Transition Plan Chapter 100: Searching for Jeanne Part 18
Authors Notes: Wow! A hundred chapters across five separate stories and a few fun one-shots! Without all of you loyal "Transition Plan" fanfic fans and your very active and kind engagement in this story are the reasons why I can keep writing it. I am so grateful for all the 'favorites' and reviews. I hope in this extended length chapter to give you something truly memorable to read in the long and tortuous road of Jack's and Jeanne's struggle to be reunited. Note to Guest Reviewer: Thanks for your nice review, but I'm sorry that the Eleanor in my story is not the one you are thinking of since I have not included anything from "Legend of Tarzan" cartoon show in this story, except for one idea yet to come.
…Late spring 1921. Castle Greystoke…
It was their first time home in over seven years. It was a welcome relief even for Jack. The Clayton's were exceptionally well dressed, and looked every bit the family of a rich and powerful Scottish Count and Countess. Jane had made sure of that and spent a small fortune in clothes for the trip home.
The end of the war, and the interminable wait through the flu pandemic had effectively trapped them in Nigeria, and not learning anything new about Jeanne was maddening. Wherever they had hidden themselves they certainly had throttled Jeanne's ability to leave hints and plugged any leaks after the debacle in Southwest Africa. Even the empathic connection had been mostly silent between Jack and Jeanne. The good news in that is that neither of them was suffering any emotionally traumatic situation that triggered the connection.
Jack and far-away Jeanne were both 15 going on 16 soon. They'd be considered adults in most parts of the world of that era, and expected to do adult things, but in a criminal adult world, that would be very bad for Jeanne. Unfortunately, and unknown to Jack, she already had a head start.
Time was standing still for Jack, and he just couldn't randomly strike out on a search, but he needed to do something. He was very frustrated by lack of knowledge about Jeanne since Walvis Bay. Other than Colonel Jacot and his father Tarzan, it seemed like everyone had given up the search for Jeanne after seven years and two unsuccessful and nearly disastrous encounters and attempted rescues. So for now he had to take advantage of the change of venue to recharge himself and be totally prepared for the next rescue attempt.
Unusual for the family, they were visiting Castle Greystoke while was nearly summer in England. The twins were in complete awe of their sprawling Scottish estate as it appeared before them after the sweeping turn over the rolling hills and mountains of Scotland. It had been an amazing ride for them in the new motorcar limo from the train station to the Castle. Jane and Tarzan, having always made that travel in a horse-drawn coach, were impressed at the speed, comfort, and ease of the first-time journey by car. They loved how personable their new chauffeur was.
The twins got their first close-up look at the Castle parapets as they came through the main gate.
"That's… our house?" asked Nizzie in complete shock, "It looks like a castle in our fairy tale storybooks!"
"It is a castle, silly," nudged Paulie. They both giggled. Jack and Lily rolled their eyes.
"It's… smaller than I remember," observed Lily, now eleven going on 12.
"Everything is huge when you're four, little sister," teased almost 16 year old Jack.
"We're seven. This is plenty big," complained Nizzie. Being the youngest by just a few minutes, she was always the feistiest in order to get attention from everyone else. Paulie never let her forget she was born after him.
The whole family laughed. The entire staff of the mansion was there to greet them and everyone was smiling. Jane's servant Elisabeth looked a lot older, with a lot more worry lines underneath that smile. The Clayton family servant Edward looked positively ancient and stood with a cane.
Jane rushed to hug her lifetime personal servant and second mother.
"Thank goodness you are home safe. The war… the sickness… dear me, I was so worried about you," Elisabeth cried in their reunion hug, which lasted a long time.
Introductions took quite some time for the twins, who no one had met before.
"I like you, Grandma 'Enisabet'. I have your name too!" mispronounced little Nizzie with a big beaming smile upon their first introduction, missing a front tooth.
No one corrected her. The lifetime servant who for all intents and purposes was Mother to Jane and Grandmother to the Clayton children hugged the little girl, "I know dear. Isn't that wonderful? And I love that you have my name. It fits you very well!"
They were pretty much instant friends.
Tarzan greeted Edward warmly, "It's so good to see you Edward. Are you all right?"
"My dear Count, the pleasure is all mine. You look more like your father every day. And yes, M'Lord, I fell recently, but I will be all right."
The family helped take their own luggage upstairs settled into their old bedrooms. They weren't used to being waited on constantly. Lily and Jack made sure the door between their rooms was open.
"You know I can't sleep without you near, little sister."
"Me too, big brother. This is good. We're close without being so cramped. Whenever you're feeling lonely come see me," Lily smiled.
They hugged.
The twins were assigned a child's bedroom that hadn't been used in more than a generation that the servants had renovated for them. Elisabeth had suggested separate rooms for privacy since they were boy and girl, but the twins protested, just as they did before the journey began. They were rarely separated.
Elisabeth had to remind herself this family, when they were completely in the wild, lived in very close proximity and slept often clinging together in a single grassy nest completely naturally among more than two dozen gorillas. Privacy and personal space was of little consequence to them. In fact, the closer the better, as Jack and Lily had already wanted. And they'd done that since birth. They were often more ape than human. She already had heard them and the twins speaking more in Mangani than in English most of the time they'd been back. Twins were said to have a special bond as well.
They only had a couple of days to get re-acclimated to life in the Castle, since Jack and Lily would start homeschooling the later that week with a battery of tutors. They'd been seven years without really formal education. Tutors at the English and French embassies in Nigeria were talented but were not sufficient for the level of education Jane and Tarzan wanted for their children and didn't train them in the academic discipline needed to keep pace with their English peers.
Tarzan led the family out to Kerchak's barn to meet Tarzan's magnificent horse, his mate Faith, and their large family. In the past seven years, Kerchak had sired more offspring with his lifetime mate Faith and there was someone for everyone to ride, but they were too old to have any more together. The formidable war horse bowed before his master and greeted him, "I have missed you greatly, Lord Clayton." and he muzzled his human. Faith did the same with Jane. If horses could cry in happiness she would have.
The children stood in awe of the enormity and elegance of the horses and the ease at which their parents spoke with them. Jack of course knew all the words, and Lily knew just a few, so he translated for his siblings. Jane had taught the twins a few words of greeting to share with the yearlings they would ride.
Paulie was insistent, "I want to learn to talk to them, Jack. Teach me this summer. Because when I ride the little colt over there, I want to talk to him while we ride.
"Me too! I like that filly," Nizzie demanded.
"I know you do. I promise I will teach you both," Jack smiled.
Tarzan and Jane were absorbed in talking to their horses.
Jane praised her mare, "Your family, dearest Faith. They are so beautiful. Such a nice blend of you and Kerchak."
