Page 24 of Euphoria
Family was something I’d never had even though I’d lived with my cousins, John and Georgiana, and my aunt Sarah. They’d never wanted me, so I’d always been apart. Despite the strange occupation of Grace Poole and the mystery surrounding the maid I was so blatantly kept from, the residents of this grand hotel were the closest thing I had to brothers and sisters. That was why I chose to invest myself in Alice, no matter how much I wanted to keep myself from Edward and his perfect life.
“Tell me, who are the guests?” I asked. “You said Mr. Rochester likes to bring his friends in the summer and that they’re a sight. Perhaps you should help me mentally prepare. Will you?”
Alice’s eyes brightened at the chance to indulge in her favorite pastime, gossiping, and she sat straight and faced me, ready to impart her wisdom.
“There are several who are Rocky’s friends, and then they invite some of theirs in turn,” Alice explained. “The core group never changes, but their other guests seem to rotate as they fall in and out of favor.”
“Who are the regulars?”
“There’s Marcus and his wife, Fiona. He’s an air force colonel, you know. Colonel Dent. Then there is Amy, Louisa, and Lynn. They are nothing if not annoying in their wealth. Rich bitches if I ever saw them.” She paused and had a good laugh at this. I gathered her reaction meant they were the superficial type and mere followers to the others. “There’s Henry and Frederick. They are very handsome but typical playboys and horrible flirts. I don’t care to think about where they’ve been! Probably with half of continental Europe! The last two are Blanche and Mary Ingram. They’re sisters and certainly the richest and most beautiful of the group.”
“Blanche?” I asked. “That’s quite an old-fashioned name.”
Alice waved her hand and rolled her eyes. “Very posh and English, though. They all call her Bee. Like the queen bee in the hive. Their family is the only one to rival the Rochester’s for their influence.”
I decided this meant the beautiful Blanche Ingram was the center of this little group and would be formidable, indeed. If Alice’s description of her was anything to go by, this woman’s beauty and accomplishments far outweighed my own. I hadn’t seen her yet, and already I felt I’d been right to douse the impure thoughts and actions I’d had toward Edward.
“I suppose she is admired by all manner of people?” I inquired.
“Yes, she’s like a supermodel, Jane. I always feel so inadequate looking at her. Rich, beautiful, powerful. The trifecta!”
“Is she attached?” I knew I shouldn’t ask, but I was unable to stop my curiosity from taking control of my tongue.
“No. She’s not married, nor does she have a boyfriend that I know of.”
“Surely a woman like you’ve described has someone?”
“If you ask me, I’m sure she has her eye on Rocky,” she said, her eyes narrowing. “I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he were to make a move on her. They surely match each other’s temperament. Their families certainly wouldn’t dispute it. In fact, it would be greatly encouraged!”
I didn’t want to ponder why my hand shook at this revelation. Why shouldn’t Edward want to consider a future with a beautiful woman who was a perfect choice for a man like him? In business, physicality, and all manner of wanton satisfaction. Still, I couldn’t help feeling much smaller than I already was, hoping the ground would open up and swallow me whole. Everything—life, the universe, and my pursuit of belonging—began to feel futile. I had nothing to offer.
“Well, you have given me a lot to think about,” I said. “A fair warning for what to expect tomorrow.”
“They’ve been known to treat the staff horribly,” Alice said, giving me one last piece of information. “But don’t let it worry you. They’re as shallow as they come, and their uninformed words mean nothing about you or the staff, Jane. People like that say things to turn scrutiny away from their own shortcomings.”
“Very well said,” I declared.
Now, only if I could find it within myself to believe her.
We passedthe remainder of the day by amusing ourselves. With no guests to welcome and assist to their rooms, we were left with not much else to do.
Deciding I had one more night where I could steal myself into the library before it became forbidden for the summer, I waited until nine p.m. and ghosted through the empty halls until I reached its familiar embrace.
The sky was still a patchwork of deep blue, orange, and pink through the windows as the last of the sun dipped below the horizon. The days were quite long now that the season had changed, which was a sight better for everyone’s mood. In the depths of winter, daylight had faded entirely by four o’clock in the afternoon. Very dreary on the soul, indeed.
Lingering by the window, I watched the changing colors as I allowed my mind to fly freely. Well, freely away from Thornfield and its male tempest.
“Jane.”
The sound of my name sliced directly through my body, and I turned, my heart beating furiously as my gaze caught that of the enigmatical Edward Rochester.
The sight of him frightened and excited me all at the same time, and in that moment, I knew I’d been unsuccessful in forgetting my growing feelings. Now he had returned after months of absence, and the sight of him was a stronger drug than ever before.
“I’ve startled you,” he said, his stormy eyes watching me closely.
I waited a moment until my heart had slowed some. “It’s just… We weren’t expecting you until tomorrow.”
“I had business in London, so I traveled ahead,” he explained, seeming pleased at my fumbled reaction.
