by Alice Ayden
Mrs. Kiness shook her head. “Why must you change the subject when I am trying to compliment you?”
I put my hands on my hips. “Okay, let’s talk. Alexander’s ass. Better than Byron’s?” I raised my hands and bunched them up like I was grabbing at cantaloupe. “He’s got more muscles which means his ass is a lot tighter.”
Mrs. Kiness blushed, shook her head to avoid images taking hold and swallowed a few hundred times. “Ready?”
Always knew how to stop Mrs. Kiness.
Someone knocked on the door before we got to it. I instinctively stepped back. Mrs. Kiness walked around me and opened the door slightly. “Yes.”
She quickly opened the door as Evan spilled in out of breath.
“We have problems.” He paced to catch his breath. “Jane, you look beautiful.”
“What’s the matter?” I asked.
Evan spurted tidbits of information in between air gulps. “Uncle V caught one of Grand Maeve’s… friends and has locked him somewhere on the property. Uncle V refuses to come out of his room or to say where he hid him...Grand Maeve won’t attend the party without her escort. The water main broke, and the plumbers don’t think they can get it fixed in time.” He stopped to catch more breath. “One of the new people you hired, Mrs. Kiness, went into the kitchen when your sister was still cooking. Mrs. Hodghes fled to her room.”
Mrs. Kiness sighed. “My sister I can deal with.”
“Karenda yelled at the poor girl. Now, she’s locked herself in the bathroom and refuses to come out. Bitty has hidden most of the appetizers and won’t tell anyone where unless we use some of her food for the party.”
I flinched. “God almighty. She’ll poison us all.”
Evan nodded. “Lillia accidentally ate something she thought was…” Evan flailed his hands around. “I don’t know, but her face is still swollen. The hives are going away after the anti-histamines. A large tourist group arrived. Apparently, there was a mix up with their company, and they thought the party was tomorrow night. I couldn’t refuse them. Two of the maids won’t go to the third floor because they thought a strange shadow followed them. Oh...” Evan caught his breath to continue. “The banister on the third floor gave way, but Alexander is fixing it.”
As soon as I heard his name, I ran out of my room and used the connecting door on the second floor to get to the main house and lunged up the Grand Staircase. “Hey, Sadie. Just looking for Alexander. Where is he?” Then I worried that he’d already finished. Me alone on the third floor. I slowly looked down the hallway towards that room. The third room on the third floor. That’s where my mother…Just then, Alexander stepped out of one of the rooms, saw me and smiled.
All my fears melted.
He bowed to me. “Miss Austen.” He looked me over. “So beautiful.”
I curtsied. “Mr. Ravenswirth.” The spell hadn’t been broken. He looked at me the same way he did last night, and he made me forget my fears.
36 Jane
Alexander and I stared at each other for a few minutes. I soaked in his crooked smile, and he had a way of looking at me as if no one else would ever tempt him.
“Jane!”
The screech crushed the romantic silence.
“Yes, Karenda,” I said without looking down to the first floor where my sister, I assumed, was standing with her hands on her tiny hips and her four inch heels tapping against the floor.
“Get down here now and talk some sense into your great aunt.”
“She’s your great aunt too.”
“She doesn’t claim me, and most days, I don’t claim her either. So, get down here now!”
I nodded at Alexander and curtsied again. “I will let you get back to your—”
“Today!” Karenda screamed even louder.
Maids ran out into the hallway thinking an earthquake rattled the house.
“Just my sister,” I said.
They nodded and disappeared.
“Mr. Ravenswirth,” I said as I turned around and walked to the stairs.
“Let me.” He ran around me and offered me his arm. “These stairs are steep.”
“I have my boots on. Can’t and won’t wear those heels.”
He nodded but didn’t remove his arm. I grabbed it, and he guided me down the stairs towards Karenda standing at the bottom like an abandoned general waiting to go to war.
Walking down the Grand Staircase on Alexander’s arm? So familiar. Was it a memory or a wish? I slowed down - wanted to stay in the moment forever.
