I think this is the quickest update I've made of this fic lately ^^" A bit of Jisbon interaction coming up... For the moment Mashburn is on top list, so I guess he'll be the new Mr Wickham ^^
Thanks to BonneyQ; The-Sun-Princess; Cheshire (yeah, sorry bout that ^^" I thought I'd take a bit of every version I've seen-read to make this fic –and add a bit of my own, so don't be surprised if explicit references keep popping up here and there. I'll try to keep then IC as much as possible though. Hope you'll like the next ones :3); BrownEyesParker; evonna; Amri(thank you :3 glad you like it xD); Viviskilener-jisbonist4ever; Irises4ever; AgentERA for their reviews! Thanks for the alerts and favourite too :3
Disclaimer: if I owned Mentalist or P&P, I wouldn't have to worry about my bank account and I'd be very, very old. Unfortunately and fortunately, I am neither :P Mistakes are mine, but hope you'll enjoy this (won't blame you if you don't ;3)
Glare and Mockery
5.
The letter was soon written and sent. Lisbon returned to her cousin's room, but since Grace had fallen asleep while she was gone, she decided to join the rest of the household in the garden. Everyone was gathered around a cup of tea and chatting. At her arrival, she immediately became the centre of attention and the two men stood up to greet her once again.
"How is Miss Van Pelt?" Sophie asked with genuine concern in her eyes.
"Currently sleeping, but I'm afraid she won't feel better upon her awakening" Lisbon replied as she took her seat.
"Please have some tea" Rigsby offered, sitting down in turn. "This was made by Jane's butler."
"The best in the world" the blond man confirmed, raising his cup before taking a new sip. Sophie sighed and put hers back on the table.
"I feel so sorry for your cousin" she started. "Miss Van Pelt is such a charming person. It pains me to see what she is going through. I detest being sick."
Lisbon nodded absent-mindedly. Grace was rarely ill and she hated to see her in such a poor state. The dark-haired picked up the cup after a housemaid served her, and took a sip. The liquid warmed her inside and she bit back a sigh of content. Jane was right; while she was not fond of the drink, this tea tasted good.
"Mr Jane, has your sister grown since the last time I saw her?" Sophie suddenly asked, bored with the lack of conversation going on.
Lisbon blinked at the question and glanced at the man with a hint of curiosity. She hadn't thought of him having a family since he had showed up alone. Jane shrugged.
"She will soon reach your height I suppose. All women in my family are rather tall, so I would not be surprised if she ends up taller than me."
"I cannot wait to see her again" the blonde woman continued. "She is such an interesting and passionate young woman."
"I have no doubt about the latter" Jane muttered, returning his attention on his cup. Lisbon's interest increased at his words and she glanced at the blond man from the corner of the eye, hoping Sophie would speak again and make him say more. The dark-haired was not a nosy person, but she was curious about Jane. She couldn't help it; he intrigued her.
Thankfully, Sophie decided she had not praised enough.
"I still remember the day she decided to accompany us all to a hunting party. She has remarkable horse-riding skills."
Rigsby snorted, as if remembering something funny, while Jane frowned deeply at the blonde.
"Indeed." Lisbon noted the displeasure in his tone. "But I still wish she would concentrate on more...womanly art."
"Patrick, don't be so patronizing" the tall man protested. "She just has a lot of energy to spare and her creativity is impressive."
Jane raised a brow at him.
"Are you saying this because you helped Brooke set up this childish joke? My butler was not pleased afterwards."
"I do admit the use of flour and water was not..." he stopped talking when he realised his friend was now glaring hard, and cleared his throat uneasily. "Anyway, I am still convinced she will turn into a perfectly educated young woman."
"Behaving young woman" Jane shot back. "As far as I know, my sister is finely educated."
