CHAPTER 2 THE BARGAIN

Dusk was beginning to settle over the Fitzwilliam estate, painting the sky in shades of peach and gold. Jane, her clothes still in disarray from her afternoon of adventure, approached the Manor with a sense of trepidation. She hoped beyond hope that no one had noticed her absence, though she knew that such a wish was probably foolish. The horses in the stables whinnied softly, as if welcoming her back, and Jane paused to stroke Whisper's muzzle in silent gratitude. "Come on, girl," she whispered, "let's try to slip in undetected." Jane's heart sank as she stepped into the Manor, her stomach twisting into knots. There, waiting for her, was her entire family, their faces like thunder. Her father's bushy eyebrows were drawn together in a scowl, while her mother's lips were pressed into a thin line of disapproval. Even Mary, her sweet and obedient sister, wore an expression that was more akin to a viper than a dove. "Jane, what do you have to say for yourself?" her father demanded, his voice cold and hard as ice. Jane swallowed, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her skirt. He rose from his armchair, his anger tangible in the air. "Jane, you are no longer a child. Such recklessness is unbecoming of a future Duchess." His voice boomed like a thunderclap, his words reverberating in the parlor. Jane's mother, Victoria, was just as furious. "Do you have any idea how worried we were? If anything had happened to you, the entire Fitzwilliam name would have been disgraced!" Mary, meanwhile, watched the scene with simmering resentment. "Your behavior is an insult to our family, Jane," Victoria continued, her voice rising like a flood tide. "You think you can do whatever you want whenever you please without any regard for the consequences. But let me tell you, young lady, that you are not above the rules of decorum that have governed our society for centuries." Jane hung her head, her cheeks burning with shame. But Mary's inner thoughts raged like a tempest. "It's not fair," she seethed silently. "If I were the future Duchess, I'd never behave like that." Jane's father's voice broke through the tension in the room. "I will not tolerate such insolence from my own daughter. Effective immediately, Whisper will be sent away to the stables on the other side of the estate, where you will not be permitted to see her without my express permission." "But Father, no!" She cried, her eyes welling up with tears. "She's my only friend." Mary's own eyes gleamed with a spark of cruel satisfaction. "Your punishment does not end there, young lady," her father said, his voice cutting through the air like a sword. "You will be confined to your rooms for the week, with only your maid for company. Perhaps then you will learn to appreciate the privileges you have been afforded by our family name." Jane's tears spilled over, but she knew better than to argue. She curtseyed meekly, avoiding her father's gaze. With each step, her spirits sank lower and lower, until finally she reached the solitude of her chambers. She collapsed onto her bed, her tears mixing with the dirt on her face. Outside, the moon had risen high in the velvet sky, illuminating the grounds that she had explored earlier that day. Jane watched the stars twinkle through her tear-stained eyes, feeling more alone than she had ever been in her life. In the dim candlelight, she thought of Whisper, her faithful companion, and the prospect of never seeing her again was unbearable. With newfound determination, Jane wiped her tears away and began to hatch a plan. She knew her father was a proud man, proud of his family's lineage and his reputation among the aristocracy. Perhaps if she could find a way to appeal to that pride, she could convince him to reconsider his decision. She envisioned herself, the future Duchess of Wellington, standing before the Duke, her carriage impeccable, her manners flawless, her beauty unparalleled. Surely if she could prove to her father that she was capable of fulfilling her duties, he would relent. Jane entered the parlor, her head held high, despite the fear bubbling in her chest. "Father," she began, her voice firm, "I would like to make a bargain with you." Her father looked up from his paper, his brow furrowed. "A bargain, you say? I'm not sure I'm interested in bargaining with my own daughter, who has so blatantly disregarded my wishes." Undeterred, Jane pressed on. "Father, I realize now that I behaved foolishly today. I understand the importance of my position in society, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to prove to you that I am a worthy heir to the Fitzwilliam name. I will take my etiquette lessons seriously, I will improve my grades, and I will become the perfect image of a refined lady. But in return, I ask that you reconsider your decision regarding Whisper." "Very well, Jane," her father said, setting his paper down on the table with a decisive slap. "I will allow you to ride Whisper for one hour each evening, provided that your behavior remains above reproach. Any hint of insolence or disobedience, and the bargain is off. Is that understood?" Jane's heart soared. "Yes, Father," she replied, doing her best to hide her excitement. "You will not regret this. I promise you." "See to it that I don't," he replied, picking up his paper once more. As Jane departed the parlor, a triumphant grin spread across her face. She had gotten her way, at least for now. Her mind was already racing with plans for her time with Whisper. But as she turned the corner, she nearly collided with Mary, whose expression was as dark as storm clouds. "What have you done?" Mary hissed. "You think just because you've won back Whisper, you're off the hook? You're not. I'll make sure you regret every moment of this." Jane squared her shoulders, meeting Mary's cold stare with a raised eyebrow. "And just how do you intend to make me regret this, dear sister?" she asked, the slightest hint of a challenge in her voice. "Do you plan to tell Father about my escapade today? Or perhaps you'll try to sabotage my lessons yourself?" Mary's lips curled into a smile that sent a shiver down Jane's spine. "Oh, nothing so crude as that," she said, her voice dripping with venom. "No, Jane, I intend to do much more than that. You'll see." With a wicked laugh that made Jane's blood run cold, Mary spun on her heel and disappeared down the hallway. As Jane made her way back to her chambers, the thrill of victory she had felt just moments earlier began to fade, replaced by a sense of unease. Mary had never been one to back down from a challenge, and Jane knew that she had made a powerful enemy in her own sister and she didn't understand why Mary was so jealous of her plight. Nevertheless, she refused to let Mary's threats dampen her spirits. She had won her bargain, and she was determined to make the most of her time with Whisper.