At the bottom, Karenda clenched her teeth. “Glad you could make it.”
“You’re the one who said you didn’t want a fuss at the party. Alexander was making sure I didn’t trip. You don’t want another accident, do you?”
Karenda glared at Alexander. “Whatever. Go back to where you were.” She waved her hand at him to go away.
“Miss Austen.” He bowed at her then at me. “Miss Austen.”
“So you finally know your place.” Byron jumped into the conversation.
Alexander’s politeness descended to hostility. “The hell are you doing here?”
“Excuse me?” Karenda asked. “A member of my staff does not speak to guests like that. You are not paid to irritate.”
Embarrassed, I couldn’t look at Alexander during or after my sister’s chastisement. How could I apologize for her?
“I’m sorry Miss Austen,” Alexander bowed his head.
Byron grinned. “It’s hard to get good help these days. Although, he should know his place being second generation servant and all.”
Karenda glared at Alexander. “Apologize to Mr. Bashley.”
“Karenda, that isn’t—”
She held up her hand to silence me.
I looked down at the ground. I couldn’t look at Alexander, and I definitely couldn’t look at Byron’s smug grin.
Alexander clenched his jaw. “I’m...sorry...Mr. Bashley.” He choked it down like peppered molasses.
Listening to him sputter it out might have been as painful as him saying it. Maybe.
“It won’t happen again, Miss Austen.”
“Fine, just leave.” She waved her hand to make him disappear.
He glanced at me before running back up the stairs. Byron watched me as I watched Alexander, but I never once looked at Byron.
For the many things I could begrudge Byron for, deliberately treating Alexander like sludge couldn’t be forgiven. With Alexander gone, I didn’t need to stay. I turned around, but Karenda grabbed my arm.
“Are you going to talk with that woman?”
“She’s a grown woman who can do what she wants.”
“She’s an embarrassment to the family. You two have something in common.” She glanced me up and down. “At least that dress isn’t hideous on you. Wasn’t sure when I bought it how it would look.”
I flinched a bit but recovered quickly. “Where is Grand Maeve?”
“The red parlor.”
“You mean The Rose Parlor.”
“Whatever.”
I walked towards the closed door of the parlor, but Byron blocked my path.
“Who are you? Did you enjoy treating Alexander like that?”
He laughed. “Yeah, I did.”
I stepped around him and kept walking. I was sick of his games. I hated how he treated Alexander. He couldn’t patronize me or tell me what I was feeling wasn’t real if I didn’t talk to him. It was weak and squirrelly, but it felt good. I softly knocked on the parlor door.
Inside, Grand Maeve sighed loudly. “There are only a few people I will allow into this room at this very moment. If you are not Evan, Jane or Lillia, piss off!”
I grinned. Love her. “It’s Jane,” I whispered.
“Well, what are you waiting for? Come on in.”
I opened the door and went inside.
“Quick,” Grand Maeve said, jumping up from the sofa and rushing the door. “Close it before any of the ungratefuls get in.”
I stood
for a second. “Was that? What was that?”
“What is it, dear?”
I shook my head. I didn’t know what I’d seen. A blur of red and white and… I faced Grand Maeve. “Did I just see…”
“Charles. Yes, dear. He’s a bit shy today.”
I stared at her. “You’re talking with Charles? You’re talking with the ghost of the British soldier. He’s real?”
Grand Maeve sat back down and invited me to do the same. “You speak with Sadie on the Grand Staircase.”
“That was habit. I didn’t know…”
“Surely, you believe in the Ausmor spirits?”
I sat down slowly. I had never thought of it before. They were legend and part of Ausmor like the leaky pipe in the downstairs bathroom or the smelly wallpaper in the pantry.
“Charles,” Grand Maeve said. “You remember my great niece, Jane. She’s named after me.” She waited awhile then waved her hands. “Oh well, he is shy today.”
“If you want to be alone with—”
“Nonsense. I would never choose the dead - no offense Charles - over the living… or at least I wouldn’t choose them over you or my dear grandchildren. Have you seen Evan today? I am afraid my behavior has placed him in disarray.”
