There has been an exchange of letters between my father and Baron Sudeley with regard to my future. Thomas tells me that father has requested that I be sent home but he has replied, reminding him that he is now my guardian and will seek everything for me to fulfil a life of learning and a very good marriage. Thomas takes me aside, sits with me in my favourite window seat alcove at Old Manor and explains it all.
"You get on well with Edward don"t you, my dear?" he asks solicitously.
"Yes uncle but I don"t wish to marry him."
He seems perturbed, goes red in the face and I think he is about to explode into anger and caution me to watch my tongue. In the event he does nothing, maintaining silence for an interval before speaking softly.
"Well, you are very young Jane. There is plenty of tim
