Jane's POV

She actually did it, she stood up to him and didn't back down at all. I can only imagine what he thinks of her now. I look to Mr. Plumtree who surprisingly has a smile on his face. Why in the world would he be smiling? She just put him in his place so to speak. Before I have a chance to speak Fanny goes to his side.

"Forgive her Plumtree after all she is American." Fanny says making and excuse for Clara.

"A very interesting one at that." He tells her as he looks at her hand placed on his arm.

"She is that, still I do believe that dinner is ready. I shall go and fetch her. Wouldn't want dinner to get cold would we?" I say as I stand and turn to walk but Mr. Plumtree stops me.

"Allow me to go find her if you will, I must offer apologies for my unkind behavior to her." He tells me and I can see Fanny behind him looking incredibly confused just like I was.

"Do you really believe that to be a good idea Mr. Plumtree?" I ask him hoping that he will change him mind.

"I am sure of it, go on inside and Miss Clara and I will join you momentarily." He tells me as he turns and walks out of the room.

"Auntie what just happened? I don't understand?" Fanny asks as she walks up to me.

I looked back to Fanny to see there were small tears in her eyes and I felt sorry for the poor child, I knew that Mr. Plumtree may now have an interest in Clara. I still did not have the heart to tell my dear niece that the man she might love might not be in love with her.

"He is going to make amends that is all. Come let us go and get some food." I tell her as I lead her into the dining room.

Plumtree's POV

I couldn't believe what that woman did, she stood up to me. No fear in her eyes or anything like that. Never in my life had anyone ever spoken to me in such a way and now here some young American woman was telling me flat out. To say that I was surprised would be a tragic understatement. I looked outside and once in the garden I found her sitting next to the coy pond. She was looking down when I came to her side and decided to address her.

"Miss Clara?" I ask her as she turns around and looks up at me shocked.

"Mr. Plumtree, forgive me for my outburst sometimes it seems my tongue runs away from me." She tells me as she stands up and looks me in the eye.

"No Miss Clara forgive me I did not wish to argue with you nor either of the ladies in the room." I tell her as we start to walk back to the house.

"Perhaps next time you should not address such a subject?" she asks me as she looks forward then back at me.

I can't help but look into her eyes. They are like the ocean. A beautiful blue color and I can't help but be caught in their gaze. No I shouldn't be looking at her in such ways after all I do not know if she is spoken for or even married at that. Still I suppose I could ask her or Miss Austen I am sure that she would know as well. Would she?

"Mr. Plumtree? Did you hear me?" Clara's voice brings me out of my thoughts.

"Forgive me, my head was elsewhere what did you say?" I ask her looking down then up at her again.

"I said perhaps next time you should not address such a topic?" she asks me now for the second time.

"I agree Miss Clara I shall not address it." I agree with her as we continue to walk.