The Unexpected Past of Miss Jane Austen

by The Unexpected Past of Miss Jane Austen (retail) (epub)

  ‘It just felt appropriate in here.’ Rose spoke a little more firmly.

  They stood before the cupboard, and Rose strained her eyes in the darkness. ‘What if it’s locked?’

  Jane reached out a hand and tugged at the handle. It was stiff, but it gave with relative ease, and revealed an interior of several wooden drawers.

  They both started pulling out drawers at random. It was so dark that even though Rose looked in each drawer she opened, she had to feel around in it as well, but found nothing resembling a cross and chain. Jane seemed to be having little success either, pulling out a bundle of tapers and a candle snuffer, and Rose grasped the knob on the next drawer and tugged, conscious of time ticking away. It didn’t give. She pulled harder. Nothing.

  Her hand shaking, Rose stepped back, giving Jane space. ‘This could be it, you try.’

  Jane leaned across and took hold of the tiny knob, and the drawer slid open as if it had been freshly oiled.

  Rose held her breath as Jane reached in and groped around, letting it out in a rush as she withdrew something that glinted in the dim light. They both turned towards the door and the amber cross glistened. Exchanging a world of words in one glance, Jane closed her fingers over the charm and Rose hurriedly led the way back out to the staircase, climbing the steps to the door and putting her head close to listen. There was nothing but the sound of muffled hymns.

  Easing the door open, half expecting to find them trapped and the burly custodian back in his place, an effective barrier to the completion of their mission, Rose blew out a relieved breath. There was no one there.

  ‘Quick, let’s go.’

  She stepped back out into the south aisle, conscious of Jane behind her, then gasped.

  ‘Oh my God! What did you do!’ Rose hissed as she hurried over to the bench where she had been reclining; a bench now occupied by one unconscious guard.

  Chapter 32

  Aiden looked up at them from where he remained slumped against the wall. Christopher was busily refastening his sling.

  Aiden managed a smile when he saw Rose, however, and she turned to Charles.

  ‘What happened?’ She kept her voice low, conscious of the service still continuing the other side of the pillars. ‘Is he okay?’ She pointed to the prostrate man and Charles shrugged.

  ‘He came back rather precipitously, having found no one to aid us. We told him you had made a swift recovery and had gone out to take some air.’

  Christopher straightened and met Rose’s confused gaze. ‘He was about to resume his duty, return to his position in front of the door opposite.’ He gestured towards it. ‘We needed to act.’

  ‘Mr Trevellyan was quick of thought and most obliging in providing a further distraction. He unfastened his sling and bandages and treated the gentleman to the sight of his bloodied and stitched wounds.’ Charles snorted. ‘The intention was to ensure you could both emerge undetected, but we were blessed.’ He raised his eyes to the heavens, then met Rose’s gaze again. ‘It would seem the man is averse to the sight of blood. He duly fainted.’

  Rose stared from Charles to her father, then over to Aiden. ‘Are you okay?’

  He nodded. ‘I’m fine. And… how did it go?’

  ‘We have it. Whether it works…’

  ‘Come, we must move away from here before we are discovered.’ Charles turned to urge them all back down the aisle, then stopped. ‘Change of plan.’

  Rose looked around. Two vergers had noticed the prostrate form on the bench and were hurrying towards them and, casting one last guilty look at the blissfully unaware custodian, she turned to follow the others.

  ‘Where now?’ hissed Christopher as they drew level with the quire.

  ‘This way.’ Aiden pointed to the right, drawing them into a small chapel tucked away just past the south transept. Thankfully, there was no one in sight, and they crept in as quietly as they could, soon shielded from sight by the stone-carved partitions.

  Once gathered behind the screen, they all spoke at once. ‘So you have it?’

  ‘There was no difficulty accessing the cupboard?’

  ‘Let us see it!’

  ‘It was just as Aiden said.’ Rose threw him a proud look. ‘And the drawer yielded to Jane’s hand as we’d hoped.’

  Jane opened her hand to reveal the necklace. They were all silent for a moment, and Rose stared at. She had always assumed it to be the perfect companion to the crosses on display at Chawton cottage, but as she looked closely at it for the first time, she realised it was older and a little more rustically hewn. Jane placed it carefully on a pew, then withdrew the pouch Rose was so familiar with and took out the other charm – they were identical.

