What Would Jane Austen Do?

Chapter Three

Interested in the topic of their conversation, Eleanor left her seat by the window in the parlor and joined the other women around the coffee table. She accepted a cup of tea from Deirdre.

“Shermont will not ask either of you to dance if he has a lick of sense,” Mrs. Maxwell said to her daughters. “Your father would—”

“It’s just a dance, Mother,” Fiona said.

“No. It’s your reputation.”

“What is it about that man young girls find so fascinating?” Mrs. Holcum asked. “Oh, I know he’s handsome, and titled, and—”

“Now he has a title,” Mrs. Matthews interrupted. “But I heard …” She paused for effect, and the other chaperones leaned forward. “Five years ago, the elder Shermont found him on the roadside beaten near to death by brigands, as the story goes. He survived, but he has no memory of how he got there or any events before being found. He does not even remember his real name. Since the elderly Shermont’s sons had both been killed fighting Napoleon, he later named this stranger his heir.”

“Can someone adopt a grown man?” Eleanor blurted out.

“Not adopt,” Deirdre explained. “Named as his heir. Not unusual for a man without a son to name a nephew or cousin or distant relative—”

“But a stranger?” Aunt Patience shook her head. “Who would have thought it possible?”

“And most surprising, Prinny approved,” Mrs. Holcum said. “He missed an opportunity to have the sizable estate revert to the crown. Not that I would say anything bad about the Regent, but to elevate a man of uncertain breeding …”

“I met Shermont several years ago,” Mrs. Matthews said. “He had an accent I couldn’t place, definitely unrefined. Perhaps he is a Colonial, like your cousin,” she added to Deirdre.

Eleanor bristled and would have made a scathing comment about intentional rudeness, but Mina quickly remarked, “I find her accent charming.”

“We are at war with the United States,” Mrs. Holcum said with a sniff.

“I understand your concern for your brother serving in the Navy, but England is not at war with our cousin,” Deirdre said, putting deliberate emphasis on the last two words.

Mrs. Holcum pressed her lips into a hard white line, saying no more along the ugly American theme. Eleanor decided to cut the woman some slack. She’d forgotten about the War of 1812, as it was known in America. Although the presence of men in uniform was mentioned several times in Jane Austen’s work, Eleanor had always assumed they were destined to fight Napoleon.

“The Americans. The French. Is there anyone we’re not fighting?” Fiona sighed. “These wars have created a dearth of available young men, and any still in England speak of nothing else.” She propped her elbow on the arm of the chair and rested her chin in her hand. Her mother tutted her disapproval, so Fiona sat up as straight as a yardstick and folded her hands in her lap.

“The Spanish are our allies,” Mrs. Holcum pointed out.

“And if a Spaniard appears on our doorstep, we will offer him our hospitality,” Deirdre said. “Currently, Lord Shermont is our guest and as such can expect nothing less than appropriate civility.”

“He seems quite proper,” Aunt Patience said. “He’s been here for several days, and his manners have been above reproach.”

“Well, he has spent time in polite society,” Mrs. Matthews admitted. “Perhaps one should not be too hasty to judge a person solely by his antecedents. Other factors should be taken into account.”

“Other assets aside, I hear he has a large … um … fortune,” Aunt Patience said.

Mina and Hazel giggled and whispered and giggled more. Eleanor fought to keep from rolling her eyes.

“Good heavens, Patience, don’t say such things in the presence of impressionable ears.” Mrs. Holcum gave her daughter a stern look. “My daughter will not dance with that man. For all we know he could be the son of a … a …”

“Highwayman or pirate,” Mina supplied with a wistful smile.

Eleanor shivered, but her reaction was not fear.

“A rather fanciful notion,” a deep voice responded.

Lord Shermont sauntered into the parlor, with Lord Digby on his heels.

Deirdre jumped up and greeted the newcomers. She put her arm through Teddy’s and said, “Brother dear, do say something in defense of our guest.”

