The Proposal (9 page)

After staying overnight in Newbury, the small group made much of the rest of their journey in silence. Sometimes, however, there was nonstop talking as Jennings explained points of interest to the children or they asked questions.

Jennings could feel a tenseness coming over him the closer the carriage drew to Tipton, Frank and Lydia Palmer’s home. Would they welcome him after so many years? Would they take one look at him toting three children to their door and promptly slam the portal in his face? Jennings didn’t wish for the children to know his angst over the matter, but he thought he caught Thomas’ gaze on him from time to time. It was a cheeky move, his coming like this, and he knew it. His pride was on the line—that was all too evident— but right now he thought it worth the risk.

“Are we near, Mr Jennings?” James suddenly asked.

“We are, James. How is that book coming?”

“I’ve read it before,” James told him kindly, wondering at the fact that the older man had already asked him that question.

“Has it been some time since you’ve seen your sister, Mr Jennings?” This came from Thomas.

“As a matter of fact, it has,” Jennings felt relieved to admit. “I didn’t send word ahead, and now I rather wish I had.”

Thomas nodded and looked out the window. Had Mr Jennings been his father and not a guardian, he would have asked all sorts of questions, such as where they would stay, whether this family had children, and so on. As it was, he felt it best to take his cue from the older Jennings and keep silent when he was silent.

“There’s Tipton now,” Mr Jennings said at last, and the children vied for position at the window to see a grand home in a picturesque setting.

“They have a pond!” James noticed.

“Let me see,” Penny said, but both boys were in the way.

“Look at the size of that tree,” Thomas said in awe.

“I can’t see,” Penny tried again.

“Come here, Penny.” Jennings was happy to rescue her and take his mind from the imminent meeting. He was so distracted by seeing his sister that he didn’t actually take note of the fact that Penny allowed herself to be lifted into his lap so she could see out his window. The carriage was pulling up the long drive before they both noticed where she was. Penny moved to the seat next to him, looked up into his face, and then quickly looked down again in embarrassment.

Jennings thought about patting her little knee or making some gesture but was uncertain what to do. On top of that, he was out of time. The carriage was coming to a halt and Thomas was turning to him.

“May we see the pond, sir?”

“Yes, Thomas, but do keep a close eye on Penny.”

Jennings allowed the children to scramble from the carriage and head to the pond.

“Keep well back now!” he called to them as he emerged from the coach and then stood by while they went near the water, Penny’s small hand tucked into Thomas’. He knew the edge was not deep but still kept watch for a few minutes.

Jennings’ head eventually tipped back, and he looked up at the cloudless blue sky. It had been a long time since he’d been in this part of the country, and he had forgotten its beauty. His eyes were taking in the familiar details, the rolling hills and valleys, when he realized he was being watched.

Not far outside the front door stood his sister. Jennings glanced at the children before turning fully to cover the distance to his only sibling.

“Jennings,” Lydia said when he neared, tears standing in her eyes.

“Liddy.” Jennings’ voice was just as quiet with emotion as he came forward to hug her and kiss her cheek. Lydia gladly returned the embrace and then looked up at him when he stepped back, his hands still on her arms.

“You look well, Liddy.”

“As do you, Jennings,” she said before glancing toward the pond. “Godwin’s children?”

“Yes.”

“They came to you.” Her voice held all the wonder she felt.

“Over a fortnight ago.”

“Palmer and I have spoken of them many times. We received the solicitor’s letter and thought you might be in line as guardian, but it seemed too fantastic to be real.” Lydia caught herself babbling and took a breath. “How are they doing, Jennings?”

“Holding their own, no thanks to me.”

Lydia’s brow knit with confusion.

“I’m not very good at this type of thing,” the proud man admitted.

Lydia smiled in relief, glad that nothing serious was wrong. “I hope you’ve come so we can keep you here for a time and get to know these children.”

“As a matter of fact, I have. I seem to find plenty to visit with the boys about, but six-year-old girls have proved to be quite a puzzle to me.”

Lydia couldn’t hold her laughter.

“Jennings!” Palmer’s voice came from behind the couple, and the two men shook hands as soon as Lydia’s husband was near. “Welcome to Tipton. It’s been much too long.”

“I agree with you, Palmer. I hope I’m welcome.”

“Very welcome. Now, tell me if my eyes deceive me, or have you become a guardian?”

“It’s all too true,” he said soberly. The other man was instantly alert.

“I take it you’ve done this unwillingly,” Palmer said, keeping his voice low.

“Not at all, but I made a mess of things when I hired a cruel nanny for Penny.”

“Oh, Jennings,” Lydia said, a hand to her mouth, her eyes large with shock and hurt over what she saw in his face. “Is the girl all right?”

“Yes, and I plan to keep her that way.” There was no missing the determination in his voice.

“Methinks,” Palmer said, a smile coming to his lips, “that before us stands a man with a mission.”

Jennings had no choice but to agree, a reluctant smile twisting his own mouth.

“How old are they?” Lydia wished to know.

“Thomas is twelve, James is ten, and Penelope, who goes by Penny, is six.”

“How did Godwin die?” Palmer asked next, glancing at the children. They had found a pile of small sticks and were throwing them into the water. Palmer didn’t notice his brother-in-law’s lack of response until he looked back at the man.

Standing very still, his eyes on Palmer but not actually seeing him, Jennings looked stunned. He stared down at his sister as well, his mind racing.

“What is it, Jennings?” Lydia pressed.

“I never asked them,” the prodigal brother admitted, his face turning away from them in pain and astonishment over his own lack. “They landed at my door so suddenly. The letter warning me of their coming was lost. I had no word. We just began life together. I can’t explain beyond that.”

