Chapter 52 – The Hunter and The Hunted:

"Pull!" Charlie shouted and a second later the clay disc was flung into the air. Charlie pointed his shotgun at the speeding target and quickly pulled the trigger. A loud bang rang through the clearing and sure enough the clay disc was shattered into pieces mid-air.

"Well done my dear!" Cecilia beamed as the rest of the hunting party clapped in congratulations.

"Good shot old chum!" Giupesse Maggolini patted his comrade heartily on the shoulder and Charlie laughed.

"I must say that was rather exhilarating!" he remarked as he adjusted his tweed flat cap. "Come on Tarzan, your turn." He smiled his roguish grin, looking rather splendid in his tweed-hunting jacket and plus fours tucked into long, thick argyle patterned socks. Jane couldn't help but wonder how many of Charlie's companions were like him? Was Giupesse Maggolini one of his illict lovers?

Tarzan looked over at Jane before going over to the shooting area with great trepidation. The hunting master showed him how to hold the shotgun and it feel so unnatural in his grip. He had not held one since that fateful night in the jungle all those years ago.

"Go on Tarzan, you can do it!" Charlie shouted some words of encouragement from the sidelines and some of the other guests clapped in support. Tarzan looked down the barrel of the gun, his finger lightly pressing on the trigger.

"Go ahead shoot me," a voice sounded in his head and Tarzan stood stock still, instantly recognising the dreaded voice.

"Clayton?!" he whispered, his body slightly shaking at hearing the ghost of his past.

"Be a man," Clayton's voice taunted him and Tarzan imagined himself back in the jungle treetops, holding the gun to Clayton's neck all those years ago.

"I'm not a man like you," Tarzan heard himself say and Clayton snorted in derision.

"Yes, you will never be a man. You will always be a dirty, stinking, pathetic ape who couldn't even save his own father!" Clayton started to laugh maniacally and the rage built up inside Tarzan like a dormant volcano coming back to life.

"Pull!" he suddenly shouted and a clay disc flung through the air and somehow, as if in a trance he pulled the trigger and managed to hit the disc, breaking into several pieces. As the bang resonated around the clearing, Tarzan felt his whole body shaking, all the blood draining from his face. The world was spinning around him and he felt the hot bile rise up in his throat.

"Tarzan!" Jane gasped as Tarzan dropped the shotgun and staggered off into the woods, almost dizzily as if he were drunk. She ran after him and found him breathing heavily against an ash tree.

"Are you going to be sick?" she asked as her husband continued to breathe heavily.

"I'm fine," Tarzan replied as the dizziness eased from his head and the nausea dissipated, "I feel better now."

"It was just a clay disc my love," Jane replied as she rubbed his back with the palm of her hand. "It wasn't a bird or an animal at all."

"I know, it's just, I heard…. Clayton."

"Clayton?"

"Yes I heard his voice, taunting me. I haven't heard his voice in so long, not since the night he died."

"Tarzan, it wasn't your fault that he died," Jane insisted as she turned him around to face her, "it was an accident."

"I pulled the vines over him-"

"And if you didn't he could have killed you. You tried to stop him from hanging himself, you are not to blame my dear." Jane kissed his lips in reassurance and Tarzan kissed her back, her sweet lips quelling his guilt.

"Is everything alright?" Cecilia asked once the couple emerged from the woods.

"We're fine," Jane replied awkwardly, "please carry on with the shooting, we will go for a walk to clear our heads."

"I'm so sorry," Cecilia looked utterly sincere, "I thought it would not be an issue."

"Not at all," Jane replied with a polite stiffness, avoiding her friend's gaze. "We'll be back soon."

"Is everything alright between you two?" Tarzan asked as they walked through the grounds, the wet grass darkening the brown leather of his boots. "Have you two quarrelled?"

"No, not at all," Jane stuttered at his question and Tarzan could tell immediately that she was fibbing.

"Jane what's wrong? What's happened to you and Cecilia?"