“He’ll be fine. He thrives on organizing chaos.”
Grand Maeve nodded and then patted my knee. “Now, what can I do for my FAVORITE GREAT NIECE?” She said the last three words extra loud probably hoping Karenda would overhear.
“Nothing,” I said. “Just wanted to see you.”
Grand Maeve smiled that knowing smile of someone grateful for both the company and the consideration to not mention unmentionables. “Well, you look beautiful, Jane. As you always do. He’ll be fine - your great uncle that is. I’ve already released Brandon. He was to be my companion this evening.”
“My husband lacks imagination which is why I can find his hiding places so easily. I do not understand the fuss over such trivialities. Your great uncle’s own companions were not exactly well hidden from me as evidenced by the creation of Mags and that other daughter of his. Lord only knows how many others there might be. I think your uncle prefers the drama when he is bored. Now tell me about you and the delicious Alexander.”
I blushed.
“Aw. That is a good sign.”
“I stayed in his room last night.”
“Fantastic.” Grand Maeve clapped.
“It wasn’t like that. We talked.”
“Talking will lead to more.”
“He’s amazing. He makes me feel so…”
Someone knocked on the door. Byron opened it and came inside. “Sorry for interrupting, but I missed seeing Grand Maeve.”
I sat straight up and wouldn’t look at Byron.
Grand Maeve noticed my reaction and didn’t jump up to greet Byron. “Mr. Bashley, I do not mean to be rude, but Jane and I are in the middle of—”
“That’s okay, Grand Maeve,” I stood up. “Visit with your guest. I need to do something.”
“You can stay Jane,” Grand Maeve said. “It’s Byron. You two are—”
“No, I can’t.” I finally looked Byron over as coldly as he dismissed Alexander. “We’re not close any more.”
Grand Maeve shuddered a bit at my tone.
“Remember,” I said. “I’m holding you to your promise.”
She frowned. “My promise?”
“You and I out to lunch, and you telling me the truth about everything.” I happened to catch Byron’s reaction out of the corner of my eye, and I think he flinched. It made me wonder what he feared.
“Oh, yes. Absolutely. Tomorrow? At that café?”
“Can’t wait.”
“Jane,” Byron said. “I need to talk with you.”
I reached out of his grasp, left the room and closed the door grateful Karenda didn’t ambush.
“Watch it!”
Tour Guide Anne held several oversized lamps in her arms. “You gonna move or what?”
A gasp came from the corner, and I looked to see a group of tourists watching us.
“Isn’t that one of the Austens? Can you believe she talked to her like that?” one tourist asked.
“Maybe it’s part of the tour,” another answered.
“She’d get the lash if it was me,” a third said.
I moved out of the way. “Nice to see you, Anne.”
“Kiss my ass.” She moved past me but caught my shoulder enough to spin me around.
More gasps spewed out of the tourists.
“It’s okay,” I said, looking at the group. “Just needs more bran. Get’s all bound up.”
A few giggled.
“J to my J,” the voice came behind me.
My stomach sank, and my head started the pounding. I didn’t turn around. The vinegar stench soaked through the room.
Johnston stepped in front of me. “Jane.”
I looked around. Grand Maeve and Byron were in the Rose Parlor. Alexander was probably still upstairs. I glanced to see Karenda in the Sky Parlor talking with someone but keeping her eyes on me. She glared at me telling me not to make a scene.
“You’re not even going to say hi to me? Stuck up bitch.”
Terror to anger in under a minute. Johnston had that affect. “Evan told you not to be here anymore.”
He laughed and glanced over at the tourists. “I’m not afraid of Evan.” He looked back at my sister. “Not afraid of her. But you should be afraid of me.” He looked me up and down. “Nice dress. Guess even whores can clean up.”
I glared at him and wondered how often he’d made me feel small and used. I had options. I wouldn’t flee. I wouldn’t puke. I held my ground. I thought about screaming, but that would make a scene. I could provoke? That thought hurt my stomach. How far could I go before I woke up somewhere else and then not remember?
