Page 21 of The Colonist’s Petition (Heirs & Heroes #2)

Fifteen

“ M iss Georgiana,” said the footman, “your father wishes to see you in his study.”

Johnathan spoke to her father so soon? When?

Father returned home after services, partaken of the small repast, and retired to his study.

Jane asked Johnathan to come see the new pups in the kennel.

Johnathan must have returned without her.

Yet it was scarcely a quarter of an hour past since Jane and Johnathan had left.

She made her way as slowly as she dared to her father's study hoping to spy Johnathan on her way.

The moment she stepped inside, Father barked, “Shut the door!”

Click. Nothing she detested more than the sound of the study door closing.

“Sit down and explain yourself.”

“Explain what, Father?”

“Why did you not make a bigger effort with Mr. Dalrymple? You allowed Isabel Godderidge to flirt with him.”

Isabel flirt with Mr. Dalrymple? Unlikely. She must have danced with him as it would have been expected. “I can hardly attempt to stop a dear friend's enjoyment of the dance.”

“But he only danced with you once.”

“Yes, he promised dances to other women.” It would have been odd for him to dance with her more than a single time especially since she spent so much of her day obviously following him around. One dance was more than acceptable.

“He danced twice with the vicar’s daughter!

She is far below you in station. I am excessively displeased with you.

I am even more displeased with your dance with Mr. Whittaker.

A waltz! You know he presumes to supplant me as heir to the Earl of Whitstone, and I will not have it.

” Father brought his fist down on his desk.

The builder of the desk must be commended as after years of fist pounding it still stood.

George kept her mouth shut as her father ranted.

“And your grandfather is still here. Well, I am finished with it. That colonist shall have none of my lands, my title, or my daughters. What does he have for himself? Nothing. Nothing but my fortune, the fortune that will be mine. I forbid you from further association.”

George straightened her spine. “I'm afraid that is impossible. Grandfather has specifically asked that I educate Mr. Whittaker as to our methods of farming and the keeping of the estates.”

“Your grandfather's stewards can do that. Just because you call yourself George, you are not a man and shall not do men's work.”

“So, I am to disregard Grandfather’s wishes?”

“The fifth commandment is to obey your father. Not your grandfather.”

“Honor thy father and thy mother. It does not say to obey them, especially when they ask the impossible.” Hopefully father didn’t know children were told to obey their parents in the New Testament.

“Do not quibble with me, girl. Your mother spoiled you much too much as a child. Well, I will have none of it. You must give up these mannish ways.” He pulled out a paper and inked his pen.

“I know just the thing for you. A winter with the most prudish of all women. She will not allow you to traipse around in men’s clothing. ”

It was on the tip of her tongue to tell her father she already gave up the practice, but he continued.

“My sister writes that she needs help. As if I have extra money to send her with your coming out. I shall send you to her. You will figure out why she cannot manage her expenses. I’ve rented much of it out so she does not have to labor.

At least then this self-education you have given yourself will be of some use.

Then you will not need to worry about defying the sainted earl by not helping the colonist. You will then meet us in Town for the Season.

Five months away from your sisters will be good for all of you.

My sister will not put up with your willful nature.

Inform your maid to pack your bags. You will leave for Yorkshire on tomorrow's post.”

“Father—”

“My word is final. Your grandfather has no say in how I raise my children. He may have barred my friend from this house, but he cannot declare where you live.”

Sending her to Yorkshire was a way to prove he didn’t need to kneel to grandfather’s wishes. Did father suspect her feelings for Johnathan? Where had Father been to know about the dances? Neither she nor Jane saw him.

“Now go. You have much to do. And do not leave Jane in a state of weeping. You know I cannot abide tears.”

George stood on shaky legs and exited the study as quickly as possible. Instead of going to find her sisters, she headed for the nearest door.

Outside.

Alone.

Directly to Mother's rose garden and her favorite bench, where she crumpled.

“Oh, Mother, Mother, why did you have to leave us?” Tears came then.

George wished she was better at carrying a handkerchief like Jane, for there was none to be found.

She gathered her tears with her sleeves.

She did not know why Father did not get along with his sister, although she suspected whatever the reason her aunt was in the right.

Perhaps she would fare well there. She knew so little of the woman, other than she was a widow with a son.

Yorkshire. It was colder there. That fact was the extent of her knowledge. All she recalled from her single childhood visit was the endless carriage ride lasting for days. Weeks? Though Mother did her best to entertain them.

She dried her eyes and tried to think logically.

Grandfather could not intercede. He would try, but it would come to naught, for eventually Grandfather would leave, and Father would take it out on her and possibly her sisters.

Her refusal could come back on Jane. More tears came.

Georgiana wiped her tears on her damp sleeve.

“I believe this will work better.” Johnathan stood before her offering a neatly folded handkerchief.

“Where did you come from?” Georgiana dabbed her cheeks with his proffered cloth.

“I hope I’m not interrupting. I was returning from a stroll when I saw you.” More of a hike. After visiting the hounds, Johnathan walked as far as the ruins of the old abbey, composing in his mind what he might say to Sir Lightwood to gain his approval for a courtship.

Georgiana dropped her hands to her lap, clutching his handkerchief in them. “Thank you. I never seem to have a handkerchief when I need one.”

Johnathan pointed to the bench next to her. “May I?”

She nodded. “I suppose my face is all splotchy. I do not wish my sisters to know I’ve been crying. There will be tears enough when I tell them.”

“Tell them what?”

