CHAPTER 4 AN ESCAPADE

The lunch bell rang, and Jane and Oliver made their escape from the crowded cafeteria. Hurrying down the hallways, they slipped out of a side door and into the lush gardens that surrounded the school. "Alright, Fitzwilliam," Oliver said, a wide grin spreading across his face. "We've got a car waiting for us just beyond those bushes. My driver's gonna take us straight to your estate." "Bloody brilliant, Oliver," Jane said, a hint of excitement creeping into her voice. As they hurried across the lawn, Oliver whispered to Jane, "You know, we'll need to sneak into the stables undetected. Your father won't take kindly to finding us both out of bounds, especially after your little stunt last week." Jane nodded. "Yes, we'll need to be careful. But once we're on Whisper's back, we'll be home free," she replied, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. They reached the waiting car, a sleek black town car with tinted windows, and Oliver motioned for Jane to climb in first. "Where to, sir?" the driver inquired as Oliver slid into the back seat beside Jane. "Take us to the Fitzwilliam estate, please, Brian," Oliver instructed. "And remember, we're in a bit of a rush." "Of course, sir," the driver replied as he pulled away from the curb. "Let's hope we avoid any traffic on the motorway, eh?" Oliver turned to Jane, giving her a mischievous wink. "How's it feel, Fitzwilliam? Finally escaping the clutches of our dear old alma mater?" Jane leaned back against the leather seats, letting out a sigh of relief. "It feels bloody fantastic, Oliver," she replied. "Indeed," Oliver agreed, nodding sagely. "And to think, we could've spent the afternoon listening to Princess Laura drone on about her impeccable pedigree. Quite the close call, if you ask me." Jane snorted with laughter. "Oh, please, she's all bark and no bite." As the car sped along the motorway, Oliver and Jane exchanged stories about their adventures growing up on neighboring estates. Jane recalled a particularly memorable prank they'd pulled on one of the stablehands when they were younger. "Remember the time we switched the salt and sugar in old man Benson's coffee?" she asked, her eyes crinkling with mirth. "Poor chap nearly choked on his first sip." Oliver chuckled. "Ah yes, one of our finer moments, if I do say so myself," he agreed, shaking his head. "You know," Jane said, her voice turning contemplative, "sometimes I wonder if we'll ever find adventures like that again, now that we're nearly grown. Or will it be a lifetime of stuffy parties and arranged marriages?" Oliver pondered for a moment before shrugging. "Well, it doesn't have to be that way, does it? I mean, we could always run off and become pirates, or explorers. It's not as though we need to follow in our parents' footsteps." Jane laughed. "You've been reading too many adventure novels, Oliver." "Perhaps," Oliver conceded, a playful grin spreading across his face. "But a life of adventure sounds infinitely more appealing than spending my days making polite conversation with stuffy aristocrats, wouldn't you say?" As the car approached the Fitzwilliam estate, the rolling hills and lush forests spread out before them. "Looks like we're here," Oliver remarked, his tone growing serious. "Now, remember, we'll need to sneak past the guards and into the stables without arousing suspicion. Do you think you can manage that, my lady?" The car pulled up to the Fitzwilliam estate, its grand gates looming ahead. A sense of foreboding washed over Jane as she peered out the window, noticing a pair of tall, burly men standing guard at the entrance. "Blimey," Oliver muttered, adjusting his collar. "Seems your father's ramped up security since your last escapade." Jane bit her lip, her mind racing with possibilities. "Don't worry," she said, her voice low and determined. "We'll find a way past them. Just follow my lead." With a deep breath, Jane stepped out of the car, her posture straight and her gaze focused. She approached the guards with an air of confidence, her voice honeyed and sweet. "Good day, gentlemen," she said, her smile dazzling. "I've returned from school for a surprise visit. My father is expecting me, but he's asked me to meet him at the stables. If you could kindly escort us through the gates, I'd be most grateful." The guards exchanged uncertain glances, their faces betraying their surprise at Jane's sudden appearance. "I'm sorry, miss," one of the guards said, his voice gruff. "But we have strict orders not to let anyone through the gates without proper clearance. The viscount didn't mention anything about your arrival today." Jane's smile faltered, but she didn't let it show. "I understand your concern," she said, her tone patient and understanding. "But if you could just radio my father, I'm sure he'll confirm my presence." The guards shifted uncomfortably, looking to each other for reassurance. "Miss, we're not supposed to let anyone on the premises without authorization," the other guard said, his hand moving towards his sidearm. "I'm afraid we can't make any exceptions, even for you." As tension crackled in the air, Oliver stepped forward, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "Gentlemen, there's no need for alarm," he said, his voice smooth and reassuring. "I can vouch for Miss Fitzwilliam. We're old friends, and I'm sure her father will be delighted to see her. The guards glanced at one another, the hesitation clear in their eyes. "I'm sorry, sir," one of them said, his voice hardening. "But I'm afraid we can't let you through without proper authorization. Miss Fitzwilliam will have to return to school immediately." Jane's heart pounded in her chest. She had to think fast. Her eyes darted around the grounds, searching for any sign of weakness. That's when she spotted a large tree just beyond the gate, its branches overhanging the wall. "Oliver," she whispered, her voice urgent. "Yes, Jane?" Oliver replied, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. "I've got an idea," Jane said, her eyes fixed on the tree. "If we can climb that tree, we can jump over the wall and make our way to the stables undetected." Oliver's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You're kidding, right?" he asked, his tone incredulous. "We'd have to be bloody monkeys to pull that off!" "Trust me," Jane insisted, her voice low and determined. "Alright, Fitzwilliam," Oliver said with a shrug. "You're the expert on all things mischief. If you think it'll work, I'm game." With a quick glance over their shoulders to make sure the guards weren't looking, Jane and Oliver darted towards the tree. Oliver hoisted Jane up by the waist, her feet scrambling for purchase on the rough bark. "You know, I never thought I'd say this, but it's a good thing you're such a skinny minnie," Oliver joked, straining to hold Jane up. "Shut up and give me a boost," Jane replied, her voice shaky but determined. Oliver gave one final heave, and Jane scrambled up the tree, her fingers grappling for branches. She was almost to the top when a loud voice rang out from behind them. "Hey, you two! Stop right there!" Jane froze, her heart pounding in her chest. She and Oliver exchanged a panicked glance.