The Moor House was small, cozy, welcoming. When I came around I found myself tucked into a warm bed, a charming brunette seated in a nearby chair. Setting her needlepoint aside, she smiled brightly.
"Oh, you're awake! Thank goodness, we were worried." She stood, moving to get a closer look at me. The woman was petite and cheerful, her mood an alarming contrast to my own. "You must be hungry, dear. Let me fetch some broth for you."
Without another word she hurried from the room, leaving me alone to examine my surroundings. The fire was roaring, keeping me comfortably warm, though I could feel the beginnings of a cold twinge in my nose. For a moment I could pretend that a red nose was the worst of my problems. That my heart wasn't broken. That my body didn't hate my mind for running from Cameron. I closed my eyes tightly, wishing the tears away. My arms longed to hold him, I could feel my legs urging me to get out of bed and run back to Thorn Field.
"What are you doing up?" The woman asked, returning to the room with a tray in hand. "Must be a fever, you were a bit delirious when my brother found you."
She put the tray aside and coaxed me back into bed. Pulling the covers up to my chest and presenting me with the bowl of broth.
"My name is Mary Margret by the way. What's yours?"
"Belle… where am I?"
"The Moor House. Oh, you poor dear. You must not remember. My brother Archie found you huddled outside our door. He and my husband, David brought you up here. So Miss Belle, from where do you come to us from? I've been so curious these past few days, waiting for you to wake."
"Days?"
"Yes! You've been asleep for almost four days now. I was beginning to wonder if you would ever wake. Now tell me about yourself."
"I'm afraid there isn't much to tell."
Mary Margaret scoffed at this, taking my hand in hers.
"These are not the hands of a woman with a hard life. These are the hands of a genteel, well bred lady. Is that it? Are you a goodly, kindly lady?"
"I strive to be good and kind, but I am not a lady… a governess."
"Ah! A teacher! How marvelous! We are in need of a teacher in the village. If you should like to stay perhaps you would be a good fit." She smiled. Mary Margaret did not stop talking for the next hour. I began to wonder if she was in this house alone and had no one else to speak to. But a voice from the door interrupted her, finally bringing her to a pause.
"Sister, don't overwhelm the poor woman." The man was tall and slender, with a shock of red hair that he must have struggled to make lie flat. He smiled shyly at me, taking the seat in the opposite corner of the room. "David is looking for you, I will sit with our guest for a while."
"Of course. Oh how wonderful to have you here with us, Miss Belle! When I saw Archie and David bring you in I was worried for a moment that you might be some sort of murderer, but you are a goodly, kindly teacher. I can't tell you how that pleases me!"
Archie laughed as his sister hurried out of the room in search of her husband. I merely shook my head, trying to absorb the silence that had finally presented itself.
"She's very excitable."
"She's charming."
"Yes. The only other woman in the house is the maid and she won't put up with Mary Margaret's chattering for very long."
"I suppose I could understand that. Though it is nice to have a distraction from my thoughts." I admit quietly, looking towards the window. The storm clouds that were present when I stumbled to the Moor House remained, darkening the skies. "What do you do, Mr…?"
"Hopper, but feel free to call me Archie. My sister will certainly insist that you do. The formality would crush her. I am a clergyman, my parish is in the village but I like to come here and visit with my family while I have the opportunity."
"Do you anticipate not having the opportunity in the future?" I asked quietly, turning my attention back to him.
"He is to become a missionary. Foolish brother of mine." Mary Margaret explained, breezing back into the room and retaking her seat next to my bed.
"It is the Lord's work, sister."
"You will be sent somewhere hot and surely be driven mad with fever."
"You worry too much." He chastised her.
"You worry too little." She retorted. "Has Miss Belle told you? She is a teacher!"
"You told me, Mary Margaret." He smiled, falling silent as she picked up steam again.
"I thought she might fill in nicely at the school."
"Teachers usually do."
"You are in a playful mood tonight. I assure you Miss Belle, he is rarely so lively and quick to reply. You must bring it out in him."
