The next few days went by as usual. I still had not written a letter to inform Mrs Fairfax of my arrival. And had not yet sent the letter I wrote to Jane. I asked Lord Ingram if I could use his study to write a letter. 'Of course you can my son!' was his reply. I slowly made my way towards Lord Ingram's study.

--

Dear Mrs Fairfax

I will arrive back at Thornfield in one week on Friday with a party of houseguests. I would like you to prepare all of the guest chambers and hire extra staff from the Inn in Millcote. I would like the house to be presentable upon arrival. Lord and Lady Ingram and their two daughters and son are also among the houseguests as well as Eshton, so I would like them to be put in the best guest chambers we have.

If you wish you may call upon Miss Eyre to help you with the necessary arrangements and Adele may have a few days away from her studies whilst Miss Eyre assists you.

I thank you in advance Mrs Fairfax.

Edward Fairfax Rochester

--

That should do I suppose. I folded the letter and sealed it with a stamp of my initial 'R'. I took it to my chamber and took out Jane's letter also. I ordered for Mesrour to be saddled and began my journey to the post office in the local village. I arrived at the post office within five minutes; it was not very far away. I handed both of my letters to the clerk behind the desk.

"These are to be sent to Thornfield Hall."

"Yes, of course Sir."

"Thank you."

The deed was done. I know hurried out of the post office and into the street. Ah…fresh air. Nothing like fresh air on a lovely Sunday morning. I did not wish to return to Ingram Park just yet so I decided to look around the village.

I turned right at the post office and proceeded down a small lane. After all the times I have visited here I had never been down this lane before. I reached the end of the lane and there I saw a huge village square filled with shops: from bakers' to butchers', from libraries to jewellery shops. Although it was a Sunday it was quite crowded. Perhaps it is a market day? As I was walking down past some shops I stopped at a jewellery shop window. There, I saw this lovely locket. It was breath taking. I made my way into the shop.

"Excuse me, could you tell me about the locket in the window?"

"Yes certainly."

The man took the locket from the window and stood back behind the counter and showed it to me, whilst giving me its history.

"This locket has a hard enamel finish set with the finest Australian crystal. The clasp is fairly easy to use and is sure to be secure. There are three types of lockets: this one in a light shade of pink, Amethyst or a Ruby Red. There is only one other like it in the country."

"It is a breath taking piece of jewellery."

"Yes it is, I do agree."

"How much is the locket?"

"The locket is a mighty price at £75."

"£75? I will take it from you for £70."

"Done!"

I took out my billfold and handed him the £70 for the locket. He carefully wrapped it and placed it inside a pink velvet case secured with white ribbon. Jane will love it!

"May I ask what other rare jewellery you have like this?"

"Certainly Sir, Right this way."

He placed the locket I had just purchased behind the counter and bid me follow him into the back room. He led me down a small and rather dark corridor. We stopped at a wooden oak door and entered. I was very surprised at what I found there. A whole room filled with glass cases of the finest and grandest jewellery. I had never seen this amount of jewellery in my life, I was astounded. The man started looking through the dozens of glass cases until he found what he was looking for. He opened the glass case and brought out a small wooden box.

He produced a key that was in his pocket and slowly unlocked the box. Inside the box was lined with green silk.

"Ah, here we are."

He took out the contents of the box and showed it to me.

"This is another one of our rare jewellery pieces. A handcrafted Topaz Leaves necklace complete with leaves links and topaz Austrian crystal accents. The set is brass ox plated and the chain is adjustable in length with lobster claw clasp."

"It certainly is very grand."

"It is indeed Sir and is the only one of its kind."

"What is its price?"

"£1000 Sir."

"Hmm…that is quite a lot for a piece of jewellery."

"It is indeed Sir."

He placed the necklace back into the box.

"I think I shall just have the locket for the time being. I have to arrive to my home within a week. But I may return here before I depart."

"Very well Sir."

