Thornfield by golden eyes hypnotize

Thornfield

A/N: What follows is a strange amalgam two parts Charlotte Bronte’s “Jane Eyre,” one part Bram Stokers’s “Dracula,” one part post-Feudal Fairytale.  I do not own any of the aforementioned works, that is the estate of the credited authors, nor do I own “Inuyasha” or its characters, rather that is Rumiko Takahashi, a great and wondrous personage—though I take full responsibility for messing with them and plopping them into other plotlines for my own amusement.  Let’s pray it’s at least diverting, but above all, dear reader, please do not expect faithfulness to any of the above story lines.  Consider my work, instead, like a picture in a coloring book where I might choose my own palette for the pre-drawn picture, following what others have done or choosing my own path while drawing in my own figures as well.

Please do take the opportunity to tell me what you think because I will admit this is a strange, illicit lark I’m indulging with this story and I’m not confident in how it will turn out.

On with the show…

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Chapter 1

“If K.H, who advertised in the Darbyshire Bulletin, is in a position as to provide references to character, qualifications, and temperament, a situation may be offered her. 

The charge is a young boy, 10 years of age, in the estate of Thornfield.  Compensation is 30 pounds per annum. 

Please forward references to Mrs. Alice Fairfax, Thornfield, near Millcote, Darbyshire.”

I put the letter down on the desk after reading it.  My advertisement seeking employ as a governess had yielded but one reply and so it seemed a bright path was laid before me that would take me from my confinement of the last 18 years at Lowood Institution. 

Left on the doorstep of the Christian charity school as an infant, I was raised there in its harsh, doctrinal austerity.  Life here had not been easy, especially with my naturally passionate temperament, and with the recent departure of the school’s superintendant, Miss Maria Temple, who had raised me from infancy and been my sole comfort and anchor, on occasion of her marriage, I examined myself and found a yearning for discovery of the world outside this narrow-minded school.  I had not spent the years idly, but had taken full advantage of my education, voraciously reading and applying myself to the head of the class.  I spent the last two years employed as a teacher, trying to embody the goodness and peaceful countenance of my mentor, Miss Temple, and provide the other children with some of the solace I had been afforded from its rigid rules and disciplines. 

I made short work of informing my superiors on the school board of my prospect and asking for their aid with references.  In the typical way of bureaucracy, it took most of the day to accomplish the approval and within a month, I was provided with those same references with which I forwarded my reply to Mrs. Fairfax.  Two weeks hence did I receive her formal offer, with directions to start as soon as I could make the journey.

It was with no small amount of confliction that I packed my valise of my meager belongings consisting of a very few articles of clothing, even fewer personal effects, and a copy of the Bible.  Lowood was the only place I had ever known, and as a woman with no connections in the world and no beauty, with all I owned being earned from toil here, I had little to my name and therefore few prospects other than what my education had blessedly afforded me.  I should be thankful to the school and continue giving back to it, but my heart yearned for something more from life, though I was not sure then just what that was.

I slept not at all that night, and rose already dressed with the dawn before finding the carriage in town that would take me to my new life.  I had consulted my map, and knew it would be a long travel, with full days devoted to reaching my destination.  Three days hence, late in the evening, I was delivered to the Inn at Millcote, from there caught the house carriage of Thornfield to its estate, which had been waiting for me. 

As we approached the house by the long, gravel drive, I noticed it was a very large, stone estate, happily situated amongst rolling hills and fields, which, though covered in recent snow, held promise, a good two miles from the excitement of town.  The front doors, which were constructed of ancient wood, parted as we rolled up and a sweet-countenanced older woman emerged from inside.  She wore a black silk dress with bonnet and apron of white and, while not portly, was matronly, and of middle age.  Color bloomed on her cheeks and a smile lit her eyes as I was helped down from the carriage by the driver.

“Oh, you must be Miss Higurashi!  Welcome, welcome!  I am Mrs. Fairfax and we are so glad you are come to Thornfield.  Do follow me and I will see you warmed by the fire and fed after your tiring journey.”  I was obliged to follow her and chanced to hope that she was indeed as warm and kind as she seemed.  Perhaps there was a possibility for a whole different existence than I had known for the entirety of my life, but I did not wish to get ahead of myself.

The hour was late, indeed, by the time I arrived, but immediately I was brought inside and into the hall, whence there, up the grand staircase that seemed cold and from another time and most certainly did not fit the reception.  She showed me to her apartment, and even brought her own chair to the fire for me to sit in as she gave the key to the larder to the maid and instructed sandwiches and tea to be brought up immediately.  She took another moment to arrange for my luggage to be brought to my room and hitherto joined me as I extended hands and feet to the fire.

The maid appeared directly with a tray, which Mrs. Fairfax herself placed in front of me.  I, uncomfortable with so much attention as I had never known it, bowed my head and thanked her for her efforts.  To think that the lady of the house would stoop so to comfort her paid employee.  I eagerly consumed my cold repast, and almost immediately realized that, hunger abated, weariness took hold.

Mrs. Fairfax ventured, “What a strange, foreign sounding name you have.  You say you grew up here in England?”

“Yes, indeed.  I passed nearly the whole of my life at Lowood.  I look forward to meeting my charge in the morning.”

“Oh, yes.  Inuyasha is a dear boy, as I’m sure you will find.  His nurse, Myoga, an older gentleman, stays with him, but it is past time for him to start his lessons: we were happy to see your advertisement in the paper.  Such perfect timing, if I do say so!  He is the ward of the master’s though I must say our master is little at home.”