Lydia felt a rescue was needed. She spoke kindly and sincerely when her brother finally looked back at her.

“We’re so pleased that you came to gain help with this little girl, Jennings, but could it be that the boys might benefit from this visit as well?”

Again, William Jennings had no choice but to agree.

The children had tired of the game and were headed their way. Jennings was grateful he’d realized these things in the presence of his sister. Lost as he felt just now, he watched the warm, gentle way in which she welcomed Thomas, James, and Penny to Tipton and somehow knew that everything would be all right.

Chapter Five

“Thomas, James, Penny,” Lydia said as soon as she had taken the children indoors, “I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you,” Thomas replied, feeling very real comfort from the warmth in her soft, feminine voice, and the tender way she touched Penny’s small head.

“Our children are on an outing just now, but they’ll be returning soon. Would you like to see your rooms?”

Penny had moved in rather closely to Thomas on this question, and Jennings took note of it.

“Is there a room that would accommodate all three children, Liddy?”

“There is,” she told him before looking back to the children. “You boys don’t mind sharing a bed?”

“No, ma’am,” James answered, his little face serious. “We need Penny near us.”

“I’m so glad you told me, James, and you must go on telling me anything you need. Come this way now, and we’ll see you all settled.”

Through a spacious entryway and to the foot of a wide staircase, the children followed their hostess. The house was spacious but still felt homey. The sweeping stairway led to a wide hall and rooms that at a swift glance appeared to be roomy as well.

The children took it all in, seeing things familiar to them and others that were new and thus intriguing. Their room held two beds and all the normal amenities, but the views from the windows were new, as was a large painting of a ship and a detailed map of the area.

“How will this be?” Lydia asked, her face wreathed in smiles and her heart feeling pleased that the children could meet them a little at a time. Her own children were well mannered, but at home they were a boisterous group, and Lydia did not want these new members of the family overwhelmed.

“Did you need me, mum?” A female voice brought all eyes to the door.

“Yes, Judith. I want the children to come back downstairs with me. Would you be so kind as to settle their things?”

“Of course, mum,” the servant said with a smile. “And who are these fine children?”

Lydia’s smile matched hers.

“These are my young cousins. Here is Thomas, then James, and the young lady is Penny. Children, this is Judith, and she takes very good care of us. Should you need anything, Judith can help you.”

“Indeed, I can, and I’m going to start by making this room your very own. When you return, all your things will be tucked away, and you’ll have the fun of finding them.”

They smiled at her, drawn to her bubbly welcome. Lydia, however, didn’t linger. She shepherded the children down to the large drawing room, where Jennings and Palmer were talking.

“Ah, here you are,” Palmer welcomed. “Did you like your room?”

“Yes, thank you, sir,” Thomas said with feeling. “We will be most comfortable.”

“Good, good. Did Mrs Palmer tell you that our children will be home soon?”

“She did, yes.”

“And did she also tell you that you are alike in age? Our Frank is twelve, Walt is ten, Emma is seven, and Lizzy is soon to be five.”

“And before I forget,” Lydia put in, noting that Jennings was sitting very quietly during this exchange and taking it all in, “I must get your birthdays, children. Why don’t you give them to me right now?” she asked as she moved to find paper at the small writing desk.

“You’ve done something to make them laugh,” Palmer said, and Lydia turned to find the children smiling hugely.

“What did I say?” she turned to them, glancing at Jennings and wishing he wasn’t quite so inscrutable.

“We share a birthday, Mrs Palmer, and it’s always a bit funny when others discover that.”

Lydia came to a complete halt.

“The three of you? You all have the same birthday?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“When is it?”

“Twenty-one July,” James informed her.

“Why, James, that’s only about a month away.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Thomas answered, taking charge again. “I will be thirteen, James will be eleven, and Penny seven.”

“And all on twenty-one July?”

The children nodded, the boys still smiling greatly at her reaction. Penny had grown distracted with the pattern on the carpet. Lydia turned to the other adults in the room, but only Palmer was having a good time with this. Jennings looked more strained than ever.

“Well, just let me write that down, and then you children can go and play for a time. How does that sound?”

It had been Lydia’s plan to speak with the children for a time—she knew that Palmer wanted that too—but she couldn’t ignore her brother’s demeanor. And Lydia wasn’t the only one to notice. The children had no more left, having been given instructions on finding the nursery, when Palmer spoke to his wife’s brother.

“What’s troubling you, Jennings?”

Jennings came abruptly to his feet. He strode to the window, back straight with dread, and stood looking out. The Palmers waited. At last he turned to them, his features set.

“I’m not sure we can stay.”

“Why, Jennings?” Palmer asked, even as he sensed his wife tensing.

Jennings shook his head, unable to find the words. After several more seconds, he spoke.

“It has occurred to me that I’ve grown myopic in recent years.”

“In what way?” Palmer questioned him.

“I’m centered on my own interests and no one else’s,” Jennings answered as he began to move about, this time in agitation. “I didn’t even remember until I’d walked into this room and saw the Bible on the table why I’d broken contact with you in the first place, and now the children’s birthdays!” he fumed quietly, his sentences running together. “I didn’t even think to ask them such a thing. I wanted those boys the moment I saw them. I was relieved to have them without having to deal with a wife, but I never intended for Penny to be harmed, and I won’t stand for it! But not until just now did I realize that by coming to you for help, I’ll be opening myself up to hearing all sorts of nonsense about God, things I don’t wish to hear. At the same time, I know I can’t do this alone. I’ve got to have help with these children, so it would seem I have no choice.”