Losing the Estate (Closed for Sallythescorpion)

http://www.patrice-besse.co.uk/chateaux-for-sale-france/upper-normandy/properties-in-france/

Setting: 1856
Picture is a close resemblance of the estate

Andrew - Nephew of the Estate's Steward, his family passed away in a fire, and is looked after by his loving uncle. Andrew was a good kid, and got on well with the daughter of the Owner. Andrew looked up to his uncle, for the hard work and dedication he put into his work. It was strange, cause Andrew was treated as a member of the family, well, he was allowed to spend time on the Estate, taking the horses for rides, as well as spending time with the daughter of the owner of the Estate, which was very much a social no no, but seeing as he was treated as a family member it was considered as acceptable.

Jane St John- Smyth

Jane was bored. She sat in the morning room of her stately home, and drummed her fingers, trying to think of something to do. She did not wish to play the piano, she detested embrodery, and sowing, and producing little items to give to the poor on the estate was really not her thing.

She was 19, and in serious danger of becoming an old maid. She had had a lavish season in London last year, but all the beaus had bored her. Their foppish manners leaving her cold, and although she knew she would need to make a match, she did not feel in any rush to do so. They circled around her, eager to make her acquaintance, she was beautiful, she knew that. She was petite, only 5'4", with a tiny waist that could be spanned by a man's hands, full breasts and hips, her dainty, pretty features, framed by her artfully arranged coal black hair.

Really what she wanted to do, was get a horse from the stables and race Andrew, riding hard over to the north meadow, and there to dive into the lake and swim. Unfortunatly, she hadn't had that luxuary in a long time. He had been away at college for some time now, and she was loathe to admit that she missed his company.

She was an only child, well, only living child. There had been two brothers, heirs to the estate, but one had died in infancy, and the other just two years earlier in the Crimea, at the Battle of Balaklava. He had been just 24, and while they were told that he had died a gentleman's death in the defense of his country, it had killed her mother and sent her father into a spiral of poor health, primarily due to excess brandy consumption.

As the only girl, she had been spoilt beyond belief, and since her brothers' death she had been left to her own devices, and she had grown exceedingly selfish. She did just what she wanted to do, and nothing else, and while her families retainers all commented privately that she was out of control, they were well aware that it was not their place to pass comment.

Andrew had been away for some time, and the girls at college all came across as prim and proper, but Andrew did his best to stay away, not because he wasn't attracted to them, but because they were not as good as Jane, his friend back home, that, when growing up, they got to know each other real good, Jane liked to tease him when they went for rides and a swim in the lake on the edge of the estate.

Andrew had a reason to keep to himself, he didn't want the other students to learn that he was just the nephew of a steward, Jane's father had paid for him to go to college, and Andrew did not want to take his generosity for granted,he promised his uncle that he would try hard and do his best, and made the same promise to Mr St John - Smyth. Andrew did not know what was going on back home, but he did miss Jane, and thought she would have already found a suitable suitor, but he always thought about her when he had spare time and felt the urge to go riding.

With the final exam on Tuesday, Andrew would be heading home soon, his graduation a formality as long as he sat his final exam, so remembering his promise, he studied the weekend, and walked into his exam hall fully confident, and when he set his quill down, he knew he was finished, and he would be heading home. Andrew packed his sack, and saddled his horse, saying his goodbyes he rode home, it was a two day journey, and he booked into an inn on the way home, in the morning he set off again, after a sleepless night, he was tired, but rode as fast as he could. Now he was 10miles outside the estate, and his horse was tired, so he rested allowing the horse to graze. As Andrew waited for the horse to recover, he took a dip in the river.

Jane had expected Andrew's presence over the past two months, but he had not come. Perhaps he had not heard of her father's death, or perhaps he had moved on with his life, now that his time at Cambridge was more or less at an end.

