Jane Eyre Austen (10 page)

The day dragged on, Poole acting cold and distant and Jane’s imagination killing every remaining shred of self-confidence.  What could Richard have said?  Ben would tell her eventually, but not on the phone.

She left at five, headed to the hospital and spent the evening with her mother, trying to put her nerves at ease.  Reading to her mother relaxed her.  Her mom was feeling better today, and was having less bitter moments and more normal moments.  The nursing staff commented that she seemed to be improving and that there was a good chance of significant improvement in a few weeks.

Jane drove home feeling relieved until she saw Ben’s car in the driveway.  She entered the kitchen to find Susannah, Ben, Patrick and James sitting at the table.  Susannah got up and poured a glass of red wine for Jane and motioned to the empty stool next to James.

Ben spoke first, “So the typical rumors are out there-- about the three of us during Spring Break.  The new one is that you hooked your way through Europe.” His voice was flat.

Her eyes flicked up, “Oh my God!”

Ben continued, “It’s being contained.  I don’t know why Richard is doing this, Janie.  He’s really working hard at destroying your reputation.”  He paused and looked over at James, “And his.”

“What?” she asked.

“He’s started a rumor that James is using your mother-- spending her money, worming her way into the will.  He’s started a rumor that James isn’t even a cousin.”

“I want to kill him,” James muttered.  He looked up and shrugged, “Come on, we all do.”

Jane nodded, “I know.  What do we do Ben?”

Ben shrugged, “I’m going to investigate further.  Probably not legally.  We all ok with that?”

They all nodded their heads.  Jane spoke up, “Unless it puts you in danger, Ben.  I don’t want you to get into trouble.”

Ben, his mouth a grim line, nodded, “I won’t get caught.  I just don’t know what the hell he’s thinking.”  He looked at Jane, “You need to go through all the legal papers, Jane, make sure he can’t become your mom’s legal guardian.  He’s a greedy bastard; he’s probably going after the money.”

Jane’s brows furrowed. She gulped her wine. “Ben, what about having a lawyer read through the papers too?  Who would you trust?”

Ben thought for a moment and then scrolled through the contacts on his phone.  He texted the contact to Jane.  “Let me talk to him first.  His name is Charles LeClerc.  I’ll have him contact you with a time.”

Jane nodded, “Thank you.  Mom was doing well tonight; the nurse thinks she’ll be herself in a few more weeks.”

Susannah smiled, “I know. I spent the morning with her and she even apologized for the tea towels.”

Jane allowed herself a small smile.  She looked at Ben, “Do whatever it takes, Ben.”  She meant it.  She wouldn’t care if he put a bullet in his head, there was no way she would let Richard decide the care for her mother. 

Friday had finally arrived and Jane dreaded the weekend.  She was to photograph Poole’s niece at her house and Jane feared he would be there too.  She couldn’t bear to look at him; he obviously had heard the rumors and believed them.  She was disgusted that he was unwilling to give her the benefit of the doubt, or even talk to her about it. 

Saturday morning she packed her Jetta with her photography equipment, a small portfolio of her work as examples, and some props.  She had some ideas for portraits and hoped the little girl would cooperate. 

When she arrived at the house she was greeted warmly by a petite brunette and a very rambunctious toddler who ran over to the couch and jumped on the cushions.  Missy Morgan introduced her daughter Tessa and convinced her to show Jane her bedroom.

Fortunately, Tessa adored dress up and had many outfits she wanted to try on for Jane.  Jane had Tessa show her around the house and outside so they could decide where best to take Tessa’s pictures.  Missy had several suggestions and a list from her husband too.  Over apple juice and graham crackers they planned the day and Jane made a checklist with pictures for Tessa to cross off. 

She went out to her car to bring in more equipment: lights, screens, additional lenses and her laptop, and found Patrick leaning against her trunk.  Poole was sitting on the hood of his car, watching her walk out.

She nodded politely to Poole but smiled warmly at Patrick.  “Morning, boys! What brings you here?”

