Free Elizabeth Mansfield by Miscalculations Page A

My son has just proved to me that he doesn't care a fig for my opinions."
    "What makes you think he'll care a fig for mine?"
    "I don't know if he will or not," her ladyship conceded, "but I'm convinced you are Luke's only hope." Emotion overcame her again, and, her eyes filling with tears, she lifted the silver-framed miniature from her lap. "Look at this," she said, gazing at the painting fondly. "This is Luke at nineteen. Rowlandson limned it." She handed the miniature to Jane. "Wasn't he a handsome boy? He is still devilishly good-looking. Whenever I go to a ball where he's present, I notice how all the women flock round him."
    "Yes, he is," Jane said, studying the tiny face. "Very handsome."
    "I used to wish he would marry, that the influence of a good woman would improve him," his mother said sadly, "but now I'm convinced that he'd only choose the wrong sort."
    Jane continued to stare at the painting. The face was strikingly attractive, and the eyes looking back at her were clear and honest. It was not the face of a man without character. "I think, ma'am, that you belittle him," she said softly. "I'm still convinced that he will grow into maturity, now that you've given him a chance to earn his independence." She handed the miniature back. "But saddling him with my presence will only make him feel you still don't trust him enough."
    "He knows I don't trust him. But I trust you, Jane. Something tells me that you're what he needs to make a good start with his new responsibilities."
    Jane, realizing that further argument would be useless, gave up. "Very well, ma'am, since you give me no choice, I shall keep my word and stay. May I ask you a favor in return?"
    "Yes, of course, if I can. What is it?"
    "Will you ask one of the maids at Kettering to look in on my mother and sister and let me know how they do? I worry a great deal about them."
    "But why should you? Didn't you tell me you used some of your rise in salary to hire a town girl to work for your mother?"
    "Yes, to assist Mrs. Applegate with the housework in the afternoons,"
    "Mrs. Applegate? Who is she?"
    "Our housekeeper."
    "You have a housekeeper in your tiny cottage?" her ladyship asked, surprised. Servants were not supposed to keep servants.
    "Yes. She works a few hours in the mornings, when I'm at the Hall with you. My mother is not well, you see, and needs assistance."
    "But what about your sister? I seem to remember... ah, yes. Adela, isn't it? Why doesn't she—?"
    "My sister is young. Only seventeen." Jane dropped her eyes from her ladyship's keen questioning. "Not yet up to her adult responsibilities."
    "I see. So you've hired a village girl to take your place in the afternoons, is that it?"
    "Yes. I tried to make adequate preparations for my absence, but I'd be much easier in my mind if I knew things were going well with my family."
    "Yes, of course. I'll visit them myself," her ladyship promised, "and I'll write to you."
    "Thank you, ma'am." Jane went to the door and curtsied. "I hope you have a pleasant journey back."
    "Wait," Lady Martha said, rising and going to the door. "Jane, my dear," she said, placing her arm pleadingly on the girl's shoulder, "do your best with my Luke. That's all I can ask for. I shan't blame you if you fail. Whatever happens, you will still have your place in my employ."
    "Will I?"
    "My word on it. And I promise one thing more. My undying gratitude."
     
     

 
    TEN
     
     
    Luke, having not the slightest inkling that his mother was at that moment leaving the house, picked up Taffy in his curricle and drove off toward Brooke's club. Taffy noted with some surprise that Luke was humming merrily as he guided his pair of grays through the crooked streets. This cheerful demeanor was a decided alteration in his friend's previous frame of mind; only a fortnight before Luke had been sunk in the dismals. "Something's changed," he remarked, searching his friend's face for a clue. "What's passed since I saw you last?"
    "Everything's