He grabbed at me, and I immediately stepped back. “Don’t touch me.”
He laughed. “You never minded before. And I’ve done a lot more than just touch.”
I wanted to punch him. Kick him. I didn’t know what. I just had the urge to make him hurt. “Alexander will protect me.”
He smirked as more sweat beads formed on his engorged watermelon sized forehead. “Will he? Next you’ll say Byron will protect you.”
My stomach lurched, and I had to tell it not to purge. Although a puke covered Johnston might be an improvement. It would hide more of his face and slitty eyes.
He inched closer. “Don’t you remember last night?”
My head pounded so loud I could barely hear Johnston’s tinny voice. The room swirled.
“Byron and me in you...I mean in your room.”
I backed away. I couldn’t listen to him anymore. I told myself not to run. I couldn’t make a scene. I heard Karenda’s voice in my head. About ready to lose my mind or dealing with my sister’s wrath? I didn’t know which was worse. I had to get out of the house. I walked out the front door.
I walked past the frozen over herb and butterfly gardens careful not to slide on the iced path. The staff meticulously kept the main path snow free but deliberately allowed ice to form on the other pathways to discourage wanderings.
I walked past the garage and didn’t stop until I was in the heated European style stables. I paced back and forth beside the horses who I guess were used to me acting like that since they didn’t seem to mind me being there.
The door of the stable opened, and Byron lunged inside. “Jane, what happened?”
“Johnston.”
“What did he do?”
“What does he always do? He insinuates and hints.” Then I remembered what he said, and I backed away from Byron.
“What’s wrong?” He stepped forward but I backed further away.
“What did he say to you?”
“He talked about you and me and him…” I could barely get the words out. “In my room last night and what you both...” I backed up until I hit the wall.
“What?” Byron shook hi
s head. “I’ll deal with Johnston. But whatever he’s telling you isn’t true.”
“Isn’t it?” Broken bits of images floated past as I remembered it. “That’s why I ran into Alexander’s room. What did you two do to me?”
“Jane…” Byron stopped and took a deep breath. “I don’t know what Johnston’s telling you. I don’t know why, but I was not in your room last night. And I certainly wouldn’t have been in there with Johnston. You know that.”
I closed my eyes. If I could only snatch hold of one of the pieces maybe the rest would fall into place. “You stood beside the door. Johnston was in front of me. You said…” I concentrated and squeezed my eyes shut hoping that I could remember. “I heard you say…”
“Jane, stop this. I wasn’t there. I didn’t hurt you. I’d never hurt you. And I wouldn’t let Johnston near you. Open your eyes.”
I did and couldn’t stop shaking. I didn’t know what to think. Memories whisked around. My head throbbed. My breathing wouldn’t slow down.
He stepped closer to me. “Listen to me. Listen to my voice. I don’t know what’s happening to you, but I’ll fix it.”
My breathing slowed, and I stopped shaking.
“You don’t actually think…did he put that thought in your mind? Did Alexander tell you I’d hurt you?”
I thought about it. Maybe?
“I knew it. It always happens when he blows back into town. You’re fine, and then he comes and messes everything up.”
I flinched. “Alexander didn’t do anything to me. He wouldn’t hurt me.”
“But you think I would? Jane, you’ve known me since we were kids. Have I ever hurt you?”
I winced in thinking of the times he promised me he loved me but ended with my broken heart.
“Let me rephrase the question.”
“I’m in love with Alexander.”
I might as well of kicked Byron in the stomach.
“No. No. No.” He turned his back to me. “This isn’t happening. Not again.” He turned back around. His demeanor changed, and he was calmer. “I’m sorry, but I know things about him. Things I promised his mother I’d never tell anyone, but I won’t let him hurt you.”
I recognized Byron’s seduction. His voice calmed. His eyes danced. He deceptively used his words. I just didn’t know why he was using it on me. Did he worry about losing me or was he hiding something?
