The next few days passed in a pleasant sort of monotony. I was governess again, Adele my sometimes unwilling student. Mrs. Fairfax continued to manage the running of the house and Mr. Rochester remained the aloof master of Thornfield. It was as if time had turned back a year.
Reader, I am afraid that Adele did not recover her memories. However, as Mr. Rochester had predicted, she had started to make new ones. Four days after her arrival, Dr. Carter had arrived to check on his patient. He pronounced Adele well on the road to recovery and except for the amnesia, almost fully recovered.
One thing I could not help noticing was the way Sophie and Dr. Carter turned to each other during his visit. He chatted with her in a pleasant and friendly manner, quite apart from his usual brusque bedside manner. Sophie laughed and chattered with him in an open and easy manner.
I had no idea if there was anything more than friendship between them, but I envied the easy conversations and open possibilities.
Adele was allowed to leave the bed. She could not run around as she used to yet, but we took long walks in the park. I often had to control the high spirits that made her want to jump through the flowers or spin around young trees. But she seemed to enjoy these walks, and elements of her changing personality returned. She was curious about the flowers in the garden, despite the late autumn weather, and started to draw them herself in her little booklet when her head would start aching.
She seemed to be happy and content, except for the moments that she would ask for her mother and wanted to know when she would return for her.
This question was always heart-breaking, as Adele would mention her mother whenever she learned something new or got a new toy or dress. She would often mention how her "mama" would like her new acquisitions or think she was so clever at her new ability.
We continued to make excuses for Celine Varen's absence but even Adele had started questioning our excuses.
"Is mama travelling to me over the sea?" she asked one day.
"I-…" I trailed off.
"Yes, Adele, your mama is travelling to us now," a deep voice said behind us. I turned to see Mr. Rochester.
"Monsieur Rochester!" Adele clapped her hands, delight written over every feature.
I stared at Mr. Rochester, shocked at how he could lift her spirits with such lies.
As Adele went to find Sophie to tell her the news, I had to remind her to walk. I walked over to Mr. Rochester.
"Miss Eyre," he said formally, "I trust you have something to say about this?"
"Yes, Sir, how can you lie to Adele about something like this? She will be even more heartbroken when she discovers that her mother is not arriving.
"Au contraire, Miss Eyre, Celine Varens is truly on her way to Thornfield."
"What?" I stared up at him, "You cannot be in earnest!" I could not believe that Celine Varens would come back for her child. It had already been more than two years since she had abandoned her daughter and run off with a paramour.
"I am," he said, "I managed to make contact with her and she is coming to see her child."
I blinked, a little bemused by this new development.
"Is she coming to take Adele with her?" I asked.
He snorted, "Unlikely. I am already shocked that she agreed to come in the first place. And as you know, she has insisted that Adele is my child."
"And you are certain she is not?"
Mr. Rochester looked down at me, "I am, Miss Eyre, it is not physically possible for me to be her father, judging by her age and appearance."
I blushed a little. "Of course." The pretty blonde Adele with dark blue eyes shared no features with her dark-featured supposed father.
"So when are we to expect her?"
"In two day's time. Mrs. Fairfax is already aware of her arrival and will make all the necessary arrangements for her stay."
"Do we know how long she is planning to stay for?"
He shook his head, "At this moment, no."
"Let me go and see that Adele does not get too excited during this time."
"Miss Eyre," Mr. Rochester held out his hand as if to stop me.
I stopped short, "Yes, Mr. Rochester?" I could see the movement in his jaw but he shook his head.
"My apologies. Please attend to your charge."
I bowed and left. I wondered what was going through Mr. Rochester's mind. Did he want to tell me about Celine Varens and how to be around her? I don't know how I would feel about seeing the woman who had caused so much pain…and pleasure to my dear master.
The next few days passed in excitement and preparations. I tried to assist Mrs. Fairfax where I could and calm down Adele who was in a haze of excitement. She wanted all her prettiest dresses prepared for her mother's arrival. She chattered about how beautiful her mother was, how graceful. She expected that her mother would dance and she wanted to accompany her. She shed many bitter tears when I told her that she would not be able to join her mother in any dances. Mr. Rochester heard of her distress and had a new dress ordered for her, full of all the lace and ruffles that a young girl would like. It was also a little longer than her other dresses and Adele told me that she would be a lady like her mother.
