Jane Eyre Austen (6 page)

He winked, “I like inappropriate sex.”  He looked up surprised, “Hello.”  He held out his hand, “I’m Ben Spruce; this is Jane Austen, and Patrick Whitfield.”

She recognized the hand that brushed past her and her stomach flipped.  She turned slightly and looked up into dark and dangerous chocolate eyes.  “Good evening, Mr. Poole,” she breathed.

“Good evening.  I see you have had an occasion to leave your house.”  He looked her up and down, assessing her carefully.

Their previous conversation of appropriate mates and advertising clothing came to mind.  She groaned inwardly, “I’m escorting my mother.”  She turned to look where her mother was, happily finding her with Patrick’s parents, seated and sipping wine.  She bit her lip, hoping it was just one glass.

He shook Patrick’s hand and introduced himself, “Gray Poole, and how do you know Ms. Austen?”

Ben smirked, “Oh, they’re old friends…”

She flashed her eyes at Ben, “Benjamin, Mr. Poole is my employer.” She stressed the word employer and begged him with her eyes to stop.

Patrick looked relaxed, but he always looked relaxed, she thought.  “Janie and I were high school sweethearts.”

She felt the blush begin to creep up her neck to her face.  She squirmed as Patrick gave her his deadly, combust your panties look.  She swallowed, “Yes.  That was a long time ago.”

“Jane!” A voice called out behind her.  She turned to see her old art teacher waving.  In high school, she had always thought of him as being old.  He was probably only in his late
forties now, and her definition of old had changed dramatically after travelling through Europe this summer and meeting so many people.

He walked over and hugged her. “My God Jane, you look breathtaking!  And your paintings are stunning!”  He stood back, holding her arms and looking at her appreciatively.

“Thank you Professor, that’s very kind.”

“Your photography is wonderful too, Jane. You have such an eye.  I followed your blog, and use some of your pictures in my class.”

“Thank you, that’s a wonderful compliment,” she returned warmly. She barely noticed Gray’s hand, now resting on the small of her back.  The professor had and turned to look at him, nodding, and then held out his hand to shake Patrick’s.

“You still drawing?”

Patrick raised an eyebrow, “Architecture.”  He introduced Ben and Gray but continued to give the professor a not so friendly glare.

The professor ignored him and turned back to Jane. “Will you come in and talk with my class, Jane?  They’d love to hear from someone close to their age about your travels in Europe.”

Jane’s smile stiffened, “No, I don’t think so.”

“You must, Jane. I won’t take no for an answer.” He was turning on the charm.

Patrick’s mouth opened and she flicked her eyes to him. She answered the professor firmly, “Nyet, nine, nunca.  Take your pick professor; it’s not going to happen.  Good seeing you.  Patrick, I’m ready for my dance.” 

She held out her hand and Patrick led her away, whispering in her ear conspiratorially.  Gray watched her walk away and watched the professor’s mouth flop like a fish before he called out someone else’s name and left.

Ben leaned toward him and spoke very quietly, “If you hurt my Janie, I’ll fuck you up so bad you’ll wish you were dead.”  Gray stood stunned watching Ben saunter toward the bar, his words swimming and making his ears buzz.  His Janie?

He watched as she danced with Patrick, moving together like lovers and he wondered what kind of relationship Jane, Ben and Patrick had.  He returned his gaze to the bar, finding Clayton and joined him. He could feel Ben watching him carefully at the other end.

Clayton handed him a glass, “Isn’t that your receptionist?”  Gray nodded, jealousy knotting his stomach as Patrick’s hands rested on her hips and pulled her closer.  Clayton handed him another glass, “Come, Gray, your date awaits.”

Gray rolled his eyes and followed Clayton towards his date, Julia.  He felt like an idiot. He should have never let Clayton’s wife talk him into bringing a date.  If he had known Jane was going to be here, he would have cancelled it.  He doubted that he would have asked her, though.  He handed Julia a glass of wine and tried to ignore her simpering looks.  Clayton’s wife, Karen, was telling him which items she wanted to bid on as Gray searched the auction for Jane’s paintings.