"Yours too," the mare offered, "Will you have more foals, Sister Jane? You are not too old yet. I am finished though. I am old."
Jane blushed, "Well. God willing. And dear sweet Faith, you will always be young to me."
Twenty years was well past middle age for most horses. Jane didn't want to think of the inevitability of losing Faith and for Tarzan to lose his devoted Kerchak.
Tarzan was praising his steed, "I have here a letter from the Royal Army that you served well in the war. And a medal for your neck. Our veneur Thomas said you enjoyed the special hay that came for you."
The big war horse whinnied in amusement, "And it was delicious, dear Master. At first I didn't understand, but when I learned I would serve the Army like my forefathers and yours did, it did it gladly. I am honored. I only wish I could have ridden into battle with you, Master."
The stable master Thomas had learned a fair amount of horse speech from Tarzan and explained to the big animal how Tarzan and Jane were stranded in Africa and that Kerchak had to go alone to help with the war effort at home.
"I'm sorry Kerchak. The one time I served, I had to go by myself. You would have not liked the jungle. It is denser than the Old Thicket in the upper hills. And it has snakes. The mission counted on us being invisible, and big guy, you are anything but invisible."
The aging jet black war horse snorted in amused understanding, but joked, "Ask me that again on a moonless night, Master."
The two had a good chuckle. Being an older horse, he served behind the lines drawing wagons and cannons and cargo while still in England at several bases. He was one of a team of horses that pulled the world's first tank to the ship that took it to France to help break the trench line warfare, which earned him his medal. Kerchak did not have to go to the battle or have another rider. There had been a shortage of war horses, and when asked, that's when Tarzan volunteered Kerchak.
Lily cuddled her horse Grace and Jack patted Samson on the snout. Both horses were happy to be reunited with their humans, who surprised them with their growth over seven years. Both were named for Biblical characters or concepts after their mother. Samson was an enormous animal colored overall silver gray, a rare blend of his mother's white and Kerchak's jet black coat, with black, furry fetlocks, tail and mane. He was even more intimidating in stature than his father Kerchak.
Horses and riders were all excited to run together again, so they saddled up and went far into the woods of the estate so Tarzan could give the sense to the twins of the vastness of their human estate, rivaling the land of the Mangani, and their equal comfort of living in both worlds. Each twin rode with one parent, and of course Lily and Jack had their own mounts. Tarzan and Jane introduced the twins many of the forest's animals along the way, and they were pleased to meet the new offspring of the Masters of the Forest.
They were especially impressed with their father's renewed kinship with a bobcat den, her mother's friendship with the Great Mother Owl, Jack's relations with the wolf pack and a huge 14 point buck deer and his chubby little rabbit friend, a very unlikely forest friendship, and Lily's friends – a small flock of six falcons, two of which were new grown nestlings. The twins were in greater awe of their parents and siblings than ever before. Nizzie made instant friends with the fat old rabbit. There appeared to be no animal in the forest who was not their acquaintance. The weight of the great Clayton family secret was heavier than ever in a different world of animals, but the twins were both proud to carry it with honor. There was respect but no real friendship with the few bears that roamed. Humans and bears were the top predators and they competed, so it was no real surprise.
On the way back, they stopped at a high mountain pond. The children all grinned in delight at their parents, and Jane rolled her eyes at her husband for coming back this way on purpose. No one had to be asked twice to drop their confining clothes and race each other to be first into the water for a fun family swim. It was very refreshing despite the chill of the water. When Tarzan's and Jack's arms finally gave out tossing the kids and Jane into the air for a big splash contest they went home. It was nearly dusk when they got back. It had been delightfully pleasant time together, and reminded them of their jungle life they loved so much.
…
Dinner that first night back was elegant in the master dining room. The ride and the swim had made them all very hungry.
The twins and Lily made all kinds of meal etiquette faux pas, and Jack did several also. The family did their best whenever they had meals with the Ambassadors and with the Jacot's, but none of those families dined in such haute couture as nobility. Back in the noblemen social circles, everyone had to be on their best manners. Everyone watched 'that jungle family' and everyone talked when someone made a mistake. It was unfair but that was just what life was for this extraordinary family. Just having four kids was going to be a burden on Jane. She could hear the criticism already: 'That's what commoners did.' It didn't matter to her. Now that the war was over, she was about ready to have another - before her birthing years ran out. And Tarzan was more than willing to give her another. He loved his children, and loved being a father. And he was a good one.
When the wine was served to Jack and Tarzan to celebrate the homecoming by Edward and Elisabeth, Jack looked anxiously at them.
"Dad? Mom?" he quizzed. They knew what he wanted. He unconsciously licked his lips.
They looked at each other, snickered at how pathetic the boy looked, and consented for him to sip a half glass of wine.
"No fair!" complained Lily.
"Wait 'til you're almost 16, and then we'll talk about it, young lady," scolded Jane.
Jane had to admit that Lily's pouting face that followed her chastisement was 'world class' but it didn't make her change her mind.
Elisabeth thought ahead and brought out some sparkling cider for Lily and the twins, which was a huge hit for them. They got to drink out of the 'big people' glasses.
Jane winked at her quick-thinking servant.
… Same day but later in the evening. Dar es Salaam…
In a smoky, seedy bar down the street from the main dance hall that was a spinoff of the main bar that Siegfried also owned, Meriem, with terrible hurt in her eyes from all the cigarette smoke and lack of sleep, including hers, too much makeup, a deep-cut long slinky dress and a fancy black wig and a headband with feathers, sat with an elderly man. She was there because the bar was short on help and Meriem was such a good hostess, he gave her a double pay extra shift of work there, but she was exhausted. She hadn't had a day off in weeks.
She looked well into her 20s in this latest cocktail dress and heavy makeup and long haired wig. Her body had matured faster, and she was putting it to good use in the form-fitting tight dress. She appeared to hang on to every word of a fat old Belgian businessman's words some 11,000 kilometers from his wife, yet she didn't retain a word. It was just another 'setup'. He ordered another round from her, hoping he could convince her to end her shift and get this young woman into the bed at the hotel. He had forgotten he couldn't do anything with her once he got her there.
He took a long swig of the hard liquor and eyed her wantonly, "Are you sure you're old enough? I wouldn't want to get into trouble around here, you know?"
She smiled a fake demure smile, "Of course, lover. I just look young for my age. It's the booze. It preserves my looks."
He laughed but his eyes rolled into the back of his head. The man fell over into his snack plate, completely inebriated, and two darkly-dressed men sitting at a table nearby got up and moved into action. As they passed by the table with the drunk and the girl, she passed him the money left his wallet. No one saw the pickpocketing occur, should the man come back later and claim it happened at the bar.
