Transition Plan Chapter 24: First Homecoming Part 11 - Guided Tour (Scene 2)
Jane kissed her husband softly when they reached the icy pond, "Now Tarzan, I have a surprise for you too."
Elisabeth met them with a picnic and her ice skates at the lake behind the mansion.
"You wanted to see me skate. Today you will."
"This is such a pleasant surprise," noted Tarzan, and he sat and watched.
She laced up her best pair of skates, unbuttoned the lower half of her specially-layered skating skirt just above her knee, revealing her beautiful legs, and glided on to the ice, striking a stance very much like she did when she started to branch surf. Tarzan instantly understood the similarities.
She glided all over the thick ice, turning and twisting, jumping, spinning and twirling. Her movements were so smooth and coordinated. The noise of the scraping of metal blade on the ice was mesmerizing. It was like watching the delicate but purposeful flight of hummingbirds to Tarzan. She had complete control of herself the ice. She skated up to him on the dock and sprayed ice in his face on purpose. It was cold but exhilarating, and he wiped the ice scrapings off his face. She giggled, but suddenly had to fight back a wave of nausea that she didn't let her husband see that all the spinning had aggravated.
"Here is another surprise. I have skates for you, Tarzan. Come skate with me," she invited.
Elisabeth handed him the pair sized just for him.
"I... I… I don't know, Jane. Branch surfing and ice skating aren't…" but was interrupted by his wife.
"I know you know better," she grinned, and held her arms out, "Skate with me Count Clayton, your Countess commands it!"
"I hear and obey," he grinned and bowed.
"You are a very smart Count, indeed, to understand the Countess actually rules this manor," she snickered to his raised eyebrow.
Tarzan edged out on the ice, holding tightly to her hands. He was very unsteady and wobbly at first, balancing on the single blades, but got used to it. Soon they were skating arm-in-arm. Everyone on the Castle staff and d'Arnot looked out the windows at the young couple laughing and enjoying skating together, and had seen her solo skate. Her talent was remarkable. But after awhile, the young couple became cold and tired. They consumed the nice warm lunch Elisabeth had prepared, sitting side by side on a bench, warming themselves by a fire started by Elisabeth next to the frozen pond in a fire ring. After that, they returned to the Castle for further warmth and cocoa, served by Edward in the library.
After the first sip or two, Tarzan sighed with satisfaction, "Cocoa is delicious, Jane."
"I rather thought you would like it, dear. It comes from the jungles of South America," placing another dollop of whipped cream and chocolate scrapings atop his cup with a grin.
Tarzan joked, "When we get back to Africa, we are moving the family there!"
They shared a good laugh over that. After their second or third cup of cocoa, they continued their exploration of the Castle, and went into an anteroom next to the great reception hall. There Tarzan beheld something new.
"What is that odd piece of furniture?" he asked, noting the gleaming jet black wooden object, with a strange lid, hundreds of wires inside, and white and black rectangles attached in a long row to one end in front of a backless bench.
Jane explained, "It's not furniture, Jonathan, it's a musical instrument. It's called a piano."
"It's a lot bigger than my mother's music box," he said as he examined it curiously from every angle.
Jane summoned her housekeeper, "Elisabeth, please accompany me."
Elisabeth started a melody, and Jane joined in almost immediately. Tarzan was mesmerized by the beautiful live music. The music box was interesting but this was truly exquisite, and her voice carried throughout the anteroom and great hall.
The Captain, who had been quietly watching their fun day together, walked up to Tarzan with his pipe, admired Jane's talented voice, and whispered, "She sings like a bird, Jonathan."
Tarzan noted with pride, "My dear Captain, you haven't really heard her sing until you hear her sing with the birds."
"Oui, Monsieur, that would truly be something to behold," reflected d'Arnot, once again realizing there was so much to this couple's life together that no one knew anything about.
They kept listening. The beautiful music drifted all over the house, and captured the staff's attention. One by one the servants stopped their tasks, collected in the music room, and listened in admiration to Jane's wonderful singing to Elisabeth's expert playing.
"Bravo! More!" encouraged the Captain while everyone applauded.
She and Elisabeth started a second set.
At the end, Jane announced, "My dear new friends - that was a special set of Christmas music. I understand that it is a tradition of Clan Greystoke to hold a Holiday party. So we shall restart that tradition. I am well aware Christmas is nearly upon us, so we will delay a week to give people more time to respond. The event will be this New Year's Eve. Elisabeth and Edward, I will need you and the staff's help to make this homecoming holiday party perfect. Especially whom to invite from Clan Greystoke's friends and family. Elisabeth and I can take care of Clan Porter's social circle."
"Yes, ma'am," they said in unison, and Edward added, "It will be a joyous day for all the family and friends of this peerage and Clan Porter to renew the tradition of the Holiday party."
Elisabeth noted, "We can use the occasion to celebrate your marriage too, my Lord and Lady. None of us but your father got the joy of seeing that happen."
The two hugged and blushed, having not even considered that. If only they knew what the ceremony and reception in the jungle actually had been, exchanging a knowing glance. Tarzan whispered to Jane his sudden desire to know if this estate's forest had vines, and she punched him playfully with her face scrunched in mock annoyance, but actually wondered the same thing.
