Do not look down, I warned myself. But of course, I did, and my! The ground was at least thirty feet away! How small and thin the grass looked!
You can do this, Jane. Take it one step at a time.
Stretching forward as far as I could go, I grabbed for the closest branch. My fingers grasped a small protrusion, only enough to use as a grip. I pulled myself out onto the limb and rested there on my stomach, sprawled across the largish branch and hanging onto a smaller one slightly over my head. With effort, I turned so that my boots rested against the trunk. That left me staring into the dormitory with my feet wedged uncomfortably in the crux of the tree. Below me was a tangle of branches. My foot searched blindly for the limb I knew was beneath me, but my skirt inhibited my movement. Where was it?
I could see another branch below me that might serve as a step downward. Turning myself toward the trunk, I reached my right hand to grab a thin offshoot before stepping down with one foot, and then the other.
My heart raced from both exertion and fear. Where to next? If I could transverse my path to the other side of the tree, I would be less visible. Unfortunately, in my thin white mourning dress, my form was easily distinguished from the gray tree trunk.
Feeling my way along with one foot, I touched another branch to my right. Testing it, there seemed to be no problem of it bearing up under me. To reposition myself, I would be forced to grab a limb above my head and swing myself over.
Which I did. For a tantalizing beat of my heart, my feet dangled in the air without support, and my palms cried out to let go, but I held on. Huffing and puffing, I rested on this new perch. Below me two branches formed a V.
Feeling rather pleased with my abilities, I quickly dropped down into the new landing spot. From there it was another easy step, a branch to my right that dipped closer still to the ground.
But that new spot could only be gained by a leap forward. Could I do it?
I had to. I closed my eyes and pushed off.
Only to be yanked back midflight.
My skirt had caught in the branches above me and hauled me backward!
My left hand slipped and lost its purchase on the new branch. To my horror, I hung there, swaying back and forth, my skirt over my head. Unable to see. Fully aware that my undergarments were exposed.
Slowly my fingers on the right hand lost all feeling. Added to this came the slow rrrrrrrr-rrrrr-rrrr of ripping fabric. The waistband of my skirt pressed hard against my ribs, cutting off my air. I couldn’t see. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t hold on much longer. I wiggled and wiggled, rocking myself left and right, hoping the fabric would finally give way.
Rrrrrr-rrrr. How much longer would the cheap fabric take to rip? And when it finished, would I be free? How would I explain lying on the ground in my chemise? I redoubled my efforts to grip the tree, but my fingers burned. I reached up with my other hand, but the fabric occluded my vision.
I was growing light-headed. And my fingers cramped with pain.
A voice called up to me: “Just let go!”
I did.
I fell.
Chapter 44
And Edward caught me.
I tumbled into his arms. He wrapped them around me, and I responded by planting kisses all over his face. “Darling husband! How I have missed you!”
John, Edward’s manservant, hooted with laughter. “That was a near thing, miss! I positioned master just right!”
“Jane, I did not know you to be so athletic!” Edward twined his fingers in my hair and kissed me. “That is a promise kiss. More will have to wait. Williams holds the carriage for us, and Lucy is most impatient to see you.”
“But my skirt!” I pointed to the shredded fabric caught in the tree. He followed the direction of my finger with his eyes. Was it my imagination or did the one eye seem clearer?
“Confound that silly frock. I suppose we can’t depart and leave your skirt flapping like a pirate’s flag, can we? Dash it all.” Setting me on my feet gently, he caressed my face and wrapped his cloak around me. “John, will you tear that down? My poor dear wounded sparrow. I can tell your eye is still swollen.”
He ran a gentle fingertip around the bruise. “Does it hurt much? When I catch the thief who hit you, he will wish he was never born.”
John tugged at my disheveled frock until the fabric tore free. I shivered in my chemise and Edward’s wrap. With fabric in hand, we headed toward the street where Williams sat in the driver’s seat. “Hurry!”