Karl-Heinz whispered, "It's done now, Meriem, get out of here. Go home. Your shift is over. Get some sleep. You look terrible."
"Oh thanks. What a pleasant thing to tell me after a 12 hour shift. What about the drinks?"
"You're paid for. Margrite has you covered. Go home."
She took one last long drag from her cigarette, blew it at the unconscious man she outlasted and stole from, and crushed it out in his leftover German potato salad. Thank goodness for her vodka tolerance she developed on the trawler, and for Margrite watering her drinks with this customer.
She scolded him quietly as he got up to leave, even though he couldn't hear her, "You're lucky man, at least you have a real family to go home to. I hope you learn never to do this again."
Gunter and Karl-Heinz took the man and put him in the streets, in a more or less safe spot so he'd not get hurt again until he woke up. And made him up to look like he'd had sex with the pretty waitress. That would be one satisfied customer, even though he'd be angry with himself for not remembering the good time. Or where his money went.
Meriem trudged alone through the shadows headed home, ever wary of anyone that might want to approach her. She knew where her knife was. Her captors caught up with her, "Good job, Meriem. That guy was absolutely loaded. He spent everything, and there wasn't much left to lift from him. He'll never miss what was left."
She just gritted her teeth and despised who she had become.
…The day after the Clayton's arrival, late spring 1921. Castle Greystoke, Scotland…
The next day home Jack took his siblings on a tour of the castle, including the catacombs and all the secret passages. Every part of the castle tour along the way was amazing.
The final stop was the vast library.
"Wow! Books. Miles and miles of books," Paulie said in exaggeration and astonishment as his eyes traveled up and over and around the wall to wall two stories of volumes. He read every book in the meager treehouse library many times over with his Mom and Dad and older siblings. Everything was new here.
They couldn't get the twins out of there until dinner. Or for that matter, Jack and Lily, after their classes started with a tutor in the parlor.
Jane peered into the library mid afternoon and noticed how eerily quiet it was. She snickered to Tarzan, "Dear, are they alive?"
He grinned, "I think so. Go nudge one and see if they yelp."
"You're no help at… all… ape man!" she scolded and then proceeded to peck her husband right on his mouth and let the kids continue to read. Bedtime for them was going to be a good time she decided right then and there.
…
After dinner, Tarzan came up to Jack, "I want to show you something. Just you and me, son."
"OK dad," Jack answered, both curious and anxious.
It was rare to get something special for just one of the four children. Jane and Tarzan were committed to treating every child equally, including being fair with gifts, although taking into account their age and maturity.
Father and son climbed into the highest tower of the castle. On the way they had to cross one of the open parapets. It was an unfamiliar maze of wires and antennas. It was much more intricate. It was like a wiry spider's web.
Jack asked, "Dad, did you do something to the Wireless?"
"You'll see," Tarzan answered enigmatically.
They came to where the Wireless station equipment had been. Inside was a massive array of new steel gray boxes, and a new control table with lots of moving dials and needles, and some kind of strange round object suspended from the ceiling with a wire circular frame around it. The room hummed with enormous electric power, far more than a radiotelegraph, coming from diesel generators outside.
"Wow dad. It looks like we can communicate across the world now. Where's the key?"
"There is no key son, or at least it's in storage for emergency transmission. This is a Marconi."
"A what?"
"A Marconi radio. It transmits your voice."
Jack still didn't get it, "How do you type code, then?"
"You don't type at all. It's still a wireless radio. You talk into it. Right here. It's called 'microphone'. It captures your voice sound and turns your voice into radio waves that comes out a speaker on the other end. Try it. I have the English embassy in Nigeria dialed in. Talk to them. Every place gets their own frequency. It's like having your own street address. But you can scan other stations too."
Jack thought this was pretty amazing. He held down the "Push to Talk" button, and spoke tentatively into the microphone, "Hello? Nigeria? This is Jack Clayton in Scotland, are you there?"
There was a lot of scratchy static and noise, and then an unmistakable voice came through the speakers, "Greetings Viscount Clayton. It is good to hear from you. This is Colonel Jacot. How was your trip home?"
Jack grinned with this amazing new technology and enthusiastically said to his love's father, whom he deeply respected, "It went well, sir, thank you. It was a nice cruise. There was mostly smooth water and no storms. And I practiced everything you asked me to everyday on deck."
"Very good, young Jack. You will be a good warrior if you keep that up. I hate to interrupt our pleasant conversation, but I must chat with your father on business please. Madame Jacot and Michelle miss all of you."
Michelle had become like another kid sister to him and she was best buddies with Lily. Her resemblance to Jeanne was uncanny at times, especially when she joined the family in the deep jungle with Lily to live as a natural Mangani girl.
He said goodbye to the Colonel and gave his father the seat in front of the microphone. This was all very hard for Jack to understand. But he understood enough that it could revolutionize the search for Jeanne. For the next ten minutes Jack watched his father speak to not only Nigeria but other Clayton operations around the world. It was astonishing. It was so simple: dial the 'frequency' who you wanted to talk to, push the microphone button, see the red 'transmitting' light, and watch the needles move. And then just talk and listen like the person was standing right in front of you. His father was in touch with his industrial leadership in seconds, not weeks or days. The Morse code messages of the radiotelegraph were primitive in comparison to a Marconi.
He had the thought, "Why… if Jeanne could get to one of these, then... well then… everything will be different. But how can she do that?"
He also considered the possibility that her captors could use a Marconi, then he'd find out where they were. In his entire lifetime, Jack would never forget their voices. He planned to think those thought to her and maybe the connection would capture the thought.
After they were done, Jack exclaimed, "Wow, Dad. A Marconi is amazing. It changes everything.
"Yes son, it does. While we were gone, I had this new communications system installed. All my business leaders come here now to talk to all their operations across the world. Saves on travel a bunch. Another one is going to the treehouse. Smaller of course. You get to run it."
"Wow Dad. Best present ever."
"Well you don't turn 16 every day, son. I know boys don't like the 'Sweet 16' parties, but like getting 'stuff'. And here's something else so you don't have to sit in front of it all day all the time. I have something else to show you. Happy early 16th birthday from your mother and me!"
In the corner of the radio transmitter room clearly wired to the electronics was a huge reel of shiny metal wire that slowly turned. The wire went into some kind of box with wires coming out of it into the Marconi audio radio receiver, and then slowly reeled up on an empty reel the other side. Jack had no clue what function it would perform, and he gave his father a very quizzical look.
"It's a metal wire voice recorder. It can story several hours of messages. So while we sleep we can play back the messages from overnight back the next day, erase them and then start over. We miss nothing."