He found them easily enough, and would have bid, but reconsidered. It seemed too awkward, too personal.  He heard Julia scoff, “Jane Austen?  Poor kid!  She’s not a half bad artist though.”

Clayton shot a look at Gray who returned it with a warning look.  Karen spoke up, “She’s quite talented, Julia.  She’s James and Margaret’s daughter; they started this auction over twenty years ago.”

Gray looked up, “James Austen’s daughter?” he asked, emphasizing the word daughter.

Karen nodded, “Yes, Margaret was his second wife.”  Gray looked incredulous, Mrs. Austen was at most in her early sixties, and James had died six years ago at the age of eighty four.

Julia sneered, “What’s that look for Gray?”

He shook his head, “I’m just surprised at the age difference between Mr. and Mrs. Austen.”

“You think she married him for his money?” Julia asked.

Karen answered, “I don’t.  They always seemed so happy together.  His first wife was the gold digger.”

Gray flicked his eyes over to Julia; gold digger was an apt description for her too.  He finished his drink and excused himself, returning to the bar, hoping to glimpse Jane once again.  This time she was dancing with Ben and laughing.  He didn’t like it.  He remembered her flip comment about not sharing his toy, not being spoilt by another.  This was what she meant, it dawned on him.  She saw his jealousy before he even realized it was there. 

As the dance ended he found himself standing beside her, gently touching her arm.  “Ms. Eyre, might I have the next dance?”

She looked up shyly, “Thank you, Mr. Poole.”

Ben kissed her cheek, whispering something to her that made her blush before he left.

Gray took her into his arms, and thankfully a slow song began.  With her heels they were closer to the same height, and fit together beautifully.  He pulled her in close, a hand on her hip, keeping her there.  She didn’t resist, she seemed to melt into him.  He laid his head against the top of hers, breathing in a spicy and fruity aroma.  Her hands were lightly touching him, one carefully against the small of his back, the other barely there in his hand as if she were afraid to touch him.

He felt her chuckle and pulled back to look in her eyes. They were shining and took his breath away.  “What amuses you, Ms. Eyre?”

“The song seems fitting.”  Tilting her head slightly she began to sing softly, her voice sweet, breathy, “Still I wonder why it is, I don’t argue like this, with anyone but you.”  She grinned sardonically.

He raised an eyebrow, “Very fitting,” and he smiled as she laid her head on his shoulder.

The song was over too soon, and Patrick was there, asking to dance. 

“Ms. Eyre, that was enchanting.  I hope that you enjoy your evening,” Gray said warmly.

He thought he saw a flicker of disappointment in her eyes, “Thank you, sir.”

Gray strode off, toward the disapproving looks of Clayton and his wife. 

Karen spoke softly, “She’s very pretty, Gray.”  Gray said nothing, not wanting to discuss this.  She continued, “Julia is dancing with Tim Mathers, the optometrist.  Do you know him?”

“No.”

“They’re a good match for each other, I think.  Tim will screw anything with a hole, and Julia will spend every penny he earns.”  Karen looked at him closely.

Gray chuckled, “I see you don’t approve of my date.”

“No, Gray, I don’t.  Clayton says Jane works for you.”  Gray nodded as Karen continued, “I worked with her dad. He was really a great guy, down to earth for a millionaire, you know?”  Karen took a sip of wine, “Jane could easily have her mom committed, but she refuses.  Really pisses off her stepbrother.  Jane’s got a good head on her shoulders; she controls their investments, making sure there’s enough for her mom, in case.”

“How do you know all this?” Gray asked amused.

“Susannah, her cousin, does yoga with me on Tuesdays and Thursdays,” Karen answered grinning.

Gray raised an eyebrow, “Ok, tell me this, my nosy friend.  What’s the deal with Patrick and Ben?”

Karen shrugged, “Well, she dated Patrick in high school.  They broke up before going to college. She went somewhere south, and Patrick went to Notre Dame.  He met Ben in college.  Susannah says they’re best friends, but I wonder…”  She watched Patrick danced with Jane.

Karen flicked her eyes back to Gray, “Clayton says you’re smitten.”  He rolled his eyes and scoffed. She grinned, “It’s pretty damned obvious. Why do you think Julia’s humping plan B over there?”

