Jane Eyre Austen
Page 18
“Ms. Austen, I need to come by and speak to you this morning. It would help if James, Susannah and your mother were there too.” His voice was polite but insistent.
“Certainly, but my mother is in hospital. She fell yesterday morning and had hip surgery last night.”
“Really. What time did she fall?”
“Morning, um, maybe, I don’t know…” she turned to Gray, “What time do you think mom fell?”
Gray answered, “Seven thirty.”
Goold spoke up, “Is Mr. Poole there with you?”
“Yes.” Jane answered and felt her cheeks burn.
There was the briefest pause before Goold continued, “Have you been together since that time?”
“No sir. Mr. Poole and I spent the day and morning together, and then when I went in the ambulance to the hospital with my mother he went to work. He came by at lunch, and then after work.” She answered. “May I ask why?”
“Astrid was found shot in her home this morning.”
“Oh my God.” Jane froze. “When did it happen?”
“Between nine and eleven last night.” Goold answered.
“We were at the hospital, all of us I mean. Gray, James, Susannah, Helen, and myself. Mother’s surgery started at eight thirty and we left right before midnight.” Jane answered.
“I’ll call the hospital then.” He said matter-of-fact, “There’s no need for us to meet.”
“I would like to know what happened, when you know. I mean…” Jane stopped.
“What do you mean?” Goold asked.
“I guess I was wondering if it was one of Richard’s partners or just a random act of violence.” Jane said quietly.
“It wasn’t random.” Goold sighed, “I’ll let you know when we have some answers.”
Jane thanked him and hung up. She looked at Gray, “Astrid was shot last night. She’s dead.”
Gray blinked, “I take it this happened while we were in the hospital?”
“Yes.” She answered, “We should let James and Susannah know.”
Gray groaned, “I hate telephones, Jane. I’m beginning to understand why your mother detests the contraptions.”
Jane giggled and called over to the cottage and told James and Susannah what Detective Goold had said. James suggested she call Ben and see if he could find out more.
Gray waited until she hung up the phone before he pulled her close, “Call him later Jane. We still have some time for us this morning.”
Jane’s breath hitched, there was no way she could refuse him and he knew it. He made love like a man possessed, like a man who needed to possess her, nothing like the previous evening. This was aggressive, thrilling and Jane had no idea that she was capable of feeling so much for one person.
When he left, he swept her into his arms and kissed her chastely. “I’m spending the night, Ms. Eyre.”
Her knees nearly buckled and he chuckled, “We might even manage a dinner out, somewhere other than the cafeteria.”
“No, not until Mother is back home,” she answered.
“As you wish.” He kissed her nose and drove away.
Susannah’s car followed his and James came into the kitchen, pouring himself a cup of coffee.
“You’ve got a rosy glow about you Janie.”
“Shut up, James.” She threw a kitchen towel at him, “I’m going to spend the day with Mom, and I’ll let you know what Ben finds out.”
James smirked, and nodded his head. “If it matters, I like Gray.”
Jane grinned, “Of course it matters.” She gave James a quick hug before leaving for the hospital.
CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
A month later Detective Goold met with Jane and Mrs. Austen in the dining room of the house. James had built a ramp at the patio door so that she had an entrance and could easily get around on the first floor of the main house.
Jane poured coffee and placed a basket of fresh blueberry muffins within reach. Detective Goold helped himself to a muffin before speaking about Astrid.
“We’ve traced the gun used to several other cases. The guy is a professional. We think, but we aren’t positive, that Astrid hired him to kill her husband and then didn’t pay.” Goold said.
Mrs. Austen clucked her tongue, “That sounds like Astrid.”
Goold cocked his head, “Does it?”
“Oh my yes, she once ordered custom curtains to be made, then decided she didn’t want them only to have her maid purchase them from the decorator at a ridiculously low price.”
Goold nodded, “It appears that she took out a substantial amount of cash, probably half of what she owed him.” He scratched his neck, “The thing is Richard had borrowed against his life insurance policy, so she killed him for nothing.”
“But his investors will recoup their money, won’t they?” Jane asked.
Goold shrugged, “Not sure. His lawyer will have to deal with all of that. I take it you didn’t go to the reading of the will.”
“No. There was no need. None of us had any allusions that we were mentioned.” Mrs. Austen answered.
Goold nodded thoughtfully, “I’m glad you’re doing well Mrs. Austen. The investigation is officially closed, although we still haven’t caught the suspect involved, we do have an APB out on him. However, since he’s wanted in six other murders over the last five years, I’m not confident that we will find him.”
“And you don’t think he’ll try and collect the rest of his fee from us?” Jane asked.
“No, there was a robbery at the scene, I believe he took the rest of his fee and considers this closed.” He paused, “He’s a professional. He won’t get personal about it.”
“Thank you so much for your time Detective,” Mrs. Austen said warmly.