  ‘Don’t mix them up,’ whispered Rose urgently.

  Jane shook her head. ‘The one drained of power simply will not work, a clear indication of which is which.’

  Charles grunted. ‘Unless neither has any power.’

  Jane raised her eyes to meet Rose’s anxious gaze. ‘To be certain, that may be so.’ Then, she looked over at Aiden. ‘But the drawer resisted Rose and yielded to my hand with no difficulty, so we have hope.’

  Rose looked around the small group of people huddled into the chapel, and her heart went out to them all for so many different reasons.

  ‘What now?’ Charles looked at Jane.

  ‘We have to test it.’

  ‘Here?’

  ‘We cannot delay. If we are discovered…’

  The tension in Rose’s shoulders intensified.

  ‘Miss Austen has the right of it, Rose. Darkness has yet to fully fall and besides, we are in the centre of a city. I believe this is as discreet as we can get. Mr Trevellyan.’ Christopher turned to Aiden. ‘What are your thoughts? Would this be suitable as a place where a sudden reappearance in the future would cause no undue attention?’

  ‘Perfectly so. The only other option is the crypt, and it is only unlocked on occasion. At this time of the evening, unless there is a special event on, the cathedral would be closed to the public. I know how to find a way out if the main entrance is locked.’

  ‘But we need to get back to Chawton, to Aiden’s car.’ Rose frowned. She hadn’t really begun to think about practicalities. ‘We will need to take a taxi, if we… if it works.’

  ‘Let us see if we can get back first.’ Aiden was bracing himself against the wall; his voice was stronger than Rose had heard it in days. Was he thriving on hope, just as she was?

  There were only a few lamps lit in the chapel, but Rose could see everyone’s eyes were intent and on edge and, speaking quietly, she turned to Charles. ‘Sir, I do not know how I can ever repay you for all your kindness.’

  Charles bowed. ‘If the charms are both inactive, it is I who will owe you a debt for all I have brought you to.’ He turned to Aiden, who pushed away from the wall to take Charles’ outstretched hand and shook it solidly. ‘As for you, sir, I consider you my friend, but I am a selfish man at heart. If you leave us tonight, I shall envy you the adventures ahead. If you are to be a resident of Chawton, it would please me almost as much.’

  Aiden smiled. ‘I share similar sentiments, Captain Austen.’

  ‘Charles.’

  Aiden’s smile widened. ‘Charles, then.’

  ‘I will keep watch.’ The captain bowed to Rose, raised a hand to Aiden, then disappeared through the doorway, soon reappearing through the cut-outs of the stone screen with his back to them, surveying the south aisle.

  Knowing what was next, Rose’s heart was already overwhelmed as she turned to her father. Tension gripped her throat so tightly, she struggled to breathe for a moment then, seeing a solitary tear trickle down Christopher’s cheek as he drew her into his embrace, Rose closed her eyes. Perhaps if she squeezed them tightly enough shut, she’d be able to hold back her own tears? Held firmly in his embrace, she felt full to the brim with emotion. This was her father; he was no longer a vague childhood memory, an imaginary figure. He was a real, live, breathing man, and
he loved her.

  The moment was an eternity, yet somehow much too short. There came the time, however, when Christopher stepped back, and Rose tried to calm herself, her breath uneven. Holding tight to her hand, Christopher turned to Aiden.

  ‘I could leave her with no one more worthy, sir.’

  They bowed to each other, Aiden a little awkwardly in his sling, and Christopher turned back to Rose, taking both her hands in his now. ‘I am happy this night for whatever is about to happen. You comprehend, do you not, Rosie?’

  Rose tried to swallow on the lump in her throat, then nodded. She could not speak to save her life.

  Christopher squeezed her hands and then raised one to brush away the first tear as it slid down her cheek. ‘But I cannot watch. You do comprehend this also?’

  Rose nodded again. ‘I love you, Papa. My papa.’ Her voice cracked as he mouthed ‘And I love you,’ back at her.

  ‘Love grows where my Rosemary goes… always.’ Christopher’s own voice broke on the final word, and he kissed her hard on the cheek before nodding to Jane and turning away to join Charles in his vigil.