A waiter and valet entered, bowed, and informed them, "Dinner will be served in about thirty minutes. Perhaps the Lord and Lady will enjoy the formal family dinner attire we have suggested in your dressing room."
When they entered their chambers, they discovered, hanging from Jane's armoire, a long formal red brushed velvet dress with a shoulderless deep cut in front, and an empire waist. It had no bustle or padding. It would only follow the natural curves that Jane had, and Tarzan could easily see that.
"It's lovely Jane. I can't wait to see you in this," he smiled touching the elegant soft fabric.
"As I can't wait to see you in that," Jane added.
Hanging from his armoire was a short knee-length dress-like piece of apparel, pleated with a tartan plaid. There were several accessories, including a furred pouch and belt that would loosely surround his waist, and a very formal saber. Knee length socks with garters and buckled shoes were laid next to the garment. There was a formal white shirt and jacket with it, with a matching ascot, cravat, and cap. Finally there was a wide sash of darkest blue fabric that would go across his shoulder, and the family coat of arms set in gold and many other precious gems set in the center of the sash.
Tarzan was truly puzzled, "A dress for men, Jane?"
Jane laughed, "That dear Jonathan is a kilt. And the plaid of the kilt is composed of the Clan Greystoke colors. A kilt is the tradition of the Scotsmen. They were fierce warriors, and wearing a kilt was a proud custom of the Scots. No one dared accuse a Scotsman of wearing a dress. That is your heritage."
Tarzan rolled his eyes, "Both here and in the jungle I am a warrior. I apparently can't get it out of my blood."
He examined all the parts of the kilt, but asked Jane, "So… where are my undergarments, Jane?"
Jane gave him an amused look and explained with a snicker, "With a kilt, there are none. That is how it is worn. That makes it easier for Scottish women to get to what they want from their very handsome Scottish men after an evening's formal affairs."
Tarzan smirked and went with it, "Intelligent people, the Scots. I think we should try this form of attire in the jungle for both of us," Tarzan winked.
Jane grinned, but was actually serious, "As you wish, my Lord, I am always looking for a new loincloth style. I shall sew one for each of us. There are days that are too hot to wear anything."
"I like those days the best, Jane," Tarzan snickered, while Jane rolled her eyes, remembering the sweet completely natural times together.
After Tarzan had dressed, he discovered just how short the kilt was, so he practiced sitting in chairs in their bedroom. He tried to be discreet, knowing the ways of the English, but it just wasn't working. She laughed at his futile tries at modesty, enjoying every moment of the views.
Tarzan blushed, "I may not be able to sit down all night, Jane."
"When you do, make sure I am seated right across from you," she winked and giggled.
They kissed and laughed. He was very handsome in his formal attire. The blue sash, with its golden, jeweled coat of arms denoting his peerage as a Count was truly impressive.
"This moment deserves a picture. Stand still," she ordered.
She grabbed her sketchbook, and started a pencil portrait of him and her standing together in their finery. Soon a handsome sketch of him in his formal Clan Greystoke kilt appeared on the paper, with her standing with him elegantly in her velvet dress.
"That goes in a frame on my desk in the library, Jane, dear."
She hugged and kissed him. He didn't want to let her go in her crushed red velvet formal gown, but made a delightful discovery. As he moved his hands across her gown to embrace her, he noted that there was nothing underneath to break the line of the dress. She smiled for him at his realization of what she had done to please him, and to actually make the dress look better. Any underwear bumps would have ruined the lines of the dress.
"I felt really sorry for you having no undergarments for your kilt, so I just copied you, my love," she winked. He grinned.
The dinner chimes sounded, and they went to the dining room together arm-in-arm. The house staff admired how beautiful she was and how handsome he was. Seeing them together and their devotion to each other, and the genuine fun they had together in everything they did, their sweet teasing of each other, no one could imagine a better matched young couple. Edward personally poured the drinks for them, but Jane refused the wine.
"No wine for me tonight Edward, thank you. I am feeling a little upset to my stomach today. Cider and seltzer would be better, please."
"As you wish, Madam. We have the finest cider from the orchard. We could arrange a doctor's visit for you soonest. There is a good one in the village, superior to most in the city, I must say."
"Thank you Edward, if this feeling persists, I would like to do that."
While most of the conversation was about their great day and the party ahead, d'Arnot ended it on a serious note of warning, "I am going to return to our shipping company at Essex Harbor in the morning, to begin to outfit the ship for our return. I do fully expect there will be an attempt on my life in the days hence and on yours too. But I am more than prepared. You must be vigilant. I will leave my personal guard with you."
Jane was frightened, "I worry so much about your safety, my dear Captain. You have protected us so – who will protect you?"
D'Arnot nodded, "I am in good hands, M'Lady. I have many friends and Sir Cedric has many enemies, and more now knowing his so-called friends won't get paid. I know the foe much better than they think. Let me tell you what to do when that happens. I believe I will not be able to attend this year's party, but it will give us the cover we need by having it the day before we leave. Do not give up hope on me and the plan no matter what you hear or read."
