The morning was uneventful enough, after Adele had finished her meal (I was not inclined to eat that morning), I broke the news that we would learn a portion of our lessons outside. Adele reacted with the most unrestrained expressions of delight capering about like a wild pony till I rebuked her. Part of me rebelled against restraining her natural glee, as unseemly as it was, she was but a child, and a happy child at that, I knew I must take care to instill manners suitable to society, yet, not crush her with harsh rebukes and criticism as had been done to all of us at Lowood. Only too well had I seen the results of that method of discipline; it imparted a fear of happiness, a sense of having committed a grave sin, if even the barest glimpse of joy broke into the gloom of our repressed lives.
I had thought to teach English, Spelling and Natural Science out of doors, returning to the house for lunch and to finish the day in the schoolroom. It seemed a good plan, one which would provide a break from the tedium of daily lessons for my pupil as well as diverting my thoughts by the newness of situation.
Out in the garden I found a sunny spot and set up the make shift school there, basking in the warmth of the sun and fresh, sweet smell of the gardens that had been newly tilled. I let my pupil frolic about for a few minutes then called her to sit down to the lessons.
Adele was restless, and I had a deal of trouble at first keeping her attention, every bird call or flying insect captured her attention, I was almost regretting my impulsive decision to take lessons out of doors, when she calmed and I began to feel as if I was at last making progress with her. Once I had her attention the lessons ran smoothly and satisfactorily, I congratulated myself for thinking up this plan and resolved to implement it as often as I could find convenient. It was almost mid day when I realized I was to have the opposite problem than that of the morning, with which to contend. My pupil was now struggling to remain awake as the suns warm rays had a decided soporific effect on her little body.
I abruptly shut my book with a snap, causing her eyes to fly open in astonishment.
"Why, what is the matter Miss Eyre?"
"Nothing, but now it is time for you to gather leaves before we go inside for lunch, Come, Adele, you must gather them quickly!"
She got to her feet and reluctantly started off to gather the required flora; I turned my face to the sun and closed my eyes, and breathing in a deep breath, relishing the feel of the suns rays warming me. Suddenly, a shadow blotted the sun from me and, half in reproach I opened my eyes to the intruder.
It was Mr. Rochester.
I gathered my books and hastily rose to my feet.
"Sir!"
He looked at me, aloof, preoccupied.
"Ah, Miss…Eyre, where is your pupil?" He sounded half annoyed, and I, without uttering a sound, pointed to a stand of trees where she was busy gathering leaves.
Without deigning me another glance, he strode over to where she was. As soon as she saw him she gave a shout of joy and would have embraced him, but he waved her away emphatically, I frowned when I saw this.
I saw that they were preparing to go into the hall, so I gathered up our things and was endeavoring to carry them all, it was quite a load, and I soon began to see it would require two trips, In the morning; I had had the assistance of Adele and Sophie to carry things out to the garden. I was preparing to set some of the more weighty objects down, when I saw Adele stop ahead and tug on Mr. Rochester arm. They turned and approached me.
"Miss Eyre, Adele seems to think you need assistance." He looked at me with a scowl carving deep lines in his visage.
I opened my mouth to deny the grudging offer, but at that moment I discovered a small hole in the manicured lawn, my foot twisted and I lost my footing for a moment. I did not fall; I caught myself on the small chair I was carrying, but I had to use my injured arm to support my full weight for a moment.
I could not help but catch my breath; the pain was intense and unexpected. With an impatient sigh, Mr. Rochester bent over, took the chair and some of the books and started toward the hall. All would have been well, if Adele had not exclaimed,
"Why, Mademoiselle! You are hurt!"
I looked down at my sleeve and saw there was a darkening of the cloth where the dressing had slipped and now blood was seeping into the dark fabric giving it a glossy sheen. Adele's cry had drawn the attention of Mr. Rochester, he approached and taking in the evidence of injury inquired in a fretful tone.
"How did this come about?"
I hesitated, I have never been quick to falsehood, despite Mrs. Reed's assertions; and, yet, I did not think it prudent to reveal the actual cause in front of Adele.
In an instant, as soon as he saw my hesitation, he stepped quickly up to me, seizing my arm, his eyes piercing into mine, for a moment, he examined the sleeve savagely and I was, for a fleeting second afraid he would rip the sleeve off my dress.
The tension was very great at that moment, I began to tremble, the pain and stress taking their toll on my frayed nerves.
In an instant he had released me, but still held my eyes with his as if he was reading my mind to divine the truth from me.
I stepped back.
He abruptly turned and ordered us to leave the school implements on the lawn; a servant would bring them in.
Entering the house, he informed Adele "as Miss Eyre was not feeling well," there were no classes for the rest of the day. I attempted to protest, but he paid no attention to me, and disappeared into the gloomy hallway without as much as a glance my direction. This, in truth, offended me, I felt as if I were being treated with disrespect and caprice. I felt that it should have been my decision to curtail classes, not something done in a preemptory fashion, treating me as a nonentity when I tried to protest the dictate.
I saw Adele eating her lunch, then headed up to my room to change to my other dress and freshen the dressing on my arm.
This completed, and as classes had been preempted by my employer, I headed to the library to read. I had tried to immerse myself into a book of poetry, when Mrs. Fairfax peered around the door.
"Ah, here you are Miss Eyre; I have been looking all over for you! The physician is here to see you! I am glad you have decided to have him, as I suggested, He is waiting in your room, and here I will go with you. "
Needless to say, it was not my summons that brought the doctor to the hall, I was in an instant convinced it was my master who initiated it, a little voice in the back of my mind said,
"If you were naught but a paid employee would he send out for a doctor to see your wound?" But I sternly silenced the thought and proceeded to my room.
The examination was brief, yet, I could tell the doctor was concerned, He said he would have a salve sent up by evening and gave me instructions on how to best apply it.
As he was walking away my suspicions were confirmed to a certainty when he requested of Mrs. Fairfax to be taken to the master of the house.
I sat for a while on my bed, lost in thought. Then, as my mind once again seemed to be inclined to take its own direction, I rose and went to see Adele, as fate would have it; I was going down the stairs when I crossed directly in the path of Mr. Rochester.
I inclined my head and hurried on, hoping not to be noticed; but, he recalled me.
"Miss Eyre! A moment, if you please." I turned reluctantly and faced him, my heart suddenly speeding up to an uncomfortable pace.
"Are you quite mad, I wonder, to not have such an injury attended to? This does not reflect well on your sense Miss Eyre. Take care not to give me further reason to question your competency. That is all."
Then he was gone, vanishing into the depths of the hall, leaving emotions surging around me.
I was angry, very angry, he could not help but guess how I had sustained the injury, yet he chooses to upbraid me?
The more I thought about it the hotter and more ireful I became, till I decided to return to my room.
When in the morning the servant filling my grate informed me Mr. Rochester had left for another country I almost did not care.
Many thanks to my wonderful Beta reader, who catches heart stopping errors that might otherwise have left my readers in dismay!