"Of course she is" Rigsby babbled, now very uncomfortable under the accusing eyes of his friend. The dark-haired woman wondered why he was so worked-up all of a sudden. "It's not what I meant, you know that." Jane shook his head and took another sip of tea. The tension was starting to thicken, and after a while, the tall man added: "I just meant that her interest in drawing, music and dance will certainly come later on, when she realise people are more interested in these than her usual activities."
Lisbon frowned at that comment. Did he really think people's interests were limited to those domains? She dropped in:
"I don't think a woman absolutely has to develop her, what you just called, 'womanly' skills. I believe they have every right not to learn such futile things if they have no desire to."
"Perhaps your education had given you that impression Miss Lisbon" Jane replied calmly, raising his eyes to meet her gaze. "But I am afraid very little people share your point of view. You will see very little women shine by anything else than their skills in those arts and culture. Do you not possess them, society might devalue your worth."
The young woman didn't know if she had to flush at the intense expression he threw her, or feel insulted by the way he was trying to get the upper hand.
"So if I take your words" she replied, feeling a bulge of anger raising in her throat, "if a woman has no so-called womanly talent, she will be seen as a failure."
Jane frowned, as if thinking.
"Uh...I believe this is basically what I said." he replied with a hint of sarcasm.
The little look in his eyes made her want to punch him. Despite making a good job not showing it, the young woman felt he was amused by her reaction and, she supposed, intending to push her buttons. He didn't seem to believe his own words, but for his entertainment, he would play the typical old-fashioned point of view. The sole presence of Rigsby dissuaded her from standing up and punching the man. How dare he play her like this?
"What characteristics a perfect woman needs then, to sound successful in your eyes?" she asked, knowing fully he was expecting the question.
Jane leant back on his seat and faked pondering over an answer.
"She must have great knowledge of music, dancing and drawing and be able to speak various languages."
"Plus" Sophie added quickly, eager to please the object of her attentions and not getting he was merely pretending. "She must have something in the way she stands, a little something that makes her special."
"And an open-mind view of the world, cultivated by reading of decent books." Jane added with too much seriousness. "If she cannot possess all this, than she does not deserve a name in the world. I barely know half a dozen who would be considered accomplished."
"In this case, I am surprised you know so many" Lisbon retorted, now glaring at him and not caring for one bit if her behaviour appeared indecent to her hosts. This was a game between Jane and her and she would not let him belittle her. "I am not even sure such a woman exists."
Sophie started protesting, affirming she had many friends who would fit this category and Lisbon noted that the blond woman was hoping Jane would name her among the list. Rigsby, on his side, carefully stayed out of the way. The tall man seemed divided between laughing or hiding under the table. As funny as he must found the exchange, he knew it upset his guest and besides, she suspected he didn't know how to impose himself in a conversation, especially when Jane was involved. The man seemed to have quite an influence over his friend.
"Have you so little consideration for your own sex?" Jane asked, raising a brow in slight surprise.
Lisbon raised her chin defiantly.
"Such woman does not exist" she repeated on a stronger tone. "Such perfection would scare and bore these men."
Rigsby snorted in amusement. The blond man opened his mouth to reply, but a newcomer interrupted him. An Asian man dressed in an impeccable suit approached him quietly and stood besides him.
"My, Cho" Jane exclaimed with a hint of surprise. "What dreadful news are you bringing us so late in the morning?"
"Actually sir" the butler replied with a perfect impassible expression; "You have just received a note."
Jane glanced quickly at the envelope the man was holding and said:
"Thank you Cho, I will read it later. Leave it in my room."
The Asian man bowed slightly before retreating and the blond man seemed lost in thoughts for a moment. Lisbon decided the time was well-chosen to retreat and after thanking them for the tea, rushed to her cousin's side.
-GM-
Soon after Lisbon departure, Sophie declared she would leave these men for a more entertaining occupation. Jane suspected she wanted to practice whatever skills he had mentioned earlier, taking his words too seriously. Which would be useless. Despite what he had said to the fierce petite dark-haired, he couldn't care less about a woman's skills in art. He would trade that kind of dull and submissive behaviour for an independent and free-minded woman anytime. The most amusing part was that he suspected the young woman to be aware of his...motives. He chuckled inwardly; she must be planning his downfall right now. No worries though; he would gladly bicker with her anythime.