They pursed their lips with the grim story he told, but they all agreed.
The Captain reminded them, "Be there on New Years Day night. No matter what, we will sail on the 2nd"
"We understand, Captain. May God speed your work, dear sir," Tarzan encouraged.
They went upstairs to prepare for bed, but something was odd in the bedroom.
"Jane, there is a draft in our room. The fire is not cutting the cold."
The wind was fierce outside, but Tarzan was feeling a breeze from the inside.
"It could be the draft you are feeling under your kilt, dear. Welcome to my world," she giggled.
He raised an eyebrow at her, "Well maybe that too, but there is something strange going on here, Jane."
He traced the patterns of the air with a smoky candle, finding the source, and ran his hands and fingers around the joints of the fireplace mantle, closing his eyes to concentrate, and suddenly stopped, "Jane this is not a solid wall. There is something behind this."
He got out his papers from his father hidden in their trunk, and followed the instructions. The panel opened. He took a taper from their room and let its light shine down the dark abyss. There was a long spiral staircase that descended several floors. The extent of dust and cobwebs meant that the staircase was unused in decades. His cousin clearly never found this.
Tarzan reached his arm and hand to her, and took hers gently, "Do you want to find out what is down this staircase?"
"Y-y-yes, Tarzan," stuttered Jane. For the first time she was nervous in her own house.
There were torches to light, and they descended carefully. They were concerned that the entrance closed behind them as they descended.
The staircase ended, and a large opening presented itself to them, flanked by torches. He lit them both.
Tarzan was awed. Jane sank to her knees in amazement. For over 100 feet in all directions, there extended seemingly endless, carefully arranged stacks of gold, jewels, and other precious metals stacked to the top a 12 foot high carved stone ceiling.
Jane could barely breathe, "Jonathan, there is wealth here beyond imagining. I believe we are richer than the Queen of England herself. I would venture to say that none of this is recorded on any bank account in your name, dear."
They both wondered if they would ever learn the story of how this family wealth was amassed, but hoped it was all on good terms. It only took a minute, but a broad grin worked its way across Tarzan's face, "Jane, dear, I think I know what will take to convince the Nigerian Council of Chiefs to let us take our land back."
Jane's eyes went wide, "Treasure... Of course! Gold is the same in any human language. You sweet, wonderful, smart man. This is perfect!"
He reached down and took a particularly beautiful necklace from one of the piles, bowed graciously and stated, "I believe that this small token of my affection befits the Countess of Greystoke as the Holiday party hostess."
"You are most kind, good sir!" she curtsied and said formally with a smile in answer to his very proper presentation of the gift. She held her hair up while he hooked the necklace around her and nuzzled the nape of her neck with many kisses. She got goose bumps and she turned her lips to meet his, lingering.
They secured the secret treasure chamber, climbed back up the staircase, dousing torches as they went, but noted the catacombs had other passages and more rooms. One caught their interest. It was a bedroom, with everything carved from rough hewn wood, and the bed was covered with a bear skin. It was like they ventured back to the time of the ancient Scots. With no dust or webs, it seemed like it had been made up for them that very day. It triggered something primitive in her.
Jane lay across the bed in one fluid motion, felt the smoothness and warmth of the bear skin, and closed her eyes. Her feelings for Tarzan had been building all day and night, with each amazing discovery of his heritage – reading together in his huge private library, the incredible bonding experience with the battle horse 'Kerchak', their tender hand-in-hand skate, the loving way he appreciated every note of her singing, and dining with him in the ancient kilt as Lord and Lady of the Castle in their dining room, and now this secret chamber with enormous history and wealth. For a moment she forgot her queasiness. Just when she thought she reached the pinnacle of her love for Jonathan, she fell deeper still for him. She unabashedly played word games with him, something she knew he enjoyed, because it always led to one thing at the end.
"Isn't this amazing? A secret, ancient world beneath your own home, Jonathan that your father wanted you to discover. Are you feeling in touch with your inner Scotsman, now, my dear husband?" she whispered softly, lifting up her long velvet gown to reveal the nothingness that was underneath.
Her stunning beauty of her creamy white legs and body accentuated by red velvet dress in the flickering torch light made him almost forget his name, but he teased her right back by standing in a manner that she could not help but see what was under his kilt, "Absolutely. I hear that English women often enjoyed being ravished by Scotsmen."
"You've been reading too many English novels with me dear, but count me among those English women," she smirked, and she reached out and pulled him into the ancient goose down bed.
Even though they were exhausted from their intimacy in the secret bedroom of his forefathers, they climbed the stairs hand in hand quietly back to their bedroom, easily opened the door out, locked the secret passage for another time, put on their nightclothes they hadn't really used since their arrival, and they tucked themselves together under the warm covers, with just simple kissing and hugging, simply enjoying the closeness in the bed.
"I could get very used to this," Jane noted.
"I am sure that Edward and Elisabeth would much prefer we get used to this," Tarzan joked as they laughed together and fell asleep nearly instantly after their wonderful long day.