  Rose could feel a full-blown burst of tears building, but she knew she must try to hold them in. After all, they didn’t even know if she and Aiden were going anywhere yet, did they?

  Sniffing, Rose summoned a smile for Jane, who had come to her side. ‘Shall we?’

  Unable to help herself, Rose’s gaze drifted over to where Christopher stood, his back to her, and she could feel tears welling again.

  ‘My dear friend.’ Jane touched her arm. ‘Of all horrid things, leave taking is the worst. Do not weep. Be thankful for knowing your father is alive and well, and happy.’

  ‘I am, truly I am.’ Rose’s gaze dropped to her feet. ‘But Jane, what about you? You are going to…’

  ‘I am going to go home. Come, sir, it is time.’ She beckoned to Aiden, who took the few steps required to join them, but Rose frowned. The expression on Jane’s face was confusing.

  Then, Jane reached down to take Rose’s hand and slipped the charm into it. ‘From my hand to yours, dear Rose.’

  Rose inhaled sharply. ‘What? No! You cannot—’

  Jane closed Rose’s hand over the charm, and she could feel the metal digging into her palm. ‘After all we have been through, I fear I must heed my family’s words for once.’ She smiled. ‘I have discarded them oft enough, have I not?’ Jane’s smile faded a little. ‘I did not mean for you to suffer such uncertainty. I cannot put you and Mr Trevellyan, or myself, at further risk.’ Her smile returned. ‘Besides, can you imagine how Cass’s anger would be stirred, should I become stuck again? You know what a disagreeable creature she is!’

  ‘But—’ Rose was hanging onto her control by a thread. As her chin quivered, she saw Aiden reach out his good hand. Rose grabbed onto it for support – a lifeline. ‘But I can’t take your necklace and leave you with one which does not—’

  ‘Shhh.’ Jane raised a finger to her lips. ‘Perchance I may yet have the chance to resume my travels. The charm has proven its ability to regain its power, given sufficient time.’

  ‘But you don’t have…’ Rose bit her lip, feeling insensitive but desperate to persuade Jane not to give her the charm. ‘I cannot take it.’

  ‘You must allow me to follow the dictates of my conscience, Rose. Besides, you would not wish to risk the loss of your favourite book also? I have written but three of my novels thus far.’ Jane’s eyes were bright, and reluctantly, Rose nodded.

  ‘You can do it, Rose.’ Aiden squeezed her hand, and she turned to look at him, refusing to let her gaze drift over towards where her father stood, then drew herself to her full height.

  ‘How do I use it?’

  ‘Place the chain about your neck so the charm rests against your throat.’ Jane touched her own throat to demonstrate. ‘Hold onto Mr Trevellyan and think of the year you wish to travel to. That is all there is to it.’

  All? How could you encompass in one small word everything the charm had brought into her life this last week?

  ‘It seems simple enough.’ Rose could feel the emotion rising again. Was this really going to work? And if it did? Simple was far from how it felt leaving her father, and one of her best friends. This recollection aided her for a moment. Morgan was a best friend too.

  Rose took another bracing breath. She’d said goodbye to Jane once before, hadn’t she? Then, she sighed, taking in the vast edifice surrounding them: Jane’s final resting place, one she would come to in so few years from now…

  Trying not to dwell on it, Rose turned her attention to Jane, who was saying her goodbyes to Aiden. ‘It has been a pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir. I can only apologise for our uneven bridleways.’ She frowned. ‘You must seek medical attention directly.’

  Aiden bowed solemnly. ‘It is the first order of business, I assure you. And, Miss Austen, the pleasure was all mine.’

  Jane sent him a mischievous look, but returned her attention to Rose. ‘It is time. Come, let us part as the dear friends we have become.’ She stepped forward and hugged Rose before setting her back and holding her gaze. They were the same height, and bright hazel eyes met clear grey ones. ‘Now, I shall remain here for a moment, for if this does not work, someone must ensure you have a ride back to Chawton.’

  Rose summoned a weak smile. Then, she opened her hand to stare at the charm before raising the chain and putting it around her neck. The charm nestled at the base of her throat, and Jane nodded encouragingly. Rose held onto Aiden’s good arm, then closed her eyes as she thought of home, the future and the year she’d come from.