"Why did you kept on teasing her like this?" Rigsby growled, pulling him out of his thoughts. "Miss Lisbon did not deserve it!"
"She amuses me" the blond man replied calmly. "And she has good comebacks. I think she is one of the most interesting persons I have came across lately."
"Patrick" the tall man warned. "I do not wish to get angry with her. I am their neighbour! I have her cousin in my care!"
"Only because somehow she arrived drenched at your house and you offered her to stay overnight."
Rigsby looked scandalised.
"Miss Van Pelt is not fainting her sickness, if this is what you are understating."
"Oh I do not doubt it. I am rather trying to point out the fact this handsome redhead has conveniently fallen sick under your roof." Jane raised his eyes and observed his friend carefully. He did not know what to think of the indignation in the tall man's eyes. "I am just saying this out of concern." he added softly. "Your caring nature has pushed you to help out women in difficult position before, and many of them had taken advantage of you."
Jane had a point, Rigsby admitted. His parents has raised him to be a perfect gentleman, and his protective instinct would show up when any woman was in danger. And his generosity had led him to be conned more than once.
"I'll keep it in mind" the tall man mumbled reluctantly.
For some reason though, but he felt the redhead lying in one of his guests room upstairs was different. Van Pelt was one of the most beautiful, gentle and caring creature he had ever met. Plus, after observing Lisbon's behaviour towards her, he deduced she could not be a bad person. To get someone cross the countryside alone and early in the morning, the young woman must be worth it. And if she indeed was as honourable as he thought she was...then he would not let her go.
-GM-
Grace was awake when Lisbon entered the room, but the dark-haired did not like what she saw. Her cousin's face had reddened, her breathing had turned irregular and her skin was moist with sweat. When she spotted the newcomer, the redhead smiled.
"Here you are again. I was wondering where you have disappeared."
Even her voice sounded weak. Lisbon came closer and brushed her forehead. Her eyes widened in shock.
"My goodness, Grace you are burning! I will urge Mr Rigsby to call a doctor!"
She was about to turn and run out the door when a weak hand held her back.
"Please stay Teresa" the plea in her voice was obvious, and Lisbon knew she could not deny her request. She sat on the border of the bed and took a wet towel resting there to wipe her forehead. Grace closed her eyes and sighed in content. The young woman told herself she would wait until her cousin fell back asleep to warn the master of the house. In the meantime, she would try to keep the fever at bait...
"Tell me, Teresa. Why are you so worked up?"
Van Pelt's suddenly speaking caught her by surprise.
"Me? Worked up? I am worried Grace, not..."
"When you came into the room earlier, you were upset." the redhead opened her eyes and stared at her pointedly. "I know you better than anyone Teresa. Please, tell me what is on your mind. Did Mr Jane unnerve you again?"
Lisbon couldn't help a soft smile; only Grace would notice these little details about her.
"Yes he did" she finally admitted. The victorious smirk on her cousin's face told her the redhead wanted to know more. "We had an argument about the perfect woman..."
The dark-haired stayed the rest of the day in the redhead's room. The following ones, she did not leave Grace's side, only to eat and change clothes. In the meantime, various opinions started to form about her. Rigsby thought her devotion to her cousin was admirable. Sophie disliked her lack of presence around them and claimed behind her back that she was taking advantage of her brother's good heart. Jane would just mind his own business, although he thought he missed her a little.
It wasn't until the next few days that Grace's state started improving. Her fever had eventually come down, but her physical condition still wasn't at best. During her stay, Lisbon received a few letters from Rebecca, asking about the situation. While she still felt angry towards her aunt to putting her daughter in such a condition, the dark-haired still send back quick notes, urging her to visit to get her own point of view.