The hug of joy Jack that he crushed Tarzan with actually was so intense it actually made the Lord of the Jungle gasp for a breath. Jack was not a little boy anymore. They were the same height and nearly the same build now.
…
After a few weeks or so home, Jack as well as everyone else, including the adults, chafed in their clothes. Over seven years of full time natural living had a real effect on them and their preferences. It was worse for the twins. Aside from the Embassy dedication and the times at the Jacot's residence in the European sector of Lagos, they'd never worn clothes before and had complained bitterly. Jane saw everyone's discomfort, including her own. It was too late and too dark to go to the pond, which had been their only relief, and where they were going back to in two days for a picnic. She had another surprise in mind.
After dinner, they gathered all the children up and took them to a place that Jack and Lily already knew about and started to grin.
It was the gigantic spring fed tub at the base of one of the towers. No explanation of this was needed.
Everyone instantly disrobed and nearly leaped into the soothing waters of the huge stone tub, now cool for the summer months. It was actually a pretty tight fit, which prompted Jane to joke, used to only her and Tarzan in the vast tub in their early days together, "It sure is getting a lot more crowded in here!"
Everyone had a great laugh.
Elisabeth looked in on them for a moment to see all the mayhem and splashing, and was startled to see one of the twins' bare bottoms flash by. It was Nizzie, running outside the tub, carrying a dripping wet sponge she wanted to sneak up and toss at her big brother. Elisabeth didn't want to intrude for but a moment on their family fun. Since she'd seen Tarzan and Jane nude plenty of times inadvertently in their early married, very sexually-active years, and she knew it was part of all their lives in the jungle. She actually missed Tarzan and Jane's head over heels in love craziness as newlyweds. She never knew how she was going to find them in their bedroom each morning, even nearly two decades later, including just this morning.
Tarzan was standing holding Lily high over his head like she was flying. She squealed and wiggled shaking water over everyone, flailing her long hair like a dog shedding water. She was showing all the signs of become a young woman at nearly 12, and Elisabeth smiled. It seemed like only yesterday she'd been the little girl's midwife in the Master bedroom. Jack was almost all grown up like his father, and he tickled his baby sister Nizzie, causing her to give an ear splitting shriek. Jane was shaking her head at all the mayhem. Then she noticed her long time servant with a pile of towels in her arm, thinking she needed more.
"Oh hi, Elisabeth, please come in," Jane said nonplussed, got out and took the towels from her, and invited, "Thank you for these. Please join us. You'd have fun. You're part of the family, and we so missed you in the past seven years."
The kids all agreed.
"Yeah Grandma 'Enizabet'. Join us," Nizzie pleaded in her endearing little girl mispronunciation, jumping out of the tub and pulling the woman nearer to them, soaking her leg. She certainly wasn't the slightest bit concerned about English vs Mangani dress codes.
She blushed and put her hand to her bosom, and enjoyed being mistaken for their long-departed grandmother, "Me? I don't think I can. I'm all old and saggy and baggy. I'd scare everyone out of the water like a big white shark!"
Everyone laughed at that.
Jane reached her hands out invitingly to her servant/mentor, stood, and made fun of her own motherly shape, and coaxed Elisabeth, "Oh? And like I'm not? I've had four kids and I look it. Come, Elisabeth. Please."
Tarzan begged to differ at Jane not still being beautiful, and she blushed.
Elisabeth did join them, but not before locking the door. The other staff didn't need to know. This was a very private moment with the family, and it truly was a wonderful feeling. She'd been part of Jane's life since the Countess had been a baby. She did her fair share of splashing and dunking, much to everyone's delighted surprise.
When asked for an explanation she grinned, "I spent a lot of time on the beaches at Brighton in my beach wear and parasol when I was a girl. I turned all the boys' heads."
This was an amazing family that was capable of making amazing messes. But for the first time in seven years, she considered herself blessed that she finally had a mess to clean up and counted herself lucky once again to be taking care of this much larger, but still beautiful family once again. She caught a glance of herself in the mirror before dressing and cleaning the tub area for the family, which she insisted on doing, sending everyone else to bed. She wasn't all that bad looking after all for an older woman. She was so pleased to be part of this very unconventional 'fun family night' and looked forward to the next time she was included in.
Everyone's head hit the pillow that night and it was an instant lights out.
…May 1921. Castle DunBroch. 20 miles from Greystoke…
While the Claytons' normally kept to themselves, social events were important part of their lives while they lived in England. One of the longest established families in the region living nearby estate sent an invitation to Jack for a birthday party for their daughter. She was turning 16, a few months sooner than Jack. The girl had been frail at birth, but gradually strengthened, until the flu hit her hard the year before and delivered the girl a major setback. She had barely survived and this was a major celebration so every young person in the region was invited. The girl insisted that she was strong enough for a party.
Jack went to the party because his mother insisted. Jack really wasn't that interested. He'd rather have spent more time on the new Marconi listening for signs of Jeanne's whereabouts. British girls of any age were so stuffy, so socially stuck up, and definitely no fun. All their stories were boring. A sick one would be even prissier and more demanding. He rode his horse Samson there, and tied him to the post near the front entrance. A servant had some fresh hay and water for the horse.
Jack knocked on the door, and a very ancient butler greeted him, "Good day to you sir, who may I say is calling on the Lady Eleanor?"
Jack handed the elderly man his invitation and announced in his best formal voice, "Jonathan Robert Clayton IV, Viscount of Greystoke."
"Thank you for attending today's celebration, Viscount Clayton. They are all in the parlor. Please proceed."
He was shown the way just partway, as the doorbell rung and another guest had arrived to escort. He could hear the sounds of a string ensemble playing classical music and told the butler he could find his way there. Another butler opened the door to the parlor, and he entered.
The Castle DunBroch predated Castle Greystoke by several centuries, and it was three times as massive and impressive. It had been a king and queen's castle in its earlier days.
It was a small gathering in the parlor. He knew it was supposed to be a much bigger affair. There were less than a dozen or so children of all ages. Three identical little boys were making quite a ruckus. Several teenage girls of nobility were chatting. He recognized some of them from when they were much younger, they were all made up like older women, noticed they had bosoms and hips now, though some of those bosoms were obviously fake, and Jack merely nodded at them when they glanced and looked away and went right back to their gossip. One of them was probably the birthday girl. They knew who he was. He was that weird jungle boy Clayton back from Africa. They were not in the slightest interested in any of his jungle tales. Their conversation was about 'normal' English boys. He shrugged. He never cared for them, and never expected them to get excited over him, even after a long absence.
He approached the three boys who basically ignored him.
"Wow. Some party," he thought sullenly.
