Page 74 of An Uncommon Earl

“You would come with me to talk to him?”

“Would you like me to?”

For the first time in over a day, Jane’s heart lifted. “Very much.”

Aunt Millward stood and tucked her arm beneath Jane’s. “Then consider it done.”

Jane crossed the main hall with Aunt Millward at her side. She had taken the time to change into a fresh gown, and Alice had come in to tidy her hair. Some cold water splashed upon her face had helped reduce the swelling around her eyes, and considering what lay ahead, she felt remarkably calm.

She’d stopped by the nursery to see Asher before heading downstairs. Completely oblivious to how much the next hour would impact his future, he’d greeted her with enthusiasm. One of the tadpoles now had all four of its legs, and when she’d bent to look into the jar, he’d wrapped his arms around her neck and hugged her tightly. His innocent show of affection was exactly what Jane needed to impel her to her father’s study.

Raising her arm to knock, she glanced at Aunt Millward.

“Courage,” her aunt whispered.

Jane nodded and rapped on the door.

“Enter.” At the sound of her father’s voice, Jane opened the door and walked inside.

Her father was seated behind his desk, studying the large ledger open before him. Muted light from the overcast skies shone through the window at his right, and a candle flickered at his left.

He raised his head, his look of concentration melting into one of surprise. “Good afternoon, Jane,” he said, rising to greet her. “Your mother tells me you have been feeling poorly. I hope this unexpected visit means that you are improved.”

“I am, thank you, Father.”

Aunt Millward followed Jane into the room, and her father’s eyes widened further. “Bea. This is a pleasant surprise.”

“Thank you, Reginald. It is quite remarkable how we can live in the same house and hardly ever converse.”

Indicating that they each take one of the chairs in front of the desk, he waited until they were settled before resuming his seat.

“Did you have any particular reason for coming to see me?” he asked.

Clasping her hands tightly on her lap, Jane focused on her feelings for the little boy in the nursery. “Yes, Father.”

He looked at her expectantly. “Go ahead, my dear.”

“You told me some time ago that following my accident you made provisions in your will that would provide for me should I not marry.”

He frowned. This was not a subject that he liked to discuss. “I did. You shall have the house in Yorkshire and a monthly allowance that will keep you comfortably, should the need arise.”

“Thank you, Father.” Jane knew how rare it was for a young woman to have so generous an endowment. When it became necessary, his forethought would enable her to be financially independent. “I am sincerely grateful.”

His frown softened slightly. “What has brought on this sudden interest in your future?”

She took a deep breath, attempting to keep her nervousness from affecting her voice. “I wish to legally adopt Asher as my son.”

Her father recoiled, his shock instant and intense. “Are you out of your mind, Jane?”

“Not in the slightest.” She held her head high. “I realize that it is unusual for a single young woman to take on a child, but I have given the matter considerable thought, and I have to believe that whether or not my future includes marriage, I can provide a better life for Asher than he would receive at the Foundling Hospital.” Disapproval tightened her father’s jaw, but Jane did not drop her gaze. “He is a dear boy, and we have become very fond of each other. Indeed, I cannot countenance being without him.”

“You are two and twenty, Jane. That is too young to be saddled with a child.”

“My age has no bearing on this whatsoever,” she said. “If I had married at eighteen, as many young ladies do, I could easily have a three-year-old of my own.”

“A child of your own flesh and blood perhaps,” her father said heatedly. “Not one that is foisted on you. You know nothing of this boy’s background—of his parents or bloodline.”

“Quite frankly, Father, I don’t care about those things. He is good to his core. His potential is as great as the son of a king—greater, perhaps, because he has already developed an ability to overcome hardships.”