“I might point out that ne’er-do-wells rarely speak several languages, quote classical literature, or understand scientific and mathematic principles,” Teddy said, almost hiding his reluctance at singing the other man’s praises.

Mina stuck out her bottom lip. “There could be an educated pirate.”

“Obviously my sister has been reading too many romantic novels,” Teddy said as he shook his head and spread his hands.

Shermont stepped forward to execute a gallant bow in front of Mina. He raised her hand to the barest brush of his lips. “While I’m flattered to be compared to the hero of one of your books, I expect when the truth of my previous circumstances is known, my heritage will prove quite ordinary.”

“I think not,” the entranced girl whispered.

Eleanor changed her mind and decided Mina must be the one who was seduced. Shermont moved away from Mina and stood by the fireplace with one elbow on the mantle. Even though he appeared to ignore her, he was close enough for Eleanor to detect the spicy scent of his cologne.

Teddy cleared his throat. “So where is the dancing master? You have here two gallantly agreeable partners. That is, at least in my case, if you’re willing to risk your toes in the pursuit of learning the latest fashionable steps.”

“My dear, you are a marvelous dancer,” Aunt Patience said. “But poor Mr. Foucalt was so distressed by his arduous journey from town that I told him we would wait until tomorrow for our lesson. We can have the footman fetch him if you would prefer today.”

“Not necessary,” Teddy said. “It is too nice to remain indoors anyway.”

“Let’s go on an outing,” Mina suggested, clapping her hands. “To the ruins.”

“Capital!” Teddy agreed. “Cook will pack a picnic, and you won’t have to return until late afternoon.” He yanked on the bellpull, and the butler appeared almost instantly. “The party will need transportation to the ruins. Both the carriage and the landau, I should think.”

Tuttle bowed. “Yes, milord.”

“I noticed you didn’t call for your horses. Won’t you gentlemen accompany us?” Mrs. Holcum asked Teddy.

He laid his hand over his heart. “Unfortunately, duty takes precedence over pleasure. I must remain behind to welcome the other guests expected to arrive today.”

Shermont wasn’t given a chance to reply before Mrs. Holcum spoke up.

“Perhaps we should delay the picnic until tomorrow,” she suggested. “It looks as though it might rain this afternoon, and I’m sure your other guests will enjoy such an outing.”

Eleanor deduced Beatrix’s mother didn’t want to wander too far away from the fish she thought her daughter had caught.

“I agree,” Deirdre said. “I have had enough of the inside of a carriage for one day. We could play croquet.”

“Excellent idea,” Aunt Patience said. “We will meet you gentlemen on the south lawn in half an hour. That should be time enough to fetch our bonnets and parasols. With your leave.”

She stood and led the ladies from the room.

A fraction of a second late in understanding she should tag along, Eleanor jumped up. Because she wasn’t used to wearing a long dress, she stepped on the hem of her skirt and lurched forward to catch her balance. Shermont caught her arm, preventing her from taking a header.

“Once again, I’ve had the pleasure of rescuing you,” he said.

Eleanor pulled free and avoided rubbing the tingling spot where he had touched her. “Thank you. I appreciate your saving my dignity again. I’m not usually so clumsy.”

“That’s good. I believe it’s a rule that after three rescues you would be formally obligated to dance with me at the ball.”

“And that’s bad?”

“Absolutely.” He leaned forward as if to confide a secret. “I am a terrible dancer. I tread on my partners’ feet and make wrong turns. I can’t make small talk because I’m counting the steps out loud. Deplorable.”

His rakish smile told her his self-depreciation was charming nonsense. Teddy’s snort of disbelief reinforced her intuition.

She pasted an innocent look on her face and batted her eyelashes a little. “In that case, should the possibility arise, I will be sure to wear my steel-toed dancing slippers.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Then I hope you won’t step on my feet.”

The tone of his teasing contained an unspoken challenge she found stimulating. “I would hate to make a promise so easily broken.”

“Then maybe we should substitute another activity for the obligatory dance. May I suggest a walk in the garden?” His deep blue eyes suggested she’d discover more than scented pathways.

