Jane Eyre Austen (23 page)

Her mother sighed and then winced, “I promise.  I hate aging Jane.  Your father aged so gracefully, I hate being such a burden.”

Jane rubbed her hand, “Mother, you are not a burden, I love you and I don’t like you speaking that way.”

“Jane, leave me with Gray, will you?” she asked.

Jane looked at her mother curiously, “Yes.  I’ll just be outside.”  She picked up the Jimmy Johns bag and nodded to Gray as she made her way to the seating area at the end of the hallway.

“Gray,” Mrs. Austen began, “you must call me Margaret or mother, alright?”

Gray grinned, “yes, Margaret” trying the name on his tongue.

“I wanted you to understand something that I don’t feel Jane would be comfortable talking about.  Come sit closer.”

Gray sat down in the bedside chair as instructed.

“I loved her father very much; he was married when we met.  Jane knows that but has never asked me about the specifics.  I’m sure she heard them from unkind people.”  She rolled her eyes, “I’ve been called gold digger and home wrecker and many worse things.  There is a kernel of truth in that, and I believe that’s why Jane has been kind and never asked.”  She moved slightly and winced again, “James and I had an affair while he was married.  He started divorce proceedings before I was pregnant, but the truth is I was pregnant before he was divorced, and clearly before we were married.  Fortunately James was able to speed the divorce proceedings and we were married immediately.  The first years of our marriage were difficult, socially.  I believe we were married ten years before people stopped referring to me as the gold digger.  Gray, I know you care for Jane deeply, and I am happy for you both.  I worry that Jane will have the same feelings of being a social outcast in your world.  She is younger, quirky, and you are so wealthy.  Please, keep that in mind, she has had so many horrible rumors spread about her already, and your relationship is slightly unorthodox.  It was difficult for James and me at first, to face his colleagues, for them to accept me.  I don’t want that for Jane.”

“I don’t want that for Jane either.  What do you suggest?  Shall we elope immediately or would you prefer that we wait?”  Gray asked, hoping for elopement.

“I ask that you be patient and wait.”  She said and then chuckled, “Not the answer you wished for.”

He sighed, “Well, no.”  He looked up, “But I understand and I will be patient.  My sister in law adores her, and so does my niece.  Our marriage won’t be unexpected.”

Mrs. Austen smiled, “Good.  We shall have her family over to the house when I return.”

“Thank you, I’d like that.”

Jane returned with the doctor who got straight to the point.  “Alright Mrs. Austen, we have you scheduled for eight tonight.  You broke your pelvis; I’ll be putting a plate in and some screws.  We need to discuss your after care. You’ll be up and walking tomorrow, and you’ll be transferred to the rehab hospital the day after that.  You’re surgery and stay has been approved by your insurance already.”

Jane waited until Dr. Owens paused for a moment.  “Can she rehab at home with a nurse?”

The doctor looked over at her curiously, “You’ll have to discuss that with the nursing coordinator, she’ll give you a better idea if your home is suitable.  I would recommend she remain in the hospital for at least a few days post-surgery.”

Jane looked at her mom, “A few days mom?”

She nodded, “Of course dear, a small penance to pay for my stupidity.”

“Mom, it was an accident, please don’t be so hard on yourself.” Jane whispered.

“Well, any questions?” Dr. Owens asked.  “No?  Then the anesthesiologist will be by later, and I’ll send in the nursing coordinator.”  She quickly shook Gray and Jane’s hand and left.

“Well, she seems,” Jane paused, “Competent.”

“I believe the word you’re looking for is confident.” Her mother said wryly.

“Hmm, but competent is more reassuring.” Jane answered. 

She pulled out her phone and texted Susannah, and James with the update and asked for Helen’s number and if she could drop by the hospital to meet with the nursing coordinator.  She also texted James that the combo could be a birthdate, either Aunt Nancy’s, or her mother’s.

A few minutes later Helen texted that she could be there at two.

Jane’s eyebrow quirked at Gray, “So did you two enjoy your talk?”

Gray grinned, “Yes, of course.  Your mother suggested we have Missy, Drake and Tessa over for dinner when she’s up to it.”

