No title yet... :/

This story takes place in the 1800's, and fits to their society. It isn't finished yet, but I want some opinions on what I've got so far...

Part I

Jane Monroe raced down the corridor past all her guests rooms, she could feel the eyes of her own Mr. Smith staring her down, then his very footsteps. She continued to walk faster, knowing that if she did not quicken her speed Mr. Smith would catch up with her. At last she reached the door to her chamber and quickly closed the door. As she stood there, leaning against the door listening, she heard his footsteps stop at her door, and being a proper gentleman did not knock, but turned around and headed back up the corridor.

Her heart pounded as she changed into her dressing gown and got into bed. As she blew out her candle the only thoughts running through her head consited of Mr. Smith and only Mr. Smith. Even after the candle was out, for hours she pondered what he had said and wondered if she had done the correct thing.

2 Days Before:

"Miss Monroe." cried Mrs. Weston. Jane smiled as she entered the grand hall and greeted her hostess. "Hello Mrs. Weston. What a great party."

"It is indeed. And Mr. Smith and his sister are here already as well." Mrs. Weston replied. With that Jane proceeded over to Mr. Smith and the rest of his party. They exchanged greetings and drew into more personal conversation. "Why Jane you look very pretty this evening. What have you done with your hair?" teased Mr. Smith.

Mr. William Smith had been a family friend since Jane was about 13 years old. Mr. Smith's sister, Mary Smith was but 5 years younger than himself, and Mr. Smith was but only 21 years of age, making Mary quite young. With the curcomstances of their close connections some would say that they all acted as family.

"Is your father here as well, Jane?" asked Mr. Smith.

"Why he is indeed, over there in the corner talking to Mr. Weston." Jane replied. As Mr.Smith left to say hello to Mr. Monroe, Miss Smith turned to Jane and greeted her with open arms. They then begun to converse and gossip about the town news. Every match, or soon to be match was discussed fully when Miss Smith said something she possibly shouldn't have.

"With my brothers new affection for you, I can hardly say that you will not be asked to dance soon."

"Your brothers affection, for me? When has this formed?" Jane replied with a shocked look on her face.

"Oh, dear me. I should not have said anything. Yes, my brother has grown a likeness for you, it is not great yet, but i fear it will be." she smiled, "To think of you more of a sister than you already are is a great joy to me, Jane."

"I couldn't agree more; but, I fear that I had no idea of his affection until you have told me, how strange indeed."

Just as they finished this strange and unatural converstation, Mr. Smith himself came over to see to what they were discussing. They quickly changed the subject and Mr. Smith joined in willingly.

"Yes, we shall have a grand party of friends staying at Maple Grove very soon. All of our friends from town will be there and we insist apon you both staying for at least a fortnight." Jane said to the Smiths.

"Yes, and we plan on coming. We have never had the joy of staying in your house at Maple Grove, and we will take much pleasure in doing so." replied Mr. Smith.

"Very well." Jane smiled. Once the party was over Jane returned home and began to prepare for the days to come.

The next day, once everyone had arrived and settled in they all headed to the drawing room for tea. "We are so glad you all could come, all of you. Thank you so much." said Mr. Monroe.

"No, sir. Thank you. We are most obligued." cried the rest of the room. The people in the room consisted of the newly weds the Woods; the Bennets who have a recently new child; and the Smiths, who of course we all know.

Very shortly after they all had gathered, dinner was called. After they had eaten, again, they proceeded to the drawing room so they could converse until it was time to retrieve to bed.

After everyone but the Smiths and Monroe's had gone to bed, they too started to leave. First Mr. Monroe, then Miss Smith. Only Mr. Smith and Jane stayed to tidy the room, seeing that the servants had gone to bed. There was no conversation at first except for a few 'over theres' or 'over here' when one asked where a peice of china went. Finally Mr. Smith broke the silence.

"My dear Jane, I fear my sister has told you of a certain affection and love of mine, and I do not wish it to alarm you. I only wish that you would accept it, no, accept me, as something more than a friend."

Jane could only stand there shocked at this sudden show of affection and couldn't find any words to say. Eventually she formed the words that seemed to make sense in her mind. "Why, Mr. Smith, I assure you, your sister has only informed me of a possible attachment, and that I am quite shocked at this sudden show of such thing."

"Indeed? Are you? Why I only assumed that she had said more when I saw your peculicar face during your converstation at the party last night, and then my sister mentioned a slip of the tongue. Did you really not know?" he replied in a most anxious voice. "Indeed, I had no idea." Jane responded. "But please, you must sit down, you look quite faint."

"Well that is only because I have just told you of my attachment and yet you have not replied on the subject."

