Page 43 of Zenith
“She told me…” She hesitated and wiped at her eyes with the backs of her hands. “It doesn’t matter what she told me. Jane, I’ve known you all my life, and I’ve known people like her…” She sighed, beginning to look tired. “I scarcely know how to explain myself. I’ve ruined everything for you. I never lifted a finger to help before, and now… Now you come here and apologize to me? I should be the one who is apologizing.”
“Nonsense,” I declared. “Blanche is determined to destroy everyone in her quest for revenge, no matter how insignificant. Edward feels that he is trapped with no recourse, but I am not so easy to discourage. I wish to stop her from hurting any more people. There shall be no more collateral damage in her petty quest. Will you help me, Georgiana?”
Another tear slid down her cheek, so I retrieved a tissue from the side table and pressed it against her skin, doting on her like a sister should.
“Yes,” she whispered. “I will help you.”
On the way back to Thornfield, I contacted Mr. Briggs.
I felt I could trust him given he had been firm allies with my uncle, and his actions since had instilled much faith in his abilities as an upstanding human being.
I explained the situation in full to him, including all the attempts that had been made on my life, and inquired after legal proceedings. I was especially eager to see if there was something that could be done to stop Blanche from selling Edward’s story to the media, for if that was the least we could do, it would still be enough to allow us to live without fear.
Mr. Briggs was aghast at all that had happened and thought long and hard before replying. He said it was not his area of expertise but ultimately ended up agreeing to help and would meet me at Thornfield as soon as he was able.
I hoped that by then Georgiana would have come through with some evidence. Otherwise, it would all be for nothing. A he-said-she-said battle in court would be expensive, public, and pointless without irrefutable proof. Besides, all the authorities had to do was search Thornfield, discover Bertha and her carer, Grace Poole, and it would be over for Edward. This had to be settled privately.
I only hoped Blanche would see it the same way.
