The Proposal (38 page)

Jennings had volunteered to take the boys. Pastor and Mrs Hurst would collect them for their first break, the Palmers would take them back, and then Jennings would collect them again at the term’s end, all of which were some time away. Penny would be headed off very soon herself, but the seven-year-old and her guardian had approximately two weeks together.

“Are you all right, Penny?” Jennings asked.

“Yes.”

“Are you sad?”

“A little.”

“Do you want to look at one of the books you brought along?”

“No.”

Jennings searched his mind for a way to comfort her. He decided on logic and a bit of distraction.

“I think it’s normal to feel bad when you miss someone, Penny, but don’t forget, you’ll be seeing Marianne soon for your archery lesson. Won’t that be fun?”

“What day?”

“I don’t know, but I should think we could go this week.”

“And she’ll teach me?”

“She said she would.”

Penny smiled a little. Jennings smiled as well. He was glad that Penny could learn the sport, but having an excuse to see Marianne suited him very well.

They’d had a fine time at the party, his last real opportunity to be with her. Jennings did nothing to disguise his interest that day, and he was pleased when Marianne looked his way often. He didn’t think he was imagining anything that wasn’t there, and unless he was utterly delusional, Marianne Walker was interested in return.

While his thoughts dwelt on the woman who had claimed his heart, Jennings found himself praying for her and then the boys. When Thomas came to mind, Jennings also thought back on one of the last conversations he’d had with that young man.

“Mr. Jennings, could I have a word with you?” Thomas asked before they could leave for school.

“Of course, Thomas. What is it?”

“I feel I must confess something to you. I wish I’d done so weeks ago.”

Jennings listened, giving Thomas all the time he needed.

“James, Penny, and I got it into our heads that you needed to wed Marianne. It’s none of our business whom you marry, and we said some things when it wasn’t our place. For that I apologize.”

“Thank you, Thomas. I assure you I was not upset by anything you said, but I do thank you.”

Jennings could tell that it was the last thing Thomas needed to do. This job done, he was ready to go to school. Not for the first time, Jennings felt amazed by this young man. He was remarkably special and mature, and Jennings could only thank God that Thomas had come into his life.

“I have to be excused.” Penny’s words from across the carriage brought Jennings back to the present.

Jennings hit the roof with his fist, and the coach immediately began to slow. Thankfully, there were woods nearby. Jennings alighted from the carriage with his small charge, glad that she seemed comfortable with his accompanying her, and then waited patiently while she scooted around a bush to take care of the business at hand.

She didn’t dawdle, and in little time they were back inside, the carriage plunging into motion again.

“Will you read to me?”

“I should like that, Penny. Why don’t you come over here?”

Penny joined him, and much the way he’d seen Marianne do, he tucked the little girl under his arm and held the book so they could both see.

Jennings would not have guessed her tired, but in less than ten pages, her little head was drooping. Jennings shifted her on the seat until she could stretch out while he moved across to give her room. For the longest time he studied her sleeping face. Like the boys, she was a miracle to him.

Had I been the one to die,
Jennings found himself telling the Lord,
I would not have left a single space to be filled, but Godwin Jennings is missed so greatly, and his hard work lives on in the lives of his children. I know that Your hand has moved here, Father, and Godwin himself would probably be the first to tell me so, but I needed to see how selfishly I’d been living my life. Help me to put You and the children first. Help me to show Marianne how I feel and to be gracious if she rejects me yet again.

Jennings suddenly realized that he was tired as well. Thinking that Penny had the right idea, he stretched his legs at an angle, getting as comfortable as he could manage. He went back to praying, but it didn’t last long. He joined Penny in a nap a few miles up the road.

Chapter Twenty-One

Thornton Hall

The letter from Jennings’ London solicitor started without formalities. Jennings read it in his study the very day after he and Penny arrived back.

  
The information you sent was both fascinating and frustrating. To think that Mrs Smith walked away from charges she was guilty of is maddening news. I’ll be contacting the judge this week in hopes of reinstating the case. If you’ve omitted anything, send it immediately as every scrap of evidence might count, but I must warn you that even if the judge does find grounds to reopen the case, the chances of finding Mrs Smith are poor. She wasn’t a small woman, but her type can often make themselves invisible.

I’ll keep in touch.

Sincerely,

Jas. Flemming

Jennings set the letter aside, his eyes thoughtful as he looked out the window. The letter Mrs Dashwood had promised him was already in his files. On paper, that lady had repeated much of what she’d said at the inn that night, and of course she’d included her address. She had also thanked Jennings for his graciousness and understanding.

Jennings could feel himself tensing. He hadn’t been as understanding as he seemed. The whole affair was abhorrent to him, and he was none too happy about Mrs Dashwood’s admission. Anger spiraled within him just as someone knocked on the door. He stopped just short of barking at whoever it might be, knowing that there was no excuse for such behavior.

