Page 3 of Sleepless in Saunton
A few weeks earlier, wanting Emma’s assistance with settling Ethan into his new household, the earl had invited Emma and Jane for a Season in London. Perry had acted as their tutor to prepare them for entry into high society, but Emma and he had quickly fallen in love.
Both of their families had just gathered at Saunton Park for the wedding in the chapel a few days earlier, before bidding the Davis family farewell when they had returned to nearby Rose Ash to make room for arriving guests.
Perry and Emma had delayed their own departure for Shepton Abbey because Perry was to meet a very important guest who was arriving today—a brother who had just been discovered by the earl.
Jane was grateful for the additional time with Emma. Her sister was one year older than her own eighteen years, but infinitely wiser. A bluestocking who had raised Ethan. And now she was leaving. Embarking on a new adventure while Jane tried to sort through her thoughts of what she wanted from her own life.
“Have you thought about what we talked about?” It was as if Emma was reading her thoughts out loud.
Jane drew a deep breath. “I do not know what I want my future to hold. If you were anyone else, you would accept my first answer. That a young landowner would likely suffice.”
“The husband you choose will greatly influence your future. Please assure me you will not follow society’s dictates on what a successful match consists of and that you will think on what your own desires are.”
“How will I know when I meet the right man?”
Emma sighed. “You must know your own heart, your own dreams. Then you will know if the gentleman will make the appropriate partner.”
“I have no dreams beyond a happy family with lots of children.”
Emma snorted. “One moment I am impressed with your maturity and the next you sound like a silly child once more.”
“Why?”
“You answer my question as if you have no thoughts of your own. You like to write. Your prospective husband should support that. Not so many years ago you spoke of traveling, of seeing the length and breadth of our fine kingdom, and perhaps voyaging to parts of the Continent. You appreciate fashion plates, and family, and you wish to have children. And you plan to spend time with your children and not relegate them to a nursery as some of those fops plan to do.” Emma waved her hand at the arriving guests below.
“Hmm … you make it sound as if I have a mind of my own.”
Emma tilted her head back to look up at her with thoughtful coal-black eyes. Jane’s sister might be older than her, but she was diminutive in stature. “You do! I have seen many gentlemen gravitate towards you, but you have not yet shown interest in any of them.”
“They seem so dull. I am looking for a gent who engages my mind, as you have with your Perry.”
Her sister beamed. “Excellent. Keep that in mind and you should be fine.”
Jane yawned, shaking her head to invigorate her thoughts.
“You still do not sleep?”
“I am just too excited. Just think, the next time we meet, it could be for my own wedding. How can one sleep with so much to consider?”
Emma frowned. “I wish you would see the earl’s physician to discuss what might be causing you to stay awake all night.”
Jane shrugged. “I am young and in good health. It is the excitement of this unexpected Season.”
“If it persists, will you at least consult a herbalist? There should be one nearby.”
Jane bent forward to embrace her sister. “I shall be lost without you. You are my dearest friend.”
“I shall miss you so much, Jane!”
“Nonsense! You have a handsome husband and a new estate to manage. You will barely think of me while I am left bereft to meet all these strangers.”
They both turned to the window once more. Another carriage had arrived, and Jane watched as an intriguing man descended from its depths.
He was tall, the same height as the earl, who hurried over to greet him, but he appeared taller because he was so slim. There was not an ounce of extra flesh anywhere on his form. A very fine form at that, with shining black Hessians covering his lower legs, buckskins stretched over long, muscular thighs, and a black tailcoat draped over wide shoulders and a lean torso. The coat was in an unusual choice of color but suited his black waves of hair, which he wore a little too long. He had a close-cropped beard and a strong, narrow face.
Jane found her attention riveted by the sense of energy and purpose he exuded, wondering who he was as he thrust out a large hand to greet the earl. Was this one of the gents whom Richard intended for her to meet?
A pang of disappointment followed when the man turned to assist an elegant woman from the carriage. Her jet-black hair and olive skin suggested an Italian or Spanish heritage. This must be his wife. As if to confirm her assumption, he reached into the carriage and turned back with a little girl in his arms. The only oddity was that the child had thick, silver-blonde hair. Perhaps this was a child from an earlier marriage?