"It's nothing…. I… just found out something about her and I thought I knew her and now I don't."

"Can you tell me what it is?"

"No, it's a private matter."

"Alright," Tarzan paused for a moment, "does this matter make her a bad person?"

"No," Jane finally replied after a long pause, "no it doesn't make her a bad person at all, it just makes her different."

"Then I don't see why you should lose a lifelong friendship over something that hasn't made her a bad person. After all we do teach Belle to be kind and be friendly to all sorts of people here and back in Africa."

"You're right," Jane nodded, "you're absolutely right my dear."

"Now do me a favour, go and sort out whatever has gone wrong with you and Cecilia."

"I, I, don't know what to say to her."

"She is your oldest friend Jane, you don't have to say anything." Tarzan's wise words made Jane smile. She may never understand Cecilia's complicated relationship with Francesca and Charlie but loosing her as a friend was a worse thought than her shock at the discovery of her double life.

Unfortunately for Jane, she was unable to talk Cecilia alone for the remainder of the day as Cecilia was too busy hosting and entertaining the other guests. At the final dinner party that night, Jane looked up from her fish course and tried to catch Cecilia's eye. Her friend looked beautiful in the glow of the golden candelabras, but just as she was turning her head in Jane's direction, the guest next to her spoke to her and she turned back to face him.

Tarzan noticed Jane sighing sadly as she went back to eating her food with little relish.

"Thank you so much for coming," Cecilia said as the Porters were about to leave the next morning, the coach and horses dutifully waiting outside the manor.

"It was a pleasure Cecilia," Tarzan nodded, "we will see you at court in the next couple of days."

"Of course and I am sorry about the clay pigeon shooting."

"There's no need to apologise," Tarzan replied and kissed Cecilia's hand. Cecilia couldn't help smiling in relief, utterly glad that there were no hard feelings between them. If only could be the same for her and Jane.

"Goodbye Jane," Cecilia turned to her friend but her amber eyes were downcast.

"Goodbye Cecilia," Jane replied just as awkwardly, but a second later, forgetting all decorum she flung her arms around Cecilia, hugging her tightly. Jane felt Cecilia breath out in relief and hugged her back with just as much love as Jane did. Tarzan was right, no words had to be said but both women knew that everything was well between them.

"Welcome home, Professor, Madam, Sir," Carson greeted the Porters and he and Mrs Fairfax helped them out of their coats. "Did you enjoy yourselves?"

"Yes we did, thank you Carson," Jane nodded. "Where is Miss Lyons and Annabelle?"

"In the schoolroom Madam."

As Jane opened the schoolroom door, she saw Miss Lyons giving her daughter a science lesson, animatedly writing equations on the chalkboard and Annabelle watching intently. Miss Lyons caught sight of her mistress, immediately stopped teaching and curtsied.

"Good afternoon Madam," she said respectfully as Annabelle abandoned her work and rushed over to her mother, hugging her waist tightly.

"Good afternoon Miss Lyons," Jane replied before hugging her daughter back. "Has my Anna been any trouble this weekend?"

"Not at all Madam, she has been a delight."

"I have learnt so much Mama," Annabelle looked up at her mother and smiled her adorable smile, "Miss Lyons is teaching me Newton's Laws today."

"Gosh!" Jane smiled, "Sounds fascinating! You can tell us all about it over dinner."

"Madam, if I may be so bold, would it be possible to have a word with you in private?" Miss Lyons asked and Jane was surprised by her request but didn't show it.

"Of course, Anna go and play in your room for a bit whilst Miss Lyons and I converse."

"Yes Mama," Anna nodded obediently and pottered off to play with Pollyanna in her room.

"So what would you like to discuss with me Miss Lyons?" Jane asked once her daughter was firmly out of the room. Miss Lyons' cheeks flushed a little in embarrassment and coughed nervously.

"As you are aware Madam that Annabelle was not well when you and Mr Porter left."

"Is she still unwell?"

