Of Love and Deceit

Chapter Three

Emily was returning home. The news was clear in the letter she had sent to Jane. She had completed her schooling and made her debut at a London ball. Although Jane and her family had been unable to attend due to financial constraints, Mrs. Agatha, her tutor, had been instrumental in securing Emily’s position in London. 

Jane couldn’t help but wonder if Emily had always known the truth about her parentage or if she had been pretending. It was a troubling thought, and she tried to push it from her mind, though it proved difficult. Speaking of difficulties, Jane had been avoiding her parents, confining herself to her room, and only allowing the maids to enter. She had opted for meals in her room and had turned her mother—who, though not her biological mother—away at every attempt.

Jane feared she might lose her sanity if she continued to live in isolation. With a deep breath, she resolved that today would be different. She would join her family for breakfast—no more solitary meals in her room. A soft knock at the door drew her attention, and she turned her head, curiosity piqued.

“’Tis only me, milady,” came Sophia’s voice, her maid.

Jane granted her permission to enter, and Sophia stepped inside, her gaze meeting Jane’s.

“Shall I prepare you for today, milady?” she asked.

Jane nodded. “I’ll be having breakfast with the family today.” 

Sophia raised an eyebrow but remained silent, and Jane appreciated her discretion. A few minutes later, Sophia was in the midst of lacing Jane’s corset when Beth knocked gently.

“May I come in, Jane?” she asked, as she did each morning and night.

Jane decided to set aside her growing headache and allowed her in. 

“Yes, Mama,” she replied, as Sophia had finished with her dressing.

Beth entered and, seeing Jane dressed, smiled warmly.

“Jane, my dear,” she said, her tone surprisingly pleasant.

Jane was taken aback when her father entered the room too. She had not seen him since discovering the truth about her parentage.

“Good morning, Father,” she said politely, though an awkward silence followed her greeting.

Sophia sensed the tension, and Jane dismissed her with a nod. Most household workers were known to gossip about their employers or anything that went on in the household. 

“Jane, Emily will be arriving this evening. We might all have dinner with her,” her father announced.

Jane scoffed. “You needn’t have come all this way to tell me that, Papa. You could have sent Mr. Adams, the butler,” she said.

Her father shook his head and took a seat in a nearby chair. 

“I needed to speak with you in person. We’re visiting Lord Hadley tomorrow,” he explained.

Jane froze, her voice coming out as a squeak. “Tomorrow?”

Beth, observing Jane’s reaction, stepped in.

“Yes, my dear, Lord Hadley has written to us. Emily also needs to learn the truth,” she said gently.

Her father confirmed with a nod, avoiding Jane’s gaze. 

“I’m truly sorry, Jane,” he said, looking every bit the remorseful father. “I hope you’ll join us for breakfast.”

Without waiting for a response, he left the room. A fleeting emotion crossed Beth’s face, but she quickly masked it.

“You know he truly means his apology,” she said, startling Jane from her thoughts. “He always wanted to tell you.”

“But he didn’t!” Jane snapped before quickly composing herself. “Forgive me, Mama, I didn’t mean to—”

Beth waved her off with a gentle smile. 

“Don’t fret, my dear. It was never your fault.”

Beth took a curl of Jane’s hair in her hand and spoke with kindness and warmth. “We love you; we always have.”

Jane looked at the woman she had known all her life. She knew Beth spoke the truth, and it made her realise that, despite everything, she still loved them. With a warm smile, Jane kissed her mother’s cheek. 

“I’ll be down shortly for breakfast, Mama.”

She would continue to call Beth “Mama” because, in her heart, she always would be that. Beth’s eyes brightened with affection. 

“Alright, I’ll see you then,” she said, patting Jane’s head before leaving.

Jane appraised herself in the mirror. Her lovely blonde curls were perfectly in place, and she wore the teardrop necklace Emily had given her for her birthday, along with her mother’s brooch. Satisfied with her appearance, she walked out of her room and made her way downstairs. 

As she descended, she thought, “It’s now or never.”

Another one, guys. Phew! Can’t wait to get to the end of this story. So, who loves Jane?I do. Someone called her a feminist. Funny? Ikr😂. Vote and comment.