Surely not the wedding? exclaimed his wife, handing Jane a cup of tea.
Oh, no, nothing like that. Its simply that I cannot give our orphan project the five thousand I promised. She paused, then resorted to an untruth. I find I cannot touch it until either I marry or I reach the age of thirty in three years time. I have been racking my brains trying to think of a way of going ahead without it.
My dear girl, do not look so downbeat, it is not the end of the world, the Rector said, flinging up the skirt of his coat and seating himself beside his wife to take a cup of tea from her. We will contrive somehow without it. We shall have to find a wealthy patron, more than one if need be. I never did feel quite at ease about you giving it in the first place.
Oh, I am much relieved, Jane said. I thought it would be the end of all our hopes. You have given me fresh heart.
There are orphanages all over the country, some a great deal better run than others. We must ask them how they manage and draw up a list of possible patrons. You, I am sure, could persuade people to donate. It is a good cause and you are so passionate about it.
* * *
Jane laughed at that and the rest of the visit passed cheerfully. She was still smiling as she started out to cross the green on her way home. She had her head down, deep in thought, and did not see the two men until she was almost abreast of them.
Jane, we are well met, Mark called out to her.
She looked up, startled, and found herself hurtling back ten years. The man beside Mark was unmistakable. The years had dealt kindly with him. He was tall, broad and muscular and dressed to perfection in a brown coat of Bath cloth and fawn buckskins tucked into shining tasselled Hessians. A gold watch chain hung across his creamy brocade waistcoat and a huge diamond sparkled in his cravat. All this she noted before lifting her eyes to look into his face. It was tanned and the only lines were around his hazel eyes, due either to laughter or squinting in the sun. He was regarding her with a look she interpreted as amusement. Was she a comical figure? To be sure, her dress was plain, but her shawl was pretty and the ribbons on her bonnet were new even if the bonnet was not.
You remember Miss Cavenhurst, do you not? Mark said to him. This is Jane, sister to my fiancée.
Of course I remember, Drew said, doffing his hat. How do you do, Miss Cavenhurst?
I am well. And you? She had often wondered what it would be like to meet him again and whether the old attraction would still be there. He was an extremely attractive man, to be sure, and a great deal more confident than the man she had sent away, but after ten years, it would have been surprising if she had not found him changed.
I am in good health, Miss Cavenhurst, and happy to renew acquaintance with you. It has been some time.
Ten years, she murmured and then wished she had not mentioned the time. He would assume she had been counting and dwelling on it, which was the last impression she wished to give him.
Yes, and every one of them devoted to the goal of returning one day, having made my fortune.
And have you?
I believe so.
He is a nabob, Mark said, laughing. But underneath he is the same Drew Ashton I knew before he went away. He has come to stay with us at Broadacres and be my groomsman.
I thought you already had someone, Jane said, turning towards him. He was almost as tall as Drew, but slimmer and his urbane good looks contrasted sharply with the weathered look of his friend.
So I did, but he has been called away and when I met Drew in London, the solution to my problem was obvious.
How fortuitous for you. She turned back to Drew. So, you came to see how we all go on in Hadlea, Mr Ashton. We are a quiet community, little changes here.
Except we all grow older and wiser, he said.
That is true, of course. Was that some reference to their youth ten years before or was he telling her his old passion had died a natural death, as surely hers must have done?
Jane, I need to have a quiet word with you, Mark said. Perhaps Drew will excuse us for a moment?
To be sure, Drew said. I will amuse myself exploring the village. He bowed to Jane. Good day, Miss Cavenhurst. I shall look forward to renewing my acquaintance with the rest of your family while I am here.
She bowed her head in acknowledgement. Good day, Mr Ashton.
She watched him stride away, then turned back to Mark. He is much changed and yet he has not changed at all.
Except he is richer, Mark said with a laugh.
What is it you wanted to speak to me about? She did not want to talk about Andrew Ashton. His sudden arrival was something else she had to deal with. Would he mention the past or would it be a closed book? She hoped the latter. She did not want to be reminded of it.
Marks smile died and he seemed to be reluctant to go on, which was so unlike him that she wondered what it could be. Jane, I met Lord Bolsover while I was in London. Drew and I had a hand of whist with him and a friend of his at Whites.
Oh, surely you are not a gambling man, Mark? Gambling is an insidious evil.
I only play for amusement now and again and never for high stakes. You play yourself of an evening, do you not?
Yes, when we have company and then for counters, not money. But do go on.
Bolsover is not a man I would normally associate with, but Drew wanted a game.
Mark, you are beating about the bush. You are going to tell me Teddy owes him money, arent you?
You know of it?
I am the first person my brother comes to when he is in trouble.
I believe he owes Lord Bolsover a substantial amountwill you tell me how much?
Mark, I know you mean well, but Teddy would not like me to divulge the figure, not even to you. Why do you want to know?
Lord Bolsover is putting it about that Teddy is a welsher and he will have his money by hook or by crook. He even hinted he would have the Manor.
She gasped. It is not so large an amount, Mark. He cannot do that, can he?
Not while your papa is alive, but when Teddy inherits, that will be a different matter. Isabel will be with me, of course, but I am concerned for you and your mother and Sophie. Can Sir Edward settle the debts?
She hesitated. To her shame, she had already told one untruth that day and she did not want to tell another, especially to Mark, but he had truly frightened her with his tale that Lord Bolsover had bought up all Teddys debts, the full extent of which she did not know.
Come, Jane, I am soon to be family and would help if I could. I will not repeat what you tell me.
Whether Papa can or cannot is not to the point, Mark. He simply refuses.
Oh, dear, does he know how deep in Teddy is?
I do not know, Teddy may have told him, but if matters are as bad as you say, Papa would have a struggle to settle, I think. Like everyone he has been badly hit by taxes and poor harvests. I shall do what I can for Teddy with my own money and that may hold his lordship off for a time.
Jane, you cannot do that. Your money is your dowry.
She gave him a crooked grin. I am never likely to marry, Mark, and we all know it.
Nonsense. You would make someone a splendid wife and I know that you love children. I have seen you with them in the village. He laughed suddenly. If I were not already taken, I might offer myself.