Duty and Desire (Hearts of Honour Book 2) by de Sallier Elise

Author:de Sallier, Elise
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: The Writer's Coffee Shop
Published: 2015-06-18T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Gentleman

Jonathan made sure not to stand too close to Grace at her aunt’s funeral, but it galled. A light drizzle had begun to fall, and despite the fact she was surrounded by her friends and fellow mourners, she looked cold and alone. He wanted to comfort her openly and protect the woman he loved from both circumstance and the elements. If he’d had his way, she’d have been tucked against his side with his arm wrapped around her shoulders.

Of course, such an overt display of affection wouldn’t have been acceptable in public, not even if they were wed. The most he could have done for her, if she’d been his wife, would be to offer his arm. At a push, he could let her lean against him if her grief should overwhelm her. But in the eyes of their local society, he was a mere acquaintance of Miss Daniels, unrelated by blood or marriage and permitted no such liberties. Hell, he couldn’t even call her his friend—not without raising eyebrows.

And God forbid tonnish brows should be raised.

If there was one thing Jonathan’s father had instilled in him, it was the importance of protecting one’s social standing. No matter what occurred behind closed doors or might be roiling in the heart of a gentleman, appearances must be maintained. Rank and circumstance counted above all else and, in what Jonathan had always considered a contradiction, individuals were to be judged by their position in society, irrespective of the character they displayed. One must kowtow to one’s superiors and lord it over one’s inferiors regardless of their worthiness, lest the natural order be compromised.

Having experienced both sides of the divide, first as a gentleman and an officer and now as an employee, Jonathan had come to question the class structure that ruled the lives of all Englishmen. He felt a growing resentment for its restrictions and a burgeoning inclination to refuse to pander to its bias. Still, outright rebellion wasn’t an option, as he had his son’s future to consider. The poor lad was destined to have a difficult enough time finding his place as it was. Then there were Jonathan’s mother and sister, who continued to subject themselves to standards they could no longer afford to meet.

In the midst of the chaos of the last ten days, Jonathan had found the time to write his mother an honest account of his financial situation. The news would not be welcomed, but it was time she faced facts. His brother could not be relied upon, with even the London residence at risk from his gambling. Harold had cost him enough, and Jonathan refused to be encumbered with debts he’d not incurred and had no way of meeting. His mother and sister were welcome to come and stay with him—an invitation he hoped his mother would accept for Penny’s sake. Jonathan was prepared to work day and night, if necessary, to house, clothe, and feed his family, but they would have to accept a reduction in lifestyle .

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