“You’re welcome ma’am.” He stood up and shook hands with them both. He looked at Jane, “And congratulations Ms. Austen.”
Jane looked at him curiously and her mother coughed, “I may have placed an announcement in the paper dear.”
Jane groaned and smiled weakly, “Thank you detective.”
Once he left she rounded on her mother, “Mom! Why did you do that?”
She shrugged, “Dear, you’ve been going at it like rabbits.” She tutted, “Don’t worry dear, you have plenty of time to make your dress.”
Susannah brought the paper in to Mrs. Fairfax, open to the Engagement Announcements. Mrs. Fairfax read it and looked up smiling.
“It’s about time. My goodness I was worried that all our plans were going to be for naught.” Mrs. Fairfax said.
“Oh, this isn’t their doing, I’m sure it’s Margaret’s.” Susannah said.
Mrs. Fairfax grinned, “I doubt we’ll hear any complaints from the parties involved.”
“Do you think he would be upset if he knew you how involved you were in his upcoming marriage?” Susannah whispered.
Mrs. Fairfax raised an eyebrow, “I don’t plan on ever letting him know, and I assume I can count on your silence?”
Susannah’s eyes widened, “of course.” She sighed, “They are perfect for each other.” She took the paper back and refolded it carefully with the announcement facing up. She grinned wickedly, “I can’t wait to hear from Jane about it. I do hope I’m the matron of honor!”
Valentine’s Day Jane awoke to the smell of bacon and banana muffins. She made her way downstairs and found Susannah, her mother and Helen in the kitchen.
“Good morning, dear. How did you sleep?” her mother asked.
“Fairly well.” Jane answered, although it wasn’t true. She missed Gray; she missed making love to him in the morning. She missed cuddling in to his warmth last night. It made it near impossible to sleep. He had spent the night at Clayton’s, wanting to uphold the tradition of not seeing the bride until the service.
Susannah grinned, “You’ve got circles under your eyes. Nervous, Jane?”
Jane rolled her eyes, “No, not in the least.” She added sullenly, “I just missed him.”
Mrs.
Austen grinned, “Good. Susannah get some cucumbers and slice them. We need to remove the puffiness before she applies makeup.”
Jane grunted, “Thanks Ma.”
Susannah giggled as she went to the refrigerator.
Her college roommates arrived at nine, and the women primped and prepped for the wedding. Her mother and Susannah had decorated the dining room for the ceremony, and the ball room was decorated and set up for the buffet.
As the women dressed, they were thrilled with what Jane had made them. She had decided to use a champagne pink silk crepe with an overlay of organza. Each woman had a dress with a unique style for their body type, but the same fabric. Jane used a purple silk with green organza ribbons for Tessa’s dress, since the little girl had begged for a purple and green princess dress.
Jane had altered her mother’s dress, shortening the train and making a few changes to the bodice so that it suited her frame better. The dress was perfect, simple lines, expensive fabric that draped her body beautifully.
Ben escorted her mother down the aisle and sat with her in the front row. When Jane walked down the aisle on James’ arm, Gray’s heart nearly stopped. He had never expected to fall in love again, and yet here was Jane, so perfect, making him feel so complete. He was part of her family and thrilled with the possibility of starting their own. Her eyes shone as James turned her hand and she slipped it in his. He understood her mother’s concerns about getting married so quickly, after their engagement was announced, he was surprised at how many people he knew gave him advice regarding prenuptial agreements. It may take a decade, like her mother said, for people to understand that they were truly head-over-heels in love. He was so happy that their wedding was small and private, family and a few friends. More than anything, he was so glad that she was willing to share her life with him, and that her family had accepted him.
The love in the room was overwhelming, and as they said their vows, there was not a dry eye in the room. Even James, usually gruff, had tears pooling in his eyes. Gray’s sister-in-law leapt from her chair and hooted when the mayor pronounced them man and wife.
Nothing could have made Gray or Jane happier, except maybe knowing that on their first year anniversary they would be welcoming their twin boys into the world.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Thank you so much for reading Jane Eyre Austen. I love the language of Jane Eyre and Jane Austen’s many novels and was inspired after reading Jane Eyre for the umpteenth time to write this story. I was also encouraged by the wonderful team at NaNoWriMo. If you are an aspiring author, I heartily recommend you check them out. They offer sage advice and a kick in the pants when needed.
I was born in Massachusetts, grew up in California, went to school in Texas and raised my children in Indiana and West Virginia. After college I found time to be a Barbie fashion designer, legume manufacturer and intake manager, Lego architect and hot lunch lady. I know work as an audiobook narrator but I still find time to write in my own imaginary world. Actually, it’s on a laptop in the laundry room, but if feels like a tropical island.
I hope you enjoyed this book, if you did please check out my other titles available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
If you are interested in upcoming titles please check out my website at tobidoylemacbrayne.com
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE………………………………………………………………1 CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR