The Proposal (39 page)

“That makes sense, but it’s still difficult not knowing.”

“A huge trust issue,” Palmer agreed.

This was no more said than the girls were back, wishing for adults to join them in the game. Palmer and Jennings agreed, leaving Lydia with only her thoughts for company, something that suited her very well. Jennings’ words had brought all four boys keenly to mind. It was lovely to have time alone to pray.

Thornton Hall

“Can we ride horses to Blackburn Manor?” Penny amazed Jennings with these words as they walked to the carriage on Thursday morning.

“You don’t have a riding horse, Penny.”

“I could ride with you.”

Jennings’ brows rose. He’d never considered it.

“You could, couldn’t you?”

Penny nodded, her eyes excited.

“I think I need my horse,” Jennings said to the footman.

“Right away, sir.”

The carriage that had been readied for them was returned to the stables.

“Do you want to wait inside or walk ahead to the stables?”

“Let’s walk.”

Jennings realized very suddenly that if he’d known the pleasure of having children long ago, it would have altered the way he lived his life. He put his hand out, and Penny took it.

“It’s nice today,” he commented, smiling when Penny looked up at the partially cloudy sky, evidently just noticing.

“Do you think it’s nice at school too?”

“Your school or where the boys are?”

“The boys.”

“It’s hard to say. Your school is close enough that the weather is probably the same, but the boys could be having any type of weather.”

This conversation took them almost to the stables, with one brief stop to look at flowers.

“Do you know what I hope, Penny?”

The little girl looked up at him.

“I hope you never lose your love of flowers or forget who made them.”

“God made them.”

“Yes, He did. I wish someone had told me that when I was your age.”

“Did your father love Jesus?” Penny asked, nearly stopping Jennings in his tracks.

“I don’t know, Penny,” he answered slowly, having thought of this only a few times since his conversion. “We never spoke of it, so I’m not certain he did.”

“Someone should have told him,” she said simply.

“Yes, Penny, I do believe you’re right.”

To the stables and in the saddle a minute later, they set off, Penny utterly delighted to be up so high and moving so fast.

“Go faster,” she called at one point.

“This is fast enough,” Jennings said on a laugh, thinking it wouldn’t be the end of the world if Marianne was not available; he and Penny could just keep riding.

Blackburn Manor

“You have visitors,” Mrs Walker told her daughter, her eyes trying to hide her delight. “Mr Jennings and Penny.”

Marianne’s brows rose, but she left the flowers she was arranging, checked her hands for stains, and went to the salon.

“Well, Penny,” Marianne said when she opened the door and that little girl ran to embrace her. “What a nice surprise!”

“We hope you’ll think so when you hear why we’ve come,” Jennings put in but didn’t elaborate.

Marianne looked down at the little girl still hugging her legs.

“I came so you could teach me to shoot the arrows.”

“Oh!” Marianne said and got no further.

“If we’re disturbing you, Miss Walker, we can certainly make it another day.

“Not at all,” she denied, but her tone and voice were not convincing. “I’m just not certain I’m the one to teach her.”

“You don’t want to?” Penny asked.

“It’s not that, dear. I would be happy to, but Mr Jennings is more accomplished, and I only thought—” Marianne stopped when the other two occupants of the room stood staring at her, their faces open and expectant. She truly did not see herself as the person for this task, but clearly she was the only one who thought that way.

“Well, then, let’s head along to the yard and begin.”

Penny took Marianne’s hand, and not until they were outside the salon did Marianne realize that Jennings was coming along as well.

“If you have things to do, Mr Jennings, feel free to leave Penny with me.”

“On the contrary; I was hoping to watch. I might learn something.”

Marianne waited for him to smile and tease her, but the eyes that watched her were warm and serious.

“Well, then,” she repeated, nearly at a loss. “We’ll go right out.”

Once outside, Jennings took pity on the nervous teacher. Extra equipment was being set up on a table a good way from the target. Settling in a yard chair there, Jennings gave Penny and Marianne some space to work, but he was still able to observe.

It didn’t pass his notice that Marianne put her back to him as she began to explain. She took several minutes to define the dangers and caution Penny against pointing the arrows toward people, the house, and even the dogs.

Penny tried the bow one time, and Marianne could see it was going to be too long.

“Wait here, dear,” Jennings heard her say just before she started his way.