"No, no, she is fine now. However, she didn't have a stomach ache or indigestion after all… she was suffering from menstrual cramps. She started her first monthly course the night you left."

"What?" Jane was dumbfounded by the news and Miss Lyons twisted her fingers together nervously before continuing.

"I found her in the laundry room washing her stained sheets. She was in a rather sorry state Madam. She thought she was sick, dying even. It seemed that she had no idea of what her monthly courses were."

"I didn't get mine until I was 13," Jane replied, "I thought it would be the same for Anna. I was planning to tell her about them soon but I have been so busy recently at court. I wanted her to enjoy her childhood for as long as possible before dealing with the trials and tribulations of womanhood. You think me a foolish mother Miss Lyons."

"Not at all," Miss Lyons shook her head and replied truthfully. "You are an excellent mother Madam. I guess it must be hard for a mother to accept that their little girl is growing up and blossoming into womanhood, becoming an adult."

"Yes," Jane nodded, "still the poor mite going through all that, she shouldn't have been frightened by it. Thank you for telling me Miss Lyons."

"It's no problem Madam," Miss Lyons nodded, "I have shown Annabelle how to use the cloths. Shall I give her a lesson on the subject, menstruation?"

"That's all right, I will do that," Jane nodded again. She was grateful for the help but this felt like a matter between mother and daughter rather than a governess. "Please have the rest of the day off Miss Lyons. My husband and I wish to spend some quality time with our children."

"Of course Madam," Miss Lyons nodded, curtsied politely and left the schoolroom. She went back up to her attic room, took off her pinafore apron and slipped into her wool coat, scarf, hat and gloves. She went over to her trunk of books and pulled out a well read copy of Wuthering Heights. As she descended down the stairs, she could hear the sounds of laughter and fun from the upstairs parlour as the Porter children played with their parents and grandfather.

"Oh Miss Lyons are you going out?" Mrs Fairfax asked as Miss Lyons entered the warm kitchen.

"Yes the mistress has given me the rest of the day off. I was just going to take a stroll in the park."

"Oh would you mind taking Tiko with you? Miss Annabelle was supposed to give him an afternoon walk but she is busy with her parents."

"Not at all." Miss Lyons nodded and then called out "Tiko! Walkies!"

Tiko, who was curled up in front of the warm range, immediately leapt up at the mention of 'walkies' and pattered over to her, tongue panting and his little tail wagging in excitement. Miss Lyons attached the lead to his collar and left the house, glad of the puppy's company.

As they walked through the park, Miss Lyons breathed in deeply, relishing the crisp air and exhaled a happy sigh whilst Tiko busied himself sniffing up every new scent that he possibly could.

Suddenly she heard a bicycle bell ring and she turned around to see Thomas riding his bicycle along the path towards them. She made a polite little wave and she felt her heart flutter as he slowed down and stopped alongside them.

"Makin' yer escape eh?" he smiled his wide irrepressible grin and Miss Lyons found herself blush a little at his gaze.

"Not at all. I have the afternoon off and I decided to take a walk. Tiko is kindly keeping me company. Are you on the run yourself?"

"Unfortunately not, just taking Professor Porter's pocket watch to be fixed and pick up some more boot polish. May I accompany thee on yer stroll?"

"You have chores to do," Miss Lyons stuttered nervously, hoping that other passerbys were not watching. "Besides you only need to accompany me when I am out with Miss Annabelle."

"A young lady should nut stroll through a park unattended," Thomas remarked and Miss Lyons went to scold him but quickly realised that he was jesting. "What if there art villainous caped men with Spanish mustachios lurking in t'bushes? Who would protect thee then?"

"Well I have a sharp hatpin in my hat should such a man attempt to take such liberties," she replied and Thomas grinned at her quick-witted reply.

"Well at least let me accompany thee to t'other side of t'park," he added and Miss Lyons nodded. Thomas got off his bicycle and walked alongside Miss Lyons, matching his stride to hers. When they noticed that Tiko was getting tired, Miss Lyons picked him up and placed him in the wicker basket at the front of Thomas' bicycle.

