Just Jane by William Lavender Read Free Book Online

tell them where you were.”
    â€œOf course, Mrs. Morley. I understand.”
    Moving on down the hall, Jane paused in front of the closed door of Arthur’s study. Inside, a furious argument was going on.
    First Arthur: “That’s unfair, Robert. I’ve looked after her very well.”
    Then Robert: “By allowing her to consort with a scoundrel like Cordwyn?”
    â€œShe does not
consort
with him. She attends his school.”
    â€œAnd permitting her to be exposed to low-life rebels like Hugh!”
    â€œGood Lord, Robert, I don’t know what you’re so agitated about. Both Simon and Hugh are perfectly decent, honorable men!”
    Taking a deep breath, Jane knocked at the door.
    Arthur opened it. “Come in, Jane. Your uncle wishes a word with you.”
    She would have recognized Robert easily from the family resemblance. His dark hair, finely chiseled face, and piercing eyes were remindful of his late older brother—Jane’s father. His kinship with Hugh was not so readily seen. A few years older than Hugh, he was shorter, more compact and muscular—a tougher man, Jane surmised, than his easygoing cousin.
    She stepped toward him. “Hello, Uncle Robert.”
    He spent a moment examining her features, then, to her pleasant surprise, spoke gently. “Ah, yes. I see my dear brother, Edward, in your face.” But then he became stem. “I had hoped, Jane, to embrace you when we met and welcome you into my family. Regrettably, however, I am plagued by one misfortune after another. And now the unkindest cut of all—your willfully disobeying my orders by going with an unsuitable companion to a place specifically forbidden to you. Is it any wonder I’m ill-tempered?”
    â€œNo, Uncle,” Jane replied. “I’m truly sorry about your misfortunes, and I greatly regret that I’ve spoiled our meeting. It’s just that I wanted so badly to meet Cousin Hugh, I—”
    â€œAnd since no one bothered to stop you, you just did as you pleased! I should have known better than to let you be brought to this house.”
    â€œWhat the devil do you mean by that?” Arthur demanded hotly.
    â€œI mean that I’ve always suspected this place of rebel sentiment!” Robert shot back. “We all know one of your friends is that notorious John Rutledge, who dares call himself president of the
Republic
of South Carolina!”
    â€œRutledge is an old friend of many years’ standing. Should I renounce him because we differ in our political views?”
    â€œIf he favors treason, yes, just as I have renounced Hugh! A man is known by the company he keeps, Arthur.”
    â€œHe is better known by his words and actions, Robert. I have never favored treason, and you know it. I refused to attend the Continental Congress in Philadelphia precisely because I feared some foolhardy action by that assembly.”
    â€œDoes that prove you’re loyal, or simply that you’re a coward?”
    In the heat of argument, they seemed to have forgotten Jane’s presence, but now they were interrupted by Simon appearing in the doorway.
    â€œCordwyn!” Robert thundered. “How dare you take my niece to mix with street rabble, and expose her to all manner of traitorous talk!”
    Simon came forward, ready with a calm reply. “I beg your pardon, sir, but Mr. Hugh Prentice is not street rabble. He’s an honest, hardworking citizen and a good friend. As for Miss Jane, you need have no fear of her being affected by rebel talk. She’s an exceedingly intelligent young lady with a mind of her own.”
    But this only made Robert angrier. “Well,
you
have no right to take her anywhere. You owe me an immediate apology for your actions!”
    Simon’s voice was now tinged with anger as well. “If I have caused Miss Jane to incur your disfavor, sir, I am very sorry, for she is innocent of so much as any thought of