There was quite a pile of presents in one corner of the room, and he added his to the stack. The cake and plates were on a serving table in the corner and were as elegant as the fanciest wedding cake he'd ever seen. It had sixteen candles in pure silver candle holders. This was a very rich family.
He turned to listen to the quartet. It permitted him to stand and just listen and not say anything to anyone. The quartet was grateful for one more person to be paying attention.
The only other person listening was another girl who sat in a sofa. Alone. Her foot moved absentmindedly with the beat.
But she was utterly striking. She wore a traditional Scottish floor length gown with the house colors. She had a beautiful matching choker that emphasized her long, elegant neckline. There was a low cut in the top, which showed her pretty cleavage. She had flaming red hair. In a beautiful but completely unkempt way, her back length-hair poofed out in every direction, her coiffure being nearly as wide as it was long. It was naturally tightly curled, which made stray tendrils her hair fly out everywhere. She had a cute little pug nose, a very round face, and had intensely blue eyes, almost cerulean. She even had red eyebrows and eyelashes and lustrous alabaster-white skin. She looked very serious while tuned into the quartet's performance, until a beaming red-lipped smile greeted Jack when his eyes met hers. She was blessed by a lot of pretty freckles.
She was stunning in a way that the other girls were not.
"She's almost as pretty as Jeanne," he told himself, "but not quite."
It was the first time he could remember ever allowing himself to admire a girl other than Jeanne. They exchanged a curtsy and bow.
"Pretty boring party, huh?" the girl said without an introduction. Her Scottish brogue was captivating instantly.
"Girl's birthday parties always are," he shrugged, realizing he made a social gaffe in the first 10 seconds of meeting her.
Rather than be offended, she quipped, "You said it. Usually the girl doesn't get a say in how she wants to celebrate it. Parties like this are usually the mother's idea."
"Where is the birthday girl, anyway?" he said and looked around randomly, realizing he had no idea what the Lady Eleanor looked like.
"She'll be along. This is just the gathering. Only a few others still expected. A lot of people never showed up, including some other boys. This is the 'mix and mingle' part of the party. I hate that part. I'm always the awkward one."
"Me too. The string quartet is good though."
"They need to spice it up though. Until you got here I was about to fall asleep. They need to play some Scottish jigs and reels songs."
Jack liked this unknown girl's irreverence. She was saying what he was already thinking.
"I'd dance with you if they did," he smiled.
The girl blushed with his forwardness, "Really? That would be nice. I don't think the party is starting yet. It's stuffy in here. Let's go for a walk."
She opened the door from the parlor to a high railed porch overlooking the entire estate. He liked her boldness. She reminded him of Lily. And Jeanne.
He examined the vista, "It's beautiful."
It was a beautiful vista of the grounds, mountains, and bordering river. There was a heavy wire cable attached to a pole high above them going past the porch nearly 150 feet to the ground. You could touch the wire from the porch. It appeared to be part of the lightning rod array on the castle. He was tempted to use it, as it looked like a lot of fun, but this was a girl's party. He promised his mother that she wouldn't get any complaints from the host family.
The girl complained, "The parents aren't here yet, nor is the chief servant. And the official photographer. Seems they want to document the fact that the 'birthday girl' lived to make it this far. She was really ill you know. She almost died. More than once."
"Wow," Jack thought, "this girl is pretty blunt."
His mother would have chewed him out for that. But he liked that in her.
"Yes I heard. That awful flu I guess. My family managed to escape it. But jungle fever is pretty bad too. I had that when I was three. It gave my mom and dad quite a scare. I was their only kid at the time, and they were afraid they wouldn't have me in the first place."
"Yeah, I understand that too. I get sick a lot too. I love being outside but wear out easily. So I never had many friends. Where did you get jungle fever?"
"My parents and I spend a lot of time in Nigeria."
A flash of recognition hit the red-headed beauty, "Young nobleman, what is your name, may I ask?"
"I'm so sorry. I thought the butler would have announced me. Or the birthday girl, wherever she is."
She smiled, "Nah. He's as old as Methuselah. He forgets his own name. That birthday girl is pretty unreliable about remembering names, too."
They laughed together despite the cruelty of it. But he was getting suspicious. Her hair was the same color as the triplet boys.
"Jonathan Robert Clayton IV. My friends call me Jack. Only my mother calls me by my full name when I'm in trouble."
"And Jeanne when she's teasing me," he also thought.
She laughed and grinned, "You're my neighbor, Jack. And sorry to lead you on like this. It was a bit of fun, don't you think? This is my birthday party. I'm Eleanor."
Jack thought that the banter had been fun, but blushed and bowed. as he apologized, "Lady Eleanor? Goodness, I'm so sorry I have been so rude about your party."
"Like I've been any less rude about my own party? And please, just call me Eleanor," she snickered.
"Point taken. Don't take this wrong, Eleanor, but how come I never noticed you?"
"Genteel boys and girls rarely play with girls who are always ill, Jack. Not much stock in the future courting sick girls. And I never really get out much. Not to mention and your family are really never here."
"If had seen you were outside, I would have never missed you, Eleanor," he praised her. He didn't know why he said that. That was genuine flirting.
Her freckled alabaster cheeks turned a deep red to match her hair.
"Thank you, Jack. You are most kind. I don't know any boys but my three disgusting brothers. Unfortunately triplet sets of boys run in the family. Thank God I'm the oldest and can kind of order them around. Girls being the oldest seems to be the way it is in the family history, too."
"I have two sisters and a brother. Being oldest in my family really doesn't work. My cute little eleven year old sister just lets me think I'm in charge. The twins are impossible to control. My mom's side has twins a lot."
She laughed.
"The party hasn't started yet, do you like books?"
"I love books."
They started toward the study. As they descended the stair, there was a two story tall painting of an exquisite, brilliantly red-haired young woman that couldn't have been older than Eleanor, wearing a quiver and posing with a powerful-looking long bow. There were images of bears behind her with human-like eyes, peering from a dark background and what looked like ghostly bluish white flames surrounding them. She was beautiful. Most family paintings were of noble couples. She stood alone. The young woman could have been the identical twin of Eleanor but for her fewer freckles and a stronger frame than her descendent.
"Is that you?"
"No, Jack. That's one of my earliest ancestors. Queen Merida, but when she was my age as just a Princess. But people say we look a lot alike."
"Yes you do, identical I would say. Strikingly beautiful…" and he quickly added to be polite, "Both of you."
"Thank you Jack," she blushed.
"Queen, eh? My ancestors at the time may have been vassals of hers."
"Haha, well maybe so. Peasant," she quipped.
Eleanor was a quick wit and fun to be around, Jack concluded. They proceeded down the staircase to the library.
The library was about half the size of Tarzan's. Her father was there. They interrupted his browsing, and he looked annoyed.