The solicitor had come, and delivered the rather shocking news, that the estate was to pass to her father's brother. He was the youngest in her father's very large family, and with her father 17 years his senior, they had not know each other well, or remained close, but he was the closet male relative, and therefore heir to the estate.

She was nervous as to what the future might hold for her, the unknown. Surely Uncle Harold would ensure that she continued in the lifestyle to which she was accustomed??

The house was still draped in black, and the mourning period would continue for another ten months, all her clothing had been died black, and all social enagements had been cancelled. She felt as though she would smoother, so she took off for a long walk around the perimeter of the estate, feeling the urgent need for some fresh air.

Andrew allowed his horse to graze, and drink from the river, while he swam a bit, putting on his best clothes, he was ready to set off again

Andrew mounted his horse and rode slowly towards the Estate, then, as he cleared the trees, he saw a figure of the one he missed the most, Miss Jane, so, he set of fast, heading in her direction, as he neared her, he saw something was not right, she looked lost, alone, not the usual bubbly girl he had got to know. He brought the horse to a halt, and jumped off the horse.

As he entered the Estate's main gate, Andrew noticed that something was not right, and as he rode up to the house, the once bright and full of life house, was now dark and sent a chill up his spine. He called one of the maids over and asked what happened, and she told him about the death of the Late Mr St John - Smyth. Andrew cursed himself, and asked the maid if she knew where Ms Jane was, and the maid informed him, that she saw her walking out

Andrew left and went looking for her, running to all the spots they used to play at, hoping to find her there, calling her name as he looked, then headed for the lake, it was the furtherest point from the house, and also the most secluded.

Jane had walked for miles and miles, and the hem of her dress was muddied, and her boots were too. She sat under a tree, unheeding the dew on the grass was dampening her clothing.

This was a place that made her feel good, or at least it brought to mind memories of happier times. She was over the raw grief that had utterly consumed her in the days and weeks immediately following her father 's death, but she now had come to the horrid realisation that she was alone in the world. Only this distant uncle, whom no one could tell her about, remained of her family.

She hitched up her knees, and bandied them with her arms, and rested her chin on her wrists, as she gazed blindly at the lake and recalled all the lighthearted fun she and Andrew had had here.

Andrew, she had not seen him in so long, and it was likely that he had made a life for himself in the city now, and she wished him happiness, but what she wouldn't give tohave him here now. She would not have been as haughty with him, nor so condescending, as she had been in latter years, eager to remind him of his place, which was decidely beneath hers!

That said, as children, that had never been an issue, it was only when she had turned 15 that she had developed an opinion of herself, and now that she was older, she was a little ashamed of her sometime cutting comments.

Walking at the edge of the lake, Andrew wanted to call Jane's name, but he knew his place, even though he was an educated man now, it was only because of her father, and his uncle explained everything to him, and his place in society. He was standing on the rocks where they would lie and catch some sun, but did not see Jane, so there was one last place he knew to look, by the trees, so Andrew climbed down the rocks, and walked towards them, and sitting on the edge of the tree line, he saw a figure sitting there, his face lit up, and he ran over. "Jane, there you are, I have been looking all over for you" he said as he approached, then he realised that she must still be sad at the loss of her father, and he straightened his face, "I'm so sorry to hear about your father" Andrew said, and looked down, all he wanted to do was reach out a grab her to give her a hug, but it was drilled into him, that is was a no - no, so he fought hard not to grab her

"Jane, there you are, I have been looking all over for you - I'm so sorry to hear about your father"

Jane wondered if she was imagining it, Andrew, could he really be here, or was it simply her mind playing tricks on her, and echo of the times they had spent here, together, so carefree.

She looked up, and gasped, it was him!! She lept to her feet, "Andrew! My goodness! It is so good to see you!" and then she rememebered herself, "I thank you for you for your condolances, I suppose it was an ease to him, he never recovered from my brother's ill fated trip to Russia!"

