16
I’d always likedThornfield in a way.
It was a dreary place in winter, but it still held many adventures in its halls and grounds despite the quiet among the gloomy ice. In summer, it had come alive with color and life and was pleasant enough, but it was nothing compared to the secret affair I held with Edward Rochester.
I liked Thornfield very much now I’d found companionship, no matter how unorthodox.
“Oh, Jane, there you are,” Alice said, flittering into the office.
“Am I wanted?” I asked, looking up from my work.
We were working through getting Thornfield listed on some online booking sites, and I was organizing a photographer to come and take professional shots for the listings. The screen before me had several tabs open displaying the portfolios of several local artists who would be fine choices for the job. It was quite a chore, and we would have to dress and stage several rooms once our current round of guests had departed.
“Rocky has commanded you to attend dinner this evening,” Alice declared, sitting beside me. Her gaze burned a hole in the side of my face as she scrutinized my reaction.
“What?” I asked, turning to face her. “Why?”
Sitting through a dinner stiff with pomp and ceremony was definitely not part of our agreement. It was certainly not working in favor of secrecy. I wondered what his game was, but who was I to question it? He was the master.
Alice shrugged. “He just told me to tell you that you were expected.”
I sighed heavily, not liking it one bit. I hadn’t been summoned like this since that horrible evening in the sitting room. I thought I’d been exempted from such frivolity.
“He’s very much changed these last few days,” she went on, fishing for some gossip.
“He is?” I asked, sinking back into my chair. “I’ve hardly had any time to notice.”
“Something has changed his demeanor for the better. He is less angry than he usually is. The gloom and doom seems to have been removed from his shoulders somewhat. I’m not sure what it is. Have you noticed the way he ignores Blanche?”
I forced a frown onto my face lest I get up and cheer in triumph. “Really?”
“I’m not sure why,” she went on. “All of a sudden, they seem quite removed from one another.”
“Perhaps he’s realized he doesn’t love her and is happy for the clear mind,” I offered.
Edward had told me as much a few nights ago when he’d told me of his feelings. She was a poor match even though society told them they were compatible in every way. Well, society, with its strict rules of bloodlines and wealth, had it wrong.
Alice gave me a curious look. “I suppose…”
“If they aren’t to marry, then I would think she’d be done with him after this summer,” I went on. “She wouldn’t be visiting Thornfield as his wife, either.” She stared at me, her expression changing. “No more fanciful orders.”
She laughed, her expression changing to one of pure joy. “Oh, I surely hope so, Jane!”
“And we would have a great deal more rooms to fill, and that means more profit.” I clicked through the portfolios on the computer. “Thornfield is such a grand hotel. It’s a shame it sits empty most of the year.”
Alice looked at me, then at the computer and frowned. “Have you anything to wear?”
My fingers froze mid-click as I began to contemplate the event I’d been commanded to attend. Formal, silver service, four courses of artfully arranged food with names I scarcely remembered, one-hundred-year-old wines, conversation, showing off… What was Edward up to?
“Work will keep,” Alice said, turning my chair away from the computer. “Have you something to wear?”
I shook my head. Of course, I didn’t have anything appropriate. My staple was boots, jeans or the odd skirt, and a blouse or T-shirt. It was only thanks to Alice’s influence that the skirt had come out of my bag at all.
“Then come,” she commanded, pulling me up. “My closet awaits.”
“Were you a fairy godmother in a past life?” I asked as she led me up the stairs.
“Don’t worry, Jane,” she declared with a twirl. “I’ve got your back.”