Once the carriage door closed and John had joined the driver in the dickey box, I showed my husband all the affection he’d been lacking. In turn, he stroked me and petted me until warmth ran up and down my body. “When did you get here? How did you know I needed you right this minute?”
“John and I set out several days after you left, but that blasted carriage kept sticking in the mud on the way to Millcote. Then I realized: John could lead my mount, and we could ride faster on horseback. What a fool I was not to think of it sooner! I arrived this morning at Lucy’s house. Lucy told me what you are doing at the school and why.”
“Are you angry?” We had not been married long. Although I knew Edward, and understood him, I had long ago realized that we might occasionally disagree. This could be one of those times.
“Of course not. I know why you went along with such a dangerous ploy. I would have expected nothing less of you than to step forward to help these girls. I promised our hostess she could come with me to see you, but again—”
“You couldn’t wait.”
“No, I couldn’t. I missed you too much. When Williams pulled up with the carriage, he spied you out on a limb, as it were.”
“Just in time.” I ran my hands over the rough fabric of his suit and tucked my hands in his pockets. I pressed my face to his throat and breathed in the scent of him, tobacco, whiskey, and masculinity. I kissed him and wrapped his arms around me. “Thank you for understanding me so well. How is our son?”
“He is splendid. Big and fat and jolly. I do believe he is trying to coo like a turtledove. Mrs. Fairfax is delighted to have him all to herself for these few days.”
“And how are you?”
“Besides missing you with every fiber of my being, I am well. In fact, my sight has improved tremendously. Mrs. Fairfax has been quite the ogre, forcing me to submit to warm compresses almost hourly. I have spent most of the time since you left reclining. Although I can’t see as well as I did before the fire, I am surprised at what I can discern. Even without John’s help, I could see the shape of you dangling from that tree like a woman’s eardrop.”
He lifted my chin and kissed me softly on the lips. “I shall always be here for you, my darling. Always. You need never fear. You are never alone. Never again.”
The privacy we enjoyed inside the carriage ended too soon. At Lucy’s house, we greeted our hostess and Mr. Douglas, then adjourned to the parlor. I set out my plan. “Lucy, can you keep these on your person? I shall need them soon, but it is best that I do not carry them.”
I handed her the threatening notes, including the one that had started everything in motion.
“Mr. Douglas, can you convince Mr. Waverly to help us?” This was vital to my scheme.
“I am sure I can,” Mr. Douglas said. “The Bow Street Runner has little to lose and everything to gain.”
“Lucy? Can you dispatch Higgins or Williams to waylay Fräulein Schoeppenkoetter? I am not sure how you can identify her, but I know she arrives at the Bull and Mouth at eight o’clock this evening.”
“One of my men can go there and hold up a placard with her name on it. It is done all the time,” she said.
Next I explained my plan, going step-by-step. I concluded with this warning: “My scheme cannot be postponed. We cannot detain Fräulein Schoeppenkoetter for long. They have not yet charged Miss Miller with a crime. Mr. Waverly is gathering all his information and the magistrate will issue the summons. Once that happens, we shall be too late to help Nan Miller—and the
real killer will go free.”
“I understand what you are doing, but I do not like it, Jane,” Edward said. “Before, you were simply an observer, and you posed no threat to the killer. This bold plan sets you up as a target! Let Mr. Waverly bring charges. That is his job. You have done yours—and this is far too dangerous!”
“I believe I have a way to protect Mrs. Rochester,” Mr. Douglas said. He rolled back his sleeves to display a small dagger and its sheath strapped to his forearm. “Take this kirpan. Straps at the elbow and near the wrist keep the apparatus steady. The Sikhs believe the kirpan can only be used in self-defense or to protect those who cannot protect themselves. In their teachings, one should never stand idly by and let another come to harm. Mind you, the blade is incredibly sharp. It has saved my life more than once. I suggest you never let it out of your sight. No one needs to know you carry this.”
I nodded, grimly. Suddenly I realized the enormity of the task ahead.