I was overwhelmed by the preparations being made but on the day of Celine Varen's arrival, John came to the nursery to tell me that I had a visitor. As I moved downstairs, John told me that it was Mr. James from the inn.
I did not know what to expect from Mr. James. I had to admit that he was a good man who seemed to have some affection for me. His light kiss out in the fields had been sweet but confusing. I knew that my heart yearned for Mr. Rochester but I could never be with him. Did that mean that I should look outwards and find a new happiness outside of Thornfield?
Now was not the time to make such a decision and I greeted Mr. James kindly. His smile was wide and he kissed my hand in greeting.
"May I take a walk with you, Miss Eyre?" he asked after our polite but warm greetings.
"Of course," and we walked together towards the gardens.
"How is Miss Varens doing?" he asked.
"She is recovering well, thank you. Unfortunately, she has not recovered her memories but she seems to be happy to be here."
"And are you happy?" he asked quietly.
I was a little shocked at the change in focus.
"I- I-…" I did not know how to respond to him honestly. Was I happy? I knew there was some comfort in being near my master again, and to have Adele with me again, but the pain of reality was still strong.
"No, I am not happy, but I am content in my current situation."
Mr. James turned towards me and took my hands in his. I looked up at him. His kind eyes surveyed me, searching my face for something.
"Miss Eyre, is there any hope of your happiness being in Thornfield?"
I shook my head sadly. "No, none."
"Then will you give me a chance to make you happy?" His eyes were warm, his smile so kind, and his hands so strong that I felt something flutter in my heart.
What did I have to lose? My master was committed to a life tied to a madwoman. And his former mistress was about to visit us in his home. There was no hope for me here. Nothing for me.
I closed my eyes and then looked up at Daniel.
"Yes," my voice was softer than a whisper.
His smile was sunlight. He drew me into his arms. Warm, strong arms that held me without conditions. He lowered his head and his lips met mine. The kiss was sweet and gentle, more of a question than anything else. His mouth was soft. No possessiveness or lust in this kiss, just warmth and strength. I kissed him hesitantly, unsure of my own feelings.
When the kiss ended, he held my hands to his chest. I felt his steady heartbeat. "You do not know how long I have waited to do that. Jane, I know we do not know each other very well. I do not wish to force you into any decision so soon but may I court you until we are more certain of our future together?"
I had to blush at his words. "Yes, Daniel," I said softly and his fingers tightened on mine.
There was a clatter on the driveway and I knew our guest had arrived.
"Daniel, I'm afraid I have to leave you now. We are expecting a guest today…an old friend of Mr. Rochester."
"Then I'll return another day." He smiled at me and kissed me again, a quick and simple one. "Goodbye, Jane."
"Goodbye, Daniel." I smiled in return and he loped off to his horse.
I stood there, watching him ride off, then turned towards the house. I walked in from the back through the kitchens, wondering if I should go forward or not.
I decided that as the governess, I would be expected to be there.
As I stepped into the foyer, I saw a beautiful woman who had her arms wrapped around Adele as she kneeled on the floor.
"Mon cherie," she crooned, hugging and kissing the girl with all the apparent love of a long-lost mother.
Adele was in tears as she clung to her mother. They shared the fair hair and blue eyes, but Adele's features were softer while her mother's were more angular.
Celine Varens stood up and then approached Mr. Rochester, who was standing to the side watching this tableau.
"Monsieur Rochester," she said, her voice husky and melodious. She bent low in her bow, her ample bosom on show in her low-cut gown. "Thank you for everything you have done for my daughter."
"Celine," Mr. Rochester nodded curtly. I could see his features were carefully controlled and there was no real welcome in his eyes.
He gestured towards me. "May I introduce Miss Eyre, Adele's governess?"
Celine Varens turned her limpid blue eyes towards me.