“Come in,” he managed in a calm tone. When Penny walked in he was very relieved that he’d not taken the head from her shoulders.

“Hello, Penny. Did you need something?”

“May I write to James and Thomas?”

“You certainly may.” Jennings decided to snap out of his ill humor—remembering also to confess it—that very instant. “Why don’t you sit here by my desk and use my paper and pens?”

Penny skipped with excitement over this idea. Jennings set her up to the side of his wide desk, and when she began, he sat and watched her small bent head and serious brow.

I’ve got to leave Mrs Smith with you, Lord. Penny is safe, and You got my attention on the matter. Thank You that it didn’t last for years. I don’t want Mrs Smith loose to hurt another child, Lord, so please help the judge to be wise when he reexamines the case, but help me to leave it in Your hands without anger or thoughts of revenge.

“I can’t spell ‘tomorrow,’” Penny looked up and said.

“I’ll help you,” Jennings replied and spelled the word for her.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. What’s going on tomorrow?” Jennings asked before Penny could continue.

“My archery lesson,” Penny said as if he should know this, “with Marianne.”

Jennings opened his mouth to tell Penny that he had not as yet arranged the matter but changed his mind. A drop-in visit to the Walker household might prove to be very fun. He wasn’t trying to keep the lady off balance, but right now he wasn’t sure of another way to go about this. It would help to know what Marianne thought of him; indeed, it would settle the matter completely, but that fact was still a mystery, quite possibly even to Marianne.

Jennings’ eyes went back to Penny. He knew with that little girl in tow it was unlikely that he’d be turned away. Was it fair to use her that way? Jennings didn’t examine that question too closely. Marianne had agreed to an archery lesson, and Penny’s guardian was simply taking her at her word.

Blackburn Manor

“I’ve a letter from your sister,” Mrs Walker told her daughter.

“Which one?”

“Caroline this time. Elinore wrote about your visit to her, and she wants to know when you’re coming to Rode Manor.”

Marianne smiled. A few months back she would have jumped at the chance to visit her sister and family, but right now something in her heart wanted to remain in the area.

“Tell her I’ll come when the weather cools.”

“The weather has cooled,” her mother argued.

“Later,” Marianne stated. “Tell her I’ll come sometime later.”

Mrs Walker didn’t press her daughter—she even went back to the afternoon post—but her daughter’s response lingered in her mind for quite some time.

Tipton

“How did you pinch it?” Jennings asked a tearful Penny as she allowed him to examine her finger. Supper was over, and the adults were sitting in the rear yard. Until Penny was injured, the girls had been enjoying a new ball Lizzy had received for her fifth birthday.

“The door slammed.”

Jennings took the little girl into his lap, his eyes still on the offended digit. Emma and Lizzy hovered nearby, Lizzy with tears of commiseration in her eyes.

“It’s a little red, so it might throb for a time,” Jennings told her. “Why don’t you sit here until it feels better?”

Penny laid her head against him, her face woeful with self-pity.

Watching her, the Palmers smiled. She was so cute, even when she was sad, and snuggling in Jennings’ lap made her look all the littlier and more appealing.

“How is it?” Emma asked, her face concerned.

“It’s better.”

“You can hold the ball,” Lizzy told her, ready to hand it over.

Penny thanked her and took it in her lap.

Jennings turned back to his sister.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you how you feel lately, Liddy. You look so well that I take for granted that you feel the same.”

“I do feel well, thank you.”

“Other than needing more sleep, you’re much as you always are,” Palmer added.

“I think so,” Lydia agreed.

Soon Penny had recovered, and the three girls, ball in hand, went back to their play.

“She’s so relaxed with you, Jennings,” Lydia said when the little ones were gone. “It’s lovely to see.”

Jennings smiled in agreement. “This morning she wrote letters at my desk. I helped with her spelling.”

“Would you say the two of you have gotten closer with the boys gone?” Palmer asked out of curiosity.

“Yes. She searches me out much more often, and of course in the evenings it’s just the two of us reading the Bible. Her knowledge of Scripture is impressive, and she’s not afraid to ask questions.” Jennings suddenly laughed. “I just remembered back to the first time I tried to interact with Penny. It was while we were still at Aydon at the dining table. When I finished speaking to her, Thomas said to me, ‘It wasn’t that scary, was it, sir?’”

The Palmers laughed with him.

“How do you think they’re doing?” Jennings wished to know, his mind having obviously gone to the boys.

“I think well,” Palmer reassured him. “It’s old stuff for Frank and Walt, and they will be helped when they see school through the eyes of newcomers like Thomas and James. Your boys will be helped when they follow the lead of our boys who have been there. It’s a good combination.”