Chapter 8 – A Conversation
"Hello, sir. Merry Christmas to you, too."
Edward walked quickly towards Jane, and taking her outstretched hand in both of his, he looked down at her, his facial expression soft and tender, his eyes fixed intently on hers. He smiled and said, "It is so very good to see you again, Jane. I've missed you! I have missed our long conversations." He paused, then continued, "You look very well, and very happy. So, this new life agrees with you, I see." He laughed and said, "You must be glad to have left your gloomy and difficult master now that you are rich and independent?"
"Well, I am happy, sir, to have finally found my cousins. They are so good to me, so kind and loving. I feel as if I have known them all my life. But I ... I …" Jane stopped, unable to continue, unable to tell him the truth: "But I have missed you very much, sir; I wish I were back at Thornfield with you." How could she tell him the truth, that she loved him with all her heart and had missed him so much it hurt? Of course she could tell him no such thing, so she remained silent.
Concerned, he frowned, clasped her hand more tightly and gently pulled her closer towards himself. He whispered urgently, "But what, Jane? Is something wrong? Is there anything I can do for you? Please, Jane, please, tell me how I can help you. I hope you know I would do anything to make you happy."
The look of gentle kindness mixed with genuine concern on his face made her feel very vulnerable, and shocked by the sudden, overwhelming surge of love she felt for him, she abruptly withdrew her hand from his and walked quickly to the fireplace. Jane tended the fire in order to give herself some time to collect her thoughts and suppress her emotions.
Finally she spoke, briskly and with a forced cheerfulness. "Oh, no, sir, nothing is wrong. Everything is fine. Please don't worry about me. I really don't need your help with anything. I've never been happier in my life than I am now."
Turning to face him, she was surprised at the sudden change in his expression and bearing. He now looked sad, subdued. All the joy and tenderness were gone from his face. He slowly walked to the window, pulled the curtain aside and looked out.
Alarmed at the change in his demeanor, she cast about in her mind for something to say to break the silence, then thought to ask him if he wanted some tea. Without turning from the window, speaking in a low voice, he said "Thank you, Jane. I'll have some tea, but only if you also want some. I don't want to put you or your housekeeper to any trouble."
"It's no trouble at all, sir, and after my long walk a hot cup of tea would be very welcome. I'll go and ask Hannah to prepare tea for us." Jane quickly left the room and went to the kitchen. As Hannah put the kettle on to boil Jane got the tea things together, then returned to the parlor. Jane had left the door open and as she quietly approached the room, she was surprised to see that Edward had not moved from the window. Entering the room, Jane announced that Hannah would soon be in with the tea. Edward finally turned from the window and, unsmiling, thanked Jane.
"Sir, please, sit down." Jane felt at a loss as he sat in an armchair and just watched her, a somber expression on his face. As he remained silent, Jane sat opposite him, and said, "I am glad to see you again, sir, but I must say, I was very surprised to find you here. If I may ask ... why have you come here? It's such a long way from Thornfield. Do you know anyone in this area? And how did you know I was staying here?"
"No, Jane, I know no one here. Only you. I came specifically to see you. Of course, I went to your home first and when I realized you were gone, I went to see Wilson. He told me you were visiting your family and was kind enough to give me the address." He stopped and Jane waited for him to continue. Finally, after a few moments, he went on. "I came to ask you ... to tell you ... Jane, something has happened. I ..." He paused again, then suddenly blurted out, "It's about Thornfield. It's gone."
"'Gone?' I don't understand ..."
"Yes, gone. The hall burned down this past autumn. It was completely destroyed."
Shocked, Jane exclaimed, "Oh sir, how dreadful! But how? And was anyone hurt? Mrs. Fairfax? Leah? Adele! Thank heaven Adele was in school and not at Thornfield!"
In a rush, Edward answered, "Mrs. Fairfax and Leah are fine. Only one person was killed."
Jane just stared at him, her eyes widened in surprise and fear. Holding her breath, she sat quietly, afraid to hear who had been killed. Edward looked directly at Jane and, taking a deep breath, said softly, "My wife. My wife was killed."
Horrified and confused, Jane blurted out, "Your wife? But … but I thought that you were not going to marry Blanche? So you and Blanche were married after all? And then she died in the fire? How dreadful for you, sir! I'm so sorry for your loss, sir."
"No, Jane. I did not marry Blanche."
"Then who was your wife, sir? I don't understand."
"My wife was Bertha Antoinetta Mason. Richard Mason's sister."