Laurie Brown - What Would Jane Austen Do?

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.

“Fine.” Eleanor rose from the bed and stomped back to a post by the window. Her mind awhirl, she absently watched the servants set up the croquet course on the south lawn. So the ghosts were sticklers to the conditions of the deal. Apparently, the only way home was to complete her task.

She reached up and held the necklace as she often did in times of stress. The amber cross was a connection to her grandmother who had believed anything was possible as long as you followed your dream and worked hard.

“Okay, I will try to keep the two of you out of Shermont’s way—I mean, the live versions of you,” she clarified, since she was talking to the ghosts. At least she hoped she was talking to them.

She’d committed herself without the slightest idea of how she would make it happen. She took a deep breath and exhaled. What would Jane Austen do? Probably something proactive, even though she wouldn’t have used that word.

The fastest way to accomplish her task was to confront Shermont directly. As Eleanor changed into walking boots, she wondered what she would say. Should she threaten him with something drastic if either girl’s reputation was ruined?