Lady Jane: A Time For Us

A New Life

When Jane and Guilford awoke, they found that Suzanne had left a meal for them.

"Our rescuers truly are angels from above," Jane said. Ravenous, they both ate quickly. Although each was concerned that the other had gotten enough to eat, both felt sated after consuming all of the food. After they had finished eating, Guilford sat on a pillow on the floor holding Jane close to himself, and she rested her head on his shoulder as they spoke together in whispers.

"Although I am grateful to be alive, and with you, it breaks my heart to think that I may never again see my dear sisters," Jane said.

"Likewise, I am very concerned about my mother's welfare," Guilford replied. "Although my brothers and sisters are still there to help her, she no longer has my father alive, and she knows not where I am nor what has become of me. I only wish that there were some way to send word to her that I am still alive and with you."

"I doubt whether my own mother cares what has become of me," Jane said bitterly.

"I know that she treated you very cruelly, my love," Guilford said softly. "But you are of her own flesh and blood, so deep inside, she must harbor some concern for you."

"I hope that poor Mary will fare all right," Jane said. "With a crooked spine it may be difficult for her to find a husband." Mary, the younger of Jane's two younger sisters, was a hunchback.

"Don't despair," Guilford said comfortingly. "Perchance she will meet a man who will see beyond her physical imperfections to the inner beauty she possesses inside."

"I hope that she finds a man as much like you as possible," Jane said.

Guilford grinned. "I am very fortunate in that I have been blessed with a wife who possesses both inner and outer beauty."

"You flatterer." Jane smiled and blushed with pleasure.

Guilford and Jane quickly fell into a routine of mostly sleeping during the day and spending the nights alternating between whispering together softly and studying the Bible and other works of literature by candlelight at night. It was very different from the life they had been accustomed to, but they adapted to it quickly with no complaints.

The night of the weekly church service arrived, and Jane and Guilford saw the other men who had helped rescue them for the second time and met their wives and children. Andre's wife was named Pauline, and he had a young son, Francois, and an infant daughter, Veronique. Henri's wife was named Simone, and their infant son was named Jacques. Gaston, their leader, wasn't married.

"The title of tonight's sermon is 'Salvation By Grace Alone'," Gaston began. The others paid rapt attention. "I woud like to discuss the heretical doctine of Purgatory. Those who still cling to the belief system of the Mother church claim that Purgatory is a place that all go to upon death for additional cleansing of the sins they committed while alive. Those who wished to collect money for the construction of St. Peter's Basilica used this doctine to swindle the faithful by the selling of indulgences. These ignorant souls were told that by purchasing the virtues and good works of Mary and the saints that the stay of their loved ones in Purgatory could be shortened. There was actually a saying that went like this: 'When the coin in the coffer doth ring, the soul from Purgatory doth spring'."

"What these poor deceived people failed to realize is that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ paid the sin debt in full through his death on the cross. That was what He meant when He said, 'It is finished.' It is grace, and grace alone, that earns an immediate place in heaven for each believer upon death. The purchasing of indulgences to shorten one's loved one's time in Purgatory is completely unnecessary, as Purgatory doesn't even exist. Yet these thieves caused untold mental anguish to many, who imagined their departed loved ones still suffering for sins committed during their lifetime, when in reality those loved ones were already living in bliss with God and the saints in heaven."

Several times while Gaston was speaking, a slight noise was heard or even imagined from the outside, causing the group in the attic to immediately snuff out all candles and huddle in silence and fear.

It was well after midnight when the service was adjourned and Jane and Guilford were once again left alone in the attic.

"These people are risking their lives for the sake of the truth," Jane said.

"They are much to be admired," Guilford agreed. "I am proud to be counted as a part of their group."

"It saddens me deeply that my cousin the queen will now lead my countrymen once more into ignorance and superstition, and there's nothing I can do about it," Jane said sadly.

"At least there is a remnant of true believers left alive in England, as there is here," Guilford said. "Let us pray that they can somehow counter the ruling forces with the words of the true Gospel, even if it costs them their lives."

"That is surely will," Jane replied.