The next morning I woke to the sound of Georgianna's nimble fingers playing on the piano. Ever since I could remember, it was always our tradition. She would play the piano, I would waken, and together we would wake the whole house with our duet.
I gingerly stood from my bed, and fetched a dress from my wardrobe. I was now so accustomed to dressing myself, that I did not even consider ringing the bell for Katharine as I used to. She however, was used to my habits, and was soon knocking on the door.
"Miss Molly? Are ye awake yet?" she asked through the wood. I opened the door, apologizing immediately, informing her that since I was at Thornfield, I had to learn how to do things myself. I told her that I did not mean to offend, but that I was already dressed. She was an understanding lady, who simply chuckled at my antics. "Very few ladies of the would worry what the maid was or was not offended at. I think you've spent too much time at Thornfield, Miss Molly. For you have quite altered"
"Altered?" I asked, "Why Katharine, whatever do you mean?"
"Nothin much Miss, but you're simpler than you used to be" she said, then considered her words at my plain look of surprise, "I didn't mean it like that. Just look at ye" she ushered me to the mirror.
"And what is so altered, so simpler in me that you have noticed, dear Katharine?" my skepticism was seeping from every pore.
She made a motion with her hand over my dress, which was a dark gray. "You used to wear brighter colors Miss. Blues, and scarlets. Now, you look like Miss Gold!" she exclaimed, as if the very thought was absurd. I laughed heartily, Katharine and Miss Gold never really got along, but they would die for each other.
"And what is wrong with Miss Gold's dresses? Surely they are fine enough for your haughty attitude" we heard at the door. Both of our gazes turned to welcome the newcomer. There Miss Gold stood, her eyebrow levitated a good inch above her hazel gaze. Katherine stuttered an apology and quickly exited the room.
Miss Barbara Gold, had lived with the family for twenty years. She had once been engaged to Sir John's brother. But upon his death, and still loved by the family, she was given the position of governess in the Polk house. For all of her 39 years, she was still considered a beauty. Every man who beheld her, wished her for his own. While every woman envied her, for her manners mingled with that exotic beauty, made her to be quite admired by the menfolk of Northamptonshire.
No woman would dare mention Miss Barbara Gold in front of her husband, lest she soon find herself on the receiving end of a 'Soliloquy of Gold' as my uncle had termed it. However, in her presence, the women dearly loved her. What they did not like was the wandering gazes of their husbands.
I felt sorry for the women of Northampton, for no sooner had I turned the age of sixteen, and obviously of the same manner and character of Miss Gold, than their sons had begun their own soliloquies. Much to my dismay, but it had formed an attachment of friendship, and comradeship, between Miss Barbara and myself
.
When Katharine left, I laughed, amused by the fear that Miss Gold put in most of the servants. They both respected and admired her. She soon joined me in my mirth, walking further into the room. Her forest green dress quietly gliding over the floor, "My dear Molly, welcome home" she greeted, enfolding me in her own arms. "It's good to be back Miss Barbara" I replied cordially.
She took a step back, scrutinizing my appearance, "You are looking a little thin my dear, paler to be sure. Have you not been in the sun much?" she asked, I replied 'that I had been spending less time in the sun, but that I compensated by taking occasional walks to the village' she frowned, "You should walk more often, do you not have a horse there?" she asked.
I scoffed, "A horse Miss Gold? I am but a mere governess, and unlike you, have no prior connections with the Rochester family" I reminded, she nodded in understanding. "To be sure. Tell me, what is your Mr. Rochester like?" she asked, taking my arm and leading me out of the room.
"My Mr. Rochester?" I asked, aghast at her implication.
"Very well, what is your employer, Mr. Rochester, like?" she repeated.
"Abrupt, odd, condescending at times, caring – but no one knows it. Passionate, about certain matters which he alone knows. Indifferent, and at times quite cold. I like to compare him to Sir John's rottweiler, Sargent, you remember him." I said.
Miss Gold chuckled, "Remember Sargent? My dear Molly, who could forget that dog?" she asked rhetorically. We both laughed, remembering the hot tempered, distrusting, loyal and faithful Sargent. "And tell me, is this Sargent handsome?" she asked, I snickered, remembering when he asked me the same question.
"Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, my dear Miss Gold. Therefore, what one may find handsome, another will find horrid." I replied.
"And is this one handsome or horrid?" she persisted.
I thought for a moment, "He is a man. A strong willed man. With a mind of his own, and respect for anyone who has a mind of their own. He is, in many ways, handsome. In others, not so much. For he has much to be desired." was my thoughtful reply.
She, however, was not satisfied with my answer.
"Yes, but do find him handsome?" was her question, for she intended for me to give a definite answer.
"In my opinion -"
"Is he, or is he not in your opinion?"
"You won't let this go, will you?"
"Not as long as you don't answer me."
"Very well, I believe him to be handsome" I finally replied.