Gray looked over and Julia was indeed wrapped around Tim, the two of them gyrating in a sexual frenzy.  He looked back to Patrick and Jane, dancing well together, but not like that.  Definitely not, he reassured himself.

“Anything else I should know?” Gray queried.

Karen said it lightly, but it hit him like a slap across the face, “Yes. You deserve some happiness, Gray.”

He dropped his head and headed off to the bar. He ambled toward the silent auction tables again and thought about leaving.  Walking toward the exit, he paused to sit down on a bench, hidden behind a forest of potted plants.  He had no idea how long he had been sitting there, his drink completely gone, and no buzz.  He cursed the parsimonious bartender; he’d have to drink a dozen to get a decent buzz.  He was about to get up when he heard Jane.  He looked through the palm fronds and rubber tree leaves.

She stood hissing at a man, at least twenty years older than she, “Get your fucking hands off me Richard.”  One hand was wrapped tightly around her arm and the other was groping her breast.  Her knee shot up, but he twisted, avoiding contact.  She brought her spiked heel down the inside of his shin and stomped on his foot.  As he doubled over she brought her knee up again, smashing it against his nose and ran off.

Gray watched the man slowly stand up, put a handkerchief to his nose and limp toward the men’s room.  He followed Jane into the reception where the oral auction had begun.  As he searched the room, he found Jane had settled at her mother’s table seated between Ben and Patrick talking animatedly.  He found Clayton and sat down at the table next to him, Julia glaring at his arrival.

“Where have you been?” she hissed.

“I’m sorry. I’m not feeling well tonight, Julia.  I hope I haven’t spoiled your evening,” he said coolly.

She relaxed, “I thought you were avoiding me.”

He shrugged and pretended to be interested in the auction.  It seemed to go on forever, and Julia hinted at bidding on the sapphire necklace, the weekend getaway, and a dinner for two in Napa.  She tried taunting him, then cajoling him into bidding on anything.  Gray became disgusted, tucked the bidding card into his pocket, excused himself and made his way to the bar.  He watched as Julia tried to make eye contact with Tim Mathers who was sucking on the ear of a woman he assumed was his date.  What a spectacle, he mused. How would his Ms. Eyre judge this situation?  His attention switched to Jane’s table. The man who accosted her, Richard, was sitting beside her mother and Ben had him pinned with a glare that would make a mortal man wither.  This asshole managed to ignore him.

Their table seemed to buzz. Gray listened to the auctioneer describe a package from Jane Austen: photography and a water color portrait.  She was shaking her head no; turning to face the man she had called Richard.  Her face contorted in anger as she talked to Richard waved his hand to dismiss her.  He smiled and placed his arm around her mother.  When the bidding began, someone bid $500 and Jane’s face blanched as she found the face in the crowd.  Ben bid $600, the man bid $1000.  Richard laughed as Jane squirmed.  Patrick bid $1100, and Ben got up and walked over to the man who increased his bid to $1500.  Ben bent down and whispered in his ear while Patrick bid $2000.  Another voice called out and bid $2100.  Jane whispered to Patrick who caught Ben’s eye and shook his head.  Ben returned to the table while other people bid, increasing the final bid to $7500.  She looked resigned, scared even, and Ben looked like he was going to murder Richard. 

Gray’s card
was in his hand when he held it up and called, “$10,000.” Richard whipped his head around and he glared when they locked eyes. Unfortunately, it did nothing to Richard.  He nodded politely to Jane, and then left to settle his account for the evening, texting Clayton to please see Julia home.

He ran into Jane and Ben in the hallway. Ben looked furious, and the effect was intimidating.  He probably had forty pounds of muscle on Gray, but Gray wasn’t concerned.  Jane looked like she could faint at any moment.

“Ms. Eyre, are you well?” he asked.

“Mr. Poole, I am at a loss.  I do not understand your actions.”  Her voice was so quiet, it unnerved him.

“Ms. Eyre, my niece will be three this autumn.  A precious age, yes?  This is one gift that my sister-in-law cannot refuse to accept.  I shall give you her address and phone number on Monday. I’m sure you should be able to set up a convenient time for both of you.”