Jane grinned, “That sounds lovely.”

“Jane, I should like your wedding to be at Easter.  Would that suit you Gray?” Mrs. Austen asked.

Gray’s eyebrows went up, “I’d prefer New Year’s.”

She clucked her tongue, “Nonsense.  That’s not enough time to organize a wedding.”

Jane whispered, “Mom, please, now is not the time to discuss this.”

“Of course it is.  Jane, I had assumed you would make your dress.  Surely you would need more than two months to create it.”

Jane sighed, “Mother please, I don’t want to talk about this right now.”  She looked to Gray.

He smirked, “Valentine’s Day?”

Her mother seemed to be mulling that over.  “That sounds nice, doesn’t it Jane?  Very romantic I suppose, but the grounds will be so bare.  Don’t you want flowers blooming in the gardens Jane?  I’ve always pictured your wedding in the garden, with the roses in bloom, the scent wafting in the air.”

Jane groaned, “You’re not listening.”

Her mother replied, “They won’t smell the same if we get them from the florist.”

“Mother.” She said pleading.

She looked at Gray, “Please help me.”

Gray wrapped his arms around her, snuggling her close.  “Jane, we can wait to announce the date.” he murmured, “But I’d like to announce our engagement in the papers.”

Jane looked shocked, “What?  I, uh, no.  Seriously, enough.  You have to stop encouraging her, this has gone too far.”   She looked at her mother, “What did you two talk about?”

Gray shrugged and her mother clucked, “Jane, darling don’t be rude.”

“Right.”  She stood up.  She picked up the water and held it in front of her mother, allowing her to take another sip.

“Thank you, Jane.” She murmured.

Jane’s phone rang and she picked it up, looking at her mother, “It’s James.”

“Janie, I got the safe open, it was Aunt Nancy’s birthdate.  It’s full of jewelry.  Really expensive jewelry I think.” James said, sounding a bit strange.

“Huh, why don’t you talk to Mom, she’s awake.” Jane replied and handed the phone to her mother.  “Mom, please?”

Her mother looked at the phone, rolled her eyes and took it.  “Hello James, you know I hate these things.”

“Yes ma’am.  The jewels in the safe, was there a specific one you wanted me to bring you?” James replied politely.

“Yes, please.  There is a velvet pouch, either blue or black, inside is a pink topaz ring.  Have you found it?”

“That and much more, do we have this insured?” he asked.

“James, not now.  In the bag, there’s a ring.  Yes?”

“Yes ma’am.  Silver with diamonds on the band and a topaz in the center.”  James responded.

“Excellent, can you clean it and bring it to me?”

“Today, ma’am?” James asked.

“Of course today James, why else would I be willing to talk to you on this contraption.”  She snapped and handed the phone back to Jane.

“James, it’s me.  I guess I’ll see you later.”

James muttered, “Obviously.  I’ll come with Helen.  Jane, there’s a diamond tiara in there.  I locked it up and put the safe in your room, but there’s got to be thousands and thousands of dollars of jewels in there.”

“Oh, I wonder why…” she looked over to her mother, “I’ll see you soon,” and hung up.

While her mother was on the phone Jane leaned close to Gray and whispered, “I have no idea what you think you are doing, but stop it now.  Do not encourage her.  I’m serious.”

Gray nodded slowly, acquiescing.

When her mother hung up Jane asked, “Mom, why was that safe in the attic?” 

“Well, dear, your father suggested we place them there to keep them away from Richard.” She said matter-of-factly.  “Now, you’re curious to know about them, aren’t you?”

Jane nodded, “James said there’s a lot of jewelry in that safe.  Was it Aunt Nancy’s?”

She beamed, “Yes, do you remember the story Jane?”

Jane nodded and said to Gray, “Mother’s Aunt Nancy was a beauty.  She met a very wealthy French man, and they had a torrid affair.  He was married and at that time divorce was not possible, but I suppose affairs were expected.”

Her mother clucked, “His family wouldn’t allow it, he was royalty, dear.  Don’t forget, it was all about family lines, and she was an American.”

