Lost in La La Land(14)

Her eyes drew to mine, narrowing as she forced something of a pleasant smile to her lips. “Cousin Jane, did your turn about the garden serve its purpose? Are you much refreshed?”

“I am,” I answered quickly. Of course. When we’d loaded the book, we added Jane, the cousin. In every book, the person enjoying the story from my machine was named after the author. In this case, obviously, I was Cousin Jane. If this were The Shining my name would’ve been Stephen or Stephanie. If I were a boy in this story, my name would’ve been John. The side character always ended up becoming the important person in the tale, taking over for the actual main character. In this version of Persuasion, I was Lady Dalrymple’s daughter, which meant Elizabeth and Sir Walter Elliot would both vie for my approval and time.

But I could choose how I acted.

So instead of tolerating any more of Elizabeth or Lady Russell, I turned and gazed up the stairs for Anne. I suspected us to be fast friends. She was a girl of common sense and a kind heart.

When she got to the landing she smiled politely at us all, curtseying. “Lady Russell, Cousin Jane. How are you both?”

“I am well,” Lady Russell spoke quickly, taking the space in which I was meant to reply, and then attempted to offer me a kind expression but failed. The hawk eyes ruined her smile. They were sharp and knowing. Judgmental, as they should have been.

“Oh, I’m well as well.” The sentence sounded stupid. Though not very good at it, I was improving on my accent with every word, thought or spoken.

“Shall we all take a turn about the garden before tea? The sun is warm today.” Anne wasn't pretty. She was all-right looking, if I were to be completely American about her appearance. But she was so kind that her genuine smile lit up her face and improved her looks.

“I just came in, but I’d love to meet you out there.”

Elizabeth gave me a stare. “Have you come to a decision on whether you will join us in Bath?”

“As you mentioned before, Anne will be needed in Uppercross. Therefore, I will go with her. Thank you. I wish to see more of the countryside.”

Her jaw dropped in horror, but she quickly snapped it shut again. “Of course.” She turned and gave Anne a smug expression. “I did forget to pass along a message. Mary has taken ill again and requires you there. Thus, you will be going to Uppercross to remain with her until she is quite better.” She started up the stairs, pushing past Anne. “After you have bid our farewell to the tenants and secured the house, of course.”

Lady Russell’s jaw tightened, but Anne’s did not.

“I will remain and take care of that with you, Anne. And then I will go to Uppercross and care for Mary if you wish to go to Bath.” I said it because staying behind meant seeing the story unfold, and I desperately wanted to be a part of that.

“There is nothing for me in Bath. I would rather for a small house nearby. Your company shall be an added pleasure.” She smiled wider, as if that were possible.

“Excellent.” I was truly excited, despite Lady Russell trying to kill me with her death stare.





Chapter Six


Sir Walter Elliot, who turned out to be exactly the man I had imagined, a complete knob, waved at us from the carriage as they drove off.

“Strange that Mrs. Clay is with them to Bath. A simple widow of no fortune or connection. Unlike your father to be in such company,” Lady Russell murmured, maybe thinking I didn't hear her mean-spirited words.

“She is Elizabeth’s companion of choice.” Anne shrugged it off.

“Over her own sister? I have to say, I find that discourteous in every way.”

“I find solace in that she will be distracted and forget I am in the country still,” Anne chided and gave me a look. “I have to close up the house and then we may leave.”

“I am at your disposal. Tell me how I may assist you.”

“You are too kind. Will you stay and meet with the new tenants of the estate, Admiral and Mrs. Croft? They will arrive at any moment and if I hurry I should be done bidding farewell to the others by this evening. When you are finished, bring the carriage to Lady Russell’s and we will carry on to Uppercross from there.”

“Of course.”

Lady Russell’s narrow jaw dropped. Of course, she had expected to be the one to meet the new tenants.

Anne hurried, convincing Lady Russell to join her for at least part of the day, bidding farewell to their many tenants.

The impulse to choose a path in the story hit then.

I couldn't be sure what it was, but something called to me from outside at the same moment as something else called to me from the front door.

My adventure was letting me choose an outcome.

Turning, even though my post was the front door, I left through the parlor in the back of the house and walked into the garden.

My feet drew me across the lawns to a hillside.

The warm wind cooled, picking up enough to rustle my hair loose from the braids on top of my head. I contemplated going back but whatever called me from the hillside was too strong. It would surely turn out to be an important part of the story.

And I most likely wouldn’t miss anything important. From where I stood on the hillside I had a full view of the driveway. I would see the Admiral and Mrs. Croft arriving five minutes before they did.

My steps lengthened, and after a few moments I was running, in a dress and shawl and the most uncomfortable shoes in the history of footwear.