  Chapter 33

  Rose wasn’t sure if the heavy breathing she could hear was her own or Aiden’s, but she kept her eyes tightly closed. The air around her was definitely different, as were the sounds, the light trying to permeate her lids. She was sure they’d travelled, but how far?

  Then, she gasped, her hand flying to her throat as she opened her eyes. She’d been meaning to remove the charm for fear she might accidentally think of some random year and find herself off on her travels again, but now…

  ‘It’s gone! The charm!’ She looked around frantically, at the floor, into the basket still clutched in her other hand, but there was no sign of it.

  ‘It’s not the only thing that’s gone.’

  Rose raised her eyes from scouring the floor. Aiden was right. Only the two of them remained; Jane had gone, as had her father and Charles. She blinked, aware suddenly of bright lights shining out in the aisle somewhere. The organ was playing, its deep sounds resonating against the ancient walls surrounding them.

  ‘But the charm! Where has it gone?’

  Aiden shrugged. ‘We’ll probably never know. Come on. Let’s see what all this noise is about. Sounds like a practice, but it could be better cover than just the two of us walking through the cathedral at this time of day.’

  They emerged from the chapel and edged forward carefully towards the aisle, then stopped suddenly as a couple wandered past, engrossed in a booklet of some sort.

  ‘Definitely open to the public if tourists are still looking around.’ Aiden’s gaze followed the couple, and Rose felt some of the tension ease from her shoulders. From the fashions, they looked no different to how she would expect. When the woman stopped and raised her phone to take a photo, sheer relief filled her for a moment, only to drain from her in an instant as she thought of her father, quite possibly stood in this very position, many distant years away through time, turning around to realise she’d gone, and a sob choked her, the tears finally falling in cascades down her cheeks.

  ‘Rose, don’t.’ Aiden put his good arm around her. ‘Please don’t.’

  She grabbed the edge of her cloak to wipe her face, drawing in ragged breaths, trying to calm herself. He held her as best he could, and she summoned a watery smile, taking a few moments to get herself under control. ‘Sorry. It was bound to happen, I suppose.’ Her hand went to where the charm had nestled agai
nst her neck. ‘We’d better check that I’ve got the right year. Not that we can do much about it if not.’

  ‘Let’s get outside first. That might help.’ Aiden’s voice sounded stronger now, as though his mind was finally clear of the drugs.

  They stepped out into the aisle, but could see instantly their way was blocked. The area between where they stood and the main entrance was filled with cables and equipment.

  ‘So much for a quiet evening in the cathedral. Looks like they’re setting up to do some recording.’ He looked to their right. ‘Come on.’

  Walking slowly to accommodate Aiden, Rose tried not to notice the occasional curious glance at them in their cloaks as he led them round the retrochoir and into the north aisle, which was thankfully clear of anything but a few cables and light rigs. There were several tourists still milling around in the aisle, and they made their way back towards the entrance, Rose clinging tightly to Aiden’s good arm as they neared the place where Jane’s gravestone lay. There were several people there too, taking photos and reading the inscription, and Rose averted her eyes. It was too painful to look at it this time, and—

  ‘Well, just look at you!’ Rose looked up as Aiden drew them to a halt. A woman was smiling widely at them. ‘Aren’t you adorable? Hey, Maryanne, look at this! People in costume, just like Jane Austen would’ve worn!’

  Another woman hurried over to stare at them. ‘Awesome! Are you here for the concert? Can we have a selfie?’ She held up her phone.

  ‘Oh!’ Rose looked to Aiden, who pulled his cloak more closely over his sling and nodded.

  ‘Go with the flow, it’s the easiest way,’ he whispered to Rose.

  Several photos later, they escaped from their new friends and walked as quickly as Aiden could to the entrance, emerging at last into the early evening.

  Rose looked around, at a loss for exactly how to establish the year without actually asking someone and sounding like an idiot. Despite the time of day, there were still plenty of people milling around. She would have to ask. As she gathered her courage to approach a woman stood not far away, her eye was caught by a piece of paper on the ground – a discarded entrance ticket. Picking it up with trembling hands, she turned to Aiden, holding it out in silence.