Patrick gave her a quick hug, “Just thought you might want a hand.” 

She popped the trunk and Patrick opened it looking in, “Hey, you could hide a couple of bodies back here.”

“You are never to borrow my car,” she said flatly.

He scoffed, “It was just an observation.” 

“Where’s Ben?”

Patrick looked at Poole and shrugged, “He had some stuff to do.  He dropped me off.  Is it alright if I stay, Janie?”

“Yes, thank you. She’s adorable and will be putty in your hands.”  She handed him two bags and then looked over to Poole.  The left side of his face was red. She grinned, handed him a bag and said, “Ben’s got an incredibly fast hook, doesn’t he?”

Poole rubbed his jaw and nodded adding drily, “It’s almost as deadly as your knee.”

She quickly looked at him, “What would you know about my knee?”

His brows furrowed, “I saw you with Richard.”  Looking towards the house, he noticed Missy coming toward them; he said quietly, “I wish you would trust me, Miss Eyre.”

There was nothing more to say, Missy was upon them now. 
She was surprised and delighted Gray came.  While Missy and Gray caught up, Jane and Patrick set up in the back yard.

Once Jane and Patrick were alone, she whispered, “What the hell happened, Patrick?  Why did Ben punch him?”

“He doesn’t deserve you, Jane,” he answered, while carefully running electrical cord from an outlet to her lights.

She narrowed her eyes, “What happened?”

Patrick looked up, “He asked about us and Ben punched him.  Ok?”

She nodded, “What’s Ben doing today?”

He shrugged, “He didn’t say.”

Tessa came bounding out of the house and Patrick scooped her up before she fell over any cords or knocked over the lights.

“Princess, I, your faithful servant, Patrick, shall place you in yonder tree.”

She giggled as Patrick carefully sat her on a branch of an old oak tree.  She looked like a fairy in an enchanted forest.  After taking hundreds of pictures outside and changing her clothes a dozen times they moved indoors.  Tessa cheerfully checked off their list of pictures to take and was incredibly cooperative.  Jane fell in love with Tessa’s sweet countenance.

They took a snack break for Tessa’s sake and Jane loaded the pictures she’d taken so far on to Missy’s computer, explaining that she’d retouch and work on a couple dozen out of the hundreds they’d already taken.  Missy was delighted to have copies of all the pictures
.
  Gray stood behind them, looking at the pictures and occasionally commenting about which were his favorites.

In the music room, she saw the pictures of a woman who looked like Missy standing in a wedding dress with Gray.  She couldn’t help but stare at the carefree young man and wondered how different he was from the man she knew.

He surprised her by speaking, “That’s my Lizzie.”

“She’s beautiful, sir.”

He nodded and then gave Tessa and Missy a kiss.  “I see you are in excellent hands! I shall take my leave now.”

Missy rolled her eyes, “Don’t be such a stranger, Gray.  Her party’s on the 12
th
, it’s just us, please come.”

He gave Tessa another hug, “Of course,” and then he left.  No goodbye for Patrick or Jane.

Patrick spoke up mimicking Gray, “He took his leave?  Does he do that often?”

She bit her lip, “Sometimes, when he’s in a playful mood.”

Missy chuckled, “He’s an odd duck.  They were so funny together. He was so formal, and she was totally laid back.”

Jane gave a tentative smile, “I’m sure you miss her very much.”

She nodded, “It was really hard at first for Gray. Tessa and Constance would have been only a few months apart.”

Patrick scoffed, “Constance?”

Missy rolled her eyes, “I know his idea…”  Her eyes narrowed, “Are you two dating?”

Patrick chuckled, “No. We’re friends.”

Missy’s eyes opened wide, surprised, “No! I meant Jane and Gray.”

Jane f
elt her cheeks flush, “No, I, uh."  She stammered, "We work together.”

Missy chuckled, “You, uh
, work together, huh?  Well if you like him, you need to do something, because he never will.”

