Page 20 of A Winter’s Romance

J ane was shepherding the girls out of the breakfast parlour when a hammering on the front door startled her. Whoever was making the noise sounded desperate to gain entry. Had Miss Pugh not paid one of her outstanding bills?

‘Hurry along, girls. This doesn’t concern you,’ Jane called as she shooed her charges across the hallway, down the corridor, and into the classroom. Mr Rowland, the elderly butler Miss Pugh employed, hurried past her wheezing noisily. His rotund figure made speedy movements difficult. The banging on the door became more insistent.

Jane closed the classroom door behind her and sighed with relief. She’d had enough upheaval in the past few days to last her some time, she didn’t need any more today. And she certainly didn’t want her girls to hear a bad-tempered tradesman hurling abuse.

‘Right, girls. Where did you get to in your lessons yesterday? Did you finish the work I set you?’

Before long, the girls were busy with heads bent over their books. All seemed to have quietened outside too .

From her desk at the front, Jane looked over sadly at the empty place that was normally Meg’s. She would miss the little girl. Meg had been excused lessons that morning because she was leaving and needed to pack her belongings. Jane smiled, thinking of the better life in store for her favourite pupil.

A tap on the door interrupted Jane’s reverie.

The maid bobbed her head in. ‘Miss Pugh wants you, Miss Mortimer.’

Jane’s insides tensed. What else was that woman about to threaten her with?

Jane stood up and tapped her ruler on the desk to get her pupils’ attention. ‘Girls, I won’t be long. No talking now.’ As soon as the door closed behind her the giggles and chatter started, but she was in no mood to sort it out. She had Miss Pugh to deal with.

As she got closer to Miss Pugh’s study, she heard voices. Jane slowed her steps. One of the voices belonged to Miss Pugh, the other … no, it couldn’t be.

Jane tapped on the door and went in, just in time to hear Miss Pugh declare in strident tones, ‘This is most irregular, Colonel.’

The colonel, for it was he who answered in a voice used to command, ‘I’ll be the judge of that. Now are you going to give me some privacy or not?’

Miss Pugh, who was not a small woman, seemed to shrink a little. Then she saw Jane and smirked. ‘Well, here you are. What a sly one.’

‘Get out.’ The colonel’s quietly spoken order sent the older woman scuttling out of the door.

Jane frowned. ‘I don’t understand. What is going on? I thought you were collecting Meg this afternoon.’ Her heart sank. ‘Have you changed your mind about taking her away?’ Seeing Meg’s disappointment would be heartbreaking.

He held out his hand. ‘Come here, Miss Mortimer. I have something to say.’

He smiled and with a puzzled look she placed her hand in his. She was not wearing gloves and the touch of his skin against hers sent delicious tingles through her. If this was his way of saying goodbye, she would treasure this moment forever.

‘I’m afraid I misspoke yesterday when I offered you the post of governess.’

‘No need to apologise. I turned it down after all. I’m sorry too, but I’m sure you’ll find another suitable governess.’

Was that why he’d sent for her? To apologise? Goodness, her heart was beating so fast, her words were tumbling out. Better get this over with. ‘Shall I send for Meg?’ Jane turned back towards the door, but his grip on her hand didn’t loosen.

‘I want to make you another offer, if you’ll only listen for a minute.’

It was as if she’d been doused in cold water. So that was what he wanted. No wonder Miss Pugh had been outraged. She spun round, her eyes flashing. ‘I’ll not be your mistress.’

‘My dear, only listen, that’s not what I’m asking. I wouldn’t insult you in that way.’ He let out a deep breath. ‘Goodness, I don’t even know your first name.’

Her pulse was racing so fast she could barely think. He’d called her ‘dear’.

‘It’s J-Jane.’ Her eyes widened. Why was he kneeling?

‘Jane Mortimer, will you do me the honour of accepting my proposal of marriage? ’

Dumbstruck, Jane stared at him as he looked up at her. She’d heard people speak of a lover’s look, but she’d never seen one … until now. She must be dreaming.

‘Say something, my darling Jane.’

‘I can’t,’ she answered.

‘You can’t marry me?’

‘I can’t speak. I don’t know what to say.’

‘Say yes, that’s all. We can leave here today. You can stay with Meg. I’ll rent some rooms for you both and arrange for the banns to be called. We can be married before Christmas.’

The room was spinning. She closed her eyes. Had he just asked her to marry him? The gentleman she’d fallen in love with at first sight? That only happened in fairy tales.

Jane opened her eyes. Colonel Anstruther was standing before her, hope and anxiety playing across his face. His scars and missing eye didn’t matter to her. All she saw was a man in love.

‘Yes, I will be honoured to marry you … Nicholas.’

His eyebrow arched. ‘You know my name. I like it even better when you say it.’ He wrapped an arm round her and tipping her chin upwards, he kissed her gently on the lips.

‘I’ve wanted to do that ever since we first met.’ His voice had gone husky.

‘Really?’ She smiled up at the man who had stolen her heart.

‘Yes, really. You didn’t flinch at the state of my face. And spending time with you has taught me that you are not only beautiful on the outside but your character is beautiful too.’

Jane giggled. ‘Why would I flinch? I don’t see your scars or missing eye. I see a brave man who has fought for his country. A man who is prepared to look after an orphaned child … a kind and considerate man who thinks of what might please a little girl he has never met.’

He held a finger across her lips. ‘Stop. You will make my head swell. Who would think that the purchase of ribbons would lead to this?’ He put a hand in his greatcoat pocket and pulled out a stream of dark blue ribbons.

Jane looked at him questioningly. ‘When did you buy those?’

‘The same day that I met you. In addition to the ones I purchased for Meg, I bought these. I thought that if I never saw you again, they would be a reminder of the charming lady with the kind blue eyes who wasn’t afraid to smile at me.’

A little over three weeks later Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas Anstruther and Miss Jane Mortimer were married at St Swithin’s church in Walcot. It was reported that the bride and groom both looked very happy as they, together with the groom’s young ward, departed the church to journey to the groom’s estate in the county of Oxfordshire … just in time for Christmas.