Miss Gold sighed, "Was that so hard?" she asked. I laughed, "We are not of the same station, it is wrong for a paid subordinate to even consider their employer to be attractive or not" I reasoned. She laughed, "Humbug" she stated, "Most paid subordinates consider their employers in a eligible light, at one point or another, if they are not married." she declared. I immediately inquired if she had ever considered Sir John, to which she – in a joking manner – said that he was always safe from her.
Laughing, we both entered the dining room, causing for the family to greet us. "Good morning Aunt Fanny" I greeted, kissing my dear Aunt on the cheek. She smiled, patting my hand which was on her shoulder, inquiring how I slept. I replied that I had slept well, and was quite impatient to find out what would happen in the day.
Henrietta looked at my quizzically, "Since when have you been interested in what is happening in the day?" she asked, her blue gaze penetrating. I marveled at how life seemed so interesting, compared to Thornfield, Branhurst was loud and full of life. Once again, I wished that Mr. Rochester could experience this, for it had to be an age since he laughed. Genuinely that is.
"Molly?" Henrietta asked again, for in my thoughts, I did not answer. I quickly reiterated all that I thought, excluding my wish for Mr. Rochester to be here. "I'm sure that life is very dull there, at Thornfield" Henrietta said, I gave a slight smile, "It is not as lively as Branhurst, but, it has its own delights. Mr. Rochester isn't all bad" I replied.
"What kind of a person is this Mr. Rochester, Molly? For your letters have been very descriptive, but I'm sure that a face-to-face account will be much more interesting. Tell me, how does he treat you?" Aunt Fanny asked.
"Mr. Rochester." I said slowly, "He is a strange man, Aunt. One moment he is content, and most pleasant. In the most jovial of attitudes, and happy to make conversation about the most trivial of things. Yet, not trivial, for they are most thought provoking. Nay, trivial is not the correct word. He makes conversation on the most personal of levels, wanting to know what you think, or thought, or believe. He is quick to reply. His questions, statements, etcetera; however, are most confusing, for they often tend toward different opinions." I said.
"And on the other hand?" Georgianna asked, inquisitiveness in her eyes.
"The next moment, he is cantankerous. His mood changes abruptly, leaving you bewildered and confused. He will be thunderous as Thor, and you expect to be struck by the next bolt of lightning if you do not move fast enough. He does not show love, nor cruelty – for I do not believe that he could be cruel. Not truly. However, when he changes, it is almost like a different man." I replied, then paused.
"Except, he is very much the same. He has his secrets, though who hasn't. When he is calm, he is a saint. When he is wrathful, he is as frightening as Hades." I told them, unaware at the time, that I was speaking most endearingly.
"From what I hear, he is not very good to his servants" Henrietta said, I was quick to reprimand her. "He is a most gracious master. He went to London for my sake, on my birthday. Quite above the call of duty. Much more than most masters." I declared proudly. Georgianna laughed, "He has obviously earned your trust. For you seem to defend him staunchly" she observed. I flushed, turning to my breakfast.
After thinking a few moments, I replied with "He is a man that – once known – anyone would trust. You would trust him with your life, for you know that he would protect it with his own." Miss Gold smiled at me, "You think highly of him, despite the fact that he was originally quite cold to you?" she asked.
"First impressions are never enough" I replied
The conversation turned to when Richard and William would be coming. I was informed that they would be leaving Cambridge, and Oxford, in a few days, and would go to Nottingham to fetch Anne. After which, they would come back to Branhurst. I stiffened, remembering the last time that any plans were made to go to Nottingham. My thoughts immediately went to Roger.
But I banished them all, William and Richard would do fine. I did not have to worry, for they would return home. And I would see Anne for the first time in a couple of years. She was a lady now, and had been sent to the continent for her education. I considered that she would be quite altered.
For now, I paid my attention to my cousins, speaking of Bath – where Henrietta had met her fiancée.
I did, however, happen to look toward my Aunt.
Aunt Fanny seemed to be thinking herself, "Molly dear, will we ever meet him? Mr. Rochester I mean. Judge for ourselves the kind of man he is?" she asked. I swallowed my food, "I do not know Aunt. Only time and fortune will tell. I intend to bring Adele here one day, perhaps next year, or the year after. It depends on what Mr. Rochester says. Perhaps one day I may convince him to come for himself. Thornfield is so lonely in the winter months. The shadows on the wall remind you that you are alone, all the while giving the impression that you never are alone" I replied.
Georgianna then inquired as to what kind of child Adele was, and how my teaching was going. Enthusiasm in my very being, I expressed what she was like, and recounted my many tales while I was in Thornfield. Hetta and Georgia listened with eagerness, happy to listen and not interrupt.
Once or twice I looked toward Aunt Fanny and Miss Gold, for they were speaking in such a way that was quite suspicious. However, my attention could not stay concentrated on them long enough to hear, for Georgianna was quite anxious to hear the finishing of my tale of when I taught Adele how to play 'The Dreame' - a particular favorite of Georgianna's. Adele would not stay still, and was most critical of herself, insisting that she would never learn it the way that I had.
I complied, quite happy to fulfill any questions my cousins asked. I knew that I would recount once again when the boys returned. But for now, I was happy to laugh and smile more than I had in the last six months.