Ignored for Love
A rewrite of the first few pages of Chapter 13
By The Meepy Freak
Word Count: 529
When I approached Mr. Rochester, he did not even acknowledge my presence with a nod as he usually would. He seemed distant, looking afar and sighing every few minutes. I could only imagine what my master was thinking, yet I knew better than to question him
As I tended Mr. Rochester's ankle, he finally looked up at me. His eyes were longing for desperation and comfort which I knew that I, as a lowly servant, could not give.
"Please tell Mrs. Fairfax to call Jane Eyre and her pupil for tea."
Obediently, I nodded and left the room to go to Mrs. Fairfax's parlor. Ever since Mr. Rochester arrived, he barely left his room for anything, leaving me to tend to him. It angered me how lazy the man could be even if he was injured. However, I daren't say that out loud.
Later in the evening, I met Jane Eyre for the first time. She had a timid countenance as she glanced over at Mr. Rochester. She did not seem to notice me, yet I am used to being ignored. I am but a lowly servant anyway.
"Here is Miss Eyre sir," Mrs. Fairfax broke the comfortable silence.
"Let Miss Eyre be seated," my master replied stiffly in a tone that frightened me.
I saw him straighten his back as he bowed. In all my years of working for him, I have never saw him act this way. It was almost humorous how much Jane Eyre seemed to be affecting him without noticing.
As Jane Eyre sat down on a chair I had cleaned a little earlier, Mr. Rochester remained as still as a statue. He motioned for me to watch of the little child, Adele I think her name is. At the same time, Mrs. Fairfax also glanced at me. I could notice she was surprised to see Mr. Rochester acting this way. However, instead of remaining quiet like I or confronting Mr. Rochester, Mrs. Fairfax started babbling of nonsense. The only words I caught were her obsessive compliments of Mr. Rochester.
What interested me more was that the entire time Mrs. Fairfax talked, Mr. Rochester's gaze was on Jane Eyre. The girl seemed like any other person, listening with her mouth shut politely. The only thing peculiar about the girl was her age, since she seemed only a bit elder to me. Then again, my estimations of age were always off. Nevertheless, why was my master so fascinated with her?
"Madam, I should like some tea," Mr. Rochester replied.
I started to stand, but Mrs. Fairfax froze me with a glare. I could see she was holding back a smile, yet I hadn't the faintest idea why.
Suddenly, Mrs. Fairfax said to Jane Eyre, "Will you hand Mr. Rochester's cup? Adele might spill it."
I stared at Mrs. Fairfax. She was crazy! It was my job to serve my master. I always poured Mr. Rochester's tea every day!
My face twisted into a frown as I rushed out of the room. If they did not want me, if they were just going to ignore me, why should I stay? Jane Eyre was not that special anyway.