"Oh, Father, excuse me. I was showing Jack around the mansion. He likes books like me."
"It's all right, dear. I was just leaving. Don't be long. The party is in 15 minutes. So don't dally with the Viscount."
"Of course father."
"How does your father know me?"
"He knows your father. They are business partners."
Jack was a bit ashamed of his ignorance, "Pardon me for my ignorance, Eleanor, but what does the Duke do?"
Eleanor answered, "Corporate finance. He said something to me a few weeks ago about helping your father fix the Clayton shipping business."
"Yeah so many ships went down in the war. So many merchant mariners are dead. My dad and mom have been visiting or calling or writing letters of sympathy to the families and widows since we got home to England."
"That's so noble Jack. You have such a great father. My dad said he was a hero in the war in Africa."
"Well yes. I was there too."
"You fought?"
"Yes. I actually was the one who brought down the big radio tower in Togoland. Put a dozen sticks of dynamite in it, climbing up and down twice. It was a pretty big bang at end. The Germans could never really communicate well after that."
"Wow. That's amazing. You have to be the bravest young man ever."
She cast a look of admiration at him. It felt good. It was like something Jeanne would do.
"Well there was a girl my age too. Jeanne Jacot, the Colonel's daughter. She came with me. But she got kidnapped by German criminals and I've been looking for her ever since."
"Jack. That was over six years ago. You must be heart-broken."
He was. Constantly. But he answered nonchalantly, "Well, Eleanor, we pray a lot that we'll find each other. I almost saved her in Southwest Africa on a rescue mission a year ago. I found out Jeanne… uh… still cares about me.
Suddenly this interplay with Eleanor felt very wrong. But she was just genuinely interested in conversation. Nothing more. Her sweet personality drew him in. Not to mention her brogue. This was a social event and he was only talking with the party's honoree. Even Jeanne would agree he'd have to be polite, although she'd be firmly welded to his arm in jealousy, he laughed only to himself.
Eleanor got reflective look, "What a pretty name: Jeanne. You like her, don't you Jack?"
"Yes… um… a lot…" a tear formed involuntarily and he couldn't look at Eleanor.
"Omigosh! It's more than that, isn't it? You two love each other. I'm so sorry Jack," she smiled gently as she soothed his arm.
The touch was only meant to soothe and comfort. But that touch and her sweet, lilting Scottish accent took his breath away and his heart pumped harder. He couldn't help it. His handsomeness and kindness and friendliness did the same to her.
"It's all right. I will find her someday. We spend a lot of money looking for her. Her dad is a Colonel in the French Army. They search too."
Eleanor asked the hard question, "Do you think she'll ever be the same? Seven years is a really long time to be kidnapped. You were both little."
"I… I don't know, Eleanor. I sure hope so," he answered tentatively. He couldn't say anything about the connection that had reassured him she was mostly the same inside and she loved him.
That was all that could be said. They spent a bit of time looking at book titles, and had some chat about genres of books they liked. Many they liked together, it turned out.
"Maybe you can borrow one, Jack, and read it, and then bring it back and we can discuss it. I've read nearly everything here. My dad won't mind."
That was clearly an invitation that she wanted to see him again. He didn't say no, even though he should have right then.
"Well even better, maybe you can come get it at our estate, and can borrow one of ours from my dad's library," he suggested.
He had no idea how that came up. All sorts of warning flags should have been waving in his head, but they weren't. He was totally enchanted by the Lady Eleanor. Talking with a pretty girl that was not Jeanne was harmless, he reasoned. He talked and played with Ndidi and all his other Nigerian female friends all the time. At least Eleanor was wearing clothes. He liked being friends with girls more than other boys. This was no big deal. He could not see his heart was taking over.
"I'd really like that, Jack," she gave him a demure look. She wanted that too. She didn't think she was doing anything wrong than being friendly and courteous to an equally kind boy, but it was leading them both on. That offer made him want to talk to her even more.
She suggested, based on their shared tastes in literature, "How about this one?"
It was a Kipling story of that Indian jungle youth Mowgli. She said she liked it because his mentor was a bear. It was one he hadn't read yet and he took it from her. Their hands brushed. It nearly made him gasp for his next breath. He was completely taken by her. He should have run.
The real problem was it affected Eleanor the same way. Her heart raced for him with that touch. She knew it was wrong but it didn't stop her. He was so incredibly handsome. And sweet. And nice to her. And shared similar tastes.
The butler opened the door, noting how close they were together, cleared his throat, which made both jump back suddenly as he said, "Lady Eleanor, your party is starting, and since it is in your honor, Madam, I would recommend that you should return to your guests."
She snickered, "Of course; right away."
Then with a broad smile and the thickest brogue she could muster, Eleanor asked, "Would you please be my escort Jack? I must make a proper entrance after all."
"The two misfits in the room escorting each other? How totally appropriate," Jack commented which made both laugh.
In that amazing smile he could see her broad, white, flawless teeth that matched her skin. Her freckles were fascinating. They were everywhere he could see. She was a complete contrast to his dark skinned love Jeanne but every bit as beautiful in her own special way. And it was fascinating to him.
"Ready?" she asked.
"It would be my pleasure, Lady Eleanor," he smiled in acceptance.
Jack offered his arm and hand. Her soft, smooth skin touching the back of his hand was very pleasant. He didn't realize what the effect of Eleanor was doing to him, but he wasn't thinking with his brain, and Eleanor didn't mean to be causing him to 'cheat' on his long last love, because she wasn't thinking about this being anything else but properly social with her only charming male guest. They were only thinking of the moment, and their very natural attraction to each other was something neither noticed. They genuinely were enjoying each other's company a great deal.
Less than halfway up the stair, she paused to catch her breath, "I'm sorry Jack. It takes me awhile. I'm still recovering."
"That's all right, Eleanor, but may I offer my assistance? Your adoring public awaits."
She grinned mischievously, "What adoring public? And what did you have in mind, my dear Viscount?
"This."
She whooped as he scooped her up in his arms effortlessly, and carried her up the rest of the huge staircase, then lightly put her upright atop the stairs.
She laughed softly the whole way up, "Goodness, Jack you are very strong."
She could feel his muscles under the suit. She felt very secure in his arms. Jack noted she was very light. Maybe too light.
She tried to look flustered, but in fact she adored the special attention, "Well, Jack. I have never had a lift up the stairs quite like that before. Do you hire out, 'Elevator Man'?"
They laughed. Her father and mother looked from the parlor door, and heard their banter. The Duke was annoyed. Her mom was amused. She saw how happy her daughter was in his presence and how gallant Jack was. She was so sick all the time that Eleanor's mother rarely saw the joy in her daughter's blue eyes she was showing Jack now.
