Becoming Jane: the Vignettes
By Icha
Rated: T
Summary: Scenes of Becoming Jane. Can't stop loving it! Thanks to Rachel Kingston for the faithful beta, and apologise for the whole month of absence. Chapter 11: London, and letters between Jane and Tom. For those who have yet to see the movie: SPOILERS ahead. But I suggest you to watch it still, it worth it! And thanks for the read and reviews!
Chapter 11. Sliding Down the Bannister
From the window of the first floor corridor, Tom Lefroy saw the long-awaited carriage approaching Judge Langlois' grand house in Cork Street. Tingles of excitement spread through his nerves as the butler announced the arrival of his guests. This wave of adrenaline sent him running along the corridor and upon arriving at the top of the stairs, sliding down the banister with the spirit of a two-year old boy. To be exact, he was a twenty-year old lad who would set eyes upon the love of his life in a few minutes.
The love of his life was Jane Austen; a witty, gorgeous girl from Hampshire whom he had met last December when he visited his relatives in Ashe. And now, seven long months had passed since he first kissed her sweet cherry lips under the trees in the rose garden of Lady Gresham's manor. He had to return to London the exact day after the ball; the London court schedule and his study at Lincoln's Inn did not leave room for extended visit in Hampshire. It almost shattered his heart to leave Jane in Steventon and to no longer be able to exchange regular banters with her. The only consolation was that they had declared their love to each other and they both knew that these were not empty words.
The declaration had indeed been proven true for dozens of letters had been sent between the lovers throughout the past seven months. They had discussed many things: Tom's law school and works at the court, his friends in college, his trips to Bond Street, arts and theatres in the city, and 'how I wish I could show you around London'. Tom often ended his letter with 'I'm yours heart & soul' or something else to that effect, for he indeed had no room for any woman in his heart other than Jane Austen.
Always talkative, Jane discussed much about her creative writing; she often sent Tom pieces of her works, and Tom always took pleasure in providing significant comments along with his reply. Sometimes she talked of house-keeping, including killing pig and lamb for dinner (Mrs. Austen was apparently more confident that her little Jane was growing into a woman and surely was capable of handling house-keeping matters that Cassandra, who now often visited their older brothers James or Edward, usually was responsible for). Often, Jane talked about dinners she attended; including at Lady Gresham's manor where she reported that Mr. Wisley appeared to receive her blatant signals that she was uninterested in him. Jane also described the assemblies and parties she attended, with usual remarks of the merriment of the guests and how many dances she took part in. Inevitably, the line would then continue with 'I wish you were here Thomas, for no one but you ever danced so passionately with me.' She dared not to mention the kiss, but she was often spared from the hidden desire, for Tom repeatedly referred to the moment in his letters. And, after ruminating on the memory of the life-changing night they shared the sweet tender kiss, Jane Austen would close her letter with 'I am forever yours' or 'I am affectionately yours'.
And now, this end of August, the partner of the beautiful letter exchange (stored ardently by Tom inside his nightstand) would appear in front of him; life and passion illuminating from her soul. Upon reaching the bottom end of the banister, he landed perfectly with his boots firmly on the ground and positioned in front of the door as his uncle reprimanded 'Decorum!' The door opened: Countess Eliza de Feullide entered the room in all her splendour. Always assuming perfect etiquette in front of the aristocrats, Judge Langlois expanded his hand and declared, 'Welcome! Welcome…er…' to which Tom came to the rescue by gliding in front of his uncle, whispering 'Madame la Comtesse' and spun back on his heel into his original position and donned the appropriate serious expression for an official guest reception.
'Ah, welcome Madame la Comtesse to our humble abode…' Judge Langlois gentlemanly received his guest who was very elegant in her red Rococo dress. 'I am so glad that my nephew has invited you to our home, and that you received the invitation. Also, welcome to your friends, of course.' Madame la Comtesse nodded and briefly introduced 'her friends', i.e. Mr. Henry Austen and Miss Jane Austen, to the owner of the house. Countess de Feullide then replied with the same degree of decorum stating that she was exceedingly happy to stay in London for a few days en route Kent where they were to visit her cousin (Jane and Henry's brother) Edward.
'Ah, indeed! Your stay is short; we have to get everything ready.' To his nephew, JudgeLanglois asked, 'Have you arranged amusements accordingly, Thomas?'
'Yes, Uncle. I have arranged some amusements for Madame la Comtesse and her guests, including a visit to the art market and the Haymarket Theatre.'
'Ah, excellent, excellent…' Benjamin Langlois only half-listened to his Irish nephew, for he was engaged in explaining the 'little humble bits' of his house to Madame la Comtesse and proclaimed that he would hold a decent dinner for the guests tonight. He did not notice, however, that a pair of brown eyes was brightened upon the words 'art' and 'theatre', for Jane Austen, the beholder of the eyes, was extremely passionate about art and theatres. Judge Langlois also did not realise that the young Miss Austen secretly exchanged enigmatic smiles and gaze with his nephew, nor that his nephew surreptitiously held her slender fingers as they ascended to the first floor.
Author's note:
Many thanks to the readers who still follows this vignette. Indeed, the very reason I rather stayed away from the fan-fiction was not unrelated to Jane Austen, but because for the last month Rachel and I have been busy setting up and building our Becoming Jane Fansite or http becomingjane dot blogspot dot com, in case this link does not show. Please visit us and drop a hello or comment. Also, don't forget to review this one!
Re: Cork Street. According to Jon Spence (Becoming Jane Austen, 2003) Benjamin Langlois (Tom's uncle) indeed lived in Cork Street in London. Spence also deducted that Jane actually went to London in August 1796, en route to Kent, to see Tom.
Re: letters. Jane Austen's first and second surviving letters were from 9 and 16 January 1796. The third letter was in August 1796, thus leaving the gap of seven months without any letters. For a writing-addict like Austen, this is impossible (the explanation was that Cassandra took care to obliterate the letters upon Jane's death). So anyway, I took the liberty to 'create' Jane's letters to Tom from January to August 1796. By the way, the killing of pig and lamb referred to letter #11 ( November 17, 1798). Also, in her letters, JA often ended her letter with 'I am affectionately yours' (e.g. Letter #2, January 16, 1796) and its variants.