“I am so glad that the chaos during the uprising caused no trouble for you and your wife,” said the man speaking with Carlisle. The man was dressed in the simple clothes of a farmer; presumably he ran one of the neighboring farms.
“After what happened last night, we are pleased we had the forethought to bring Jane home a few days ago,” Carlisle replied. “If we had not, we would not know when she would be able to travel back to us.”
“Jane?” queried the man. Delilah coughed politely. Carlisle and the man looked over. Jane quickly curtsied, albeit clumsily. The man’s eyes widened. “Is this your niece?”
“Daughter, actually,” Delilah said. She placed a hand on Jane’s shoulder. “Jane was undergoing studies at my family’s ancestral home. She finally was skilled enough to return to us. Just in time.”
“Ah.” The man smiled at Jane. “It is a pleasure to meet you, young Miss Hearthstone. I am named Gabriel Woolsworth.” Jane curtsied again, this time more gracefully.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mister Woolsworth,” she said politely. Gabriel chuckled. He smiled at Carlisle.
“She is truly formal enough to be your child. And when she is of age, I can tell she will be quite comely. How old is she?”
“Fourteen,” Carlisle answered.
“The same age as mine son Phillip. Well, if she needs a suitor, please keep me in mind. Phillip is a wonderful young man, but has been too studious to pursue a lady friend.”
“We will be sure to keep Phillip under consideration for a match with Jane,” Delilah said. “He truly is a most kind and gentle boy.”
“Yes. Well, it is good to see you are safe and most excellent to make your acquaintance, Jane,” Gabriel said. Jane smiled sweetly. “I must go check on our other neighbors. I look forward to getting to know you more, Jane.” With that, Gabriel left. Carlisle turned to Jane.
“Gabriel is a sheep farmer,” he said. Jane nodded. Given his surname, that made sense. “You clean up quite nice, daughter.”
“Thank you, father,” Jane said softly.
“We must go into town for dresses and other items for her,” Delilah informed her husband. Carlisle scowled.
“Once I am returned to my proper self, I will pay you back and more,” Jane said quickly. Carlisle shook his head.
“I am not concerned about the cost, though I am glad to hear we will be reimbursed. No, I worry about taking you in public so soon after you have become a teenaged girl. I do not know if you will be able to play the part well.”
“I see,” Jane murmured. Delilah cleared her throat, drawing Jane and Carlisle’s attention.
“I have a solution for that,” she said.