Page 21 of The Heir and Spare
Her horse skidded to a stop in response to her pulling back on the reins. She’d have to give that animal ample oats and grain for his assistance today.
Charles appeared on the front steps and then the rest of the world went away. All was quiet, all was diminished in sight, except for him. “Charles.”
“Jane.”
She sucked in a breath at the use of her first name. Up to that moment, he hadn’t dared. But the sound of it on his lips rushed through her like a great storm and gave her the courage to say what she needed to say. “Oh, Charles, you mustn’t go!”
He started as though truly shaken, and then a great light filled his face. Every line or concern disappeared behind his smile. He approached until he stood at her side, his face turnedup to see her on the horse. Then when he spoke, his words were soft, intimate sounding. “Say the word and I’ll stay. Or go. Or walk or run. I’m yours to command.”
Jane could hardly speak for the joy that suddenly choked in her throat. But she must tell him all. He must know of Lydia and…Wickham and the scandal that would befall them. “Oh, Charles. You may wish to have nothing to do with me.”
“Certainly not, ever my dearest.” His eyes had so much kindness, so much trust. She almost quaked in fear and abandoned her purpose.
“I…I want always to be with you. But I’m afraid. There is much I must tell you. Something has happened.”
He immediately reached for her. “Then let’s get you off this animal so that I might converse with you properly.” His hands gripped her waist, but it was no easy dismount when not riding side saddle; not when attempting to be appropriate.
Eventually, with some embarrassed laughs, he tugged at her backwards, hips first, both legs following.
With both feet on the ground at last, she leaned her back against him a moment. “Thank you. You do not know how much I felt as though I carried my life in my hands the whole ride here.” And he would never know the extent of her inner angst and worry about how she could ever find happiness again. She still did not know, and she was as yet unsure she could place such a responsibility on Mr. Bingley. He was, after all, surely concerned for his own social well-being as well as that of his future children.
He turned her to face him. “Oh, my darling. Your hands are shaking.” He lifted them to his lips and kissed them both multiple times. “Tell me. What has happened?”
She stared into his face, almost quaking and giving up on her purpose. But his eyes were kind. His face trusting. He stood as close as was appropriate. And after but a few breaths, it allcame tumbling out. “It’s Lydia. It cannot be concealed. She has been absconded by George Wickham.” The words rushed out as quickly as she could rid her lips of them. She held her breath, watching his face. Most men, nearly all men, would turn from her now and leave the area as he had planned, as he was packing trunks to do already.
Charles frowned, his eyes studying a piece of Jane’s hair above her right shoulder. But after only a moment more, he nodded. “What has been done to rescue her?”
Jane’s breath left her body in such a great wave of relief she almost collapsed against him again. “I don’t exactly know. My father and my uncle who lives in London have been in conversation.” She started to shake again. “Oh dear.” Her teeth chattered. “I don’t know what’s the matter with me, but I’m suddenly so c-c-cold.” She leaned against him to steady herself, but the world started spinning and soon went very dark.
* * *
Elizabeth arrived home to complete mayhem. Her mother had taken to her bed, wailing and calling for her salts, keeping the servants and their sister Kitty rushing around to meet her every need. Her father was nowhere to be seen. She went in search of Jane, but to no avail. At length, she stopped their servant Mrs. Hill, who carried linens on one hip and a tea tray in the other hand. “Please, Mrs. Hill. Where is Jane?”
“Oh, bless her, my poor child. She left hours ago, yesterday even, on your father’s horse. Word was, she was off to convince Mr. Bingley to stay here.”
“What? Was she in her right mind?”
At that, Mrs. Bennet commenced calling, “Hill! Hill! Where are you, Hill?”
“Go. I’ll find her.”
Their loyal servant turned without another glance and rushed off to her mistress.
Elizabeth puzzled this turn. She’d gone after Mr. Bingley? On horseback? Jane was many things, but not a horsewoman. She found Mary, who looked as confused and concerned as she. “What has happened?” Mary’s eyes were wide and concerned.
Kitty was not in her room. They went out the back entrance to a side garden. She was not there either. “Please tell me Kitty, too, has not disappeared.”
“Where is Jane?”
“I’m going after her as soon as I figure that out.”
They made their way to the barn and at last, in the back corner, they found Kitty. She had found a new litter of puppies and held one to her face, pacing the small space. She mumbled to herself, incomprehensible words, slightly panicked-sounding phrases. She was so lost in her own concerns, she didn’t seem to notice the squirming puppy or their approach.
Lizzie and Mary exchanged a glance and then Lizzie said, “Kitty?”
Their youngest sister stopped but then she turned from them, bowing her head over the puppy.
They stepped nearer, Mary putting her arm across Kitty’s shoulder.
