When he got close he found he could glimpse them through theshrubbery. They were embracing and kissing, and he heard Northwood groan in passion. He felt furious, and at the same time he was ashamed to be a voyeur. Northwood was doing things Amos had dreamed about. He was torn between the impulse to attack Northwood and the urge to walk away unnoticed.
He saw Northwood’s hand close over Jane’s breast.
He stepped closer.
‘No,’ said Jane quietly, and she took Northwood’s hand away.
Amos stood still.
Holding both Northwood’s hands in her own, Jane said: ‘The man I marry may stroke my breasts any time he likes – and I will be happy to let him.’
Amos heard Northwood gasp.
Then Northwood said: ‘Marry me, Jane.’
‘Oh, Henry!’ she said. ‘I will!’
They kissed again, but Jane broke the embrace. She took Northwood’s hand and led him out from behind the bushes. Amos quickly turned around and pretended to be strolling idly by.
Jane was not fooled. ‘Amos!’ she said. ‘We’re engaged!’
She did not stop, but led Northwood inside; and Amos followed.
Holding Northwood’s arm firmly, Jane approached her father, Pastor Midwinter, who was talking to Alderman Drinkwater and the two Hornbeam girls, Deborah and Bel. ‘Father,’ said Jane, ‘Henry has something to say to you.’
This could mean only one thing, especially as Jane had used Northwood’s first name. Both Deborah and Bel squealed with delight.
Northwood was tipsy, but his good manners came to his rescue, and he said: ‘Sir, may I have your permission to ask your daughter for her hand in marriage?’
The pastor hesitated. Amos’s last hope was that Midwinter would make an excuse and tell Northwood to come and call on him tomorrow, so that they could discuss the proposal properly.
But Drinkwater, who was Jane’s grandfather, could not contain his joy. ‘How splendid!’ he said.
Bel Hornbeam said loudly: ‘Jane’s marrying Viscount Northwood! Hurrah!’
Midwinter was obviously unhappy with the way this was being done. However, if he refused his daughter, she would be shamed. After a long pause he finally said to Northwood: ‘Yes, my lord, you may ask her.’
‘Thank you,’ said Northwood.
Deborah Riddick murmured admiringly: ‘Well done, Miss Midwinter.’ She obviously realized that the whole thing had been cleverly managed by Jane.
Jane took Northwood’s hand, faced him, and said: ‘It will be my life’s work to make my wonderful husband happy.’
Amos turned away, walked out of the building, and headed for home.
*
Elsie saw Amos leave, and knew from his demeanour that something bad had happened. It did not take her long to find out what. Within minutes there was an atmosphere of excitement in the room, people talking animatedly, their voices sounding surprised and a bit scandalized. Then Kenelm Mackintosh approached her and said: ‘Northwood has proposed marriage to Jane Midwinter, and Jane has accepted him.’
‘Well, well,’ said Elsie. ‘So Jane has got the man she wanted.’ And I have not.
‘Aren’t you surprised?’
‘Not very. Jane has been working hard at this for months.’
‘But her father is a Methodist – and Northwood’s going to be the earl of Shiring!’
‘And Jane will be the countess.’
