Susan surveyed her with surprising shrewdness. Her sister could be selfish and flighty, but nobody in the world knew Jane better. However complicated their relationship, they loved one another. “At least be thankful you don’t love him. It would be purgatory to want a man in thrall to another woman. You’ve always been sensible, Jane, and able to make the best of things. These last years with Papa, you’ve been marvelous. If you hadn’t stepped up, I don’t know what would have become of the estate. Hugh is very lucky to have you.”
“Even if he doesn’t know it,” Jane said sourly, although she was surprised and moved at Susan’s tribute.
Susan touched her cheek with unaccustomed fondness. “He’s a smart fellow. He’ll work it out eventually.”
*
“What the devil did Susan say to you?” Hugh asked, as their opulent traveling carriage turned out of the drive and headed north.
Jane stopped staring out at the snowy landscape and stared instead at the man she’d just married. Wearing a disgruntled expression, he sat opposite her in the shadowy interior. Now they were no longer under observation, he didn’t have to play the lover by holding her hand or sitting beside her.
“Why?” she asked warily.
“Because you looked quite happy today, until you went upstairs. Since you came down, you’ve been like a dog whose master just died.”
Not much of an improvement over a wet hen. “I’m sad to leave my home.”
“And the people you know.” Compassion softened his features. “I’m sure this has been a bittersweet occasion for you in many ways.”
“The silly thing is I’ve been preparing for this day for years.” She made a helpless gesture. “I always knew that because I’m a girl, I couldn’t inherit, but it doesn’t make it any easier to let Cavell Court go.”
He smiled at her. “At this moment, I’m very happy you’re a girl.”
“Thank you.” She wished she could believe that he meant that, instead of it being another example of his endle
ss kindness.
His dark eyes sharpened. “I suppose Susan criticized your decision to marry me.”
“Not at all.” Mockery tinged Jane’s smile. “She thinks I’m very lucky to have caught you.”
He gave a heavy sigh. “And made you feel like a beggar on your wedding day. How very considerate of her.”
“She loves me.”
“Why wouldn’t she? Whenever anything unpleasant needs to be done, you step up.”
It might be true, but she still didn’t like him criticizing her sister. “She couldn’t stay down here with Papa. She has a family.”
“And I’ll wager over these last difficult years, she did nothing to make life easier or more enjoyable for you.”
Jane looked at him curiously. “I thought you liked her.”
“I do. She’s very likable, especially when she’s getting her own way.”
“That’s not fair,” Jane said, although in many ways it was. She met his skeptical gaze and sighed in capitulation. “Oh, I know she’s spoiled and vain and self-centered, but she’s always been the pretty sister, and as a result, people have indulged her far too much. She’s used to her wishes being paramount. There’s no real harm in her.”
“You’re worth a hundred of her. You always have been.”
“Thank you.” Along with her shock, unaccustomed warmth flooded her. “You’re very nice to say that.”
“It’s not nice. It’s the truth.” He made an impatient sound. “More people see that than you think. It’s a joke that Susan’s convinced you that you’re lucky to marry me. Everyone I met at that wedding breakfast told me I was the lucky one.”
Jane made a dismissive gesture. “That’s what people say at weddings, Hugh. Don’t pay too much attention.”
His lips flattened as he folded his arms. “Credit me with the sense to see the difference between social flummery and genuine affection. You were always too ready to discount your good points.”
She shrugged. “Oh, I’m a steadfast friend and useful in a crisis, and as everyone keeps pointing out, I’m sensible and capable.”