Rose had dreamed of the delights of dining in a stately home ever since she’d fallen in love with Jane Austen’s novels as a teenager. Dining at Chawton House, which had only been open to the public in more recent years, had been beyond her wildest imaginings.
As the various dishes were placed upon the table in the elegant wood-panelled dining room, however, she suppressed a heavy sigh. Now she was actually a guest of Edward Knight, it was not exactly living up to the fantasy.
Putting aside the tumult of emotion in her breast and the confusion in her mind, Rose could tell, for example, that their host was struggling with his assorted guests. The added complication of having Mrs Austen in attendance – eschewing her usual preference for dining early – only made things worse. Although she’d found out about Jane’s escapades when they had lived in Bath, she had no idea her youngest daughter had been up to no good again, nor that almost half the people at the table didn’t normally reside in the present century!
Having to play act was clearly proving as much a challenge for Edward as it was for his four misplaced guests, the strain showing plainly on his face.
‘Yes, thank you, Mama.’ He turned to address Mrs Austen, seated to his right. ‘The delay is unfortunate but as soon as…’ His gaze flicked briefly over his unexpected visitors. ‘…we are able, the journey to town will be reinstated, and the proposed visit to Wedgwoods can then take place.’
Mrs Austen frowned. ‘I am at a loss to comprehend this disruption. Fanny was most displeased at being sent onwards into Kent instead of the promised visit to your brother, Henry.’ She fastened her beady eyes on Edward. ‘You planned to order a new service by summer, yet autumn is upon us, and still we dine upon the old.’
Cassandra sent her brother a warm look. ‘I like this design very well, Edward. It is no hardship to enjoy another meal on it.’
Rose took a sip of her wine. Edward had proudly proclaimed it to be French, hard to come by during such turbulent times, and she savoured the coolness as it trickled down her throat. Her gaze drifted around the table as the Austens carried the conversation between them.
Aiden seemed the most at home, chatting quietly with Charles. James, now more formally dressed, on the other hand, was eyeing the courses presented to him with some trepidation. Morgan, meanwhile, after getting the third degree from Mrs Austen about her unusual name, her family’s connections and their standing in the world, was sitting bolt upright in her chair, clearly afraid of making another faux pas.
Rose eyed her friend sympathetically. Yes, they had attended an event on etiquette earlier that week at the Festival, but neither of them had taken it seriously, nor had they expected having to put it into practice.
Having moved her own chair out to sit down, then refusing the soup (a definite no-no), which earned her a stern look from the lady, Morgan was now watching everyone’s every move and copying them rather than following her own lead – from which silverware to use to which dishes she was permitted to choose from and when to take a drink from her glass.
Rose caught her eye and mouthed, ‘Relax.’
Morgan smiled, then nodded.
‘Miss Taylor.’ Mrs Austen, however, had come back for more from the latest acquaintance of her daughter to arrive on her doorstep. ‘Pray, tell me. Whence do you hail? Your accent is unusual, and to be certain, not of local origin.’
‘Am—’ Morgan stopped, throwing Rose a frantic look. ‘I, er…’
‘Shall we just say, Mama,’ Charles sent an almost imperceptible wink in Rose’s direction, ‘Miss Taylor arrived here by way of Gibraltar.’
Jane choked on her drink, and Charles leaned over and patted her gently on the back. ‘There, there, dear sister.’
Rose smiled at the lady. ‘My friend is from a northern country, ma’am, much distant from Hampshire.’
Mrs Austen raised a brow. ‘Indeed? Yet I believe you have come from Bath, Miss Wallace. How is it so you and Miss Taylor are intimately acquainted?’
It was Rose’s turn to hesitate, conscious everyone was now listening to the conversation.
‘They met through a mutual acquaintance, Mama.’ Jane spoke firmly. ‘I believe Miss Taylor was in Bath for a season, were you not?’ She turned to Morgan, who nodded quickly.
‘Yes! I mean, indeed. I was. Just for a season, looking for love… or marriage I mean or, well, you know.’
‘We have maintained a regular correspondence since we were first… introduced, ma’am.’ Rose smiled at Mrs Austen, whose gaze roamed from her to Morgan and back again. If she only knew!
Thankfully, there was a diversion as the many dishes were cleared and the second course was served, including an array of desserts amongst the further savouries.
‘Would you care for one of the ices, Miss Wallace?’
Rose looked up, then smiled at Edward down the table. ‘Yes, thank you!’ Any chance to take in something cold would be welcome.
A servant placed the delicacy before her, but Morgan was frowning.
‘I didn’t know you had ice cream back then!’
