Jane Austen Lied

Lance M.

Dawn across the horizon in grand fields of green where wild rabbits graze the strawberries and onion grass. Trees every yard or two with thick gumballs half sunk into the velvety grass. The earth was wet from the night, the dew had just fallen and millions of drops kissed each blade of the seven types of grass. Aromas of pines, spruces, oaks, and maples filled the air and carried on the wind. With them, scents of moss on wet rocks, barks, leaves, grass, and dirt filled your lungs allowing you to exhale the forest with satisfaction in every breath. Down the rough concrete steps and into the yard a pair of bare feet quietly stepped. Bushes were surrounding the teahouse just a few meters away, where she wanted to go. The flower beds were full of lilies of the valley and snapdragons, some violets were surrounding the tea house. By the road, wild strawberries and chives grew where the rabbits grazed. A shawl draped about her shoulders to block the cold mountain air. The mist was light and swirled about as she passed through its curtain feeling the pillowy mattress beneath her feet and between her toes. A breeze blew her long, dark locks making her loose braid sway back and forth at her buttocks. There was a concrete wall where she stepped in front of to watch the squirrels as they hopped from branch to branch above her head. Some gumballs fell causing the rabbits to stand alert and listen. She stood still, making sure not to disturb them or they'd run away, but they didn't. She sat by the tea house with her nightgown pulled over her knees to block some of the cold and pressed her chin into them. Blue jays, robins, and cardinals sounded with the finches and sparrows. They sang their good mornings to the autumn air for all the animals to hear. In the mist, there was a figure dressed in his hat and coat. He dismounted his horse removing his hat with her locked in his sight. She was as beautiful as the morning despite her frizzy hair bending in odd directions with each layer swaying in the morning breeze. "Miss Climber," he began "Had I known you've been here all this time, I would have come for you. Forgive me for my unannounced visit, I had to see you."

"It's quite alright. I don't mind," she replied. "Did you have a question?"

"Yes. I understand the circumstances of your family had changed, and given that your reputation is spoiled it will make it harder for you to marry." He paused.

"If that is all you wish to say, sir, I have no desire to be present. I bid you good morning."

"What I meant to say, is that I don't care about such things."

"What do you mean?"

"If it isn't too late... Unless you no longer have feelings for me, I'd like to humbly ask for your hand."

"Mr. Ferguson, I-"

"I know we're very young, but if you could only know how long I've contained my feelings. I feel as if I'll burst from having to conceal it for so long. Please, please say you'll have me. I'm not sure what I'll do if you say no." He held her hands firmly and gazed into her brown eyes. She was begging to be kissed and he could sense that. He somehow understood how long she had been waiting to hear those words, to see his face, and feel his presence. All she could do was stare back and force herself not to cry, as impossible as it was. There were so many questions that raced through her head that nearly pushed her to the brink of madness. Then he leaned in with his gaze fixed on her tiny pink lips breathing slowly like he did when he was asleep. Esse couldn't help but draw her face closer to his, eyes closed and ready to meet his candy-colored lips. Her heart was racing as his breath reached her face and the slight moisture from his gentle breath beckoned her. Someone's hand was placed firmly on her shoulder shaking her roughly. It was her brother Lance holding Snickers on a leash. She looked around to notice the rabbits were gone and the mist had settled. "What are you doing out here?" he asked. "You'll catch a cold with those bare feet. How long were you sleeping out here?" The girl's eyes glanced about looking for Casey, a footprint, something that indicated he was there. Did I fall asleep? she thought to herself. Another look around and up at her unusually tall big brother. "Not long," she finally said. "I was watching the rabbits eat, it's very cute how they chew." Lance heaved a big sigh and motioned her to get shoes on to let Ears out. As she ran inside, all she could think about was how she wished it wasn't a dream, that Casey would come to visit and ask for her. It didn't have to be marriage as she was only fourteen, but to be his girlfriend or at least say he'd wait for her to grow up. She put on a jacket and shoes and released Ears from her crate. The yard didn't have a fence like the other house, so they had to keep the dogs on a leash. Their father bought a couple of pegs and a wireline to attach the leashes to so they could run to their heart's content. They kept talking about having an invisible electric fence, so they wouldn't have to watch them run back and forth, but private school was expensive. Today, Esse and her younger siblings had their first day of school. Lance had been going for a month and a half now since the Climber's needed to save up a little more to send the rest of the kids.