Page 44 of The Colonist’s Petition (Heirs & Heroes #2)

Thirty-Three

F ather’s voice droned on as his antiquated carriage bounced along the road to London.

With Jane, George faced the retreating road.

Father had not stopped speaking for the full two hours since they left Bath.

Alex was correct, traveling would not be kind to her health.

By the time they arrived in Town, George would need a cane to exit the carriage and ascend the stairs to Grandfather’s townhouse.

The only bright spot in the diatribe, thus far, was the revelation that father would stay in separate lodgings.

The news did not come as a surprise as Father had been tossed out of Grandfather’s townhouse last Season.

Since Father did not rent a flat large enough to accommodate two daughters, and with Aunt Healand being his sole option for a female chaperone, allowing them to stay with their grandfather was his only choice, not to mention the sought after Russell Square address of the townhouse brought better opportunities.

“As for that cousin of yours. He is not to court you Georgiana, although I gave him leave to court Jane.”

“I do not understand. If he asked to court me, why give him permission to court Jane?” George asked the obvious question.

“Because, Jane is unlikely to make a match since she chooses to dress like a scullery maid and talks even less. Another Season of paying for gowns so a daughter may be a wallflower. You, Georgiana, though not as refined or beautiful as Philippa, have an excellent chance at making a match from the many potential suitors. If Mr. Whittaker is going to steal my inheritance, the least he can do is take one of my two less marketable daughters off of my hands.”

She should not have asked. Jane turned her head to the window.

“Stop your crying girl. It makes your skin blotchy and red.”

Jane sniffled.

Father pounded on the roof of the coach to signal a stop. “I think I shall ride. I do not need to be subject to your nervous sniveling.”

As soon as her father left. George soothed her sister only to have Jane calm her fears.

“I know you have deep feelings for our cousin. I shall not interfere. Though he is kind, I have no depth of emotion toward him any more than I did for our dear brother. No matter how Father pushes, I would not wed him. I believe Alex feels the same.”

Her grand plan of honoring father had not softened his heart.

What would Johnathan say? Two months of no communication did not mean that she had not thought of him daily, no, hourly.

Though she had not sent him letters, it had not stopped her from composing them in her mind.

The little miniature was in danger of having the paint worn off. “I miss him.”

Jane squeezed her hand. “I know you do. I saw those far off looks.”

“Do you think there is a way to gain Father’s blessing?”

Jane did not answer.

No one could.