The Proposal (40 page)
The goodbyes were brief, and in that there was mercy. The women waved to the carriage for a long time, but Jennings only stood and stared after it. When it was finally out of sight, he looked over at Marianne to see her watching him with sweet compassion.
“The girls’ school is much closer,” Lydia comforted him. “You can visit so easily.”
“And don’t forget,” Marianne added, “she’s with Emma.”
This brought fresh tears from Lizzy, and Lydia led the way inside. Jennings wasn’t ready to visit and make light conversation and was thankful Marianne and his sister understood. They prayed for him as his carriage pulled away, neither one wanting to tell him that it never got easier.
Marianne did her best not to look expectant or disappointed, but when Sunday morning came and went, and Jennings greeted her with the Palmers but made no move to single her out, her heart filled with confusion and questions— questions that she could not answer. One person could answer them, but right now he seemed very far away.
“Did you see Mr Jennings this morning?” Walker asked of Marianne on the carriage ride home.
“Not to speak to.”
Her father made no comment one way or the other, and Marianne read nothing biased in his expression. Nevertheless, Marianne waited at home all afternoon. She received no visitors.
She climbed into bed that night with many thoughts but only one that she would act on:
Maybe it’s time to visit my sister after all.
Jennings had never in his life been so idle. It made no sense. He’d lived for years on his own, never lacking a moment, but now, with the children gone, he was nearly at his wit’s end.
He thought long rides on horseback would do the trick, but they only made him miss Penny. Seeing the portrait of the children’s mother brought back memories of their time at Morehouse. And the quiet bedrooms upstairs were the worst. They seemed to mock him with their emptiness.
Jennings caught up on his business correspondence, including a letter to Mrs Dashwood, letting her know that his lawyer was on the job, but to date, Mrs Smith had not been located. He had more time to read and study his Bible, and he was learning a lot, but it didn’t completely dispel the loneliness that lingered in his heart.
About the third day he took to writing personal letters. He’d already received one from each of the boys, and had read them five times.
Mr Jennings,
Thomas began,
School is exciting. I enjoy most of my classes and professors. Yesterday we had a lively discussion on Napoleon. The entire class was involved. The professor even mentioned an outing we might take, but he didn’t say exactly where we would go.
Did Penny get off well? I wonder if she cried or if going with Emma was enough. I know I enjoy having James and the Palmer boys nearby. We see each other every day, and Frank and I have done some studying together.
I’ve got a paper to write that must be handed in tomorrow, so I had best close. Give my best to everyone there. Say hello to Marianne for me, and please ride my horse if you have time.
Sincerely and with affection,
Thomas Jennings
James’ letter was different, but no less dear to the lonely guardian.
Dear Mr Jennings,
How are you? How is my horse? I hope someone will have time to ride him so he doesn’t think he’s been deserted. Walt and I have several classes together. He’s funny. Is Penny all right? Did she go to school with Emma? Tell Marianne I’ve seen wildflowers she would enjoy. I’m looking forward to the term break, being at Thornton Hall, and seeing you. Thank you for all of our school needs.
With regards,
James Patrick Jennings
Having read the letters, Jennings started his own. He wrote to the boys about everything he could think of. He gave a detailed account of Penny’s getting off to school and even told how much they had enjoyed their daily rides.
He was able to tell the boys that he was riding their horses as well as his own, and that both animals were in fine shape. He ended his letters to them with the item that was most on his heart.
I know where we’ve left off in our Bible reading, and we’ll be sure and share in that time whenever you are home. I miss you boys very much and pray that you are well. Thornton Hall is a different place without you.
With deep affection,
William Jennings
Jennings followed the letters to the boys with a note to Penny. For a time his heart was calm, but he found himself pacing the next day before the post arrived.
He spent too many days this way. Jennings should have been thinking more clearly about the matter, but it took more than a week for him to realize that this was the time he’d waited for. He’d told Marianne he loved her, but with Penny still home, he felt he couldn’t spare the hours to call on her.
As he finally rode away from Thornton Hall, Blackburn Manor his destination, he wanted to laugh at his own foolishness. He hadn’t seen a lot of Marianne since that day he’d declared himself in her yard, but what he had seen told him she was not adverse to his company.
