9 #3
It seemed even darker with the lanterns gone; the wind gusted in strongly from the direction of the sea, blowing back the hood of her cloak, pulling long fair locks from their pins and sending them cascading down across her shoulders.
Jane pushed them back, aware that she had never felt more scared or alone in her life.
This was madness, she could only guess at how appalled her parents would be at this behaviour, but she also knew she couldn’t just tamely go back to Deerwood Park, leaving Tabitha out here unprotected.
“Anne and Bennetta would think this fun, exciting, an adventure,” she murmured to herself. “What is there to be afraid of, except my own silly imagination. I don’t believe in ghosts and devils and such like. I will find Mr Maitland and all will be well.”
Jane turned towards the inn, not stopping to wonder why she was so certain that Archer was the one person she wanted by her side.
Just then she realised the candles in the windows had been extinguished and the sound of the music was now accompanied by the tramp of many feet.
And a weird green light began to show up on the leaves of the trees and bushes further up the lane where the track curled around towards the hills.
She must move, hide somewhere out of sight, but before she could step to the side of the roadway, a group of cavorting figures leapt into view and were on and surrounding her, the music thrumming shrilly in her ears as they advanced.
Light from a green lantern shone in flashes across faces painted green, devils’ faces, with glaring eyes and wild green hair and shaggy beards.
Some had horns apparently growing out of their heads, some were wearing deer antlers and they surrounded her in a whirling, shouting mass, the pipes shrilling, drums beating, green hands reaching out to pluck at her cloak, her dress, her hair and they were drawing closer and closer, moaning and hissing, intent on all sorts of evil she could only imagine …
Archer Maitland, coming out of the inn, stood in horror for a second and then shot forward, pushing his way through the surging throng of dancers, desperate to reach Jane. What in hell’s name was she doing here. He had to reach her … save her …
“Stop this nonsense! Stop it now!” This was not the voice of a terrified girl, this was Miss Jane Darcy of Pemberley. “Peter Dixon! I know it’s you. I can recognise you under that silly mask.
What would the Colonel say if he knew what his valet is doing tonight?
And those are shoes with Deerwood crests on the buckles—why, Josiah—is that you under all that green paint?
Shame on you, Sir. And you just promoted to footman.
I have never been more astounded. And Bates!
I have heard that cough whilst you are gardening often enough.
No wonder you have a bad chest, Sir, if you are out cavorting in the damp of night.
Now stop this music and go home, all of you. ”
Archer stopped in his tracks and stood, shaking with laughter as three of the group melted away, back into the dark and the music started up again as the rest headed off out of the village.
He guessed they were going through the woods, up to the waterfall and the grey standing stones for the final rites of their festival.
The eerie green light vanished into the trees, leaving just the starlight to illuminate the village.
Jane stood, trembling, the anger that had fuelled her, dying away, leaving her shaken and close to tears.
“Bravo, Miss Jane! Bravo!” Archer strode forward and grasped her hands in his. “I believe you have been deliberately misleading me. You said you were not brave. Well, that was certainly not the actions of a coward!”
Relieved beyond belief at seeing him and trying hard to keep her voice from quavering, she replied, “I have to admit I was scared at first, Sir, but when I realised at least three of them were men I have known for years, it came to me just how silly they looked. Prancing around in ridiculous costumes, all sense of dignity and decorum lost.”
“Will you tell the Colonel what his valet, footman and gardener were doing this evening?”
Jane shook her head. “No, that would not be fair. I am sure they are off duty. I am unharmed and I take it that you have not found Tabitha at the inn, so hopefully she decided not to attend the dance after all.” She shivered as the chill wind cut through her thin dress and evening cloak.
Archer noticed and immediately shrugged off his coat and draped it around her shoulders. “Come, we must walk back to Deerwood as fast as we can in order that you do not take a chill. I imagine we will meet the carriage coming back to find us when John realises that only one young lady is inside!”
“I suppose you think me very foolish for abandoning safety, but it was done with the best of intentions.”
Archer’s hand tightened on her arm as they hurried along the road.
Yes, he had thought her foolish, but he had also thought it was the bravest thing he had seen for a long time.
He was, however, less inclined to consider the feelings that had swept over him when he had first seen her there, surrounded by the angry mob.
They were feelings he had no right to experience.
He had only known her a few days and he was expected soon to ask for her sister’s hand in marriage.
“Yes, very foolish,” he said at last and they fell silent as the sounds of the approaching carriage came clearly through the night air.