Jane nodded and hung up some screens. Patrick grunted, “I guess that means nothing is going to happen then.”  He leaned closer, “Besides the vote is still out on whether we like him or not.” 

She punched his stomach lightly, “Who said you get a vote?”

He grinned, “I did, Janie,” and quickly swatted her butt.

On Monday, they had arranged for her mother to move back home.  Susannah had taken care of all the details and hired a nurse to watch her during the day.  Fortunately the woman had a sense of humor, and a penchant for Jane Austen, and her mother seemed to enjoy her new companion.

Jane decided to wear her senior project in costume design.  It had a classic Edith Head dress line, but she had created fabric out of stripes, darting and pleating so that the lines reminded her of MC Escher stairs.  It was cool, easily the coolest thing she had ever designed, but it was busy, so she wore a simple black jacket over it.

Ben had spent the weekend researching Richard and his business dealings and running interference with rumors.  She found out later that Patrick had told Gray that if he wanted to discuss her relationship with them, Patrick would answer every question honestly, he just needed to decide if he wanted the answers.  He gave Gray his card with his cell phone number.  So far, Gray hadn’t asked any questions.

He hadn’t asked her either and this morning he was polite, still distant, but he didn’t seem cold.  She wasn’t sure which Mr. Poole she was working with, the entrepreneur or the playful verbose man. 

Julia, his date from the Symphony showed up around ten and asked if he could spare a moment.  She showed her in to Mrs. Fairfax, watching her walk away in rhinestone flip flop wedges, yoga pants, and a Chanel cable knit sweater.  Jane mused, she could have given her eye teeth for the sweater, but flip flops, really?

Gray escorted Julia out about twenty minutes later and she was gushing over something.  Jane looked up, dubious that he was enjoying the attention, and was relieved to see his jaw clenched and his fingers tapping the side of his pants, clearly anxious to remove her from his sight.

Julia continued, “Thank you again Gray, an entire table is a wonderful gift.  Will you be bringing a date?”  His eyebrows rose in warning but she continued, “I know it didn’t work out between us, but I have a friend…”

“Thank you Julia, that won’t be necessary.”  His eyes flicked over to Jane and she tried to continue typing, but she could feel herself heating under his gaze.  The printer flicked to life and it spit out three pages that she wanted to bring to Mrs. Fairfax, leaving Julia to simper without her listening.

“Ms. Eyre, what are you wearing?” asked an amused Gray.

She turned, embarrassed, “It is a dress.  You do not approve of my attire sir?”  Julia’s mouth had dropped open, and then she recovered, her lips pulling into a sneer.

“No Ms. Eyre, it is quite becoming and unusual like its wearer.”  He stepped closer and pulled back her jacket, “My God, how intricate.”

Julia sniffed, “I’m not familiar with that designer, Jane.”

Jane raised an eyebrow and acidly remarked, “Jaclyn Smith, Sears.” 

She turned stepping away from his grasp to give Mrs. Fairfax the papers and he followed her, calling over his shoulder, “Good bye Julia.”

He watched Jane, the lovely sway of her hips as she entered the office.  The lines of the dress were mesmerizing as they came together and then intersected.  It was like a puzzle.  She turned and smirked, “Did you need something sir?”

“The dress is remarkable.  I’m sorry if I embarrassed you.” He sounded contrite, “Where did you find it?”

She sighed, “It’s Edith Head’s and MC Escher’s love child.”  She returned to her desk and could hear him laughing behind her.  She sat down and realized he had followed her out again.  She propped her elbow on her desk and leaned on her hand.  “Are you quite through sir?”  She didn’t try to hide her exasperation.

“No Ms. Eyre, I’m not.  Tell me about the designer, I am most curious about the piece of art you are modeling.”  He leaned against the doorway his eyes twinkling and a grin pulling at his lips.

“There is nothing to tell sir, she is a boring woman with too much time on her hands to do something of consequence.”  She turned her eyes to her computer and began typing up a response to a request for Mr. Poole’s appearance at the opening of new shoe store.