“How did they meet?” Gray asked, amused.

“Nancy sang opera, they met in New York.  She had minor roles at the Metropolitan.”

“Wow,” Gray breathed, “All of you women are so accomplished.”

Jane blushed, but her mother continued, “Nancy was quite talented.  She had many suitors, and finally married after her affair with the Frenchman ended.  But the jewels, oh my, the jewels he gave her.  You see his family had a diamond mine in Brazil, and she has pink diamonds that are exquisite.  I thought of them when I saw Jane blush last night.  There is a ring that I want you to have Jane.  Consider it an early wedding gift.”

“Thank you, Mother.” Jane said resignedly.

James arrived later with Helen, Susannah, and the blue velvet pouch.  He handed it to Mrs. Austen and leaned down and kissed her forehead.

“It’s good to see you with color in your cheeks, ma’am.” He said warmly.

She opened the pouch and gently dropped the two pieces on her palm.  She held up the first one, it was a stick brooch with an oval pink diamond in the center and six emerald cut diamonds on either side, decreasing in size.  The second item was the ring.  A two carat round pink diamond in white gold with a filigreed band that glittered with small white diamonds.

James grunted, “It’s all like that, the safe is like a Tiffany’s.”

Mrs. Austen nodded, “some of it is quite gaudy and I never felt the need to reset the stones.  Here James, this is for Susannah.  You may do what you wish with the stones, don’t feel that you have to keep it in the brooch; I realize Susannah may prefer a different setting.  Jane, this is the ring.”

“It’s beautiful.”  She breathed.  

Gray picked it up and raised his eyebrows, “I wonder if it fits?” 

Jane glared and took the ring from him.  “Mom, it’s beautiful.  I’ll save it for when we need it.”

“Darling, please try it on.” Her mother begged.

Jane slowly released a breath and slipped the ring on to her ring finger of her left hand.  “It fits,” she whispered and pulled it off and put it on her right hand.

Thankfully Helen interrupted, “Well Maggie, you’ve got yourself in a pickle.”

She nodded, “I’m afraid so.  Surgery is scheduled for this evening.  Are you familiar with Dr. Owens?”

Helen blew out a breath, “She’s a hell of a talented surgeon, kind of cocky, and definitely not the worst bedside manner but pretty close.”  She winked at Mrs. Austen, “But she’s the one I’d want doing surgery on me.”

Gray smiled as Jane, James, and Mrs. Austen visibly relaxed. 

A bubbly woman entered the room, she was probably 4’10” with dyed brown hair and gnarled hands that grasped a blue folder.  She waved, “Hello, I’m Landy Keyes, your coordinator.  I understand that Mrs. Austen wishes to go home instead of rehab?”

Jane nodded, “Yes, please.”

Helen touched Landy’s elbow and grinned, “Helen Burns, I’m her personal nurse.  You just let me know what she’ll need and I’ll make sure it’s ready for her.”

Landy grinned, “I’m happy to hear that, it’s extraordinary in this day to have such family support.”  She opened the blue folder, “I’ve a list of the things you’ll want for her comfort.  Shower chair, etc.  She won’t have to worry about steps will she?”

Jane and James looked at each other.  He shook his head, “No.”  He nodded at Mrs. Austen, “You’ll move into the cottage, it’s one floor, no steps.  The shower already has the handicap bars installed, and the toilet too.  Even the kitchen is handicap accessible.”  He looked over to Helen, “It’s two bedrooms Helen, you can move in there and we’ll take the attic.”

She nodded in agreement and Gray was struck by how quickly the family got along and took care of each other.  They were so selfless. 

Landy nodded and handed the blue folder over to Helen.  “If you’d like, you can call me anytime. I have my card in the folder.”  She patted Helen on the arm and the two discussed physical therapy and other logistical matters.

Susannah cleared her throat, “I was wondering, if, since Mrs. Burns is willing to move in, if perhaps I could get a job.  James and I are at a point where we have decided we’d like to adopt.”  She looked at Jane and seemed worried, “I need an income, and we need insurance.  I don’t want James to stop writing, and honestly, I’m not enjoying running a B&B anymore.”