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“I am well, Mother,” Jane said. “I landed badly in the gully, and Lord Bloxley has sent for a doctor from London to make sure no lasting damage was done, but I was able to stand for a short time last night, and I am hopeful that any new discomfort will be fleeting.”

“Really, Jane,” her mother said. “I cannot imagine what possessed you to go out like that.”

“Nonsense,” Aunt Millward said. “That little fellow is motivation enough.” She was watching Asher, who was peeking out at her from behind Jane. “How is he?”

Jane placed a protective arm around Asher. “He is bouncing back remarkably quickly, given the fact that he was completely unconscious until late last night. Mrs. Hunt has been applying a salve that is helping his head wound to heal, and he slept well last night.”

“Your father told us that the child was unresponsive when he first arrived at the house.” Worry puckered her mother’s forehead. “I am glad to see that he is improved.”

“Thank you.” Jane reached out her hand to her mother. “I am glad that you are come. You, too, Phoebe, and Aunt Millward.” She glanced at the door. “Did Father stay behind?”

“Oh, no,” her mother said. “He traveled with us, but Lord Bloxley met him in the hall and requested an audience with him. I daresay they are discussing what must be done with that terrible gully that caused you and Asher such difficulty last night.”

Jane’s heart began to pound. Alexander was undoubtedly talking to her father about something that happened last night—but it was not the gully.

“Actually.” She swallowed hard. “Actually, I believe they are discussing something else entirely.” Plucking a stray thread from the blanket, Jane attempted to ignore Phoebe’s knowing smile and plowed ahead. “Lord Bloxley has asked me to marry him.”

“Hallelujah!” Aunt Millward said, her face wreathed in smiles.

Phoebe stepped forward and enveloped Jane in a hug. “I knew it,” she whispered in her ear. “The moment I heard you call each other by your given names in the drawing room all those days ago, I knew that he regarded you differently than anyone else. I am so happy for you, Jane.”

Squeezing her sister tightly, Jane fought back her tears. Phoebe stepped away, and Jane looked to her mother, whose stunned expression was rapidly becoming one of delight.

“You are to marry an earl!” she gasped.

“More importantly,” Aunt Millward said, “she is to marry the man she loves.”

Jane felt warmth touch her cheeks at the perceptive older woman’s comment. “You are right, Aunt. And for a reason that I have yet to fathom, he loves me too.”

“Well, I have known that for weeks,” she said, flexing her injured elbow back and forth. “And I am very glad he finally recognized and acted upon it. I’m not sure that I could have managed many more rescue attempts.”

“Rescue attempts?” Jane said.

“My daughter is to marry an earl.” Her mother was still coming to terms with the news, and Phoebe tucked her arm beneath their mother’s and led her to the nearest chair.

“Indeed,” Phoebe said. “And so it might behoove you to prepare yourself, because I would imagine that once Lady Bloxley is aware of the situation, she will wish to discuss wedding details with you.”

“Good gracious, I believe you are right.” At Phoebe’s startling insight, their mother sat up straight. “And I have not prepared one whit.”

Jane bowed her head to hide her smile. She had not anticipated how much pleasure her announcement would give her mother.

With a light knock, Mrs. Hunt reappeared at the door. “I beg your pardon, Mrs. Hadford,” she said. “Lady Bloxley has asked that I invite you and any in your party who would like to join you to meet her in the drawing room for tea.”

Jane caught the initial panic in her mother’s eyes, but seconds later, she rallied, raising her chin and nodding politely to the housekeeper.

“How kind. If Jane does not mind us abandoning her temporarily, we shall come right away.” She rose to her feet, and Phoebe stepped up to join her.

“If you don’t mind, I will stay with Jane a little longer,” Aunt Millward said. “I am quite sure that Lady Bloxley will not miss my presence in the slightest.”

“As you like, Bea,” Jane’s mother said. “You are welcome to join us whenever you are ready.”

Phoebe gave Jane a conspiratorial wink. “I will give you a full report when we come back,” she whispered.

Jane smiled her thanks and watched them leave with no small measure of relief.

“It’s all a bit much, isn’t it?” Aunt Millward said, taking the chair her mother had vacated.

“It is rather,” Jane said.