best time of year to see it, but you can imagine what it will look like in spring.”
She smiled at him.“I would be delighted to.”For the first time that she could remember, Jane felt at peace, as though all the struggle of the last decade was over.She had finally reached a state of contentment.Had this man provided this for her or was it because the stress of the last thirty-six hours was over?She didn’t know.
The snow that had been threatening all afternoon began its feathery descent to earth.
Within an hour, the ground was covered, and snow kept on falling steadily.By morning there would be snowdrifts across every road in the vicinity.Never had Jane been so grateful for snow blanketing the ground and threatening to keep everyone indoors.
Was the danger from Flynne at last over?
Chapter Fifteen
OUTSIDE JANE’S WINDOW, the formal garden with its ornate birdbath lay topped by thick snow.Jane sighed with relief at the sight.The heavy snowstorm of the previous afternoon had been followed by extreme cold.This snow wasn’t going to melt quickly.Charlotte was safe for now.
Jane went to check whether her sister was still sleeping.
They hadn’t talked much yesterday.Charlotte had seemed lost and bewildered.Instead, Jane had concentrated on getting her sister bathed, fed, and into bed so sleep could start the healing process.
As Jane had moved to extinguish the candle by the bed, her sister exclaimed, “No, don’t!”
Jane sat on the side of the bed and stroked soothing circles on her back until she thought Charlotte was asleep.As Jane was about to leave the room a few minutes later, she heard her sister’s whispered, “Thank you.”
Now, Dr.Logan examined her with gentle fingers while Jane held her hand.Afterward, he drew Jane aside.“No permanent damage seems to have been done,” he said.“There is a lot of bruising.The physical signs of abuse will disappear with time, but I suspect the scars to her mind will heal less quickly.She needs rest, good food, and no concerns.”He smiled reassuringly and patted Jane’s shoulder.“I think she will get that here with her family.She will be fine in time.”
Charlotte sat in the window seat looking out upon the winter fairyland the park had become.She smiled as Jane returned to the room and greeted her.“I haven’t seen so much snow for years.Remember sledding in the gardens that winter before Mother got sick?”
“I do.Perhaps there’s a good slope for it here.If you feel up to it?”
