Untitled YA Novel Idea - July 19, 2012

        Three silent figures moved slowly down the street in unison.  One was a middle-aged man, tall and gaunt with a threadbare black overcoat.  He was carrying two large suitcases – one under each arm.  Another was a squat, plump woman in an orchid cape.  She had her wiry gray hair arranged into a tidy bun.  She had a small valise in one hand and held the hand of a medium-sized girl in the other.  The girl had chestnut-colored curls pinned together at the nape of her neck.  She wore a smart navy overcoat and black leather boots with her traveling dress.  She also wore a frown.

There was a thick fog rolling through the neighborhood as they approached their destination.  They’d arrived in Boston early this morning after a long train ride.  Now, the three were bone-weary, trudging the girl’s belongings on foot.  At long last, the grand house loomed ominously on the horizon.  Though somewhat narrow, it was three full stories tall with a walk-up attic covered by a Mansard style roof.  It was painted a solemn gray and had black shutters.  Jane frowned even harder.

A large distinguished-looking man with a neatly trimmed set of white whiskers was standing on the porch.  He wore a gray double-breasted suit with a gold watch fob hanging from the front pocket.  He examined the gold watch attached to his suit pocket as they came down the garden path.  “Punctuality reflects good manners,” he said placing the watch back in his pocket.  The thin man struggling with the luggage nodded and said, “We got ‘ere as soon as we could manage, Cap'n.  Reginald Smith reporting for duty.”  The girl squeezed the old woman’s hand tightly.  The nanny smiled down at her.  “It will be alright, love,” she whispered. 

“Captain Haskell, sir, my name is Rose Morgan.  I’ve been Miss Jane’s governess and the Throckmorton’s cook since she was just a whelp.  I would like to offer you my services.”  The Captain shook his head.  “That won’t be necessary, Miss Morgan.  I have my own household staff.  I appreciate your trouble in transporting my granddaughter.  You will find some notes to compensate you and Mr. Smith in this envelope.”  Reginald put his hand up to keep Captain Haskell from turning over the envelope.  “Wait a min’it, Guv’nor.  We don’t want your money.  We just want to stay on with our little Miss.”  Once again, the Captain shook his head.  “I understand, good chap, but I do not require your services.  The money is enough to cover a return fare to Princeton and a month’s salary.”

Jane felt tears begin to well up in her eyes.  She looked expectantly at Nanny Rose, who was usually quite the spitfire.  But the old woman said nothing to the Captain, instead looking at Jane with sadness in her own eyes.  “Dear, I am sorry that I won’t be able to stay with you right now,” she began.  “Nanny, please,” whimpered Jane.  “Don’t leave me.”  The Captain descended the steps now and held out his hand to his granddaughter.  “Jane Minerva Throckmorton, it is time to bid farewell to your traveling companions.  They have a long trip back home.”  His tone was firm, but not entirely cruel.  Reginald stooped down to meet Jane, eye to eye.  “Miss, we’re going to take good care of the house.  And just you wait!  Your parents will be home before you know it.  We’ll all be waiting for you.”  Jane sniffled and did the most unladylike thing – she wiped her nose on the sleeve of her lovely coat.