"Why, I haven't thought of what to say." Jane replied softly. " I am very fond of you, I always have been. But I do not know if my affection equals yours."

"Are you saying then, that my affection is not returned? That you wish to forget this has ever happened? Do you wish to shoo me away with a wave of your hand? Dear Jane, that will not do. Please just say, say that you will accept me." Mr. Smith sat down next to Jane only to find the seat empty in the next two seconds.

Jane replied with a weak heart, "I cannot accept you," as she left the room.

She raced down the corridor past all her guests rooms, she could feel the eyes of her own Mr. Smith staring her down, then his very footsteps. She continued to walk faster, knowing that if she did not quicken her speed Mr. Smith would catch up with her. At last she reached the door to her chamber and quickly closed the door. As she stood there, leaning against the door listening, she heard his footsteps stop near the door, and being a proper gentleman, he did not knock, but turned around and headed back up the corridor.

Her heart pounded as she changed into her dressing gown and got into bed. As she blew out her candle the only thoughts running through her head consited of Mr. Smith and only Mr. Smith. Even after the candle was out, for hours she pondered what he had said and wondered if she had done the correct thing.

"Do I love him? Could I ever marry him?" Jane thought to herself the next morning while dressing for the day. Once ready she proceeded out of her chamber toward the dining hall for breakfast. She walked in to see half of the party sitting down already. Her seat was next to Miss Smith, and as she took it Miss Smith gave Jane an odd look and turned away.

Has Mr. Smith told her of last night? She would of course have to wait until they were alone to ask that question, therefore breakfast went by quite silently.

"Why, my dear," said Mr. Monroe to his daughter. "You are very quiet this morning, whatever is the matter?"

"Nothing is the matter Pa-Pa. I mearly didn't get enough sleep last night." Jane replied.

"Not enough sleep? But you went to bed at a reasonable time last night. However did that happen?" cried Mr. Monroe.

"I couldn't sleep," Jane said quietly, hoping Mr. Smith wouldn't hear. " But trust me, I am quite alright, and if I am not now, I will be after I eat." Mr. Smith looked at her with worried eyes then turned away.

After Breakfast, the whole party went out for a walk of the grounds. While out, they decided to pick strawberries. During this time, Mr. Smith got a chance to talk to Jane privately.

"Jane, I am terribly sorry. I know it is my fault. If I had known it would cause you such grief, I wouldn't hav..."

"Please," Jane interupted. "Please do not worry. I am quite alright. To be honest, I was up thinking of our converstation, as any girl would. I feel quite terrible for the way I treated you. I was cruel. I am terribly sorry."

"Please Jane, do not be sorry. I was not wounded by you, but only the thought that I had wounded you." he replied.

With that, they returned to the rest of the party. That afternoon, Jane retired to her room early to prepare for dinner. She wanted to write a letter to Mr. Smith which went like this.

My dear Mr. Smith,

I have wounded you in every way possible, and for that I am sorry. I was quite rude. I would be an embarassment for anyone to be seen with if others knew. I have pondered you proposal all day, and I have decided what I should do. You have been like a brother to me since I was a meerly 13 years old. Indeed until the party I would have never thought of you as more than that, but I think so differently now. I can honestly say you are the most hansome and intelligent man I have ever laid eyes on. You are ever so fond of me, and I dare say I am ever so fond of you. I do believe I have loved you all along, I just didn't know until this morning. My dearest William, I accept your proposal with all my heart and soul.

Yours, Jane

After she had finished the letter, she finished dressing then shoved the letter underneath Mr. Smith's door as she walked by, then headed towards the drawing room where everyone was waiting.

"First to go up, last to come down." smirked Mr. Woods."Oh relax, I was taking care of a letter I was obliged to write." Jane replied back. This strange answer made Mr. Smith start up from his book, and give Jane a confused look.

"A letter? To whom?" said Mr. Monroe. "Yes, I was thinking the same thing. To whom, Jane?" asked Mr. Smith.

"I was simply writing to my dear brother, John, at Brydon." replied Jane who had actually wrote such a letter that morning. She then proceeded over to the butler and handed it to him to mail.

"There, see? I have committed no crime," Jane said again before proceeding to the dining hall. During dinner the conversation flowed throughout the room and never seemed to stop. After dinner, just as the night before, they then all proceeded to the drawing room where one by one everyone went to bed. Jane made sure that she went to bed first, but was up until the last door closed.

Around midnight Jane heard a door open again, and heavy footsteps walked down the corridor towards the drawing room. Assuming it was Mr. Smith she put of her robe and followed right behind. When she entered the drawing room she found Mr. Smith standing near the fireplace with a smile on his face.

