The Lady Setton

Part 6

April 1534
April 1534It was in the early days of April when Meg was finally able to return from her "Confinement" I was so glad to see her again, Meg looked the same, rosy cheeked,lit green eyes, she was back to normal. Kitty said to Meg "Want to stroll in the gardens?" I noticed she had lost some weight, but she was still as pretty as ever.

Meg nodded "Yes, I'd love to" she replied, her voice still sounded a bit weak. We made our way to the gardens, the flowers were in full bloom,the smell of lilac and roses filled the air.It was a stark contrast to the coldness of our room. "Have you heard anything about your sister Mary?" Kitty asked me as we walked.

I felt myself smiling as I said "Yes, last month she wrote that she is happy at the Petersons and is making friends" Meg smiled and said "That is good, friends are especially important,now more than ever" Meg smiled at me and Kitty, and I felt my heart warm up,it had been a long time since she had truly smiled.

It took time,yes it did, but soon Meg was laughing and dancing the night away, but I knew she felt suffocated here is Chesworth,she needed a way out and I knew how to. "Meg, I've been thinking," I said one evening as we sat in the Dorter, the fire casting a warm glow over us, "I was thinking that maybe, we could all sneak out from here and maybe go out to village for a few hours"

Meg's eyes lit up,it was the first time I had seen her look alive in weeks "But how?" she asked, "The Duchess never lets us out of her sight!" Kitty leaned in closer "We've been planning," I said with a conspiratorial smile "We can sneak out tonight, I am sure one of the gentleman will kind enough to help us"

Kitty nodded eagerly, "We've seen them sneak out for their own fun,why can't we do the same?" she said with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. Meg looked hesitant,but the spark of excitement was there. "But what if we get caught?" she whispered. I shook my head and said "we won't, I promise you"

That night, we waited until the house was quiet, the candles had burned low and the only sound was the occasional cough or snore.We dressed in our warmest cloaks and tiptoed out of the Dorter, our hearts pounding in our chests. The corridor was deserted, the only light coming from the moon shining through the windows.

We went to the gardens, where the moonlight cast an ethereal glow on the flowers, making them seem almost otherworldly. The air was crisp and cool, carrying the scent of damp earth and blooming blossoms. Our cloaks billowed around us as we walked, we turned to the stables where George Cadwell would take us.

When we reached the stables, we found George waiting for us with three horses saddled and ready to go. He gave us a knowing smile. "I knew you three couldn't stand it much longer," he whispered. "But be careful, the roads are unsafe at night." We mounted the horses, feeling a thrill of excitement and fear as we set off into the darkness.

"Hey Jane, don't you think we will be safer with Geogre? he can walk with us and make sure we are safe" Kitty said, full of mischief. I looked at her and Meg, and couldn't help but smile. We had not had a moment of fun in so long. "Alright," I said, "But only if he promises not to tell anyone." George nodded, a knowing glint in his eye, and we set off into the night.

The ride to the village was exhilarating, the cool breeze whipping our hair and cloaks. The darkness was a cloak of freedom that we had not felt in a long time. As we approached the village, the lights from the tavern spilled out onto the cobblestone streets, and we heard the distant sounds of laughter and music.

We tied the horses to a post outside the tavern, the same spot where George had told us the village boys often left their horses. The smell of roasting meat and ale was tantalizing, and our stomachs rumbled with hunger. We had brought coins from our allowance that The Duchess was kind enough to give us whenether we finished our chores.

I walked behind Meg and Kitty, I noticed George Cadwell was not going inside and said "Oh, aren't you going in too?" George raised his brow and said "You want me to join you,Mistress jane?" at once,I felt my cheeks blush. "I-I mean,it would be safer for us,right?" Kitty said with a wink.George chuckled and said "I suppose it would"

The tavern was warm and bustling with people, the sound of laughter and clinking tankards filled the air. Meg, Kitty and I walked in, our heads held high.We found a quiet table in the corner and ordered some bread and cheese,the simplest food but it tasted like heaven to us.

"So, tell me, Sir Cadwell, you are a handsome man, how are you not married?" Kitty said, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she took a sip of her cider. George chuckled, his cheeks coloring slightly. "I have not found the right woman yet, I suppose," he replied, his gaze lingering on me for a moment before looking away.

I felt a strange flutter in my stomach, but pushed the thought aside. "What about you, Jane?" Kitty prodded, her smile widening. "I'm only thirteen, Kitty," I said, rolling my eyes. I didn't dare to look at George. "But you'll marry eventually," Meg said softly, her eyes distant. "And you're already so pretty."

I shook my head and said "Like I said, I'm still a girl and have not a chance at love yet, It might be years before a man will look at me more than once" Kitty giggled and said "Don't be so modest, you are pretty,Jane, and men notice that" Meg looked at me with a knowing smile, "It's okay to dream," she said, her voice gentle.

Just then, a lively tune was playing and I found myself pulled into a dance with Kitty, her laughter ringing out in the tavern. The music was fast and the villagers spun around us, their faces flushed with merriment. I felt alive,as the tune grew faster,my heart racing with the beat.I felt my hair,that was freed from it's braid,whipping around my face.

Meg watched us with a sad smile,I knew she missed Edward,despite everything.I looked at her and said "Let's dance, Meg!" She shook her head,but the sadness in her eyes said more than words.I knew she needed this,so I pulled her up anyway and we danced, the three of us together,laughing and spinning around the room.

George took Meg's hand and spun her around,his face filled with joy.It was the first time in a long while that I had seen her truly happy.The people in the tavern clapped along to the music,their eyes twinkling with delight at the sight of us, three young ladies enjoying ourselves so freely.

"Are you feeling better?" I asked as I twirled with Meg, trying to keep the pace with the villagers. She nodded, her cheeks flushed with color. "Thank you, Jane," she said, her voice filled with genuine warmth. "I needed this."

The dance came to an end and we all took a seat, our breaths coming in short gasps. Kitty leaned in, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Let's do it again," she whispered. I looked at Meg, who was now smiling, and nodded. "Alright," I said, standing up. "One more dance."

We stepped back into the fray, the music swelling around us. I couldn't help but notice the way George's hand felt as he led me through the dance, his grip firm and steady. When the song ended, we all laughed, feeling more alive than we had in months. "Thank you," Meg said to George, her voice shaky. "For giving us this night."

By the time we arrived at our horses, Kitty was giddy with drink, and Meg's eyes had lost their sadness, at least for a few hours. As we rode back to Chesworth House under the cloak of darkness, I couldn't help but feel a sense of thrill. The air was cool against our flushed cheeks, and the wind whispered secrets of the outside world we hadn't heard in so long.

The next day, I was happy to see Meg laughing and jesting with the other ladies, the color back in her cheeks. Her laughter was music to my ears after the dreary weeks that had passed. Kitty smiled as she said "It was kind of George to take us,don't you think,Jane?"

I nodded "He is indeed a good man," I said with a smile, my thoughts drifting to the way his eyes had searched for mine during the dance. I knew I shouldn't think such thoughts, but I couldn't help it.I hav felt like the future is growing brighter once again, with Meg happy and better,surely she will find a good man and will be happy, that the memory of Edward would fade away.