“Distantly related.”
Jane inclined her head at his clarification.“Although he is not a rich man, he’s not a poor one either.He has sufficient income to support a wife and family, I believe.”
“None of this changes the fact that there is a very great age difference between them, and I believe Elizabeth needs longer to prove the steadfastness of her affections.”
Anger bubbled through Jane.“I don’t agree.”She couldn’t keep the emotion from her voice, and she sounded embattled.
Jonathan sighed.“Jane, you of all people, having just rescued your sister, should be aware of the dangers of early and hasty marriage.”
Jane drew back as though struck.“The cases do not equate at all!”
Jonathan leaned against his oak desk.“Do they not?Your sister married at age twenty to a man older than herself who seemed to be well-placed to succeed in his career.Your father thought so.”
“Yes, but I did not,” she answered hotly.
He raised an eyebrow.“And are your opinions infallible?We can all misjudge people’s characters and situations.”
“As you are doing!”
He pursed his lips.“I’m being cautious for my sister’s sake.I love Elizabeth and want only her happiness.That is all.”
Jane body deflated.She wasn’t going to change Jonathan’s mind.His rigid, stubborn stance painted a clear and depressing glimpse into her future at the mercy of his decisions.A chill ran up her spine.All this morning’s joy was gone.She had made a terrible mistake.Last night replayed in her mind, a dream metamorphosed into a nightmare.
There was only one action for her to take.She straightened to her full height.“I see I have misjudged you, Lord Dalton.I thought you were a compassionate man and one of intellect, open to reason.I understand now that I am mistaken.”Jane reached the door in three swift strides.With her hand on the doorknob, she looked him in the eyes.“Our engagement is over, Lord Dalton.”
Jonathan flinched and stepped toward her.
Jane slipped through the door, closing it firmly behind her.
Her hands clenched in the folds of her dress.
She wanted to walk with calm dignity to her room.
Instead she lifted her skirt and ran.
The bed that had reminded her so much of newfound joy this morning now mocked her for a fool.She didn’t approach it, but stood at the window staring out at the bare winter landscape emerging from the beautifying snow.Cobwebs of frost decorated the formal garden.The birdbath in its center was frozen.
She re-ran their argument, thinking of all the things she should have said.The difference between my sister’s marriage and Elizabeth marrying Dr.Logan is that we know Dr.Logan very well.He is not a stranger giving us only impressions of his character.And Charlotte’s courtship was sudden and short.Why hadn’t she said that?
It was too late to change what had been said.At least she now knew his implacable character.
And that she had been wrong.She could not give up her independence to marry this man for the sake of her family.
Light-headed, she sank onto a nearby chair.What was to become of them?Dread pooled in her stomach.
For long minutes, she sat staring out her window, unseeing, her mind numb.
Finally, her brain unfogged.She remembered.There was a signed contract to save her family from penury.Tears of relief slid down her face.She stifled gulping sobs with her handkerchief.
Charlotte and Anna found Jane still sitting before the window minutes later.She had stopped crying and welcomed them.They saw her drying tears and demanded answers.
Her voice still husky from crying, she said, “I made a terrible mistake in agreeing to marry Lord Dalton.”
Both looked shocked.“He is devoted to you, Jane.I hope I can make such a good match.He is so handsome and gentlemanly,” Anna said.
“That’s not what is important.Appearances can deceive,” Charlotte chided her sister quietly.She had to be thinking of her own experience.
Jane felt obliged to defend the man.“I’m sure he will make an excellent husband for someone who does not mind having decisions made for them and their opinions ignored.Unfortunately, that is not me.I was mistaken in thinking that either he or I could change.It is not to be.”
