The Mission House
Was this the woman who forgot her husband and abandoned England? Celestine Awe could not stop looking at the mother of James Rochester. Mrs. St. John Rivers or Jane Eyre Rochester Rivers calmly poured tea for her guests as if they were in the drawing room in Thornfield Manor. "Biscuits?" she inquired of Celestine, looking and smiling as if the two of them had tea every Thursday after embroidering altar clothes for the local Hay Church's Women's Auxillerary. This tiny proper woman, this woman in a plain dress, graying hair in prim hairstyle was the scarlet woman so evil that James, Richard and Helen banned all talk of her?
Earlier, they were ushered into the parlor by a dark skinned servant named Aurelia. No ceremony, no calling cards. Mrs. Rivers stood at the door, a smile on her face and her arms open to Edward, David and Celine. They instinctively ran to the little woman who stooped and embraced them. This was their other grandmama Jane! She picked up Celine, held David's hand and inclined her ear to Edward, excitedly recounting their ocean voyage. Patiently, Jane led her grandchildren to a table in a snug corner, found some ginger biscuits and honey cakes and listened to their childish prattle. All done while pouring up milk in mugs, brushing the hair out of Celine's eyes, and straightening little David's shirt.
Jane Rivers peered into David's face and into the little boy's dark eyes. "You are so like your grandfather Edward, you have those black eyes and your hair just won't stay put!" David's face clouded, and he looked like he was going to cry. "Grandfather Edward was not smiling in his picture. Was he ugly?" Jane embraced David and said, "Oh no, your grandfather had the best smile. Sometimes grown ups have to be serious in those paintings. Be proud that you are so like him in looks. Be prouder still if you emulate his intellect, goodness and brave spirit." "What is an emmilater, Grandmama Jane?" lisped Celine, looking up with her wide innocent stare. Jane brushed the biscuit crumbs from the little girl's dress and laughed. "You are a very bright girl who asks good questions. It means, that you are like someone. You, for example little sweetheart, 'emulate' your beautiful mother with your red hair, blue eyes and quick mind."
Jane looked over at Caroline Rochester as she explained the word to little Celine and smiled deep into her daughter in law's eyes. Caroline smiled back. This mother in law was not going to be a terror at all.
Jane fixed her expression of happiness, but inside she was raging. James was her son, but she could see that this little family was in pain. Something drove them from England, some hurt had been done that all of Caroline's money and all of Dwight Awe's power could never fix. Jane sighed. The children no doubt had been subjected to some terrible scenes from their drunken father. Yet, here they were--they traveled the long sea voyage to Jamaica and were reaching out to her. Jane was positive that James, Richard and Helen did not know where Caroline and the children were.
"And" the little woman thought to herself "They are not going to find out, either."
Grandmama Jane straightened her shoulders, assumed a brisk look and walked to where Caroline and Celestine were seated. Aurelia silently placed a tray that had a brown English teapot, mugs and a plate of honey cakes, chocolate and ginger biscuits. There was also a bowl of fruit on the table--bright and exotic. Celestine and Caroline, from a lifetime of staying in the poshest London hotels, recognized the mangoes and oranges. What delighted them was that Jane also had two apples, something that was not grown on the island.
Jane looked at the two women. "I concede to my Anglo Saxon roots in two areas. I must have my brown teapot, and I must have apples in the house, no matter what the cost." Celestine picked the fruit from the plate. "Where I was born, apples grew quite heartily. I think that my brothers, sisters and I lived on apples when there was no..." Celestine stoped. "Anyhow, Mrs. Rivers, you know how to make someone welcome." Jane's sharp eyes and ears did not miss Celestine's fleeting wistful expression. She liked Celestine all the better, knowing that the mother of Caroline was not a pampered upper class former debutant. Jane was eager to know the story of this woman who was the other grandmother.
Jane never enjoyed small talk. "So, what did my son do to you?" Caroline's composure abandoned her. She collapsed, head on her arms and began to cry, her red hair spilling from the pins. Jane and Celestine quickly left their chairs and clasped the sobbing Caroline.