"Art thou enjoying yer time at t'Porters so far?" he asked as they walked leisurely through the park.

"Yes, Annabelle is an excellent student and the Porters are very kind."

"So what will thou do when the' go back to Africa?"

"Carry on being a governess," Miss Lyons said after a thoughtful pause, "but my dream is to set up a school for girls. A school where girls can learn to the same level as boys, learn maths, the sciences, history, geology, politics, not just dancing, playing the piano and embroidery. A school with plenty of space so that they run and play sports and be…free."

Miss Lyons blushed at the absurdity of her notion. It would never happen. She would never earn enough to buy the land herself and she had absolutely no plans on marrying a man wealthy enough to do so.

"That sounds wonderful," Thomas smiled genially. "Me plan is to run a farm of me own. Me uncle owns a few small farms in t'Dales and he has promised me one when I marry. I do like London, but city life is nut for me. I'm a Yorkshire lad, borne and bred."

"I'm sure you will make an excellent farmer," Miss Lyons smiled politely. She could see Thomas roaming the wild Yorkshire moors, herding sheep with a trusted collie at his side. The mention of receiving a farm on marriage irked her a little for reasons she couldn't understand and she looked away for a moment.

Suddenly a squirrel crossed the gravel path and Tiko jumped out of the bicycle basket!

"Tiko! Come back!" Miss Lyons cried as the little dog chased after the squirrel, too quickly for Miss Lyons to grab ahold of his leash. "Oh no! Oh no! If we lose him, we are dead meat!"

"I'll get him Charlotte, don't thee fret!" Thomas jumped onto his bicycle and pedalled after the puppy. Miss Lyons ran after him as fast as she could in her heeled boots. She followed him to an ancient oak tree where the squirrel had darted up the trunk, Tiko barking up at it.

"Oh Tiko you naughty thing!" she gasped for breath as Thomas picked up the puppy and placed him back in the bicycle basket, this time tethering the leash to the handlebars.

"See I told thou nut to fret. All safe and sound." Thomas said as he rested the bicycle against the trunk of the tree. "Art thou alright?" he asked, noting her very flushed face and her rapid breathing.

"I'm fine," Miss Lyons replied as she struggled to breathe in her tightly laced corset. "I must look like a boiled beetroot!"

"Yes, but a pretty beetroot nonetheless," Thomas replied with a slight smile and without any warning he leaned in and his lips brushed against hers.

Miss Lyons was completely taken aback by the unexpected kiss, but something inside her allowed him to kiss her again. He placed his hand softly against her cheek and kissed her lips again with a caring, delicate air. She breathed in his pomade and revelled in the taste of peppermint and tobacco of his mouth whilst his day old shaven face lightly scratched her cheek.

Then she realised what she was doing and instantly pulled away. Kissing the footman of her employers' household and in broad daylight was an act of a complete lack of decorum! But it was not only potential acquaintances of the Porters seeing this that made her pull away sharply. She was also frightened by the fact that she wasn't repulsed, that she took great pleasure in his kiss and that she wanted more of them, that she didn't want him to stop.

"I'd guess thou needs to get back to t'house." Thomas replied quietly, almost forlornly as she quickly untethered Tiko and put him back on the grass.

"Yes, thank you Thomas, for getting Tiko I mean! I, I, I'll see you anon." She dashed off with Tiko in tow, leaving Thomas baffled by her reaction. He could have sworn that she liked him. All that blushing couldn't surely be down to shyness? Could it? He got back on his bicycle and pedalled off in the opposite direction, wondering what to do after that disaster, despite it being the best kiss he had ever experienced with a girl.

As Miss Lyons and Thomas hurried off in their different directions, both of them riled by what just happened, neither of them were aware of a man watching, a tall man in a top hat, lurking in the shadows of the trees with an ominous eye.