Lady Jane by Norma Lee Clark Read Free Book Online

there had been some covert glances, she could feel there was nothing sly nor condemnatory in them. There was a general warmth in the gathering and they included her in it so naturally, she lost her initial shyness after only a few moments, and was able to enter the conversation of a group of giggling young upstairs maids her own age. That night her sleep was interrupted only once by the recurring nightmare.
    And this morning had come the heart-stopping announcement from Mrs. Hawks that she had spoken to the mistress and there might be a place for Jane with Lady Stanier’s sister.
    “But I must warn you it’s a far piece from Lunnon. Way down in Kent it ’tis, not even in walking distance of a village. Very different from all you’ve known in your young life so far,” Mrs. Hawks warned.
    “Oh, please, Mrs. Hawks, I shan’t mind that, I promise you. And I shall work very hard, tell m’lady, and I am very strong, really. Never sick a day in me life before this,” Jane pleaded urgently.
    “I know, child, I know. Now don’t get yerself in a taking. Go neaten your hair. M’lady will send for us directly she’s had her breakfast.”
    The summons had finally come, and now she was to meet Lady Stanier, who was found in her morning room, seated before a delicate, rosewood desk. She was a lady well into her middle years, but she was still slim and youthful looking, with an exceedingly gentle expression.
    “Here’s the young person, m’lady—Jane Coombes.”
    Lady Stanier turned and acknowledged Jane’s curtsy with a warm smile.
    “Mrs. Hawks tells me you’d be interested in going to my sister in Kent?”
    “Indeed I would, m’lady.”
    “Have you ever lived in the country?”
    “No, m’lady, I’m a Lunnoner, born and bred, but me mam was from Dorset and told me about it, and I think I should like it fine.”
    “My sister, Lady Payton, lives very quietly and is situated a great distance from the nearest town. I have sent girls down to her before, but city girls seem to find the country frightening and lonely and leave after only a few weeks,” said Lady Stanier warningly.
    “M’lady, if they’ll but gie’ me a bed to mesel’ I’ll not mind nothin’,” Jane replied fiercely.
    “A bed to yourself!” exclaimed Lady Stanier in amused astonishment, “well, I can’t imagine that would present a problem. Larkwoods contains at least thirty bedrooms, and there can’t be more than five in use to my certain knowledge, since the family consists of my sister and her son, and a staff of three elderly retainers.”
    “Excuse me, m’lady, but would I have the cleanin’ of all them rooms? I mean—” Jane, willing and eager as she was for the job, couldn’t help experiencing some doubt about the desirability of the position after all.
    “Oh good heavens, no!” laughed Lady Stanier. “My sister lives very quietly, you see, and most of the rooms have been closed off for years. Her son is—er—an invalid, so they don’t go out or entertain.”
    “Ah—well then, if you think I’ll suit, I’m of a mind to go for sure, m’lady, and grateful to you for the chance.”
    Lady Stanier studied the girl for a moment, wondering why she hesitated. Was it the girl’s youth? Her prettiness? For even through the bruises (and here Lady Stanier paused in her thoughts to direct a most unladylike curse in Leach’s direction) it was clear to see that the girl was uncommonly pretty. I wonder where she came by those bones? Lady Stanier mused, never from the mother if she was a country girl from Dorset. Probably the by-blow of some lusty young lord. Good God! she thought suddenly, I wonder where in Dorset? There’s a branch of my father’s family in Dorset. The child might even be related to me. She smiled at the drift of her thoughts, and tried to bring her mind back to order. I wonder if I should mention Sebastian? It would be only fair to warn the poor child. But then she thought of her dear sister, so good, so