"William." she whispered. Mr. Smith turned his head to see Jane and lit up immediately. He rushed over and embraced her. "Oh my dearest Jane. Thank you. You have made me the happiest man that ever lived." Jane smiled up at him and leaned in. She had never experienced a kiss, but she knew it was extraordinary. As they kissed, she felt as if she was flying and that was when she knew for sure she was making the right choice. "Jane, you must know, we cannot say anything yet. My sister may know, but no one else. Understand?" William said seriously. "Yes, I understand. But why? Why must we not say anything?" Jane replied anxiously. " Jane, dear Jane. I must gather my money before we can ask your father. I have enough for sure, but I must double check for your sake, for Mary's sake, and for my own. You understand right?" he replied with a soft kiss. "Of course." Jane replied. After a few more minutes they both went back to bed with high spirits and each other on their minds.

Part II

"Who was it that was up so late last night?" asked Mr. Monroe.
"It was only I father. I remembered suddenly that I had left my book in the drawing room so I went down to retrieve it." smiled Jane.
Her father smiled back and then changed the subject to the new harvest.
They relaxed for the remainder of the day and discussed many different subjects. It was during dinner that the discussion grew more interesting.
The butler came in with some letters, one for Jane and the other for her father. As the whole table waited anxiously for them to read their letters, Jane suddenly cried, "Why, John is getting married!" The whole room cried with joy for the Monroe's. Mr. Monroe smiled and told them of whom he would be marrying. "John has proposed to Miss Johanna Scott. She is a neighbor of ours in London. She is a very bright girl and has a very nice family."
"Yes, I always believed John had an attachment to Miss Scott. They were always fond of each other." said Jane.
"I only wish, my dear, that you could marry as well as John has. If only there was such a man for you. Someone kind, and hopefully someone our family knows well, so we may not have to learn his ways." replied Mr. Monroe.
"Oh father, that is a lot to ask from one man. That is like asking me to marry Mr. Smith, or Mr. Woods, yet do not think I do not know that you are married Mr. Woods." Jane smiled at the faint hint. "Indeed I am married; but Smith is not, are you William? I am sure he would be most obliged to marry such a sweet tempered girl such as yourself Jane." smiled Mr. Woods.
"Yes indeed. Jane you are very sweet tempered, and very handsome indeed. I would be very glad to marry you, what do you say Mr. Monroe?" Mr. Smith laughed. "I think that's a splendid idea Mr. Smith. You are like family to me already anyway, I would allow you to marry any of my daughters any day." Mr. Monroe said.
"You don't know how much that means to me Sir." Mr. Smith smiled at Jane, then turned back to his card game.
The next day their last visitor arrived. It was Mr. George Moreland, young gentleman from Derbyshire. The Monroe's meet Mr. Moreland in London at a ball. They were introduced and became instant friends.
"Mr. Moreland, how delightful to see you again." said Jane. "You as well Miss Monroe. I am so glad to see you so soon." replied Mr. Moreland. "Allow me to introduce you to my friends. This is Mr and Mrs Woods, and Mr and Mrs Bennett and their new child Meagan. And these are my dear friends Mr William Smith and Miss Mary Smith." said Jane. "Very nice to meet you all." smiled Mr. Moreland.
That afternoon the whole party went out for a walk and Mr. Moreland found himself next to Jane. "Miss Monroe, I fear I only accepted your invitation in hopes of seeing you. Surely you know my feelings for you, were they not plain in London? Please accept my hand," said Mr. Moreland. "Mr. Moreland, please, we may not discuss this now." Jane replied then quickly took the arm of Mr. Smith and walked away.
That evening after dinner, while everything was quiet and peaceful, Mr. Monroe asked Mr. Moreland if he was alright, to which he received a reply of, "No, no I am not fine Sir. I have asked a certain young lady a very particular question and she has refused to reply."
"You have offered you hand? To whom may I ask?" replied Mr. Monroe. "Miss Jane Monroe. Your daughter sir," was the reply. Mr. Smith tensed and grasped Jane's hand.
"My daughter? Jane, have you refused this man?" cried Mr. Monroe.
"Worse Sir, she didn't even answer me. She merely walked away and took the arm of her friend Mr. Smith." Mr. Moreland glanced over at Jane. "Jane, you must accept this man. He is everything we discussed. Kind, a gentleman, and we know him very well. " Mr. Monroe turned to Jane.
" Yes, but father, you must understand that I cannot marry Mr. Moreland. I have a previous attachment that I must stay true to. You understand don't you?" Jane looked longingly at her father.