Page 59 of Scandal at Greystone Manor

‘Mark this, Mark that—do you never tire of saying his name?’ Isabel demanded of Jane.

‘Hush, Isabel,’ their mother said. ‘There is no call to be jealous of Jane.’

‘I am not jealous, not even faintly, so you can forget that.’

In the silence that followed they heard the front door knocker. Lady Cavenhurst went to greet the doctor and Isabel followed her from the room.

‘Don’t take any notice of Issie,’ Sophie said. ‘She has been a terrible crosspatch ever since you came back from London. Not a civil word out of her.’

‘She is unhappy, Sophie, she cannot help it.’

‘It is just like you to make excuses for everyone, Jane. Sometimes you are too kind and everyone takes advantage of you.’

Jane laughed. ‘And you do not, I suppose.’

‘I try not to. The trouble with Issie is that she cannot make up her mind, especially when Mama and Papa keep on at her.’

Before Jane could answer, her mother brought the doctor into the room and Sophie slipped out of it.

While the doctor removed the now-dried bandage, Jane mused on what Sophie had said. Was Issie really being persuaded? If so, how genuine was it? It put the euphoria of her happy day with Mark into perspective. It was an interlude, an intermission, a pause in her humdrum life, a memory, no more, and she was left with the pain.

* * *

Mark went home, left the horse and curricle with Thompson, one of the grooms, and went indoors by the kitchen door, carrying the picnic basket. Mrs Blandish was there, preparing the evening meal. ‘You are back, Master Mark... Oops, I should have said “My lord”, shouldn’t I? I can’t seem to get used to it.’

‘It doesn’t matter, Mrs Blandish.’ He put the basket on the table.

‘Did you enjoy the picnic?’

‘Very much, though Miss Cavenhurst had a slight accident on the stairs at the house.’

‘I am sorry to hear that, sir. I hope she was not badly hurt.’

‘A sprained ankle. But she enjoyed the food and desired me to tell you so.’

‘Thank you, sir. It is always good to be appreciated. Your mother is in the drawing room.’

He went on his way. It was good to be appreciated and Jane had appreciated his help, too, but did everyone appreciate her? She hardly seemed to notice how much everyone relied on her—brother, father, sisters all made demands on her—but perhaps now she could not do so much, they might come to realise it. One thing he was determined on and that was to help her with her orphanage as far as he was able. There would be some hefty expenses and the trust might run out of money, but he could always assist there, not only from his own funds, but by calling on his many wealthy friends.

His mother turned from gazing out of the window to smile at him as he came into the room and dropped a kiss on her forehead. ‘How are you, Mama?’

‘I am well. How did it go?’

He sat down near her and launched into a recital of all he and Jane had seen and done, and the fact that Jane had been hurt.

‘I must call on the Manor tomorrow,’ she said.

‘I’ll drive you over, Mama. I said I would go and see how Jane is and we need to talk again about raising more funds. Jane has suggested holding a fair in the village with stalls and competitions and donated prizes. I have said we could use Ten Acre Field for the venue, if you agree. It is far enough away from the house not to disturb you.’

‘Of course, but you are master here, Mark, you do not have to ask me.’

‘And you are still its mistress and I would do nothing to discommode you.’

‘Is Isabel still persisting in her foolish notion?’

‘I believe so. I have not seen her today, she is bored by the whole project and did not come with us.’

‘That is a pity. Going out with Jane unaccompanied is bound to cause gossip, however innocent it is.’

‘There is going to be a certain amount of gossip in any case if the engagement is cancelled.’

‘All the more reason not to invite more.’

‘But Jane needs my help.’

‘So she may do, but until you receive word from Sir Edward himself that the engagement has officially been broken off, I advise you to be a little more circumspect. You could even try being a little more attentive to Isabel.’ She smiled and patted his hand. ‘Now, away with you. I am supposed to be resting.’

He left her and went to the library to write to Cecil Halliday, suggesting the trustees make an offer for Witherington House and followed that by making lists of what needed doing in an effort to take his mind off Jane. He had talked to his mother calmly, but he was feeling far from calm. He felt helpless, waiting for something to happen. It was like a storm gathering on the horizon and not knowing exactly where or when it would strike.

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