His charm was made all the more dangerous by her physical reaction to his nearness. She forced herself to remember what had happened to Deirdre and Mina. “Perhaps next time you should just let me fall on my face.”

He gave her a wounded look that was plainly a sham. “As a gentleman, I could never stand by and allow such a catastrophe to happen.”

“Nor would I,” Teddy said, stepping between them. “My duty is to look after you, and with that in mind, I shall endeavor to be by your side the next time you need rescuing.”

Eleanor tipped her head in what she hoped was a gracious nod. “I’ll try to remain solidly on my feet in the future.”

“Then I shall have to find some other means to be of service to you. For the nonce, may I escort you to your room to fetch your bonnet and shawl before we go outside?”

Teddy offered his arm, his expression smug, almost as if he expected her to respond to his mild flattery with fawning adoration. Despite his angelic looks and charming manner, his attentions made her uncomfortable.

“Thank you, but I’m sure you should be making arrangements for the croquet game. I can find my way upstairs without assistance.” She sidled out of his reach and left the room as quickly as she could without breaking into a run.

Shermont’s knowing chuckle followed her up the stairs.

Was he laughing at her hasty flight or the fact that Teddy’s offer had been refused? Either way, she would be in trouble. Good thing she planned on going home as soon as she could find those pesky ghosts and convince them to send her back. And the best place for that would be the bedroom where they’d met.

She pushed aside a tiny bubble of regret. It could have been interesting to … no, she wouldn’t think about that.

Eleanor ran to the room where her adventure had started. She called out to the ghosts as soon as she entered the sitting room.

Deirdre came out of Mina’s bedroom. “I’m surprised to see you so quickly.”

Within a heartbeat, Eleanor realized the speaker was the live girl and not one of the ghosts she was hoping to see.

Mina stuck her head around the doorjamb. “For heaven’s sake, Ellen—”

“Eleanor,” she responded absently. How could she get rid of the live girls so she could talk to the ghosts?

“As you wish, Eleanor.” Mina marched into the room and stood with her hands on her hips. “Although you needn’t put on airs with us.”

“We left you downstairs so you could speak to Teddy alone,” Deirdre said.

“Did you flatter him?” Mina asked. “Let him know how happy you are to be back at the source of so many happy memories? You know, set the plan in motion?”

Eleanor was confused. What plan was she talking about? “Uh … not exactly. I guess I’m still a bit overwhelmed.”

Mina raised her hands in exasperation.

“Never mind her theatrics,” Deirdre said. “We’ll have time to talk about your marriage later. Hurry and put on your bonnet. We don’t want to keep Shermont … I mean, our brother waiting.”

Now Eleanor understood why the girls had invited poor Ellen to visit. If their friend married Teddy, they would have an ally in the matter of getting to London for the Season. But that subject would have to wait. Eleanor still needed to talk to the ghosts about sending her home. “Why don’t you two go on ahead? I … I think I need a few minutes alone to gather my thoughts. Everything is happening so fast.”

“Fast? You were on the boat for six weeks,” Mina said.

“I guess the fact that I am really here is still so unbelievable. I never expected to—”

“See, that premonition of the ship sinking that you mentioned in your last letter was only your imagination. You were merely worried about the drastic changes you’re making,” Deirdre said. “Just remember, it’s all for the better.”

“We’ll give your regrets to the other guests,” Mina said with a sympathetic expression that quickly morphed into a grin. “With you resting, I’m more likely to catch Lord Shermont’s eye because he won’t be paying so much attention to you.”

“Me?” Eleanor asked. Had he been paying special attention to her? He’d made her feel as if he were intrigued by her presence, but she’d thought that was because of her reaction to him.

“I intend to ask Shermont to teach me to play croquet,” Deirdre said.

“Hah! You have been playing since you were six and can beat everyone in the—”

“He doesn’t know that. And a true sister never divulges family secrets.”