It was Mrs Austen’s turn to frown. ‘Back when, pray?’
‘It will be the last until the winter.’ Edward turned to his mother. ‘May I tempt you with a little more wine, Mama?’
Morgan threw Rose an expressive glance and picked up her spoon.
‘You are fortunate in your cook, Edward.’ Mrs Austen had turned her attention to her son. ‘We are thankful for Martha; she is our only constant.’
‘She would not be so, if you did not persist in sending our cooks onwards, Mama.’ Jane sipped her wine. ‘This is excellent, Edward. French, is it not?’
‘Indeed.’ Edward raised his glass to inspect the colour.
‘You are also fortunate in having no need for thrift, my dear.’ Mrs Austen’s voice was admonishing as her beady eyes took in the lavishly appointed table and its generous contents, then roamed over the strangers in her midst.
‘Let us be above vulgar economy, Mama.’ Jane sent the ghost of a wink in Rose’s direction. ‘Let us drink French wine and eat ice whilst we may.’
‘Why did you send the last cook on her way?’ Charles was leaning back in his chair, nursing his glass in both hands, his eyes on his mother.
Mrs Austen pursed her lips. ‘She was derelict in her duties.’
Jane turned to her brother. ‘Mama professes she had many qualities, but sobriety was not one of them.’
Morgan’s eyes widened, and she hissed at Rose, ‘They never talked like this in Pride and Prejudice.’
About to take a mouthful of her dessert, Mrs Austen lowered her spoon, a look of surprise on her face.
‘You are familiar with that novel, Miss Taylor?’
With a swift glance towards Jane, Morgan turned back to the lady. ‘Er, yes.’
‘Miss Wallace and Miss Taylor are both aware of my efforts, Mama. There is no need for discretion.’
‘On the contrary, Jane, there is oft a need for discretion when it is sadly lacking.’ Mrs Austen turned an admonishing eye on her youngest daughter before turning back to Morgan. Her features, however, had lost their assessing look, and she smiled. ‘And pray, what did you think of it?’
‘Oh, I loved it!’
Rose held her breath as Morgan’s eyes widened at the lady’s lack of teeth before she dropped her gaze and applied herself to her dessert.
‘I will own to preferring it to the first.’ Mrs Austen turned to James. ‘And you, sir? Have you read my daughter’s works?’
James looked guilty as he shook his head. ‘Not yet.’
‘To be certain, it has only been in circulation these seven months or so, Mama, and gentlemen oft have less time for leisure.’ Cassandra spoke soothingly, then turned the conversation to Edward’s family, and as he had so many children, the topic kept Mrs Austen engaged until it came time to separate.
With a glance at the ornate clock on the mantelpiece, however, the lady declared she would return to the cottage, accepting Edward’s offer to accompany her, and soon they had set off down the driveway. The others tarried a while, relaxing now they were freer to talk, until Cassandra suggested the ladies withdraw. They were soon joined by the remaining gentlemen, who had no desire to separate when there was still much to discuss.
Accepting a glass of wine from Charles, Rose sank onto a chaise, moving her shoulders restlessly in an attempt to ease the tension, thankful when Aiden came and sat beside her.
‘You looked distracted during dinner.’
Rose summoned a smile.
‘I need to talk to you about something that happened earlier, but—’
‘Well, that was somewhat onerous.’ Edward strode into the room as the door closed behind a departing servant.
‘It was the most amazing dinner I’ve ever had in my life! I’m sorry I didn’t eat the food.’ Morgan beamed at him. ‘I know it’s a once in a lifetime chance to have an authentic meal here, with you all, but I was so afraid of doing something wrong. Oh my gosh, it feels good to talk. It was really hard not to talk much.’
Conscious that Edward, from his expression, wasn’t quite up for some unfiltered Morgan, Rose bit her lip, but Charles was laughing as he handed his brother a glass. ‘You had little choice, with Mama grilling you in such a way. She has found your accent unusual, to be certain, but seems quite reconciled to your being from somewhere quite northwards.’
‘It’s not just the accent.’ Morgan grimaced. ‘I have a tendency to get carried away and tell people all the wrong things I shouldn’t tell them. In general, I avoid secrets because it’s impossible for me to keep them.’
‘That is… unfortunate.’ Edward threw his sister a significant look.
‘Oh, not this!’ Morgan was keen to reassure him. ‘I can keep serious secrets.’
Jane shrugged lightly. ‘It is of little consequence; who would believe you if you told them?’
‘So true.’ Morgan glanced at James, who walked over to sit beside her. ‘Speaking of, when were you thinking of disapparating us?’