Andrew listened, and made him want to grab her even more, looking around, he figured, he would go for it, and if she pushed him away, he would understand. "How are you coping?" He asked with all the care in his voice, he didn't care about society, all he cared about was his childhood friend, and he put his arms around her. "I'm so sorry I wasn't here for you" Andrew's elation about graduation was put out of his mind, all he cared for was Jane, "If there is anything I can do for you, I'm here, no matter what it is"

Jane was momentarily taken aback by Andrew's embrace, but she quickly relaxed into it. It felt so good to have someone just hold her, to share in her misery. Then she realised it was the first time anyone had held her in a long long time. Her father had not been overly demonstrative, and she genuinely could not remember the last time she had been embraced. It felt strange, it felt good.

"If there is anything I can do for you, I'm here, no matter what it is"

Andrew's words warmed her, and though many had uttered similar sentiments, his words rung true, where the others, she knew, were simply the appropriate thing to say, without any genuine desire to support her at all.

She clung to him, knowing she shouldn't, but doing so anyway, and God help her, it felt so good, not just to be held, but to be held by him.

She looked up at him. "Thank you Andrew, I cant tell you how much that means to me!" and quite spontaneously, she kissed his neck.

Andrew felt her squeeze him into her and felt relieved that she did not push him away. Then something that shocked him, he felt her kiss his neck, and did not react, cause he loved the feeling, but also understood she might still be grieving and did not want to take advantage of her.

"Tell me Jane, what can I do for you, if you need help here, I am willing to stay and help, just like my uncle" Andrew offered his services to Jane, even though he hoped for more, socially he was not sure how things would stand even though he was educated at Cambridge. Did that actually mean anything, he studied finance, her Father said he didn't want Andrew to spend his life on the estate, and it was discussed and he planing to become a banker, but now it all meant nothing to him, he wanted to be with Jane, in some way or another

"Tell me Jane, what can I do for you, if you need help here, I am willing to stay and help, just like my uncle"

Jane considered Andrew's offer.

"I dont know Andrew, I just dont know! It's all so uncertain. My father's youngest brother is to have the estate, I dont even know if i shall be allowed to remain!! He might put me out! He may decide to keep me, but the lot of a poor relation is miserable, to be dependant on the charity of another for your every need ........ I dont want that! It is unlikely he will afford me another season in London, therefore, my chances for a good marraige are decimated, and even when I had my season, I was unable to find a man who appealed to me.

"Oh Andrew, whatever will become of me?" she sobbed on his shoulder, as she clung to him for comfort.

Andrew held Jane in his arms, as she poured her heart out, "Jane, your father gave me an education, that I would never have been able to afford, my uncle planned to send me to butler school, to serve your family, but your father gave me the opportunity to go to Cambridge, so, I want to repay him, by making sure you are well taken care of. Andrew didn't have a plan as yet as to how he would do it, but if Jane would allow him, he would give everything to make sure she is well looked after. Then remembering his place, as if it was a kick up the ass, "Miss Jane, I will serve you, no matter where the future lies" Andrew had sent applications for jobs in London, whilst still at Cambridge, and maybe this would be the way out for them, and Jane would have her time in London to find her love, Andrew would do that for her, even though he wanted Jane.

"Oh Andrew, whatever would I do without you!???! It is so good to have someone to lean on for emotional support!" Jane said, and then she took his arm and said "walk with me!"

They began to stroll around the northern pasture, and she told him of how much worse her father had gotten in te months and years of Andrew's absence.

She told him things she had told no one - of her father's heavy drinking and gambling, his path of self distruction. Of his bitterness, and reclusiveness and how, in Jane's opinion, her father had died years before, it was simply the shell of him, his body which had most recently expired.

Andrew listened, and couldn't believe what Jane was telling him, when he heard about the gambling, he wondered if that was why the Estate was left to her uncle. Andrew didn't say anything about that, but promised to look into the finances if he was allowed to. "Jane, I am so sorry to hear that, I stayed at Cambridge to avoid costs, if I knew your father was so ill, I would have come home to see him, I'm really sorry I didn't know" all this was shocking news, Andrew understood why her Father was a shell, as he loved his son.

