Before Charlotte could answer, Anna let herself into the room, and they included her in the discussion of a possible sledding trip.
Jane agreed to ask Jonathan and organize the equipment.She left her sisters to talk.They were close in age, so hopefully Charlotte would tell Anna more than she had revealed to her.
Jane tracked Jonathan to the breakfast room where he sat alone, reading.
He welcomed her warmly.“I’m just reading old newspapers I missed.Care to join me or shall I put them away so we may talk?”
She smiled.“I have a small request to make and then we can delve into the papers.”
He looked at her with polite interest.“Ask away.”
“My sisters and I wish to know if there is a good slope at Everslie Park and do you have sleds we could use?”
He laughed, a deep harmonious sound.“Indeed, we do.There is a marvelous slope a short walk from the house.Elizabeth and I used to spend hours there, until our feet hurt so much we had to go indoors to defrost.I expect the old sleds are about, maybe in the attic.I’ll have them brought down directly.”He stood and rang the bell for his butler.“I’m sure Elizabeth and Dr.Logan will join us also.”
Jane was pleased that the expedition would take place, hoping that it would raise Charlotte’s spirits.“Where are Elizabeth and Dr.Logan, by the way?”
“I believe Elizabeth is showing Logan the rare editions of Latin scholars that I have in the library.I intended to join them after breakfast, unless you wish me to take you for the guided tour of the house.”
“Let’s do both,” Jane suggested.
He nodded.“By the bye, I have written to my friend in the foreign office.He should have a good idea of regimental movements and will let me know when they get off.I’ve sent the letter with one of my stablehands.A single horseman with local knowledge may get through the snow to the main road.”
Jane thanked him and told him of Charlotte’s improvement.For the next half hour they ate toast and drank tea while reading papers and magazines in companionable silence.
Jonathan escorted Jane to the library.They found Dr.Logan up a ladder reaching for a book on the highest shelf of the large book-lined room.Elizabeth sat on a sofa in front of a bow window, her book angled to catch the winter sunlight.
Jonathan strode over to the doctor and began discussing the merits of different translations and interpretations by Latin scholars.
Jane joined Elizabeth in the window enclosure.She whispered, “I did not know the good doctor had been invited here for Christmas.Did you know?”
“I was so surprised when Jonathan ordered that we collect Marcus from his home.I had no idea that he had been invited for Christmas.Marcus took the invitation as an act of charity for a middle-aged man with no family.On the face of it, that is what it appeared to be.He initially refused his invitation, citing work commitments at the home, but Jonathan was insistent.Marcus found another doctor to take over his cases while he was away.”
“And has Dr.Logan thawed toward you?”
Lady Elizabeth laughed softly.“It appears that absence does make the heart grow fonder.”
Jane smiled at the good news.“Tell me everything.”
Elizabeth leaned toward her to whisper.“I was extremely embarrassed at first.We had agreed weeks ago not to see each other again.I took your advice and gave Marcus an ultimatum about either seeking my brother’s permission to court me or ending any contact with me.”
“But he changed his mind?”
Elizabeth watched Jonathan draw Dr.Logan to the far end of the library, where he said a first edition of the title they were discussing was kept.“I was heartbroken when Marcus wouldn’t relent.However, the fact that he agreed to come here for Christmas and had arranged to travel with Jonathan was a heartening sign that he had had a change of mind.”
“And has he?”Jane enquired.
Elizabeth smirked in triumph.“Yes, he has proposed at last!I am the happiest of women.”
Jane couldn’t be more pleased for her friend.“Wonderful!What made him change his mind?”
Elizabeth grinned.“Sheer desperation, I believe.It appears that I am as essential for his future happiness as he is for mine.”
“Have you any idea what Jonathan’s reaction might be when Dr.Logan speaks with him?”Jane asked.
Elizabeth’s look turned sober.“None.Jonathan appears oblivious of our attachment.I am so very glad that Aunt Lucinda could not travel here for Christmas.She would not be so blind.”
“Jonathan may not be as unaware as you think.Not that he has said anything to me, though.”