Her mother interrupted them, "Time to visit together later, Eleanor and Viscount Clayton. Can we get on with the celebration, please?"
Her mother subtlety let both of them know they could see each other again, and that she approved. That shocked Eleanor. Her mother was very selective with whom she mingled. And never a boy.
Jack and Eleanor could see that the socialites drew the mental conclusion already that 'the sick girl' and 'the wild jungle boy' would obviously make an instant attraction with each other as the weirdos of nobility. Eleanor and Jack would be the focus of the nasty gossip line for weeks after today. Neither cared.
Eleanor went through all the rituals of her 16th birthday only on a very formal basis, and made the appropriate fuss over everything. Unseen by the others, Jack made a gagging gesture that nearly sent Eleanor into hysterics. She shot him a fake nasty glance.
One by one, the opening of the presents happened. It was tedious. The rich girls who were forced to attend didn't even really know what their parents had bought for them to give them, but Eleanor was a good sport and gushed appropriately about how thoughtful everyone was.
The family presents were very nice, even though her three little brothers were impatient to get back to roughhousing and playing. She kissed them all and thanked them profusely. And then let them run off.
Jack's present was last. Eleanor did that deliberately. Jack waited anxiously, and Eleanor gave it a curious glance. It was not a perfect gift wrap.
He announced, "Uh…I did it myself, Lady Eleanor. I'm not really good at wrapping. My dear mother supervised."
She insisted he wrap it himself as a lesson in proper etiquette for friends and peers. He was not that thrilled at the time, but now he was a little embarrassed he had not done a better job for this enticing young woman.
She turned his embarrassment into some fun she knew he could handle, "Not too bad… for a boy."
The other socialites snickered at what seemed an insult, but her look was kind to Jack. And she winked at him.
"Eleanor, be nice to your guests," her mother scolded.
Jack shrugged it off, knowing the teasing was all in fun, "It's all right, Duchess DunBroch. No offense taken."
"I liked it a lot, Jack. You made the effort."
The other girls understood the insult was on them and were not happy. Their servants wrapped their presents to Eleanor.
But inside the box was something amazing. She lifted it out carefully.
"My goodness, Jack. This is amazing."
It was an authentic African wood carving of a miniature spirit mask, both frightening and exquisite. It had a look of a savage gorilla's visage with its fangs bared. Two of the socialite girls recoiled from the scary image.
She both admired it and felt the texture of the beautiful smooth wood. She liked it. Jack's mother thought he was nuts when he picked it out.
"Jack. It's amazing. But, please, kind sir, you simply must tell me the story behind it."
Jack chuckled. No one had ever stated 'what in the bloody blue blazes is this monstrosity?' put in such delicate language.
He explained, "It's a Nigerian devil spirit, Ekwansu, who while looks and sounds horrible, turns out to be a saint by saving someone's life who nearly died. People just didn't understand the inner nature of the spirit and its kindness despite its horrifying countenance."
He knew the story of Kala's mother. He knew that despite her monstrous appearance to his mother Jane, she had remained brave and that he had been saved from dying at birth by her. When Jack heard about Eleanor's close brush with death, it only seemed right to give her this carving.
Eleanor exclaimed, "Jack. It's perfect! This is going to hang over my desk in my bedroom to watch over me every night. It is so thoughtful. It must belong to your family no doubt from one of your many adventures. This is quite a sacrifice. Thank you so much."
That drew tears from the Duchess with Jack's thoughtfulness and poignancy and an impressed expression from Duke Fergus. This boy had done his homework. This gift had a direct connection to Eleanor's condition. The Count and Countess had raised quite a gentlemen despite the gossip about their simple, coarse jungle existence, the most outrageous unbelievable rumor being that they all lived in the nude with the savages there.
Jack sloughed it off, "It is enough for me to have the memory. You should have the remembrance. I understand you were touched by an angel yourself in fighting the devil of the flu epidemic."
Everyone was instantly impressed with his incredibly thoughtful and caring statement and gift. Eleanor fought back her own set of tears.
She touched the top of his hand tenderly and gave him a beautiful smile, "Yes Jack. It's true. How kind of you."
The bond of friendship was forged right then and there.
The presents were done and the proceeded to have the birthday candle lighting and wishing. Blowing it out was harder than she thought. Trying made her wheeze, and she had to take a second try, but not before asking, "Viscount Clayton, would you be so kind as to help me this time?"
"It would be my pleasure," and they blew out the rest of the candles.
That caused a bit of a coughing fit in Eleanor. It was disconcerting to her parents and the butler.
The cake was excellent. The socialites barely picked at the cake. Jack had seconds and thirds. The noble teenage girls had plenty of helpings of gossip regarding the Viscount and Lady Eleanor flirting. The news could go all over the countryside, and it would not be kind. 'The sick girl likes the jungle boy'.
"Hmmm. Typical boy behavior, Viscount. Eating everything that doesn't eat you first. Are you sure I can't wrap up the leftovers to take home, Jack?" she teased.
"Naw. My horse doesn't pull a big enough trailer."
She laughed. Jack's wit was incredibly quick and dry.
"Let's go out on the porch again. It's stuffy here."
She didn't mean the air. She was hoping the girls would be gone before she got back, even though she had to bid them farewell.
There was the zip line again. Tempting him. She saw his eyes go there.
"It's like a jungle vine, isn't it?" She had been told he was a vine swinger like his father.
"What?" he asked, distracted.
She asked, "The wire, Jack. You want to go on it, don't you?"
He admitted, "Yes. 'Leave no jungle vine unswung', my dad always says."
They had a good chuckle over that.
She was disappointed, "Well go ahead. I can't. I'll just watch."
"Sure you can," he encouraged.
"I'm not strong enough anymore. When I was eight I could. And did."
Jack suggested, "Well I can be strong for you."
"How?"
"Like this, Eleanor."
He took off his belt, put it over the cable, and let himself dangle to check for strength and sag. It was just right.
He took his shoes off, and requested, "Eleanor, let me hold you, like going up the stair, and we can slide together."
But you need your hands and arms for the cable. How will you hold me with your legs and feet?"
"Trust me, Lady Eleanor. It's something we learn to do in the jungle."
She noticed something was really different with this boy's feet, and he carefully but securely held her. She yelped a bit being grasped that way, but laughed. He used his feet and legs as easily as his arms and hands. It was incredible, even a little disconcerting. But it felt good to her, and very safe.
He adjusted his belt up and over the cable, and wrapped each end around his wrists for safety, and her added weight.
"Ready?"
"Ready…" she said unsteadily.