Slowly the months began to pass. I became the village teacher, living in the small cottage allotted by the school. My days were full of students and friends, while Cameron Gold haunted my nights. Every night, every sleep consumed with thoughts of the dark man and his son. Some nights I would wake in tears while others I was convinced that these were not dreams but reality. No matter what, I always woke alone with a pain in my heart.
"Girls please practice your lessons." I called as the girls rushed outside, all eager to return to their homes. On their way out they ran into Archie, each one bumping into him and muttering a quick apology.
"Are they supposed to be that eager to leave?" He asked, turning to watch the last of the girls run.
"No lessons tomorrow, they're excited." I smiled, putting away the books and demonstrations from the day's lessons. It took a moment to realize that Archie had gone silent, thumbing through the open sketchbook on my desk.
"Belle French." He murmured, running his finger across my small signature in the corner of a sketch I had done of Thorn Field.
"What is it, Archie?"
"A man. There has been a man making inquiries about you. He said something about a place called Thorn Field…"
"Cam—Mr. Gold, how is he? Was there word?" I asked, as eager as the students I had just dismissed.
"Not a Mr. Gold. A solicitor, settling the estate of a man who claimed to be the uncle of Belle French. The letter came to me from Thornfield." He held out the page to me and I instantly recognized the handwriting of Mrs. Lucas. Biting my lip I just nodded, breaking the seal.
"What is it, Miss Belle?"
"An uncle I did not know, my mother's brother… he has left me… oh…" I gasped, reading the paper. "20,000 pounds."
"There is something else, Belle…" He paused, looking down to something else he was holding on to.
"What is it?"
"Perhaps I will tell you tomorrow." He shrugged, moving for the door.
"Archibald!" I called after him.
"It would seem that your uncle was also my uncle."
"We are…?"
"Cousins, half cousins."
Something inside me sparked, a happiness I had never known. Without thinking I threw myself into his arms.
"You find out you have 20,000 pounds to your name and barely bat an eye. But to hear of a half cousin…"
"I treasure family far more than money. I have never had either but only ever longed for one. If you are my cousin then that means Mary Margaret is as well! Come, we must tell her the good news immediately." I decided, taking his arm and leading him out of the school house.
"Belle, there was something… something I wished to discuss with you. Now seems as good a time as any."
"What is it, Archie?" I asked, not paying him much attention, too wrapped up in the happiness of my new connections.
"I am to leave soon for my missionary trip."
"If Mary Margaret does not barricade the doors."
"Yes." He laughed nervously. "I was wondering… well, would you like to come with me? As my wife?"
"Wh… what?" I stammered, jerking my head to the side suddenly. That was not what I expected to hear.
"Marry me, Belle. We can travel the world together, doing the Lord's work." He pleaded, coming to a halt and taking my hands in his. In comparison to Mr. Gold Archie's hands were weak. I felt nothing spike through me at his touch but regret.
"But, I do not love you." I finally managed.
"Does that make a difference?" He asked meekly. "Love may come in time, until then we could be friends."
"I'm sorry, Archie. I've never intended to marry again. Not after… after what happened…"
"You mean Mr. Gold?" I paused, mouth agape at the mention of his name. "You were not the only one to receive a letter, Belle. A Mr. Cameron Gold, set to marry his son's governess only to reveal at the alter a hidden lunatic wife. Oh yes, I know all about your previous… love affair."
"Believe what you will, Archie. But he is the only man I have ever and will ever love. I cannot marry you."
I carried on to the house, met at the door by a giddy Mary Margaret.
"Are you to be my sister?" She asked in delight, her face falling slightly at the sight of a downtrodden Archie trailing behind me.
"You will have to settle for cousin, dearest." I replied. Her face some how managed to fall further.
"But…" She began.
"Miss Belle has spoken on the matter." Archie murmured, passing by us and into the house.
The Moor House was suddenly tense. Much tenser than I ever knew it to be. Despite the fine mist of rain in the air I decided to don my cloak and go for a walk. Looking out over the scenery I couldn't help but let my thoughts drift to Mr. Gold again. How he looked the night before I left, how his fingers felt against my skin. In that moment I could have sworn I heard him calling my name. Over and over again, with each howl of the wind I heard him call me. It was time to return to Thorn Field.
