Jane Fae by HD Reavis

Author:HD Reavis [Reavis, HD]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Through the Rabbit Hole
Published: 2019-11-05T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

The house guests continued on at the hall as the month of June drew to a close. Daily indoor activities were planned to avoid the heat of the season: small theatrical productions of various works of literature; charades with props gathered from around the house; and evenings with musical recitals. Adele was even permitted to perform on occasion, which delighted her to no end. Even when Lady Ingram declared quite loudly that a proper lady who desired to sing should be sent to a music conservatory- “After all the governess has no taste in music whatsoever.”

On more than one afternoon we were piled into multiple vehicles and driven to a private recreation club that boasted a lap pool. These days were painfully awkward for myself. So much bare skin was something that I was not accustomed to and totally unprepared for the first time. I stood under the shade of the cabana in a loose fitting grey dress watching them. Unlike the Fair Folk dancing naked in the woods, this display of flesh felt crude. The women would parade around in swim suits, often cut to expose their midsections; the men only in shorts. Their skin was free to tan and be touched at leisure.

Watching this display I would feel both cheated for being denied the same freedoms and a longing to join in. I would watch Mr. Rochester and other men scoop the ladies into their arms, tossing them playfully into the depths of the water, and recall the brief moments he had held me or tended to me. The ghost like touch of the memory would make the heat of the summer day almost unbearable.

That and I had never learned how to swim. I could not tend to Adele properly near the water, so she couldn’t accompany us, yet I was still pressed into attendance.

By the second outing I was thoroughly annoyed. It was hot even in the shade. I had forgotten to bring anything to occupy myself with and I sat in the furthest, darkest corner of the of the cabana feeling drowsy. I fought the urge to drift and daydream, chastising myself that any sort of romantic thoughts were completely inappropriate and should be stopped at once. I found myself quietly reciting the alphabet backwards just to keep my mind sharp.

I watched as Mr. Ashton, wrapping a towel around his shoulders, came into the shade. He spotted me in the corner and with a smile approached. “Miss Fae, surely even a normal finds this heat oppressive? I insist you come out.”

“Unfortunately Mr. Ashton I cannot swim. Nor am I dressed appropriately,” I added, my hands smoothing my skirt.

“No this will not do. There’s a wading area- we’ll pull an umbrella near and dangle our feet in the cool water. I insist! Besides,” he continued as I stood to join him. “I feel that there is still much more we could discuss.”

The bright sun bore down, bouncing glares off the rippling water. He spread his towel

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