Page 25 of The Colonist’s Petition (Heirs & Heroes #2)

Eighteen

T he earl’s coach returned at dusk on Sunday. A full day before expected. Jane flew down the stairway passing Johnathan where he stood in the entry on his way to inquire on behalf of the earl as to the coach’s early return.

Dodging the butler, Jane threw open the door.

“Stop, miss!” The butler’s cry was not heeded.

Johnathan hurried after his cousin. Chasing a coach at twilight was not advisable. He caught up with her in the side yard where the driver brought the horses to a stop.

“You’re back early. Is George—” Jane’s question ended when one footman shook his head before opening the door for Mrs. Brown.

Mrs. Brown stepped down with her yarn basket. “Miss Jane. My, what a welcome. Your sister is safely delivered and was well when I left her.”

“Did she send a letter?”

“A letter? No, she’s scarcely been gone a week. What could she have to write? It was a pleasant, quiet journey with no disruptions. And I finished scarves and gloves enough for all of my grandchildren for winter.”

Jane’s face fell. “Thank you for your report, Mrs. Brown. I’m sure your family will be delighted to have you back so soon. I shall not keep you.”

Johnathan offered his arm. “May I escort you back?”

Jane took it. “I was so sure she would have sent at least a note.”

“They returned a day before expected. Perhaps there is another reason. If you would like, I could make an inquiry of the coachman?”

“Would you?” Jane’s eyes reflected her newfound hope.

After leaving Jane in the care of Alexandra, Johnathan sought out the coachman and footmen.

The conversation started off with some difficulty, as none of the three men were inclined to tell tales.

Only after Johnathan implied he was to relay the information to the earl was he given the information that Georgiana’s aunt was not only uninformed of Georgiana’s arrival but lived in a state of gentile poverty and had been unable to stable the horses or provide for the visitors for the night. This was indeed news for the earl.

Upon returning to the house, he discovered the earl retired, putting Johnathan in the awkward position of bearing the news to his cousins or concealing it until morning.

Jane waited in the corridor, giving him little choice but to disclose what he knew. “What news?”

“Come let us find Alexandra, and I’ll tell all.”

Jane led him to the small parlor upstairs which the sisters called the sewing room. To Johnathan’s eye there was little difference in the name as Alexandra and Jane were given to stitching in whatever room they might be in.

“Johnathan has news.” Jane sat next to her sister.

“Not much, I am afraid. Georgiana was left with your aunt as expected.” He picked his words carefully. “Since your aunt does not keep a stable, it was better that the coachman return to Leeds the very day they left your sister since there were no accommodations for the horses.”

Alexandra set her stitching in her lap. “Surely there is a stable there.”

“I gather it has been long empty of animals.”

“No horses? Not even a pony?” Jane’s brow furrowed. “That cannot be. I clearly remember them.

“That was many years ago.” Alexandra patted her sister’s hand. “I wish I could say that I would have thought father more responsible than to leave his sister without conveyance. It is still his barony. I know he receives reports and rents, though I have never seen those books.”

“Perhaps Mrs. Brown will tell Cook more news.” Jane stood.

“Sit sister, we will ask in the morning. Cook retires early and will not welcome the intrusion.” Alexandra turned to Johnathan. “That is the whole of it then?”

“The coachman is not one to pass tales. I pressed him for what little he told me. And that he only gave because I made him believe I was asking for the earl.”

“Leave a note with Grandfather’s valet, then your news will reach him first and you will not have lied.” Jane’s matter of fact comment caught Johnathan off guard. Her reasonable solution to his small dissection allowed him to move to the palest grey side of honesty.

Johnathan excused himself and went directly to his room to write the note. When he finished he started another letter to Georgiana, having discarded his last in the embers of his fireplace.

Miss Georgiana,

We were surprised by the early return of the earl’s coach.

After speaking to the coachman, I understand the reasoning for it.

I find myself concerned for your welfare and welcome.

Although it was suspected that your aunt lived in some reduced circumstances, the report we have received is much worse than I would have assumed.

While your sisters seem to worry for you, particularly Jane, I have little doubt that you will make the best of whatever lot you are thrown into.

Harvest is finished. I have been helping and learning where I can.

Lord and Lady Godderidge asked us to dine this week. Their daughter-in-law was not pleased. Although she does not seem as hostile toward me as the day we first met. Miss Godderidge was disappointed that you were not in attendance until we played cards as we won against Alexandra and Jane.

Our evenings are quieter in your absence and I miss our conversations. You must excuse me for my brief letter, my mother says I am the poorest letter writer of all her children.

Yours,

Johnathan Whittaker

The letter was not half as long as it was in his head.

He gave no specifics of the harvest or told of the cat who attacked his boots every time he entered the hay barn.

He negated to detail the game of cards either.

Questions about Miss Godderidge’s manner would not be welcome.

Had she been flirting with him or was she naturally so affable?

That was a quandary. He had no desire to lead Miss Godderidge on a merry chase when he was quite sure he preferred Georgiana.

However, Miss Godderidge was more of age and possessed all the qualities that an Earl’s wife would require.

She was nice enough and if he could not convince his distant cousin to wed, he did not want to close the chance on Miss Godderidge.

That conversation would not be good to have with anyone.

He reached to crumple it up and sighed.

His letters were unlikely to get better. Since George could not write him first, it was better to send something short so it could be included with Jane’s thick missive in the morning post and heed Georgiana’s warning about his letter being dismissed by her aunt.