“You should wear it to bed tonight. Especially then, given your plan! If you can practice reaching up your sleeve and withdrawing the blade, so much the better. In addition, I can climb the tree and position myself right outside that window you’ve spoken of. If Mrs. Rochester raises the sash, entrance will be no problem. I’ll never be more than a few feet away.”
Edward nodded. “That sounds much better.”
I touched the small handle and withdrew the instrument from its sheath. I marveled at the size of it—the blade could not have been more than three inches long. I handed the weapon to Edward so that he could examine it more closely.
“By Jove, that’s a dandy.”
“It has served me well,” Mr. Douglas said. “Saved my life several times. I hope you don’t mind that I gave it to your wife. Like you, I value her courage but am also concerned for her safety. Beg your pardon if my actions give you offense.”
“Caring for my wife will never be offensive to me. I thank both of you for extending your help to her and to Adèle.” Edward returned the kirpan to me. I replaced it and pulled my sleeve down over the ensemble.
“However, Jane, you do not have to do this,” Edward said, drawing me close. “We could take Adèle and go home. I understand that you are concerned for the other girls, but really, my dear, that’s not your responsibility.”
“I am armed. I am prepared. You will all be outside and able to respond to my cries. There is no other way to flush out the killer.”
“Let me impress this upon you: Your opponent is a murderer—and you are issuing a direct challenge to this killer,” warned Mr. Douglas. “Once a person breaks that sacred pact with society and takes one life, crossing the line a second time is much easier. If you are threatened or if you sense danger, I urge you to action. Do not fall victim to the rules that society impresses on your gender. Never let societal whims cloud your own good judgment. You have a duty to protect yourself and to protect others.”
“I understand.”
My life, and perhaps the lives of others as well, was in my hands.
I must have presented an incongruous sight, armed with the knife and wearing Edward’s cloak around my waist while Polly mended my skirt. I did not dare return to Alderton House wearing another dress. That would produce unwanted questions and might lead someone to suspect that I had left the premises.
“Lucy, won’t Augie enjoy hearing all about this when he comes home?” Edward remarked, with somewhat forced gaiety. “He will think us all quite daring or quite daft. I am not sure which. Is Jane’s skirt ready? I believe we need to get her back into the school.”
Lucy watched Polly refasten my freshly mended skirt as I stood in the middle of the guest bedroom floor. “I wish I could go on calls today. Honestly I do. For the first time I can remember, it would be entertaining. Think of all the gossip and slander I could contribute. Instead I must content myself with helping you catch a murderer. Ho hum.”
Once I was fully dressed, Lucy and I returned to the parlor, where the men had been talking in low tones. “Any ideas on how to spirit me back into Alderton House? If anyone suspects I have been away, my plan will be worthless.”
Reclining in the wing back chair, and crossing his legs, Edward grinned at Mr. Douglas. “You are not the only schemer among us. We also need to get Adèle out, to make sure that she is safe. Here is what Mr. Douglas and I have in mind…”
I hunched down in the space between the seat and the wall of the carriage. Edward leaned over. “Are you quite miserable? Luckily, we haven’t much farther to go.”
I couldn’t help laughing at the ridiculousness of our desperate machinations, and my location on the floor of the carriage. The possibility of being discovered and tossed from Alderton House so close to the end of my mission was both appealing and appalling. Had it not been for the girls inside, I would have happily walked away.
The carriage rolled to a halt. Before stepping out into the street, my husband tugged his navy blue waistcoat down into place, smoothed his jacket, and gave me a half grin. “Ready, Jane?”
“Yes!” It came out in a half whisper.
“Off we go!”
“I’m here, sir,” John said, joining Edward on the cobblestones.
I was happy that Edward didn’t catch John’s expression of chagrin. The old servant wasn’t accustomed to subterfuge, and he valued decorum far too much to approve of Edward’s plan. But he loved the boy he’d helped to raise, and so he was willing to play along, even if he did so glumly.
