Pride, Prejudice and a Pen: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Based on Jane's True Story by Lark Jane

Author:Lark, Jane
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-10-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Peace was hard to find at Stoneleigh Abbey, no matter the size of the house. There was the obligation to attend the morning service, and breakfast to be eaten. Jane walked up the stairs to the West Wing with her mother. All the time, questions hovered in Jane’s head as she awaited the answers for her plot. They were not forthcoming.

When she sat down to eat in the morning room, on the prettier side of Stoneleigh Abbey’s West Wing, that had been designed for the mistress of the house, in the manor of the last century—to create half a residence for the man and half for the woman—the room was much darker than usual. Clouds blanketed the sky outside, stealing all brightness.

Rain began to fall in heavy unrelenting torrents as they ate, the drops of water descending from the heavens and throwing themselves against the tall panes of glass.

After breakfast the rain meant there was no chance of walking alone to seek the privacy Jane longed for.

She resigned herself to a morning, at least, among the other women in the drawing room, sewing, while the men disappeared to talk about the estate business.

The women sat and worked in silence, quite possibly due to the hawk-like study of Lady S & S. It was unusual for Jane, Cassandra and their mother. The hours they engaged in sewing were usually spent in steady conversation.

Jane worked on a neckcloth to send to Charles, as Cassandra continued sewing a seam on her shirt for Frank.

The only sound to be heard was the rain striking the windows.

Jane focused on her needle and thread, trying to leave her mind blank and open to inspiration. None came.

The needle slipped through the cloth, she pulled the thread through until it was taut. She pierced the fabric and pushed the needle through it again.

There was a slight unladylike snort. Jane looked up. Lady S & S had closed her eyes and her head lolled back in the tapestry chair. She had fallen asleep. Jane glanced at Cassandra. They shared a smile, but Jane could say nothing as Mrs Leigh and Mrs Hill were with them in the room. Her mother made a gentle clicking sound with her tongue in reprimand of the thought she must have seen pass between Jane and Cassandra.

The gravel outside the front of the West Wing crunched, announcing an arrival as it churned over. Jane looked to the windows. A horse neighed and the noise of the gravel stirring grew in strength, with the crisp sound of hooves and the extended pattern of the turn of carriage wheels. Jane and Cassandra stood at the same moment, setting aside their sewing.

‘The servants shall see who it is,’ Lady S & S had awoken and sat forward; her stance once more declaring she had the role of hostess in the house. It was nonsense, if anyone were to play the part it ought to be Jane’s mother who had come with Reverend Leigh.

Ignoring Lady S & S Jane walked to the long window and looked out with Cassandra beside her.

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