Page 44 of A Stormy Season

“Take one of the servants with you,” Luke said. He got the attention of one of the footmen who had carried the food baskets and said, “Go with her,” without even looking at Jane.

He might have offered to accompany her. But again, he was under no obligation to take a walk with her. Perhaps he just wanted to spend time with Jeffrey. Still, it put her in mind to be less open with him.

As she walked deeper into the forest, she noticed that the trees were finally growing new leaves. A few wildflowers were blooming too, waking from their long winter sleep.

Jane was just about to turn around when she thought she heard something. She stopped and looked behind her, and the footman did as well.

The sun, which had been so bright earlier, was now hidden behind the clouds, making the woods look much darker. She searched the shaded places between the trees but saw nothing unusual and nothing moving.

“I thought I heard something,” Jane said.

“Shall I go look?” the footman said.

“No, it was probably only a bird or a badger. I am ready to go back now.”

“Very good, miss.” The footman walked just behind and beside her, letting her take the lead. She moved over to walk in the clearing instead of among the trees and kept looking over at the dark wood. It was not sensible to think she could feel someone’s eyes on her, and yet that was precisely how she felt.

She glanced over at the footman but he seemed oblivious.

Quickening her pace, she continued to check the tree line, but she never saw anything. When she arrived back at the picnic area, Luke and Penelope were laughing and watching Jeffrey and Lilith sitting on a blanket opposite each other. Lilith was also giggling as Jeffrey tried to play pat-a-cake with her.

“There you are,” Penelope said. “Shall we eat?”

“Forgive me for causing you to wait for me.”

“No, no, we were letting the children play. All is well. Come and sit.” Penelope patted the blanket and Jane sat between Penelope and Luke. The servants helped pass the food out and Luke and Penelope placed everything on the blanket in the middle, with the nurses helping to feed the children and keep them occupied while the adults ate.

Jane noticed Penelope drawing her woolen shawl tighter around her neck.

“It is colder than I anticipated when I suggested this picnic,” Jane said, wincing. “It is all right if you want to go back early.”

“It is rather cold,” Penelope said, “but we can take a walk to warm ourselves.”

“I think Jane is right. We should not stay out too long.” Luke was looking at Jeffrey, whose nose and cheeks were already turning red from the crisp air.

Since the picnic had been Jane’s idea, she felt a bit deflated that it was not going as she’d hoped. But Luke needn’t be so grumpy simply because the weather was cold. The children were adequately bundled in warm clothing, including woolen hats.

They ate the food in silence that was broken only by the children’s grunts and squeals and whines. Soon Lilith became quite fussy.

“I don’t think we should try to play in the w-a-t-e-r today,” Luke said, spelling out the word in case Jeffrey was listening.

Jane said nothing. After they had eaten, the wind grew stronger, sending a chill across her shoulders. As it began to look quite stormy, Luke instructed the servants to pack up the picnic baskets and they all stood to their feet to walk back to the house.

Jeffrey asked to walk with Luke, and by the time they arrived, he was falling asleep on his father’s shoulder. Lilith was also ready for her nap, and suddenly Jane found herself alone.

She wandered into a library or reading room on the ground floor, filled with bookshelves and cozy armchairs, and she went to choose a book from the shelves lining the walls. She was still searching a few minutes later when she heard someone come in.

Her eyes met Luke’s at the same moment and he stopped short.

“Forgive me. I didn’t know anyone was here,” he said, starting to turn around.

“You needn’t leave on my account,” Jane said, noticing the sour tone of her voice, which she had failed to suppress.

“I don’t wish to disturb you.”

“You will not disturb me, as I’m just looking at your books, and you might as well retrieve whatever it was you came here for.”

“Very well.” He went to the shelf and in a few moments found a book and tucked it under his arm.