“Elizabeth should do it.”
“She already believes she knows, so there is no reason to ask.”
Jane looked across the room at Jonathan lounging on a low chair with his legs thrust in front of him.He was conversing with Dr.Logan in an easy manner, which seemed to Jane to bode well for the future harmony of the family.
Still shocked by her sister’s revelation, she was torn between dismissing the idea as ludicrous and accepting that Jonathan could easily have written the pamphlet after discussion with Dr.Logan.But why?What could have caused such a change in his attitudes in such a short time?
Resolved to take action, Jane watched for the gentlemen’s conversation to end and approached Jonathan with her challenge.“Lord Dalton, I have heard it rumored that you are the anonymous new writer of pamphlets in support of women’s rights.Is that so?”
“Where could you have got that Banbury tale, Miss Brody?”
“Is it true?”
“Who says so?”
“My source is your sister.”
For a moment he looked dismayed.“Ah, Elizabeth.”He straightened and looked at her closely with his piercing gaze.His shoulders slumped.“I don’t know how she could have come by that information, but it is true,” he admitted.
“I’m shocked!”
“And you look it, Jane.”A smile played around his mouth.
“What has caused this turn around?When did you become a supporter of bluestockings and women’s rights?”
“I have been thinking deeply about things you have said, Jane.I find myself agreeing with many of your ideas...but I don’t think the majority of the population will accept them anytime soon.”He gave a sympathetic smile.
Jane didn’t know how to respond to this change in Jonathan.Had she really caused this shift in his world view?There was no reward for him doing this—other members of the House of Lords would be horrified if they knew they had a radical amongst them.
Her heart swelled with love for him.In her most hopeful dreams of their life together, Jonathan changing to a supporter of women’s rights had never formed a part of it.Agreeing to differ and taking a neutral stance to each other’s views had appeared the most she could expect.
Hope flickered within her, building into a warm flame...hope they now had some chance of forging a life together.But such a thing would require Jonathan to propose again.And there was no indication he would.
Initially he had proposed to obtain a wife while saving her and her family from penury.Now there was no reason for him to align himself with her.He needed a wife, a lady, to support his career.The chances of him choosing her again were next to none.
The last guests were leaving.Jonathan bowed over her hand and told her he had been interested to hear her proposals.
Thanking him, Jane ventured, “I hope that in the near future we may hear a talk by you concerning your recently published views.We would be very glad of your support in continuing our cause.”
Jonathan gave Jane a searching look and hesitated before answering.“I don’t know how much more support I can promise.”His face was closed, as though he didn’t welcome any further questioning.
Disappointment pricked her.“We would be grateful for any.”
Jonathan inclined his head in noncommittal acknowledgement of her request.“On a more personal note, as I have not heard from you of any consequences from our indiscretion at Christmas, am I correct in believing that there were none?”
Jane blushed and looked down at her hands, clasped tightly at her waist.“You are correct.You may continue to feel relieved that there were no unhappy consequences.”Despair gripped her heart and squeezed.
Jonathan bowed formally, and Jane responded.
The departing guests swept him along with them.She let him go into the night with Dr Logan and Lady Elizabeth without another word.He didn’t look back.
She knew then that he would never offer for her again.
***
JONATHAN ESCORTED HISsister to her bedchamber door.He wished her good night and kissed her on the cheek.
Elizabeth looked at him with anxious eyes.She must have sensed his despair.She touched his arm.“Don’t give up hope.”