He jumped with her in his feet and legs and took off down the wire. She shrieked but enjoyed every second of the ride she'd not attempted for 8 years. She enjoyed being close to Jack even better. If his arms seemed very strong, his legs and feet were even stronger. She suppressed an urge to see him with his shirt off swinging through the trees of the jungle as it was said that he and his family did in Nigeria.
"That is not ladylike," she scolded herself.
They alighted softly on the ground. She caught her breath. She absentmindedly hugged him inadvertently. He didn't know what to do with his hands. The only girl he'd hugged besides Ndidi and family was Jeanne, but he couldn't help himself, as he wrapped his arms around her. It felt good. She was much smaller and more slight of build than Jeanne. He should have let go, but couldn't. It felt oddly… right.
Her mother came to the porch and they instantly broke the embrace. She looked really angry, and shouted, "Eleanor! Did you slide down the wire? You know the doctor forbids that."
She yelled back, "Jack helped me. I asked him to, Mother. I wanted another birthday gift. I wanted to ride the cable again. I didn't overexert myself at all. He did the work. I was his… passenger."
Her mother tried awfully hard to be mad at Jack Clayton, but couldn't. Eleanor hadn't been having a good time at her own party until Jack showed up. Now she was having a great time, due to the Count's son.
"Can we do that again?" she grinned at Jack.
"As long as your mother doesn't kill me."
Both laughed as they ran to the front door and zipped right past the doorman, but she had to rest before going on for another three rides down the zip line. But after that her mother insisted in her resting. She and Jack were the only ones left at the party. It was a party for two now, supervised by the family.
After resting in the study reading closely together for awhile, Eleanor looked up and asked, "Would you stay for dinner with us? It's meat. A pot roast."
Jack loved meat. Especially pot roast.
"Yes, but we must check with your mom and mine."
A quick phone call between mothers settled the matter quickly.
Tarzan had heard the call and the cute smile on Jane's face as she talked, but none of the detail when Jane returned and plopped herself right in his lap in the library, and he inquired, "What was that all about?"
Jane said with a very happy grin, "Jack's having dinner at Duke Fergus DunBroch XXIII's tonight."
"Why? Your dinners are fabulous."
She leaned over and emphasized, "He's having dinner with a girl. The Lady Eleanor."
"The Duke's daughter?" asked a shocked Tarzan
"One and the same," she said with confidence.
This was a real surprise to Tarzan, "What about Jeanne?"
Jane explained, with some relief that Jack's obsession with Jeanne had paused, if only for a moment, "She doesn't know, and this is just a friendly social event from their family to Jack after the party. And quite frankly, Jack needs to take a break from looking for Jeanne to the exclusion of everything else. This is harmless. He and we really must get to know our neighbors better."
Tarzan scoffed, "Social events between a boy and a girl are never just social events, dear. I ought to know."
"You're sweet. Speaking of dinner. Go get the kids. It's time."
…
Eleanor insisted in sitting right next to Jack at the family dining table in an enormous hall. She didn't even ask permission. Both parents could see they were both taken with each other, and she was very pleased to be in his company. Her father was leery of their proximity, but saw the gentlemen he was. Jack didn't make one etiquette error the entire meal, which impressed Eleanor's mother. Rumors were that Jack was a wild boy. His dreadlocks, even tied in a pony tail like a colonial Yank, made him seem that way. Erroneously.
Hidden beneath the table, however, a 16 year old girl's feet touched an almost-16 year old boy's, at her initiative… and his acceptance.
…
Authors Notes: Uh-oh. No, Jack, No! Run away from her! Run away now. *sigh* Too late…
But we interrupt currently scheduled programming for an important message from our sponsors.
Once again I want to extend my sincere appreciation for the continued strong acceptance of "Transition Plan" now in its 100th chapter. I am constantly amazed at how many people read my story. I am truly humbled. Your loyal support and comments and so many 'favorites' always spurs me on when my family responsibility permits me to write. I am lucky that I can generally maintain a weekly publish date.
But to the story itself. Yes, Jack has taken a wrongful but completely innocent and accidental and unwitting romantic detour on his way to find his lady love now nearly seven years lost in Africa. Despite his long distance love for Jeanne, still strong because of the past effects of the connection and their encounter in Southwest Africa, the mesmerizing looks and personality of Lady Eleanor, his 16 year old neighbor, is attracting him. How could he not fall for Merida's stunning lookalike ancestor? Jeanne is 6000 kilometers and more than half a decade absent, despite seeing her at 13 for only a few minutes and their mental/emotional connection. Even though Eleanor knows about and admires his love and lifeline devotion for Jeanne, she is innocently and inexorably drawn to Jack for the same reasons Jeanne is drawn to him – he's a charming young man who is a gentleman around women, unlike most boys, and especially because of his acceptance of her illnesses. She doesn't want to harm his relationship with Jeanne but she can't help herself. She is a sad, lonely young woman, shunned by her teen girl and boy peers for friendship because she's 'too different', who wishes for someone to care for her and Jack completely fills that need and captivates her. And they both forget, as their relationship grows, to stop, not thinking of the harm it will do to Jeanne. And to each other.
Yes, my friends, Jack, steady, loving Jack, is flawed. So far Jack has been the perfect loyal boyfriend for years now. Perhaps too perfect. But he's only human, and Jeanne has been gone a very long time. It's been nearly 3 years since Walvis Bay. During a person's developing teenage years, many things change. He's a young man now, not a little boy. But in bad things there is good, as we shall ultimately see.
Yes you are all right about one other key aspect of this story. In keeping with my penchant for weaving other Disney movie traditions into my stories as lasting tributes in a more mature, dramatic storytelling fashion, the next door neighbors to the Clayton's are in fact the Clan DunBroch, the Scottish 20th Century descendents of Merida of Disney's movie "Brave". Usually I leave those references as Easter Eggs in the storyline. (Like the adult Bambi and Thumper allusion earlier in this chapter and a couple of past chapters). This time the Disney traditions are the plot. Why? It's simple. The DunBroch's share the Scottish/Gaelic ethnic heritage with the Clayton's, they are another family with strong, fantasy connections to the animal world. Only this time, twenty three generations later, King Fergus' descendent and namesake Fergus DunBroch is a Duke. The name of our Merida twin 'Eleanor' is a 20th Century modernization of 'Elinor', which was Merida's mother's name. This section of "Transition Plan" is a somewhat an Alternate Universe "Brave" story, and my DunBroch OC's are modeled on the Disney originals which they own. Fortunately I get to play with them to entertain you. Eleanor's love of books is a borrowed trait from Belle, another Disney heroine with mystical animal connections. I hope you liked how I did this, the tiebacks, and I really hope you will like what's coming.
On a technical note the Marconi is typical of the period as is the first metal wire recorder, that appeared well before recording tape machines.