And while she knew she should have expect it, Lisbon was still startled when a servant came to request her presence downstairs, claiming her family had stopped by.
Indeed, she realized the familiar carriage was standing in the middle of the front yard, and...to her utter horror, she saw not only Rebecca, but also the twins and Julie following her. She didn't mind seeing her sisters after such a long time, but she dreaded their reaction in such a rich environment. Maya and Emma had yet learned to keep quiet at the right times, and she feared their silliness would show up stronger than ever and offense the Rigsbys and Jane. She cared little of Sophie's opinion, but did not want her brother to think little of the rest of her family, nor give his friend more material against her. She had a feeling if Jane...tested her family the way he had tested her, her aunt and sisters were bound to go through a very humiliating conversation.
She joined the three main inhabitants of the house on top of the stairs, waiting for their guests to join them. Rigsby's nervousness was, once again, quite showing, while his sister showed a cold facade. Jane however...much to her surprise, his eyes had softened and a slight smile was lingering on his face. Then, she realised his attention was fixed on a particular person. Julie. The young girl tilted her head and observed the blond man with a hint of curiosity in return. His interest in her was so obvious it escaped no-one. Lisbon thought she spotted a hint of sadness over Rigsby's face, but it was soon replaced by concern towards his duty as a host.
"Welcome Mrs Van Pelt" he greeted cordially. "Please follow me to the living-room."
During her aunt's visit, Lisbon noted that Jane's eyes barely left her youngest sister. She didn't know what to do with that new piece of information, but kept it safe in her mind. Given the way he looked at her, there was no malice, just tenderness. She still felt uneasy with his attention. Julie definitively noted that she was someone's interest, and the quick, playful glances they exchanged during the whole conversation annoyed the dark-haired.
"Teresa? You are very quiet my dear. Is anything bothering you?" Rebecca's voice brought her back to the present and she reluctantly focused back on the discussion.
"Nothing, my aunt" she replied with a forced smile. "I was just worrying about Grace."
The excuse was accepted and Rebecca took advantage of her sentence to spill her gratefulness towards Rigsby. Lisbon risked another eye on Jane, who was still exchanging funny faces with her little sister. The way he kept her entertained made her want to smile and wince at the same time. It wasn't until the rest started speaking of a certain upcoming ball that her attention got caught again -as well as Jane's. The twins were excitingly glancing at the master of the house, while the tall man blinked in confusion.
"In my house?"
Maya nodded eagerly and Lisbon cursed herself for missing the last few minutes. Given Sophie's expression, her sisters must have opened their big mouth...again. Rebecca's face brightened.
"Exactly! You haven't been much out lately, and the neighborhood knows very little about you sir. A ball will help you make new friends."
Rigsby appeared puzzled by their enthusiasm, but replied good-naturally:
"When your cousin will feel better, you shall chose the date."
Much to Lisbon's embarrassment, the twins squealed in delight. Thankfully though, they did not make a show of their ignorance any longer, and Jane's focused returned to Julie.
-GM-
Lisbon stood next to the blond man as they departed, waving good-bye and thanking Rigsby endlessly. She was tempted to ask him about his fascination with her sister, but decided against it as he whispered before she could open her mouth:
"Miss Julie is such a lovely child. I am persuaded she will blossom into a wonderful person."
The dark-haired observed his expression carefully. There were traces of nostalgia and sadness in these blue eyes.
"Do you have children, Mr Jane?" she eventually asked. The gentleness disappeared and was replaced by the usual mask. The young woman wondered if she had hit a sore spot.
"No, I don't." he replied calmly before gratifying her a fake smile. "Shall we head back to the mansion?"
Knowing further enquiry would be perceived as ill-curiosity, Lisbon dropped the matter and followed the blond man inside. She could always speculate on that matter later.
End of the chapter. Next one is started, dunno when it will be done though...reviews are always appreciated *and encouraging* ;)
Thank you for reading so far!