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Author's Note: Once again, it's been a few months since my last update. But as you can see, I haven't stopped working on it. This is a relatively short chapter, but I do fulfill the promise I made in the last selection, so no complaining!
Chapter 7
Jane's room was far more welcoming than the foreboding parlour had been. Indeed, upon further exploration Red Stream Manor was a very likeable place. Jane woke up one morning to discover that she had grown quite attached to the estate, and the thought caused a broad smile to stretch across her face.
Several weeks passed, and Jane found herself settled into a very comfortable routine. She awoke each morning just after sunrise, took breakfast in the kitchen with Robert (who was a very jovial young man, and far better company than Mrs. Sullivan), and explored the grounds and the woods that surrounded it until the sun was well up and it was time to start Hannah's daily studies.
Her morning walks were her most cherished possession. Red Stream had many exquisite gardens and the bountiful woods were a foreign delight to Jane, who had spent so much of her childhood in the cramped confines of New York City.
"Robert, I don't believe I've ever tasted cobbler like this." Jane sighed euphorically.
Robert's eyes lit up at the compliment. "I'm glad you think so, Jane. You don't know how difficult it is to get fresh peaches this time of the year!"
"Well, it was worth the effort, I'm sure. I am certain Mrs. Sullivan will approve."
"Just don't tell Hannah that I've made peach cobbler-she might declare that she wants to marry me and that would be quite difficult to explain to my wife." He winked.
The young girl's affections were not unknown to anyone who spent any amount of time with her, and it resulted in many a laugh on Robert's behalf. He didn't mind, but Hannah's frequent visits to the kitchen caused Mrs. Sullivan to scold him more than he would like.
Jane laughed. "I certainly won't." Swallowing the final bit of cobbler, Jane wiped her hands on her apron and smiled. "Thank you, Robert. I think I will have a bit of a walk now."
Robert nodded knowingly, and Jane went on her way. As she strolled through the garden directly behind the manor, she thought the air seemed especially fresh and wonderful this particular morning. With that observation, she decided it would be a good time to further explore the gravelly trails that wound through the woods.
Oh, it was a glorious morning. She greeted the trees with enthusiasm, for as she grew in familiarity with the estate, she grew to love each and every thing, living or non, that encompassed it.
It was this overwhelming sense of love that resulted in Jane's sudden look of horror and caused a very tall man to be thrown from his horse.
"Oh-Oh dear!" Jane's eyes were wide as she examined the mess she had caused.
The horse hadn't taken off, thankfully, but the man sat scowling on the damp ground, cursing profusely.
"Godforsaken woman!" He cried, rubbing his ankle.
Blinking, Jane rushed to the man. "Please forgive me, I did not hear you coming along, and it startled me-"
"Startled you?" The man interrupted. "I believe I am the one who deserves the pity that being startled garners." He groaned as he managed to stand.
Jane crossed her arms. "How was I to know that some stranger would be gallivanting through these woods in the early hours of the morning?"
The man raised an eyebrow.
Jane subdued the less-than-ladylike comments that were threatening to pour from her mouth. "Are you badly hurt? Shall I send for someone?"
"There is no need." The man grimaced as he attempted to mount his horse.
"I could fetch Mrs. Sullivan. She would find someone-"
"Mrs. Sullivan?" The man interjected. "Mrs. Kaitlin Sullivan?"
Jane narrowed her eyes. "The same. I know she would be kind enough to send one of the stable boys out-"
"What do you know of Mrs. Sullivan?" He asked and then promptly bit down on his tongue as he placed his feet in the stirrups.
"She is my employer." Jane responded cryptically, unsure of this man's intentions.
"At Red Stream Manor?"
"Yes." She raised her face to look into his eyes. They were remarkable eyes. She felt a faint blush creep onto her face before clearing her throat. "Really, sir, if you do not require my assistance, there is no need for further inquiries. I am sorry for the inconvenience, but you are apparently fine and therefore there is no need to continue this conversation."
"Very well." The man nodded his farewell, and the horse jolted into a canter.
Jane turned a bewildered face on the distance as she watched the man vanish, his laughter still bouncing among the trees. She waived any further thoughts of curiosity and determined to enjoy the rest of her stroll.
As the sun shone brighter, she was forced to acknowledge the day's official beginning and the close of her beloved encounter with God's creation.
"Miss Beck, you are not to tutor Miss Hannah this morning." Mrs. Sullivan's announcement came as a shock to Jane, who had hardly the time the form a response before a wide grin spread across the older lady's face. "He has finally come home!"
"Who?" Jane asked, thoroughly perplexed.
"Mr. Kelly, of course, dear! Mr. Kelly just arrived not half an hour ago. Of course, he didn't give any announcement that he'd be returning, so the staff are in a frenzy freshening his quarters—"
"Mrs. Sullivan, you mentioned that I would not be tutoring Hannah this morning…"
"Oh, yes, of course, Miss Beck. Mr. Kelly requests Hannah to be ready to join him for midmorning tea. I told him that I would have the governess bring her, and he seemed most eager."
Jane's face lost a bit of color. She was not prepared to meet the master of Red Manor. Certainly not in the next hour.
"Must I speak to him, Mrs. Sullivan? That is to say, what will he require of me?"
The housekeeper's mouth opened with a smacking sound. "Well you musn't fret, child. Doubtless he'll ask nothing of you at all save that you present Hannah. He'll likely want you to leave so that he can spend some time with her. She's quite fond of him." She said approvingly. "And I understand why. Poor young thing had not a soul on earth 'til Mr. Kelly took her in…."
Mrs. Sullivan continued speaking, but Jane was quick to drown her out. She had heard the saga many a time, and although it was indeed a very generous thing that Mr. Kelly did, from Jane's time with Hannah she had the impression that Mr. Kelly spent very little actual time bonding with the ward.
"Well, don't dawdle, Jane, there is much to do! You musn't keep him waiting!" Mrs. Sullivan finished.
Jane blinked, nodded, and finally climbed the spiraling stairs to Hannah's quarters. Dwelling in the back of her mind was the sinking feeling that everything she had grown to love in her new home was about to change
To my reviewers:
Spunk: Yes, you finally showed up. Control yourself.
Matches: I thank you for your graciousness in not flogging me when you had the chance. I hope your patience extended for the months it took me to get this thing updated!
Gurl: A new reader is always appreciated, especially when they review! Thank you!
Air: Thank you for saying such lovely things. I hope you continue to enjoy it!