"Jane, come with me to London, at Cambridge I applied for a few jobs, and if I get one, come with me, if your uncle won't send you, you know I would love to ave you come with me" Andrew hoped he wasn't speaking out of turn, but seeing as Jane was being so open with him, he thought it was as good a time as any to invite her, besides, he couldn't imagine going there without her, "You can show me around" he added with a smile

"Jane, come with me to London, at Cambridge I applied for a few jobs, and if I get one, come with me, if your uncle won't send you, you know I would love to ave you come with me"

Jane was taken aback with Andrew's offer. "I ....I dont know, I must see what happens with my uncle first, you understand that surely, dont you Andrew?? but thank you for the offer, I shall give it some thought!"

They walked on, and soon Jane heard the sound of wheels on gravel, and in the distance, they saw a carraige pull up, and she turned and siad "that is most likely my uncle. He had written and said to expect him early this week. I must go and make his acquaintance!" She hurried off, and then called quietly, "I shall call for you tomorrow, at your Aunts house!"

Andrew felt a little foolish as she headed away, but when she turned, he smiled, she wasn't angry, he let out a sigh, and slowly walked over to his Aunt, she greeted him with sadness, asking if he had heard about Mr St John Smyth, Andrew nodded, and explained that he arrived earlier and heard about it from one of the maids, so he went looking for Jane. His aunt listened, and understood, knowing that they were close.

Andrew told his aunt that he had graduated, and applied for jobs in London, but was waiting for a reply. Andrew asked his aunt where his uncle was, and she said he had left a week ago, after the funeral, and for the first time, his aunt confessed she didn't think he would be coming back, and that she would have to be packing everything up to move to where he was. Andrew listened, and was shocked, but it did make sense after listening to Jane. His father knew Mr St John Smyth as good as any, so he might have had insider knowledge as to what the contents of the will was.

Jane entered the house, and went straight into the drawing room, where she came face to face with her uncle for the very first time.

He was a man in his late thirties, clean shaven, slightly rotund, with the flourid complextion of a man who is fond of his drink.

She curtsied deeply "uncle Harold, I presume. Allow me to present myself, I am your neice, Jane" she stood, as he bowed, and replied that he was pleased to make her acquaintance.

"Have you rung for tea, or will you permit me to do so? " she asked, and when he informed her that he had already rung for refreshments, she stood, and excused herself momentarily, in order to inform cook of his arrival.

On her return, she sat on the sofa, and addressed her uncle directly "May I enquire, Sir, as to your plans for the estate? and I hope you will be so good as to deal directly with me, and tell me how you envisage my future"

Andrew made his aunt tea, telling her all the stories he could think of about Cambridge. London came up, and he explained that he came back to see everyone, and wanted to see Jane. His aunt looked at him for saying that, Andrew smiled. His aunt explained that even though he was educated, he was still middle class at best, and Jane was upper class. Andrew nodded, he knew, but promised Jane he was there for her, and he was going to stick with his promise.

Andrew asked his aunt what Jane's uncle was like, and she said she did not know what to expect, and would wait for their fate when he arrives. Andrew said to her that Jane had told him that her uncle was due today, and his aunt looked shocked, "so soon, oh dear, I will have to send a telegram to inform Henry (Andrew's uncle)"

Uncle Harold was not at all forth coming with replies to Jane's questions, and dinner passed by in a most uncomfortable manner. Jane's uncertainty grew more and more as Harold refused to answer any direct question, simply saying that it was unseemly for a woman to show an interest in business affairs, and that the welfare of the women of the family, was the business only of the men.

He spoke of a number of his friends who would appreciate her womanly form, and he might try to broker a marraige for her. Jane could take no more, and stood to excuse herself before the meal conculded.

