Page 61 of Euphoria
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That night, I received no word from Edward.
I suspected he was busy with Mason, dealing with whatever business had brought his old friend to Thornfield, and I tried not to let it hurt my already wavering emotions. He would call for me when he was ready, and then I’d attempt to discuss the meaning of our relationship. It was dangerous as it could go either way, but I could no longer sit by and become a plaything.
Curling up in bed, I closed my eyes and attempted to fall asleep—because everything seemed better when rested—but as per my usual routine, my thoughts tumbled around and around.
I wanted to belong more than anything, and this affair with Edward… Well, it did nothing but set me apart in the worst possible way. I thought I could handle it because in the beginning, having him a little was more satisfying than not having him at all, but now it was not.
I was just dozing off when laughter drew me back to the surface, and I slapped my palms over my ears.Hush, Thornfield! Not tonight, I beg you!
Dismissing it as another of Grace Poole’s weird midnight walks, I dozed and fell into a deep sleep, my thoughts finally lulled to a murmur.
“Jane.”
I heard my name being whispered as if spoken in a dream.
“Jane, wake up.”
My eyes opened a crack, and light illuminated my face. Blinking, I realized I’d left the lamp on, and as my wits returned, I saw Edward kneeling beside me.
“What…”
“Jane, wake,” he murmured again, his hand gently untangling my hair.
“I heard a scream in my dream,” I muttered, pieces of what my mind had wrought whilst sleeping brought to the surface by his words. “Such a scream…”
Edward cupped my face and stroked his thumb across my cheek. “Wake, Jane,” he murmured. “I am not an apparition.”
Realizing I was indeed awake, I sat upright, forcing his hand to fall from my face. “What’s the matter? It’s past midnight.”
“I need your assistance quite urgently, and there is no one else to ask,” he replied gravely.
“Surely—”
“Jane,” Edward barked, his black eyes shooting sparks, and I was silenced. “You can resume your argumentative spirit another time. Right now, I need you to come without complaint and a still tongue. Can you abide?”
I nodded, reaching for a cardigan draped over the chair beside my bed. I was hardly dressed for midnight emergencies, but people rarely were. My cotton shorts, worn singlet, and cardigan would have to do. Once I’d slipped my boots on my feet, Edward took my hand and peered out into the hall as if we were on some secret mission. Perhaps we were, but this didn’t seem all that strange to me in the grand scheme of odd things that had happened within Thornfield’s walls these past months.
He ushered me forward. “Take your time. Make no sound.”
Trembling, I followed his path through the silent hotel even though his hand slipped from mine. I wanted to ask him so many questions, but his harsh command had me frightened. Something terrible had happened, and all at once, my mind went to Mason. Had Edward done something to the man whilst in a rage?
The thought had me torn between two courses of action. Should I follow and help? Or should I turn tail and run?
Knowing someone could be hurt had my conscience up in arms, so I stayed my path. I couldn’t turn away now.
We stopped outside of Edward’s bedroom, and he turned, casting me a pointed look.
“Can you stand the sight of blood, Jane?” he asked, causing a shudder to flow through my body. It was as I thought, then.
“What have you done?” I whispered, shaking my head.
“Give me your hand,” he said, ignoring my reaction. “It will do neither of us any good if you faint.”
“I am stronger than I look,” I replied, though I threaded my fingers through his.
“Strong and steady.” He opened the door then, and I was pulled into the room whether I was ready or not.
