Page 33 of Euphoria

Page List

Font Size:

He may as well have slapped me around the face. I hid my hands underneath my legs as they began to tremble violently. If I had the nerve, I would scold him with all the vulgar worlds I could think of and throw his fickle attentions right back at him the way he’d thrown mine.

“Why would my opinion matter?” I managed to ask.

“I see your disdain, Jane. You are not so clever in hiding it. Not from me.” He leaned against the desk and crossed his arms over his chest. “I would have you tell me. Only you would dare say what I do not wish to see.”

I ground my teeth together, turning away from him. “I have no opinion to impart on you, sir.”

“Jane.”

His tone was clear. He knew how to control my movements and loosen my tongue. He knew I was helpless under the will of his strength. How dare he assert his command over me! If it was my opinion he wished to hear, then hear it he would.

Steeling my nerves, I glanced up at him and declared, “She is false.” It was the nicest and least offensive thing I could think of saying.

Mr. Rochester’s lips pulled up at the side, a cunning smile overtaking his usual gloomy expression. I had no idea what it meant, which was nothing new at all. Had I told him exactly what he wished to hear or what he expected me to say? What was the use of it if he already presumed to know all the thoughts and opinions in my head? I had neither the confidence nor conviction to ask him, and he didn’t offer.

And then just as abruptly as he appeared, he left me.