Blackburn Manor came into view, and Jennings’ heart skipped a beat. For the first time in days the children had receded from the forefront of his mind. He couldn’t wait to see Marianne Walker.
“She’s away right now, Mr Jennings,” Mrs Walker said kindly, completely mastering the smile that wanted to break through. “But please, come in and sit down.”
“Thank you,” Jennings said graciously, his heart so disappointed that he could hardly think. He had ridden up with such excitement and nearly leapt from his horse’s saddle, only to have Marianne’s mother calmly dash his hopes to bits.
“How are you, Mr Jennings?” the lady of the house asked once she’d seen her guest comfortably seated.
“I’m well, thank you. And you, Mrs Walker?”
“We are very well, thank you. Did the children get off to school as planned?”
“Yes. It’s been a bit quiet without them.”
“I remember those days,” Mrs Walker said, and Jennings did his best to attend. It wasn’t lack of interest on his part so much as extreme distraction, a point that came home suddenly when he realized his hostess was no longer talking but sitting quietly and watching him.
Jennings gave up. He knew from the look in her eyes that she had him figured out.
Feeling more than a little embarrassed but also somewhat desperate, Jennings asked, “Would it be presumptuous of me, Mrs Walker, to ask when Miss Walker plans to return?”
“Not at all, Mr Jennings, but I can’t tell you. Marianne wasn’t firm on her plans when she left.”
Jennings took this in stride.
“In light of your graciousness, Mrs Walker, may I also ask what day she left?”
“Yesterday.”
Not many words could have been more disheartening.
With a kind smile, Mrs Walker stood, allowing Jennings to excuse himself. When he thanked her, it was most sincere, but as he took his leave he wondered where all his good sense had gone. Had he realized only a day sooner how poorly he was taking the children’s departure, he might have seen Marianne by now, been able to speak with her, and reiterate what was in his heart.
Halfway home, Jennings filled with new resolve. Marianne was away from Blackburn Manor, but that situation would alter. He would simply check each and every day until she returned. He had a most desperate need to see that lady, and he would not give up until he had!
Tipton
“Have you seen Jennings lately?” Lydia asked of Palmer.
“Not since Sunday. He was looking for Marianne.”
“She was at Caroline’s on Sunday. I think she still is.”
“Why do you ask?”
“Lizzy said she wanted him to take her out in the pony cart. I thought if he was missing the children overly much, it might help to play with her.”
“Oh, he’s missing them all right.”
“How do you know?”
“I know.”
Lydia waited for Palmer to explain, but he didn’t go on, although it wasn’t all that hard to figure. Palmer always missed the children as much as she did. Nevertheless, he might be talking about something else. Lydia’s stomach was feeling a bit upset at the moment, and she thought that eating might help. As she rang for Judith, she determined to check with her husband at a later time in order to confirm her suspicions.
Blackburn Manor
Mrs Walker had words of hope for the first time in four days.
“She’s not here, Mr Jennings,” that lady had said. “She took a walk in the park.”
Jennings couldn’t stop his smile.
“Do you mind terribly, Mrs Walker, if I don’t stay?”
“Well, I do have a lovely new book on flowers I wanted to show you,” she said with great regret.
Jennings paused. The two stared at each other until Jennings laughed. Mrs Walker could not hold the act; her mischievous eyes gave her away.
“Go, Mr Jennings,” Marianne’s mother said with a laugh of her own. “And don’t come back until you’ve found her!”
That man had needed no further urging. Jennings knew that if it took the rest of the day, he would stay in the forest until he located Marianne Walker. He’d been riding for less than ten minutes, but it felt like hours. The temptation to call out was mighty, but he held his peace and prayed.
Five minutes later he spotted her dark head. Surprise lifting his brows, he saw that she was in the identical spot where she’d previously hurt her ankle. Sitting on the ridge, eyes toward the valley, she remained rather still, just as before. Jennings dismounted and strode toward her. He stood looking down on her, his eyes warm.
“Hello,” he said at last.
“Hello,” Marianne said, feeling her cheeks heat, although her eyes remained on his.