“That I am being sent away to my aunt.”

“Your father’s sister?”

“The same, in Yorkshire.”

“Whatever for?” Johnathan’s mind raced. Could Sir Lightwood possibly know of his intentions already?

“Father is displeased with my behavior last night.”

“Why? You acted with perfect propriety.”

“It is simple enough. He gave me simple instructions to win Mr. Dalrymple’s affections. As he is rumored to have eight thousand a year—which, in case you did not know, is quite a bit.”

“Is your father trying to force you to marry for money?”

Georgiana let out a deep sigh. “He is trying, as he did with Phil. The Duke of Aylton ended up intervening after Phil climbed out of an upper-story window.”

“Your sister climbed out of a window?”

“At an inn. There were spiders.” Georgiana waved her hand dismissively. “My point is father may not force us into marriage, but that does not mean he will not try to manipulate things even if the Duke of Aylton threatened to send him to Australia.”

“So let me understand. You did not flirt to your father’s satisfaction with a man last night, so your father is sending you halfway across the country—or further—so that you cannot attract this man anymore?

” Johnathan disagreed with Sir Lightwood.

Georgiana had flirted far more than necessary.

The fact that the flirtation was not done out of desire was small consolation indeed.

Georgiana absently played with the hem of the handkerchief he had loaned her. “It is more than that. Father is upset because I danced the waltz with you. He is very irritable about your entire presence here.”

“So my asking to court you will not be met with a positive answer.” He spoke his thought aloud.

She lifted her eyes to his and gave him a half-smile. “I think it’s better that you not discuss that with him now. Father will find a way to send me all the way to Sweden if he knew of your wishes.”

“So you will go without protest?”

“It is the wisest course. I fear he will visit his anger upon my sisters should I refuse him. Too often, poor Jane bears the brunt of his ill humor. I must protect her.”

Johnathan frowned. “A father should not— Pardon. I should keep my words to myself.”

Georgiana studied him for a minute. “There’s no need to keep things to yourself on my behalf. I am more than aware of my father’s shortcomings.”

“No father should be like that.”

“And your father? What was he like?”

Johnathan closed his eyes for a minute, letting memories wash over him.

“When not in extreme pain from the limb he lost, he was very kind, and my mother misses him with a ferocity that exceeds my explanation. Though he was unable to help us with all the farm work, he supervised but rarely yelled. There were times when my father often went into what my mother called a ‘mood’ on account of losing his leg in the Revolution. Unfortunately, his leg was his ultimate demise, as it never healed properly, and he was given to infections and fever. His memory is one of the stumbling blocks to what the earl asks of me, as my father was not particularly keen on the English—especially Redcoats.”

“And your mother? What sort of woman is she?”

“My mother is not what one would term delicate. She has, when necessity urged, worked a plough to till the rocky ground, chopped trees, and butchered pigs.”

“As English ladies, we must seem quite useless by comparison.”

“Not at all. I have seen you rise to your own when needed.” The fact she chose to leave showed more strength than cowardice.

“Tell me more about her?”

“She has a quiet voice, but one that will pierce you through to the center, and when she uses my full name, I can do nothing but obey her. Much of what I am, I am because of her tutelage.”

“You have a second name?”

“Hector.”

“Johnathan Hector Whittaker. That is much, isn’t it?” A smile teased her face.

Not when she said it in that tone. “It is when I am in trouble.”

“Do you miss Massachusetts?”

“Of course I do. I am surprised to find how similar England feels to it. The trees, the weather, the farms. Of course, there are not as many fine houses, or old ones, or castles, or anything of that sort at home. It is all quite new, small, and even a bit rough. I am unused to your type of society and servants. We have been well enough off without my father. My mother has been able to employ a cook and a maid. Of course, neither my sisters nor she has a lady’s maid, so they help each other when they must. We are not the wealthiest in our little town, but we are able to feed everyone who lives with us and have new clothing whenever required. ”

“Thank you for telling me a bit about your life. Thinking of something else helps in times of trouble.” She shuddered out a sigh. “I assume you miss your family very much.”

“More than I can say. The thought of not returning to see my mother or my sisters, and even my brothers, is another difficulty in accepting the earl’s offer.”

Georgiana folded the handkerchief in her lap.

“Thank you for talking to me. My spirits are much restored, but I am afraid I must inform my sisters of my departure before they realize my maid is—” Her hands flew to her cheeks.

“No doubt Father has told my maid. Jane will be distressed if she finds her packing. I am sorry, I am not making much sense. If I had time, I would wash this.” She held up the handkerchief.

“My apologies for not returning it clean.”

“Keep it.” He offered his arm, knowing they might not have another quiet moment together. “Come, I’ll escort you back and help you locate your sisters.”

They were fortunate enough to find both sisters in the library with the earl.

Sensing the need for private family time, Johnathan excused himself and returned outdoors.

His feet led him to the cider press he first saw last week with Miss Georgiana.

Being Sunday, there was little activity in the fields beyond the occasional lowing of a cow, and none at the press.

Thoughts of his family swirled through his mind. He could not picture his father sending off any of his sisters simply for failing to catch the right man’s eye at a dance—or for dancing with the wrong one, for that matter.

This new development, with Georgiana being sent away, troubled him. He needed to at least ensure she came back to her family. She had not mentioned when she could return. Might she be back for the Season?

Perhaps then he could court her after the earl’s plan was sorted. That was if she did not find someone else. She would be cast into a new world of people. She might not want to return.