I took the locket and walked back out into the street. I hope Jane likes the locket. It reminds me of a locket which my mother used to keep. If I recall it is in the chest of mother's items which is still at Thornfield. I do not recall were, but perhaps John can search for the chest. It started to grow late so I headed back towards where I had left Mesrour. I walked back past the shops where I had come and up the little lane. As I was walking I heard a faint sob. I walked faster up the lane and the sobbing grew louder. I could now hear the sobbing so loud that it hurt my ears. I stopped and saw a faint figure in the distance slouched down on the floor against the wall.

I approached the figure. It was a small girl nearing about 12 years of age?

"Little one, why are you weeping?"

The small girl looked up at me with teary eyes.

"Oh Sir! I have nowhere to go!"

"Where do you live? What has happened child?"

"I...I…"

"Come with me little one I will feed you and clean you up and then you can tell me why you are upset. Does that sound ok? Will you come with me?"

She was weeping too much to give an answer so she just nodded her head, implying a 'yes'.

I helped her up and she took my hand and we continued walking up the lane. Once we where out into the street I could now see this small child clearly. She was a poor child; her dress was all creased and starting to get dirty. She had light blonde hair and blue eyes, she was quite tall. She came up nearing my elbow. I did not know how old she was as I did not enquire of her age.

"How old are you child?" I asked her. Still sobbing she managed to reply 'I am 14 years Sir."

She reminded me of Adele. So young and innocent, but they were complete opposites. Adele had been spoilt with dresses and fine jewellery whereas this young girl was poor and had no money; she had not been spoilt in any way. We at last found Mesrour and I could see that the child was tired. Her eyes were heavy and she would fall asleep any moment. I lifted her into the saddle, and then I did the same. I placed the little girl in front of me and held her by the waist so she did not fall. It would be another half hour before we returned to Ingram Park so that should give her enough time to have a small rest.

As we where nearing Ingram Park I felt the little girl start to stir. She turned her head towards me and buried her face in my chest. I stroked her hair as not to frighten her, as I no doubt thought that she had never saddled a horse before and thought if she did awake it might frighten her. At last we had reached the gates of Ingram Park. I unsaddled Mesrour and lifted the little girl from him. A stable boy then approached.

"Would you please take Mesrour back to the stables, and clean and feed him?"

"Yes Sir."

I scooped the little girl into my arms and made for the entrance. As I entered I could hear voices in the drawing room. Still carrying the little girl I entered.

"Eshton, help me please."

Eshton quickly rushed over.

"What has happened Edward? Who is she?"

Blanche quickly came over and interrupted.

"Who on earth is this servant girl? She does not belong here!"

"Blanche I found her alone and weeping at the side of the road, I could not leave her there. Please fetch a servant."

My arms started to become tired and Eshton helped me get the little girl into my chamber. A maid soon came.

"Miss, could you please give this young girl a bath and some clean clothes if there are any to fit if not a nightgown will do, and wash her dress also."

"Yes Sir."

I left the young girl with the maid and Eshton and I left. We went in search of food from the kitchen for her.

"Edward. What made you bring her here?"

"I was on my way back from the village when I saw her at the side of the pathway from a side lane sobbing. I asked her what had happened but she was too distressed to reply. I asked if she would let me bring her here so she could sleep and eat. She agreed and so here we are."

"That is very kind of you Edward. What do you think has happened to her?"

"I don't know Eshton but when she has eaten I will inquire."

I took a plate of freshly baked bread and butter, a mug of milk and a scone and placed it all on a silver tray. It had been an hour since I arrived back; surely the young girl was cleaned up. Eshton returned to the drawing room to inform Lord and Lady Ingram of the little girl and I took the tray of food and drink up to my chamber. I knocked and was told to come in by the maid. I placed the tray on the side table near the bed.

"I see that the girl is cleaned up now and dressed?"

"Yes Sir, I have given her a new dress and have washed her other one."

"Thank you, now could you please leave us?"