"Sir, I had a season in London, I have no intention of marrying some man of your choosing. No one shall pick me a husband, except me!!" and she turned on her heel and ran upstairs, running to her bedroom, and sobbing into her pillow.

Some hours later, she awoke, to find her Uncle pushing his way into her bed. "Uncle, get out!! What are you doing?!"

"If you turn your nose up at marraige, then I shall have you!" he exclaimed, and she lept from the bed, and ran into her dressing room locking the door.

She hid there, until hours after she had heard what she assumed was her uncle leaving. she cried and shook with fear, and wondered if her father could not have found an alternative male heir.

Finally, she entered her room, relieved that he had gone. She went to lock the door, and found her key had gone. She pulled out a valaise, and quickly threw in her belongings, including what money she had, and her parents jewellry, and a miniture of her brothers, and parents. Then she lowered the case to the ground, saddened that she was leaving the only home she had ever known, but the price of remaining was much too high. She climbed out and down the ivy, and taking two horses from the stable, she rode to Andrew's Aunts house, and hammered on the window, hoping that Andrew would take her to London.

Andrew had sat and enjoyed tea with his aunt, , helping out to fix a few things that were needed, but after the long day riding, and walking it finally caught up with him, taking a bath in the cast iron bath, before settling down for the night.

Andrew slept, until he heard a something hard knocking on the window. Andrew jumped out of bed and looked out the window, and to his astonishment he saw Jane there. Andrew pointed to the main door, and went to open it, putting a log in the fireplace, lighting it, he sat down, curious as to why Jane would come in the middle of the night. "Jane, what's wrong?" he asked

Jane could barely get a word out she was so distraught! She threw herself into Andrew's arms.

"Please, take me away from here! He is a monster!" she cried.

Andrew brewed up some tea, and she drank it and while she sobbed out the story. I dont want him to know that I left with you, I would worry that he might take his fury out on your aunt and uncle. Cann we leave at once Andrew?"

She clung to him, needing his support like never before.

Andrew held Jane close, he could feel her tremble, just then his Aunt came through to see what th commotion was all about, Andrew held onto Jane, and explained that they were going to London, it was if his Aunt understood, and packed a lunch for the two of them. Andrew went to his room, and grabbed his sack, the one brought back from Cambridge, which he didn't have the time to unpack, so he walked through, his Aunt had her arm around Jane, then turned to Andrew, telling him to 'take good care of her' Andrew nodded and drank his tea, asking his aunt if she would be okay, she smiled and said there was nothing to worry about, she expected that she would have to leave, and now it would be easy knowing that the two of them were gone.

Jane and Andrew mounted up and rode off the ground of the estate. She was still in a state of shock, and rode without anythought to direction or pace, allowing Andrew to make those decisions for the both of them

She was still struggling to take in her Uncle's advances on her, and she knew, without a shadow of a doubt that she had made the correct decision.

She had some money, perhaps enough for them to find lodgings for several months. "We shall have to tell people that we are married, Andrew, otherwise we shall only be able to find accommodation in the very worst areas. No respectable venue will allow co-habitation, so we shall say we are newly weds. I have my mothers wedding ring, and I shall wear that!"

Leaving his aunt behind, Andrew rode taking the lead, so Jane could follow, he understood her urgency, but didn't quite understand what was going on, when she said "We shall have to tell people that we are married, Andrew, otherwise we shall only be able to find accommodation in the very worst areas. No respectable venue will allow co-habitation, so we shall say we are newly weds. I have my mothers wedding ring, and I shall wear that!" he pulled up with his horse along with Jane's," Jane, you know I would do anything for you, but you do understand, that by telling people we married, you will be giving up any chance of finding a suitable husband" Society would not forgive her if the truth came out, and she would be outcast, she could not one day take the ring off and pretend to be single, "Are you sure about this?" there was another way, but one that he didn't think Jane would go for, or maybe she didn't have time to think about it, but a real marriage between the two of them, society may scoff at them, but they would not be outcast