She came to the table and began to study the equipment laid there. She had begun to gather the smaller bow and arrows in her hand when she looked up into Jennings’ eyes.

“I love you,” he whispered softly.

Dropping everything she was holding and in a complete panic, Marianne could not even look at Jennings. Her actions were so flustered that his heart turned over. She knelt down toward the grass to gather the items at her feet.

“Here, let me help you,” Jennings offered as he bent to the task.

“It’s all right,” Marianne said in a breathless voice, even as she took the things he was handing her. Her hands shook as she straightened and laid the arrows neatly on the table.

“Do you want me to come over to the target and help you?” Jennings asked quietly, his eyes never leaving her face.

Marianne knew where the question had come from. This was not the time to be upset. Someone could be hurt. But if he knew that, why would he have said such a thing to her? Maybe he hadn’t planned it—maybe it just came from deep in his heart.

Stop it!
Marianne said to herself, taking a breath and slowly lifting the bow and arrows in her hands. She was still not ready to look at him.

“We’ll be fine,” she said softly. “Thank you for offering.”

For just a moment Marianne managed to raise her eyes to his. What Jennings read there caused him to muster up every ounce of self-will he possessed. Not even aware that he was on his feet, he stood for some time and watched the two “ladies” he loved. When at last he remembered to sit down, it was because he was no longer certain his legs would continue to support him.

Tipton

“Well, Marianne, where did you come from?” Palmer asked from his place at the head of the dining room table.

“Oh, I just flew in on a cloud.” Marianne’s voice was very merry. “Hello, Lizzy; hello, Emma.”

“Hello, Marianne.”

“Do you suppose I could have a word with you, Lydia?” Marianne managed, but only just.

“Certainly.”

Marianne knew that her friend was not done eating, but this would not wait. Wanting to drag her to move faster, Marianne went to the closest room, the library, and over to the sofa. Lydia, a bit bemused, followed.

“Your brother loves me,” Marianne said softly the moment Lydia’s seat touched the upholstery.

Lydia laughed.

“And when did you figure this out?”

“This afternoon when he told me.”

Lydia stopped laughing.

“He said this to you?”

Marianne nodded, her face wreathed in soft smiles.

Lydia put her arms around her friend.

“Oh, Mari, I could cry.”

“It’s wonderful, isn’t it?”

“Yes. Did the two of you talk?”

“No. Penny was with us, and I know Jennings wants to spend time with her right now.”

“But your time will come,” Lydia put in.

“I hope so.”

“So he doesn’t know how you feel?”

“Not directly.”

“Everyone all right?” Palmer asked from the door.

The women didn’t answer but turned and smiled at him.

“Well, now, everything looks well.”

“Come in, Palmer,” his wife bade, laughter in her voice. “Marianne has lovely news.”

Thornton Hall

“Are you ready, Penny?”

“Yes.”

“Are you certain about Mr Pat?” Jennings asked her again.

The little girl looked over at the shelf that held her treasured possession.

“Yes,” she said with very little pause. “I have Mama’s quilt.”

“All right. We’d best get to Tipton so you can be off.”

“Is Lydia coming?”

“I think just Palmer is taking you girls.”

“Can we ride to Tipton?”

Jennings almost shook his head in amazement. Since the first time he allowed her in the saddle with him, riding was all she wanted to do.

“I think we should not arrive windblown and dusty, but we will ride again when you return.”

Penny looked satisfied with this plan but wanted to go out and say farewell to Jennings’ horse. He escorted her, keeping her well back, and at last they were in the carriage, his heart asking himself if he was ready for this.

They were at Tipton before he had an answer. The family was out front, Marianne with them, and Jennings climbed from the carriage, his heart dealing with more emotions than he expected.

Lizzy was in tears by her mother’s side, and the group said little. Before Jennings was ready, Palmer said it was time to leave. Penny had just come back from hugging Marianne and Lydia, and now looked to Jennings. She was dry-eyed, but her face was sober.

“Come here,” Jennings called to her as he hunkered down to her level.

“Megan packed all you need, but if we forgot something, have the matron write me.”

“Okay.”

Jennings looked into her face, his hand coming up to cup her small cheek.

“I love you, Penny.”

“I love you, Mr Jennings.”

Jennings could not get her into his arms fast enough. He scooped her close and hugged her for a long time, her little arms hugging him back. Still in his embrace, Jennings walked to the carriage and put her inside.