Just Jane by William Lavender Read Free Book Online Page B

Robert was not at the supper table—only Harriet, Clarissa, Jane, and Mrs. Morley gathered there. Arthur had gone off on some unspecified “business,” and Robert, accompanied by Brandon, had gone to see about his damaged house. Conversation between Harriet and Clarissa was mostly limited to domestic matters, as if both were determined to steer clear of the day’s important events.
    Jane waited, and when the opportunity arose, she brought up the subject of her missing locket. “Not that it’s especially valuable,” she explained. “Except to me. It’s the only thing I have that belonged to my mother.”
    â€œAfter supper we’ll launch a thorough search,” Harriet
    â€œWhat worries me is that I might have lost it at Cousin Hugh’s,” Jane went on. “So I was wondering, Aunt Clarissa—if we don’t find it, do you suppose Uncle Robert would mind awfully if I ran back to Hugh’s, and—”
    â€œGood gracious, Jane!” Clarissa exclaimed. “I wouldn’t dare suggest such a thing to him! He’s so hostile toward Hugh, the mere mention of the name sends him into an apoplectic fit.”
    Harriet offered a solution. “I’ll send a servant to inquire.”
    It was done. In the meantime, the women spent an hour after supper scouring the house in search of the locket. It was nowhere to be found. The servants were questioned, but none could recall seeing it. The one who had been sent to inquire at Hugh’s returned, saying that the people there had found no locket.
    Clarissa tried in vain to console the inconsolable Jane. “Now don’t fret, dear. Losing a locket is not the end of the world. I’m sure we can find you another pretty necklace to wear.”
    Jane forced a smile.
Another pretty necklace—to replace my mother’s!
How little understanding the beautiful Clarissa possessed. With a sigh of resignation, she began to pack for the trip to Rosewall the next morning.
    Rosewall
. Suddenly she had the feeling that going to the backcountry plantation, a day’s journey away, would be like going to another foreign land.
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    It was stiflingly hot that night. Jane was a long time getting to sleep, slept fitfully, and awoke after an hour feeling limp and exhausted. The French windows leading to the third-floor veranda were open, but no breath of air stirred. Jane rose and went out onto the veranda, hoping to find a cool breeze. There was none, but the garden below was enchanting under soft moonlight. All was quiet. All the world was asleep.
    But not quite. Gradually, Jane became aware of low voices drifting up on the still air. She tiptoed down the veranda toward the rear corner of the house. Two people sat on a garden bench below, half hidden in the shadows. The blond hair of Clarissa Prentice shone like spun gold in the moonlight, and Jane could make out the broad shoulders of Simon Cordwyn beside her.
    â€œI had intended to apologize,” Simon was saying. “But the way he went after me set me off. Now he’s demanding that Mr. Ainsley send me packing.”
    â€œDon’t give it a thought,” Clarissa said soothingly. “Do you think for one moment I’d let that happen? Never, my darling, I couldn’t bear it!”
    My darling?
Jane stifled a gasp.
    Clarissa’s fingers played in Simon’s hair. “Now, go back to your room. If I can get away later, I’ll come to you, I promise.” She slipped her arms around his neck and pulled his lips to hers.
    Turning away, Jane crept back to her room and crawled into bed, to He staring at the ceiling in wide-eyed shock. Which was worse? Her sharp disappointment at the kind and gende schoolmaster, whom she had come to respect and admire so much? Or the disgust she felt for the lovely Clarissa, the shameless, deceiving wife? She knew only that there would be very little sleep for herself that night.
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    Two carriages were