Eleanor ignored the continued bickering and paced to the window. Her body warmed just thinking about his exhilarating touch. She recalled their all too brief encounters and judged that he hadn’t paid her more attentions than any other woman present. She turned to face the others and interrupted their chatter. “Back up a step. What makes you think Shermont even knows I’m alive?”

Mina snorted in a very unladylike manner. “As if you didn’t notice him staring at you.”

“Teddy certainly noticed,” Deirdre said. “If you’re trying to make him jealous, it is already working.”

“Why would I want to make Teddy jealous?”

“So he will propose marriage sooner.” Mina’s exasperated expression was the Regency version of a twenty-first century “Duh!”

“I …” Eleanor tried to think of a reason that Ellen would not want to rush into marrying Teddy. “We hardly know each other anymore. To be truthful, I’m not in a hurry to get married.”

“You’re not getting any younger,” Deirdre pointed out as she plopped her bonnet on her head and tied a bow under her left ear. “Twenty-six is not completely on the shelf, but it’s getting uncomfortably close to old maid status, or in your case, old matron.”

Eleanor hid a smile. What would the girls say if they knew she was actually twenty-eight? True, her biological clock was ticking, but she could ignore it a little while longer.

“And we’re not getting any younger either,” Mina added. “You remember Letticia Wilson who was a year ahead of Deirdre at Miss Southerland’s Academy? No? Well, she was six years behind you, so that’s to be expected. The point is Letticia has already been presented, married, and produced an heir. We are still waiting for our Season. Once you and Teddy are married, you can sponsor us—I hope before we are both on the shelf, too.”

“He said he planned to take you to London in the spring.”

“Teddy promises that every year, but something more important always comes up and prevents us from going,” Deirdre said.

“We’re counting on you to make certain that doesn’t happen again,” Mina said.

“I’m not sure I—”

“We’ll have to discuss this later,” Deirdre said. “Right now, we have guests waiting.”

“Oh my, yes.” Mina wrapped a light shawl around her shoulders and let it fall to her elbows.

“I’ll come down in a few minutes,” Eleanor promised.

“Take whatever time you need. In fact, why don’t you take a nice long nap, so you’ll be well rested for dinner?” Mina added as they exited.

Eleanor waited until she heard their voices trail down the hall, then she slipped into her bedroom and closed the door.

“All right, you two mischievous ghosts, we need to talk.” The low volume of her voice did not lessen its commanding tone. “Time for you to make an appearance.”

No response.

She pulled the desk chair to the middle of the room, sat down, and folded her arms. “I’m not leaving until you show yourself.”

“Do you think we should let her know we’re here?” Mina said so that only her sister could hear.

“She doesn’t appear to need our help,” Deirdre said. “At least not yet. We did promise we’d leave her alone.”

“Come on, you guys.” Eleanor had to force her voice to remain strong. “I know you’re here.” Purely a bluff, but she sensed their presence. A feeling like when a word is beyond your grasp, but you know it’s there somewhere. “Energize. Manifest. Whatever it is you do to appear, do it now.”

What would she do if they weren’t there? How would she get back to her own time? “Mina? Deirdre?”

“Maybe we should tell her—”

“No. Our word is our bond.”

Eleanor stood and paced the room. “I said I’d like to go back in time, but that was when I didn’t think it was possible.” She turned and headed back toward the window. Her steps slowed. “Okay, okay, we made a deal. And you’ve done your part—or at least the first step. I remember what I said I would do for you, but surely you can’t expect to hold me to a promise based on wishful thinking. Let’s just call the whole thing off. I’d really like to go back now.”

She stopped and closed her eyes, waiting for the room to spin. On second thought she sat in the chair. “I’m ready.”

Nothing happened.

Maybe she needed to be in the bed. She jumped up, climbed onto the feather mattress, and plopped into a prone position. “There’s no place like home,” she whispered and clicked her heels together three times for good measure. Nothing happened. “Beam me up? Abracadabra? Please?”

Still nothing.

Apparently, there were no magic words.