Love of All Kinds — Chapter Two

AUGUST 1885 — Africa

"I can't even begin to imagine what everyone in London is going to say when they hear that we're staying!" Professor Porter exclaimed, chuckling. "Now, that, Jane dear, will be some good gossip for them! Won't it? The Porters, abandoning proper English society to live in the jungle. Goodness."

"I can't imagine they'll be pleased, " Jane said. "But, they'll adjust. Jane Porter refusing to yield to societal expectations shouldn't shock them at this point," she laughed, only half jokingly.

"Right you are, dear," the professor said, nodding his head thoughtfully, "I'm not known for being a conventional man, either, am I?"

Jane shook her head, "Admittedly, no. But it's served us well." She took a moment to look around. Everything seemed so bright and alive. She had abandoned her shoes and laid them on the ground a few feet away to dry in the sun. She pushed her feet deeper into the sand, relishing the warmth of it, and the coolness under the surface. The sun was still almost directly overhead, warming her face and body. The sunlight reflected off of the glossy surface of the turquoise ocean. There were birds soaring overhead, too - calling out to one another. The foliage of the jungle behind them was a rich, vibrant green - the trees created such a dense canopy that it seemed, as soon as you stepped inside, you entered a different world - one full of unmeasurable amounts of life, plants and animals alike.

the next morning

When Jane awoke the next morning - fog hung low in the sky, and the humidity was quite nearly oppressive. The pale, early morning sun cane streaming into the treehouse through the few gaps in the trees - the only thing lighting the treehouse. She turned her head to the right to gaze out the window. She couldn't see much through the thick fog, but she could hear the jungle coming to life around her. She inhaled deeply, letting her breath go slowly. She loved the distinct smell that the air of the jungle had; it was better than the smell of London air, by far. Her eyelids still felt heavy, so she allowed them to close again.

Jane lost herself in thought again. She recalled the conversation she had shared with her father yesterday on the beach. He really was right. Them not returning to London as scheduled would be the talk of many people for a long time. She didn't care all too much - she had already had her fair share of people talking about her. There was one person that she wished she could properly explain all of this to - and share all the wonder of what she and her father had found - but she knew she couldn't, and she mustn't dwell on that, or them, too much. She didn't know if she'd miss London eventually. She didn't miss it now, that was for sure.

Jane was tired, and this, allowed herself to drift back to sleep again, in the relative comfort of the bed, surrounded by glorious nature.