"Oh God, he wants to divorce me! He wants to disinherit my children and put his—his whore's child in little Eddie's place." Caroline became hysterical. Silently, Aurelia came from the kitchen area. David and Edward sat in silent shock. Little Celine ran to the table screaming, "Mama, mama!" Jane motioned Aurelia to take the children back to their table while she and Celestine helped the almost prostrate Caroline to a bed behind the kitchen.
In the bedroom, Caroline continued to cry. Jane found another handkerchief while Celestine loosened her daughter's hair. "Come now, Caro. We are far, far away from that pig--" Celestine stopped, thinking that she had best not insult James in front of his mother. Jane feigned that she did not hear and continued to wipe the tears from Caroline's face. "Sweetheart, you are safe here with us" said Jane, emitting a sigh. "James is my first born and my son. Edward and I loved him too much. We were indulgent and now I see that we created a monster. Do not be afraid to tell us what happened." Caroline gulped and found her voice. "He has a whore, there were many women but this one lives openly with him in London. But, oh God...there is worse." Jane helped Caroline out of her frock and into a sleeping gown. From a box, Jane retrieved a blue bottle, measured out a spoonful of white liquid and gently told Caroline to drink. "This will sooth you and help you sleep. After a while, you can tell me more." Caroline fell into a dreamless deep slumber.
The two grandmothers looked for the children. Already, Aurelia and her husband Gustavo had them in the gardens, looking for lizards and telling them another tale about Anancy, the trickster spider.
Jane looked at Celestine and motioned to the veranda. They sat in the white wicker chairs. "What else did my son do to his family? Tell me what you know, and then we can make some plans." Celestine took a deep breath. "My husband has many contacts in London. James Rochester has been quite an 'investment'--ha, quite a drain on our money. Dwight, my husband, and I have been generous, but we earned our fortune. Dwight went from driving a cart of pots and pans to owning a railroad, several banks and part of the cotton and coffee growing concerns. James Rochester spends Caro's inheritence as fast as he can. For the sake of the children and to keep life at Thornfield in peace, we pay the bills. But, we have heard some bad news."
Celestine coughed and continued. "Dwight has heard that James has had attacks of madness--firing servants, setting fires, running through London laughing and screaming. The few friends he still has chase him down, restrain him and get him home. We have also paid our sources to find out that James has been to the doctor for treatments. His hair has been coming off. He is losing weight. Some years ago, Dwight received outstanding bills from a London doctor to treat a rash. When pressured, the doctor also admitted to treating a sore on...on...the..privates."
Celestine knew from her previous life, when she was still Selena, that James was sick with the French Disease. Madness usually came and then an early death. There was no cure.
The two women looked at each other. No more explanation was needed for Jane. In the mission hospital on the island, there were many that she had cared for many who were ill with "The French Disease". Sometimes mercury was used to treat the symptoms, but there was no cure.
Celestine continued. "I have had Caro seen by the best London doctors. She is not infected. James has been avoiding her for years. But," Celestine took another breath. "My husband and I are not willing to subsidize James any longer. We will pay to have him stay at Thornfield and for doctor care. He will be comfortable. But, I am keeping Caro and the children in America. If James brings any woman with him, the allowance will be cut."
Jane looked at Celestine. "I was Edward Rochester's second wife. His first, Bertha was from these islands. You know the story of the first Thornfield?" Celestine nodded, recalling the story of Edward Rochester's wife setting fire to the old hall and then jumping to her death. "Somehow, I always felt guilty about Bertha Mason Rochester." Said Jane. "This is why I was so willing to give my life to work in her place of origin. But, I always felt that her madness had its source with the French Pox. The doctors call it 'syphillis'. And, there is no cure." Jane looked away, smothering a small sob. "This is the wheel of fortune, Mrs. Awe. Edward's own son is afflicted." Jane rose to her feet. "It is time to see to the living. Thank you for bringing the children to see me. We must salvage their future. I see that they have an excellent mother. Your money did not spoil Caroline. Take them to the United States. Educate and nurture them far away from...excuse me, I think that I would like to walk with my grandchildren." Jane turned away, wiping away a tear.
A few minutes later, Celestine heard Jane say briskly, "Come children. Your uncle Crispin Rivers is done with his studies for the day. He also knows many delightful stories. We will have a wonderful supper on the veranda. You can tell us all about England."