Hi Guys and Gals. We are almost to the end of my little experiment on writing. This is my last chapter but I will be posting an epilogue within the next few days as well. I hope you enjoyed and I love the encouraging comments. I borrowed shamelessly and heavily off the movie for this Chapter. Let me know what you think!.
Henry stared blankly across the ballroom of Pembrook Park. He wondered for the twentieth time at least how in the world he had been talked into this! The last ball at Austenland was beginning and his sister had somehow talked him into attending. He knew his aunt had wanted him here for one last time, and after finally smoothing her ruffled feathers over Jane he felt perhaps it was the least he could do.
Jane...the woman on his mind pretty much all of the time. They talked every day but it wasn't enough. She had not even brought up moving here. When he asked Lizzy if she had offered Jane the job Lizzie kept making vague comments about waiting until the time was right. Perhaps she didn't mean to offer Jane the job at all and just didn't know how to tell him. Now he would have to find another way to broach the subject. It was probably just as well. He couldn't help feeling he had taken the cowards approach anyhow having Lizzy make the gesture.
Being in the ballroom tonight of course made Henry remember the last ball he had attended. Jane had of course looked beautiful. He had remembered that first dance. He had felt so perfect, finally coming to terms with what his heart had been trying to tell him all course the night had ended in disaster when she left with Martin. He saw Martin out of the corner of his eye dancing with a client who had to be pushing fifty, that at least gave him some small sense of satisfaction. Even Willow had abandoned him talking with Lizzy. They had become quite chummy in the past few weeks. Lizzy was not someone he would have normally expected his sister to befriend but she seemed to enjoy Lizzy's company quite a bit. She had come back to the manor several times to visit and even now they seemed to be smiling and talking in his direction. He was aware that a scowl was slowly forming on his face but he couldn't help it. How could they expect him to be content. He should not have agreed to come.
No sooner had the thought come to his mind when he sensed her across the room. His heart knew she was there even before he saw her and he froze. He didn't dare to believe it. His Jane dressed in a ball gown, even more beautiful than the one she wore before smiling shyly at him from across the room. He was vaguely aware of his sister and Lizzy coming up behind him.
"Jane Hayes I assume" Willow said nudging him forward. His feet seemed frozen in place. He was afraid if he moved she would disappear. Her smile faltered and he realized that she thought perhaps he wasn't happy to see her. That more than anything caused him to move swiftly to her barely managing not to knock anyone down that was in the way. Once he approached her she seemed to relax.
"Jane? I can barely believe it's true that you are here." Henry said finding his voice. He grabbed her hand as if to hold her in place.
"I take it then you are happy to see me." She asked. "It was a great surprise. Lizzy told me about the ball and I thought it would be great to try again." She stated.
Henry looked confused. "Try again? Try what again."
Nervously clearing her throat she said "Henry, remember our first night." He just stared at her so she prompted him "Something about bad first impressions comes to mind, you know my opinion of you was horrible."Her eyes were now smiling up at him.
Realizing what she was doing he smiled and finished "I was horrible. I was nervous and felt out of place and I certainly didn't intend on falling in love...but I have."
Laughing she picked up the next line "I can't imagine leaving this place without you. Please tell me if I have any hope."
Before the last word even fell from her lips Henry reached out and kissed her. It was a kiss like she had always dreamed of but didn't think truly existed. She thought he was a great kisser before, but now in this kiss he poured all his love and longing. She knew without a doubt this is where she belonged. With him she would always feel loved and cherished. She realized this was the happy ending she was looking for. The fairytale romance she had been holding out for. As he pulled away and looked into her eyes she sighed. No this wasn't a fairytale. This was something real.
Thanks all again, the epilogue will be up in a few days!
