Miss Jane's Undoing by Sophia Jiwani Page B

happy or not about the transformation wrought in Tommy by the passage of three years.  She hoped that there was a part of him that was still adventurous, still enthusiastic about the little things in life.  She couldn’t bear it if he also turned into a serious, estimable, respectable young man.  In other words, a bore!

    ****

    Tommy, for his part, experienced similarly conflicted emotions.  Throughout the past three years, he’d deliberately cultivated a blasé attitude regarding women, to hide the pain caused by Jane’s peremptory rejection.  Now that he looked back at it, he wasn’t in the least surprised.  Even though he was only a year older than Jane, she’d matured faster than he, transforming into a beautiful young woman whereas he’d felt little more than a child.   He’d thought news of her impending nuptials would reach him at some point while he was at Oxford and dreaded that day.  He’d even avoided coming home during the summers, choosing to spend the time with some cousins in London instead.  The change had done him good, given him a bit of polish.  Tommy was already a good-looking young man but, with some town bronze, he cut a striking figure in his hometown.  However, the change was only superficial; underneath it all, he was still pining away for Jane.  And he knew that wanting something so badly would be sure to ruin his chances of achieving it.
      Tommy knew his father thought he should wait a while before tying the knot and, possibly, find an heiress or the daughter of a diplomat who could help further his career.  A frivolous chit like Jane wouldn’t make the best politician’s wife.  However, Tommy couldn’t change how he felt and he thought he owed it to himself to find out if he stood a chance with her.  Therefore, he chose to come home for a short period before taking up his post in London.  He’d hoped that seeing Jane again would cure him of his foolish infatuation but all it took was one look from that rosy face, the tendrils of dark hair falling into her eyes, for him to fall in love all over again.  But how could he convince her that she should choose him and not someone else?  He’d made subtle inquiries in the neighborhood and he knew the vicar was the strongest suitor for Jane’s hand.  But he wasn’t the only one.  William Casey, whose father owned a substantial property in the neighborhood, was head over heels in love with her too, even though he didn’t have the guts to own up to it.  In the face of such competition, would she be satisfied with a man who merely had prospects for the future but no present holdings to recommend him?
    It was while Tommy was ruminating about all these issues, that his sister Elizabeth came up to his room and started to scold him for spending too much time with his books.  He was half-dressed, staring gloomily at the ceiling when she burst in.
    “Jane again?” she asked blithely.
    “None of your business, you little chit.  Don’t you have something to do?”
    “Not particularly.  We’re going to a dinner party at the Langley’s tonight.  I just came to remind you.  Jane’ll be there.  I’m sure you’re looking forward to that.”
    “Is the vicar going to be there too?”
    “And our friend William.  You’ll have plenty of stiff competition.  I hope you came prepared.  What’s your plan?”
    “What do you mean?” asked Tommy.
    “Well, you have to win her over, convince her that she should choose you and not one of them.  You need to have a plan.  Did you think you could just waltz in here and have her swoon all over you?”
    “What do you know about it?  You’re barely seventeen!”
    “I know a lot more than you,” said Elizabeth.  “Better get your act together before the vicar catches her alone.  He’s been chomping at the bit to pop the question.”
    Tommy sighed.  “I don’t have a chance, do I?”
    “Now, is that any way to be thinking?”  asked Elizabeth.  “How are you ever