Williams pretended to close the door after Edward and his manservant, but in truth left it ajar, so I could follow their progress. My husband used his cane and John’s shoulder as his guide up the front steps of Alderton House. Once there, he banged on the door with the head of his walking stick. When no one came immediately, he banged again, harder. Finally, Caje opened up and Edward bellowed, “By God, where is she? What have you done with my Adèle? Where is your superintendent? Tell that woman I expect her here now! Immediately! Move it! By Jove, I shall beat sense into you and everyone else in this ridiculous excuse for a school!”
“You heard him!” John pushed the door so hard it bounced against the interior wall. “Do not just stand there! Go fetch Adèle Varens! Bring her here, right now!”
Both men stood in the doorway shouting as loudly as possible. From inside came the shrill sound of Adèle screaming, “Mon bon ami! Mon Dieu! Il est ici! Je suis libre!”
I smiled to myself. In a life full of surprises, some things could be counted on.
Adèle appeared tout de suite.
Edward spoke to her in rapid French, telling her not to say another word. Especially not about me. “Entre,” he said and pointed to the carriage. In her native tongue, he told her to stay there no matter what and not to talk to anyone because they were off to Mrs. Brayton’s house in just a tick.
“Jane?” Adèle paused to ask.
“Tout va bien. Ferme la bouche,” he said.
On Adèle’s heels trotted Mrs. Thurston, calling after the girl, “Come back here!” and then turning on Edward with, “You, sir! What is the meaning of this?”
Williams wrapped his reins around the rein guides, hopped down, and ran around to the carriage door on the opposite side of the school. Opening it, he helped me out. Mr. Douglas jumped off the back, where he’d played the part of a rather too tall coachman. Together he ran with me to the side of the house by the horse chestnut tree. By now, Edward and John were inside Alderton House, causing a commotion that capitalized on Adèle’s excitement at being “rescued” by her bon ami.
“Remember, leave the window open for me. I’ll climb up to that limb tonight and stay just outside the dormitory in case you need help.”
“Will do,” I said.
“Good luck. Up you go.” Mr. Douglas boosted me up to a low limb, keeping watch while I climbed one branch after another until my waist was even with the windowsill of the Senior dormitory. Pushing off from that last branch, I inelegantly shoved myself back into the window I’d earlier
exited. I hit the floor with my hands and walked on my palms into the dormitory until my legs were inside. Then I rolled onto my backside.
I was still on the floor catching my breath when Emma burst through the door. “Miss! There’s a terrible commotion downstairs, and Mrs. Thurston wants you to come right away.”
“Pardon? I dropped a button under the bed. Can it wait until I find it?”
“I’ll help you.” Emma started toward me.
“Here it is.” With great exaggeration, I pretended to pocket my “lost” button. “My goodness! Who is making all that noise?”
Despite my “pleas” that she be allowed to stay, Adèle rode off with her guardian within minutes. Edward did his utmost to look upon me with disdain, while I played my part of mewling former governess as best I could. As he walked past me, he gave me a solemn wink. It was torture not to hop into the carriage with them. Hearing the front door slam behind them caused my heart to pound wildly.
This has to work. It has to!
I moved through the remainder of the morning’s lessons as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening. The Seniors missed Adèle, so I suggested that they write letters to her in German.
We were heading down the stairs to eat our lunch when a street urchin in ragged clothes and a cap that covered most of his face appeared at the front step. I overheard him barter a letter for a shilling. Emma called Mrs. Thurston to make the exchange. The superintendent gave the boy a ha’penny and he went running as fast as his legs could carry him on his makeshift shoes of newspaper tied on with string.
“Miss Eyre?” Mrs. Thurston called to me from the foyer. The upheaval had taken its toll on Mrs. Thurston. Social niceties fell by the wayside.
“Yes, madam?” I gave her a half bow. “I am packed and ready to depart, directly after classes finish.”
“There has been a change of plans.” She waved the letter at me. “You can stay a little longer.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I bobbed to Mrs. Thurston. “Thank you, ma’am.”
Death of a Schoolgirl: The Jane Eyre Chronicles Page 28