JANE by Lark Watson

Author:Lark Watson [Watson, Lark]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lark Books

29

That evening, I did not wear my simple black dress again. I had nothing as nice, but since it had done me no favors, I decided to dress more simply.

A knee length denim skirt, white blouse, and dark green cardigan. The nicest things I had for everyday wear. I was sure they would not pass muster, but I was more comfortable and less likely to look as if I were out to curry favor in them.

But the night’s surprises were beginning ahead of schedule.

As I dressed, giving myself plenty of time to sit and read to relax before having to head downstairs, there was a large boom that shook the house. The lightning was so near, the illumination of it lasted longer than our lights did as they, with a quick flicker, died.

I sat in the dark, listening to the voices and shouts echoing about the house, glad this was not my domain to repair. Throwing open my drapery, the light of the nearly full moon reflected off the soft white snow and lit the area with a comfortable glow.

Below and across the courtyard, lights started to appear in flickers and small beams, the cellphones, flashlights, and candles filling the darkness quickly against the powerless electric lights.

I wished this could be the excuse I needed to remain in my room, but I knew that would be a naïve assumption. Mr. Thorneton had said to make myself present, and so I must.

I waited above, listening as the women went up to their rooms after dinner to quickly freshen up and do whatever it was they did. Even in a power outage, I expected perfection was necessary for them. When the doors all closed a second time and their footsteps sounded tap-tap-tapping down the stairs, I counted to twenty then headed down—more slowly than the tapping—to join them.

At the library door, Micha stood guard with a small electric lantern. I could not help but hope he was there to bar my entrance. To be sent back to my room would be seen as lowering, but I couldn’t help but feel it would be a magnificent escape.

“Miss Jane, you’ll be joining us again this evening?” He asked, even though he knew the answer and was already holding the door open for me.

I couldn’t help but note the change in his address and saw it, as I hoped it was, as a type of truce on his ongoing battle to figure out my secret plan—which was frustrating since I had none.

“It appears so,” I said, waiting for clarification on what lay ahead.

Instead, he nodded his head and gave a small smile. “Fiona’s placed some soda in the bar for you. Feel free to make yourself a drink.”

While the idea of taking time at the small minibar set up in the corner didn’t sound thrilling, having something to do with my hands did, so I took his advice. Once I was seated, back in the same out of the way chair I’d been in the night before, Mr.

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