Free What Would Jane Austen Do? by Laurie Brown

watch the road and pick up anyone leaving the woods."
       "No. The courier is small potatoes. We can pick him up anytime. Our quarry is the man who leaves messages in the tree."
       "Or the woman."
       Which, of course, brought Eleanor to mind. Shermont rubbed the scar on his forehead.
       "Another headache? I'll prepare one of my herbal remedies for you," Carl said.
       Shermont nodded his thanks while he stared at the map. What route would someone from the house take to remain out of sight? Even at night the light coming from the many windows would illuminate large sections of lawn.
       Carl served the tea.
       "Thank you. I want to explore the area after dark. Please arrange for a tray to be brought up for dinner. Make whatever excuse you think appropriate. And let Lord Digby know not to expect me at the card table before midnight."

    ***

    After the croquet game broke up, the rest of the party drifted into the house talking about the plans for the picnic on the following day. In the grand entrance hall, two maids and a footman waited to take hats, bonnets, parasols, and shawls.
       "Won't you join us in the parlor?" Aunt Patience asked Teddy.
       "As much as I would enjoy being the only thorn among so many lovely roses, estate business tears me away. If you will excuse me?" he asked with a bow.
       Patience nodded, and he left. "Well, my friends.
    Shall I have Cook serve us tea now, or would you prefer later?" she asked the other chaperones.
       "I think we will take tea in our room," Mrs. Holcum said for herself and her daughter. "A bit of rest is always called for after exercise."
       "Excellent idea," Mrs. Matthews agreed. "The sun gave me a smidgen of a headache. A lie-down before dressing for dinner would be just the remedy." She turned toward the stairs. "Come along girls."
       Fiona and Hazel followed with no enthusiasm. "Naps are for babies," one muttered, only to be hushed by her mother.
       Aunt Patience and Mrs. Holcum ascended the stairway chatting, and Beatrix trailed meekly behind.
       "This is a perfect time for us to get reacquainted," Mina said, linking her arm through Eleanor's.
       Deirdre took her free arm and they followed the others upstairs. "Yes, we want to hear everything. Tell us all about life in the Colonies. Have you seen any wild Indians?"
       "Well…" Eleanor didn't want to lie more than necessary. "I saw the Atlanta Braves… battle the Cincinnati Reds once." The only pro baseball game she'd ever attended.
       "What about Colonial men?" Mina asked. "Do they all have big bushy beards and wear bearskin clothes?"
       "Don't be silly. Americans dress like everyone else."
       Deirdre opened the door to their suite of rooms. "I had wondered if your wardrobe would be up to snuff, but at least the dress you're wearing is reasonably up to date." She plopped down on the green and gold settee and put her feet on the gold-tasseled hassock. "Waists are moving lower every year."
       "I've never seen a design like that," Mina said, taking the place next to her sister.
       "Do you like it?" Eleanor asked. She twirled in a circle, proud of her handiwork. "I designed it myself. The crisscross bodice and side pleats hide hooks, so I can dress without assistance."
       Both girls stared at her as if she'd spoken in tongues.
       "Why would you want to dress yourself?" Deirdre asked.
       "You made your own clothes?" Mina exclaimed. "Are there no dressmakers in the Colonies?"
       "I'm sure there are. I just enjoy sewing. Don't you?"
       "Well, we embroider handkerchiefs and the like. And we help Aunt Patience with the mending, and she sews Teddy's linens."
       "We make shirts and baby clothes for charity. Every gentlewoman does needlework. Idle hands and all that." Mina tipped her head to the side. "Where do you get patterns?"
       "I look in fashion magazines for ideas and then make my own."
       Mina jumped up and headed for