"Yes Sir."

The maid exited my chamber and the little girl and I were left alone in my chamber. She was now dressed in a black dress and had little black shoes on. Her hair was neatly brushed and was left down, trailing down her back. Her face was now clean and no tears where in sight. She sat up on the bed with pillows propped behind her back. I took the tray and rested it on the bed next to her. I sat on the edge of the bed.

"I thought you might be hungry so I brought you up some bread and butter, a scone and some milk."

"Oh yes I am hungry indeed, thank you kind Sir."

After she had finished her food and milk I took the tray from the bed and placed it on the table.

"Now I know you are 14 years of age, but what is your name."

"My name is Kate Sir."

"Kate? That is a very nice name. My name is Mr Rochester. You may call me that if you wish."

"Thank you."

"Now how did you come about to be sobbing in the lane?"

"Well Sir. It was a month ago…my parents and I where very happy, just the three of us in that little cottage that we had. My mother owned a small shop selling cakes and my father worked in the stables. One day in that month my mother became very sick with fever and within two days she died…"

Kate started to weep again, but not as she did before. It was more like she was trying to suppress her tears. I gently touched her shoulder.

"Go on."

"We had the funeral and father was very upset, after two weeks he remarried. I did not want him to, I felt like he was trying to replace my mother. She was a wicked woman and did not like me. She hit me and made lies and made father hate me. He died shortly after of typhus fever. I thought my stepmother would keep me, but she refused to let me stay and I was turned out onto the street. I had no one, no other family to go to and so I spent a month on the street until you found me."

I could not believe the story that young Kate has just narrated to me. How horrific!

"Oh my dear child! So you have no one to live with?"

"No Sir."

"I have told you Kate you may call me Mr Rochester."

"Yes Si…I mean Mr Rochester."

I could not leave her on the street! I could not send her away with no where to go, no one to look after her. If I could employ her at my house for at least a year made a good girl out of her, then maybe I could send her off to school and make something better of her. A governess perhaps?

"How would you like to come home with me Kate?"

"But Mr Rochester I thought this was your home?"

"Oh no, I am at a house party this is my friend's house. I will be going to my home on Friday. Would you like to come with me?"

"Oh yes! I would like that very much! If it is not too much trouble"

"Very well then all is settled. On Friday you shall come home with me. When you are a little bit older I will send you off to school so you will be a talented, intelligent young lady. Would you like that? You can always come and visit me."

"Mr Rochester, that sounds very pleasant indeed. Thank you."

She threw her arms about my neck and embraced me. Such a precious little thing. She was not like Adele who I would turn away for trying to show me any affection, she was different. I felt a different warmness towards her. I allowed her embrace and I put my arms about her. The warmth of her made me feel almost like a father. I had helped this young girl when she had no one, it made me feel happy.

"There now. You need rest, you must be tired. Come now off to sleep."

"Where will I sleep?"

"You can sleep in my room."

"But then where will you sleep."

"I will sleep in another room. There are plenty here."

"Oh please don't leave me! I…I am afraid of the dark! Living on the streets you see many horrid things!"

Her eyes looked at me with sadness. I could not deny her.

"Tonight I will sleep in this armchair by the window to see that you sleep well. Will that be alright?"

"Yes. Thank you!"

"You do not need to thank me Kate."

She jumped up of the bed and ran towards me embracing me tightly. It was as if she was too afraid to let go, in fear of losing me. I tucked Kate into bed and made sure she was comfortable.

"Good Night Kate."

"Good Night Mr Rochester."

I kissed her forehead and moved over to the chair. After an hour I saw that she was sleeping heavily. I am not surprised with living on the streets all that noise, and her fear of the dark. I walked over to the bedside table and blew out the candle. It was only 8 o'clock and I had no desire to sleep yet. So I made my way towards the door, quietly as not to wake her. I was beginning to feel hungry and was in need of some refreshment. I opened the door and made one last look at Kate before leaving in search of food.