Katherine and Anna, eager to be first down the slope, began trudging up with Jonathan, drawing their sled behind them.
Elizabeth and Dr.Logan drew away from Jane and Charlotte to talk privately.Jane placed her arm about Charlotte’s waist and drew her close, smiling into her marred face.
All conversation stopped when Jonathan hurtled down the slope toward them.He was closely followed by Anna and Katherine.Their screams demolished the silence of the snowy landscape.
Jonathan attempted to make a controlled halt with a sharp turn to the left.Instead of achieving a graceful finish, the sled tipped on its side, flinging him onto the soft snow.He slid downhill on his back, coming to rest at the feet of Jane and Charlotte.
If he was expecting sympathy, he didn’t get it.Jane and Charlotte laughed at him covered in wet snow, his clothes getting damper by the minute and his wavy hair curling tighter.
Anna and Katherine, who had followed him, averted his disaster by tobogganing straight down the hill until their sled slowed and stopped.They rushed up the slope to laugh at him too.Jonathan joined in good-naturedly and threatened dire consequences when they had their next turn.
Katherine insisted Charlotte join her for a ride, while Elizabeth took a solo journey.Charlotte smiled her first smile since she had been rescued, and joy filled Jane’s heart.
Jane’s three sisters demanded she take a turn.She shook her head and looked to Jonathan for support.She got none.
Elizabeth was just as forceful in her determination that Dr.Logan be next.He demurred.“I think I am far too old for this sport, Lady Elizabeth.”
“Never too old, Dr.Logan!”she responded.“Not even you.”
When he still resisted, she changed tack.“Well, help me drag the sled up the hill; it’s exhausting.Old or not, you have more strength than me, I’m sure.”
He found no answer to this tactic and joined her in trudging up the slope.
“Shall I drag your sled for you, Jane?”asked Jonathan.Taking the rope, he offered his other arm to her, which she accepted, and they climbed the slope with a degree of dignity.
By taking a more direct route, they arrived at the summit before Elizabeth and Dr.Logan.“Are you brave enough to slide by yourself, Jane?”
“Indeed, I am!”Jane softened her response, not wanting to start a disagreement.“But thank you for your concern.”
“I meant no offense.I was just angling for a ride with you rather than watching you disappear away from me into the distance again.”
“Oh!”Jane said.His words warmed her heart.“I’m sure we can manage together.”
He grinned.“Excellent.You may have the exciting front seat, and I shall steer from the rear.”
She considered his words.“It sounds like a sensible plan, my lord.”In fact, it sounded like a delicious plan, a way to have his strong arms around her and feel protected again.
“Jonathan,” he reminded her.
She looked at him blankly, not understanding.
He quirked his eyebrow.“My name.”
She realized what he meant.“Of course, Jonathan.”
He sat on the sled with the steering rope in one hand.“Come aboard, Jane,” he said, waving her forward.
She sat gingerly between his legs on the front of the sled and felt his warmth surround her.He passed the rope across her body.Then they were off and racing down the slope.Her stomach flip-flopped.Jonathan’s legs and arms formed a safe enclosure around her, but they didn’t protect her from the snow that whooshed up into her face.She screamed.Me, scared?Hah!The end of the slope was approaching fast.Jonathan wasn’t going to try his fancy finish again, was he?
Alas, he did.Once again, it bucked out of control.Jonathan gripped her waist, holding her to him.
They splatted onto the snow.Jane gasped as the wet mush hit her face.She dragged in a breath, the cold air rasping her throat as she lay sprawled half across Jonathan’s chest, her legs entwined with his.
Relief and exhilaration rippled through her body.She slumped on top of him and laughed.Jonathan’s hold on her tightened.She looked into his eyes and stopped laughing.
He was going to kiss her.
She moved to meet him.His lips were warm on her cold ones, and she returned his kiss.Jonathan’s hand on her waist began to slip lower and took up residence on her buttock while his other hand strayed into her hair, holding her close for his mouth to do its tantalizing work.
