Tea with Jane1
The soft greens and blues of natures finest set the frame for today’s tea, lush green grasses French manicured by unseen hands, Parrish blue skies dotted lightly with curlicue white clouds borrowed from George Suerat’s salon. Centred in this picture perfect setting sat four high-back white wicker chairs around a perfect silver place setting. 2
The first to arrive, Martha Jane Canary, surveyed the grounds as she approached. Pulling back a chair she sat slouched, her long legs crossed at the ankle and her hat pulled down sleepily around her eyes. Her hard, sun baked hands sat in practiced relaxation near her lap while her ears remained cocked to the un-natural silence of the garden. With the gentle tread of a young foot behind her Jane rose effortlessly, her hand straying to the proximity of her pistol. As fast as she stood, she relaxed seeing the second guests startled look of innocence. 3
Lady Jane Grey, the nine day queen, stood paler than her cream Tudor gown. As Jane Canary relaxed so too the training of a noble born lady returned and she made introductions as she prepared to sit. Although only 17, Lady Jane was well practiced in the requirements of society and felt quite at home in the garden. High tea was a daily circumstance in her life and although her newly met guest was both oddly clad and armed, she felt she had the distinct advantage. 4
Lady Jane began, “ I was told to expect a interesting tea today. I hope you will sit and find comfort in these surroundings. Let us both wait for our remaining guests who should be joining us shortly.”5
Slipping a flask from her pocket Miss Canary took a hearty shot of what smelled like whisky. Un-phased by its burning passage she returned to her seat, legs once again stretched and crossed. This time she did not lower her hat or her eyes, remaining silent in the presence of the unknown lady.6
Far off to the right, from the area of the water gardens, approached the third guest. Self-confident and a beauty who would turn heads of both men and women came the model, Jane Burden Morris. Of lower class birth she was painted and portrayed as the standard of upper class beauty. The artist’s illusion so strong that she could now walk in any culture and find herself at ease. Seeing the two ladies before her she quickly realized that their unspoken silence would require all her training if Tea with Jane was to be any sort of success. Changing from a relaxed smile she put on the gleam of a hostess and approached the harsh silence of the table. 7
“Ladies, she spoke softly, I am so very pleased you received your invitations and took it upon yourselves to help out in this venture,” a nod and courtesy to Lady Jane and an extended hand (which was shook firmly) to Jane Canary. With a smoothing of her gown and a flow to her movements suggesting more of a gentle stream of water than the flexing of human muscles, Jane Morris sat. 8
With eyes now upon her she continued, “Our fourth guest will be here with us momentarily. I had hoped to speak with you two before her arrival and then I will get to the reason for our meeting. I do hope you will find the discussion as stimulating as the today’s menu. I have had prepared specialities with both your tastes in mind. 9
Jane Canary remained silent but training would not allow Jane Grey not to answer. 10
“M’Lady, your invite was most gracious and although I will always remain the youngest of this group I will try to honour my teachers in assisting in your endeavour.“ 11
The only sound from Miss Canaries end of the table was a throat clearing cough and the crystal clinking of glass as a linen napkin was pulled from it’s place beneath the silver. 12
(Storing it here. Much more to come.)13
What did you think? Please comment!
Comments
1 - 17 of 17
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okay...now you went and did it...now i want more!
i want to know why this meeting of "Jane's"...and who this fourth member of the group is...
you cannot just leave it hanging like this...just won't do
get writing
UB
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wonderful
What a beautiful setting you have created here. I had no problem imagining the garden and the setting. I hope you add more to this.
thanks,
Talia -
couldnt read it all as i have a low attention span and all the sitting and slouching got on my nerves
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I'm intrigued....and I can't wait for more! Smiles.
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Marvelous detail. I can almost see the surroundings. Good read. Patricia
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I usally don't like these kinds of storys. But you did such a wonderful job telling this story you had my attention from the start. I can't wait for chapter two. Anyways I did find a typo in here but I can't remember exactly where it was just to let you know if you care to go back and fix it. Anyways Nice job. Keep writting
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Hmmmm I am ready for chapter 2. And who might that 4th Jane be? It remains to be seen... nice write my friend.
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Extremely pleasant to read and I could picture the characters so very easily.
Great job.
Edited on Jul 27, 12:36 because 'I can't spell 'picture''. -
I so love this very much looking forward to more. i think that you did this so very well indeed. i love the way that you put such hope in to it. I do hope that you will write more like this one. for i did so enjoy this. thank you so very much for sharing this.
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Yes John , I am hooked...that pistol is on my mind now and I have a feeling it will play a big role yet in future chapters to come . Looking forward to it (dang , my reading material is stacking up) here as well as at home in books and magazines. Hopefully August will be not too hot of a month , as I see the hammock beckoning me. Will just print off of here , make a pitcher of marguaritas and enjoy
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Reenie
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wow. I am coming back for more!! What really struck me, is how comfortable it seems that you were in writing this. Not everyone could carry this scene off, and succeed. You may not have been comfortable writing it- I have read that effortless writing goes through many drafts. I have also heard that it can really be effortless if it flows through intuition. But whichever process you took, wow! You succeeded magnificantly!
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very dignified prose. keep it up.
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you certainly have a gift for telling a story well and holding your readers interest...i too will join the others in returning for future chapters...very nice work!....leanne xxx
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I've read many stories lately in this site, and have found a great pleasure in almost all of them. This one was very well told! The description of the place where the scene happens was very good, the personages came very clear too, and the dialogue started calm, so we can get an idea of each personality in this story.
Now is to wait for the second chapter and meet the fouth guest.
Mari
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good job!
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I found this a very pleasant one to read. I can't wait for more to come! Thanks for sharing this. I'm glad I was first to comment! This is very nice!
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this is a good story i thought you wrote this well and i will be looking for later chapters down the road .
Pendragon
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