“Marcus has decided to speak with him at the end of the holiday, probably Boxing Day, as he leaves the next day for London.That way the week will not be ruined by an unfavorable decision by Jonathan, should he be so disobliging as to refuse.”
Jane squeezed her hand.“I hope he agrees, Elizabeth.I really do.”
“If not, there are only a few more months before I am of age and I can marry without his approval.However, my money is under his trusteeship until I am twenty-five.We would have to live on Marcus’s income until that time.He is not a poor man, but my money would make life simpler, especially if we have a large family, which I am hoping for.”
“Does Dr.Logan also want a large family?”Jane raised an eyebrow in question.
“He is willing to leave that up to me.He says there are ways to limit the number of babies a woman bears.”
“You have found a very free-thinking man, Elizabeth.You are to be congratulated.If only there were more of them, so many women would be happier and healthier.”
“Don’t tell Jonathan though, Jane, I don’t think he would approve.He is a traditionalist, believing we should be grateful for all the children God brings us and not try to limit family size.”
Dread hit Jane like an elbow to the stomach.That was her worst fear for the future.Jonathan sounded like he would be a husband like many others.Not for her the broad-minded stance of Dr.Logan.She must change that.“Well then, I will have to alter his opinion.”
“Yes, you shall,” Elizabeth said.
The gentlemen approached, ending their private conversation.
“Jane, I believe we are engaged to view the house.”His eyebrows quirked upward, making his statement an enquiry.
She glanced over her shoulder as she accompanied Jonathan from the room.Dr.Logan had taken her place on the sofa and was in earnest discussion with Elizabeth.How she envied their closeness and ease with each other.
Their tour of the house began with introductions to the housekeeper and butler, followed by a purposeful walk through the ground and first floor rooms, some of which Jane had already seen since her arrival.A visit to the long gallery followed, where Jonathan showed Jane the family portraits of his ancestors.The predominance of female antecedents as aunts and great-aunts was obvious.“The family curse—not enough male descendants,” Jonathan explained.“That’s why I’m so beloved by my family.I had only to be male to achieve it,” he quipped.
Jane smiled.Turning, she saw a more recent painting of a quite beautiful woman wearing a fashionable evening dress from the turn of the century.“Is this your mother?”Jane asked.
“Yes.”
“She was quite exquisite.I can see the resemblance between you and her.How did she die?”
“Childbirth with Elizabeth.I was ten at the time.”
“How awful for you both...and your father.Did he suffer afterward, as mine did?Tell me about your childhood,” Jane prompted.
A bitter smile played across Jonathan’s mouth.“He suffered very much...”He hesitated, then continued, “And withdrew from us children completely.He began to drink heavily and gamble.He never returned to his former self...the person I remembered from my early childhood, who was always with his family.”
Empathy for him suffused her.“How did that affect you?”
“I wanted to be nothing like him.I was sent away to school soon after our mother’s death.Elizabeth was raised with Aunt Lucinda’s daughters.I spent my holidays with my uncle and aunt’s family.”
“What happened to your father?”
“The drinking killed him in the end, but it took a long time.Once I inherited and gained access to funds, I brought Elizabeth to live with me, away from the overbearing personality of our aunt.However, we are still reliant upon Aunt Lucinda for chaperoning Elizabeth during the Season.”
Jane nodded.It was not a happy tale.She hadn’t realized his childhood had been so painful.Perhaps it explained his conservatism and desire to create a large family of his own.
He ended her speculation by abruptly saying, “Enough of this maudlin talk, it must be time for luncheon.”Jonathan escorted her from the gallery without a backward look.
After their meal, the whole house party assembled in the hall ready for the outdoors.The ladies wore their warmest cloaks, boots, gloves, and muffs.The two gentlemen, in coats, old boots, and gloves, were charged with carrying a timber sled apiece.Jonathan led the way from the house in the direction of a little wood off to the side.
The landscape was still and quiet, hushed into somnolence by the snow.Thirteen-year-old Katherine ran ahead.From time to time the sound of snow pushed off a branch by squirrels reached their ears.When they reached the trees, they saw small birds flitting in the undergrowth of holly bright with berries.A robin’s red breast flashed near a log.
Within a few minutes, they had reached the foot of a long, gentle slope and debated who should be the first to try their luck.
“Come on, Dalton, show us how it is done,” Dr.Logan prompted.
Elizabeth and Jane soon took up the request.
