Page 53 of Euphoria
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Aweek after the fire, Queen Bee and her hive departed Thornfield.
Alice and I stood by the reception desk, collecting keys and bidding the guests farewell, while Edward was poised by the foot of the stairs, looking fine in a crisp white shirt and light gray trousers. As each of his friends departed, he spoke a few words in parting and thanked them for staying at Thornfield.
No matter what anyone said about his arrogance and sour attitude, he knew when to display his airs and graces. I suppose it had much to do with how he conducted his business dealings, of which I still knew little. Knowing he would hedge around the subject as he did with most things, I made a mental note to ask Alice later.
My gaze was drawn to Edward again and again, marveling at the power he exuded over the rich and beautiful with nothing but a look and a few well-spoken words. He was akin to a wizard casting spells on the unsuspecting, winning them over with his strange charm.
Knowing it was only a matter of time before Queen Bee made her exit, my gaze alternated from the master to the departing faces. After Edward’s and my interlude in the forest, I was sure her reaction would be icy at best, but how cold? I suspected the chill would put the Arctic Circle to shame.
Alice stirred next to me, and her elbow dug into my side.
“Steel yourself, Jane,” she murmured.
Blanche appeared on the staircase arm in arm with her sister Mary, and my gaze flickered to Edward. I’d believed every word he’d said when it came to the other woman, but I still wanted to bear witness to it firsthand as a sort of confirmation. There were still a great number of unknowns in play, and being certain in this would still my swirling mind some.
Edward smiled at the sisters as they descended the staircase—ever the proper gentleman for their benefit. To my surprise, she cast such a glare I thought she might boil his bones. Mary turned her nose up at him and let out a tinyhumphas they passed, then they disappeared out the main entrance and climbed into their waiting limousine.
“Did you see that?” Alice whispered into my ear as I watched their driver close them into the car. “If looks could kill.”
I glanced at Edward, who was stoic as ever. If he felt at all slighted by the Ingram sisters’ snub, he did not show it, though I would think he was glad they’d removed him from their circle of influence. I knew I would sleep more soundly because of it.
“Then I suppose it’s as we thought the other day,” I whispered back.
So he’d told Blanche he didn’t care for her, and they wouldn’t be wed. But how had he done it? What were his words? They would have been chosen carefully, each precise in their meaning when delivered to Queen Bee to avoid misunderstanding. I assumed, given Blanche’s complete disregard for my presence, Edward had kept my name and our dalliance a secret as promised. For this, I was glad.
“Good riddance,” Alice declared smugly, then smiled brightly as the last of the guests bid their farewells to the master of the house.
Edward cast me a knowing glance, betraying he’d overheard her declaration though he didn’t reprimand her for it. Pretending to have not heard was as nice a gesture as he was able to extend as her employer.
As the front doors closed with a dullboom,which echoed through the main gallery, he smoothed down his shirt and sighed in a rare show of relief. I didn’t expect him to speak to us, so I wasn’t surprised when he remained silent, his gaze never reaching Alice or me.
“Thornfield is sleepy once more,” I murmured as he turned and ascended the grand staircase.
Just like that.
Bessie wasin charge of the turndown service.
Since our duties had been reduced to next to nothing, I attempted to busy myself by helping strip the beds of their linen and clean the vacated rooms, but she shooed me away.
“Keep your hands off, Jane,” she cursed me with good humor. “This is the last thing we have to do for this summer, and then we can be at peace. You should join Alice in reception.”
“You don’t want my help?” I asked. “I don’t mind, and it keeps my mind from wandering.”
“What in the devil could be on your mind?” she asked with a laugh. “A young thing like you?”
“You’d be surprised,” I replied.
“Nonsense!” She tugged the folded sheet from my hands and pushed me toward the door. “Don’t forget tonight.”
“Tonight?”
“After every summer, once the guests have gone, we have a little going away party,” she said with a wide smile on her lips. From her tone, it must be wild, indeed.
“It sounds like a noisy affair,” I said. “Does Mr. Rochester know you celebrate?”
“Truthfully, he usually departs with them, so he’ll soon find out.”