‘Dis-what?’ Charles bit back on a laugh, his gaze going from Morgan to his sister.
‘It’s a reference to something from a popular book in my time.’
Rose looked at Jane, but her gaze had drifted to the window, then back to the newest arrivals.
‘There will be sufficient darkness to take you within the hour.’
Relief filled James’ face, and he put a hand on Morgan’s back, then withdrew it quickly. ‘Sorry, sorry. Just glad to know I won’t lose any business over this… business. With Roger gone…’ He glanced at Rose. ‘I need you on hand or I’ll be down to the part-timer and the temps.’
Jane and Cassandra exchanged slightly puzzled looks; Edward frowned, and even Charles looked as if he was struggling, and despite her turmoil, Rose wanted to laugh.
‘Er, James, I am not sure that translated very well into Regency English.’
It was James’ turn to frown. ‘Oh!’ His expression cleared, and he turned to Jane. ‘Sorry. Not something for you to worry about. Rose, you can stay on holiday until Monday, of course. So long as I get back tonight.’ He glanced at Morgan, a faint smile on his lips. ‘Mr Darcy will be getting frantic as it is.’ Then, his smile faded. ‘My keys had better still be there!’
Morgan’s eyes grew round, and a hand flew to her mouth. ‘Oh no! I’d forgotten about him!’
‘Her,’ James added instinctively, but Rose had seen the continued confusion in those around them.
‘There is no need to be alarmed.’ She addressed Edward, as he seemed to be struggling the most. ‘It is not a fictitious character somehow transported from the pages of a book, just the name given to a kitten Mor— Miss Taylor found.’
Charles laughed and drained his glass, and even Edward smiled at this, though Rose suspected it was more from relief at the mundane explanation than anything else.
‘There, Edward.’ Charles waved a hand towards where Aiden and Rose sat. ‘You are down to two unexpected guests instead of four.’
James, however, was frowning as he looked over to where Rose and Aiden sat. ‘Wait, aren’t you two coming?’
‘I suppose that depends on Rose’s plans.’ Aiden glanced at her. ‘I don’t foresee any problem with my losing another day or two in the present. I’m freelance, and not known for checking my phone.’ He smiled ruefully at the blank faces around him. ‘It means I am not answerable to anyone in my profession and they are used to a delay when trying to communicate with me.’ He took Rose’s hand, and no one raised a single brow this time. ‘If Rose wants to stay a little longer, I’d be more than happy to soak up a bit more of the history.’
Charles walked over to the console table and picked up the wine decanter, topping up his own glass before walking over to them and doing the same. ‘As the mystery of the neighbour has yet to be solved, I suspect you will remain a while?’
‘What neighbour?’ James held up his glass as Charles offered to refill it, then looked at Morgan, who raised her brows.
‘Does everyone else know about the, umm…’
Rose glanced guiltily at her boss. ‘Everyone but James. Sorry,’ she added, as his gaze flew to hers.
James held up a hand. ‘Keep all the secrets you want. I don’t want to know anything else. I didn’t want to know this to be honest.’ He gestured around the gathered company, and Morgan sent him an exasperated look. ‘Not that it isn’t lovely to meet you all, of course.’
‘Is it a possibility to maybe tell him, because I’ve come to a decision that doesn’t make a lot of sense unless that is known.’
Rose stared at Morgan, unsure of her meaning. ‘What are you saying?’
‘I’d like to stay as well. This is a big deal for you, and I’ve been absent for a lot of big things in your life this last week. I’d like to be here for this one.’
James leaned forward. ‘What?’
Morgan looked like she might reach out for his hand but thought better of it. ‘Just another day or two. You can take care of Mr Darcy and maybe tell my mom—’
‘I can’t let you!’ Rose protested. ‘It might not be anything at all.’
‘You do not truly believe that, Rose.’ Jane got to her feet. ‘When we were walking here and you told me of your most recent discovery, you were speaking as if it were fact – were you not aware?’
‘What recent discovery?’ Charles looked to Cassandra, who shrugged, then over at Jane.
‘Morgan, you must go home. I would’ve gone with you happily, but…’ Rose’s voice tailed away. Until the impossible had turned into the highly likely.
‘No, I have it all worked out.’ Morgan got up and paced in front of the fireplace. ‘I’m going to have James text my mom and tell her we went off to a three-day, full cosplay, live-in-Regency-times thing where we can’t have technology. It’s basically the truth and should give you a few days to find out what you need to find out.’
James pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose. ‘I don’t want to know, I don’t want to know,’ he intoned, then sighed heavily. ‘Fine, I need to know, please. What the devil is so important?’