“Then he is not your child?” I asked.

“Heavens, no!  I am housekeeper to Lord Rochester here at Thornfield.” This was a surprise to me.  I had been certain, in my naiveté, that only a member of the family would have the authority to hire for the position.

“And what sort of man is Lord Rochester?” 

“What sort of man?  He is proud, very proud, all the Rochesters were proud, and a better master I’ve never known.”

“And of his character?” I pressed.  I was greatly curious about my new employer.  I longed to know just what sort of person I would be serving.

“Well, he is mostly a quiet man, he served in the war and was awarded for his bravery and skill, he…he is honorable, in his own way, takes his responsibilities seriously, and is generous with all who serve him.  He has a peculiar way of speaking sometimes, perhaps retaining the whimsy he had as a boy: when he speaks to you, it is hard to know if he is in earnest.”  She cleared her throat.   “Now, my dear, I have afforded you the apartment next to mine.  This part of the house is not as grand, but I find it cozier and hope you will as well.  I can see you ready to nod off in your chair, so let me take you now.”  She took my arm and escorted me down the hall to my chamber, in which a fire had been laid earlier to chase the chill from the room and which was now embers.

She bid me good night, leaving me the candle, and returned to her room.  I closed the door and prepared myself for bed, blowing out the candle and slipping between fine sheets and under more blankets than I had ever known before reclining in a luxuriously plush mattress.  Exhausted from my journey, I was asleep as soon as my head found the soft, feather pillows.

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When I awoke, it was full light.  I had passed the night in dreamless repose the restfulness of which I had never before known.  I refreshed myself at the washstand and dressed for the day.  Though fully aware that I was a plain subject, I always made care with my appearance.  My simple, black dress, though free of adornments, was clean, neat, and excellently fitted.  My long, wavy, black hair was severely smoothed into a plait and thence into a coil at my nape.  I checked myself in the mirror and saw my usual pale, if clear, countenance and vividly blue eyes, which the Headmaster had often singled out as evidence of the inherent wickedness of my soul, from which I was told I must guard myself.  I always thought this suspect as his wife and daughters possessed blue eyes as well.  My features were unremarkable, neither fashionable nor ugly, and my height and figure were slight.

Assuring I had no hair out of place, I wrapped myself in my cream-colored shawl and quit the room.

Mrs. Fairfax stopped me as I passed her room and invited me to break my fast with her.  She rang for more toast and tea and I sat amiably with her as she chatted about the weather, which was said to stay cold for the next while, but dry.  The homemade preserves, something I had never had in my life, were incredible to my palette, and I admit to taking another slice of buttered toast after my hunger was relieved simply to sample more of the sweet fruit concoction. 

After we finished, she escorted me to the library, where I found the majority of books were under lock and key but a bookcase had been reserved with volumes appropriate for educating my charge and a large desk was outfitted with paper, quills and ink.  On the sill of the large, sectioned window adjacent to this desk overlooking the vast, winter-kissed grounds was a globe and on the wall beside that, a slate and chalk.

I waited eagerly for the boy to arrive; before long, he did.  He was a child of unearthly loveliness, masses of wavy silver hair fell down his back and he looked up at me with golden eyes.  His skin was pale and he was well nourished, though short for his age.  He greeted me with a bow, and looked as if unsure whether to smile, as a child unused to receiving in return the natural affections he felt.  I smiled to him, watching as he eased, and introduced myself.  I told him that if he was a good boy and applied himself, we would become good friends and at that idea his expression cheered and he bestowed me with a brilliant smile.  I was struck by its beauty but also with the odd impression that he had strangely large incisors.  Dismissing the thought, I turned to the long task of assessing his knowledge base and skill set.

Inuyasha proved a very energetic pupil and I saw that he was unaccustomed to mental discipline.  I decided he would benefit most from morning-only classes at the present and after I had tested him, announced a break before luncheon, at which time he ran from the room for the out of doors as if chased by the very devil.

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And so the months passed: November into December into January with a rhythm and pleasantness.  The mornings were filled with lessons with afternoons spent at my leisure, whereupon I perused the library of my master, expanding on my knowledge of the world around me and broadening my knowledge of fantasy and folk tales to entertain Inuyasha.  When the weather was inclement, he often chose to join me in these pursuits, playing with toys on the rug by the fire or sitting quietly in my lap as I read to him, and his need for the companionship of another charmed me, as it was a lack I had always felt keenly.  I have always believed that we, none of us, can survive well or long without human contact, despite the dictates of the where I grew up.

We had a pleasant Christmas, with a small celebration in Mrs. Fairfax’s room, and I enjoyed fare the likes of which I had only read about as well as something I had, indeed, never received: a Christmas present.  I had embroidered a handkerchief for sweet Mrs. Fairfax and sewn a toy dog for my young charge (which I am pleased to say, delighted him no end) but never expected anything in return.  And yet, as I extended my gifts, so were gifts extended to me.  I was honored and deeply moved.  Until this day, I had been party to but one present, and that for going away, from my dear Miss Temple: a simple, pearl brooch, my only such adornment, which I saved for the best of occasions. 

As I unwrapped the muslin covering Mrs. Fairfax’s offering, I saw that it was a fruit tart.  There was very little occasion to eat fruit at the school, it being expensive even when in season, and I admit to taking every opportunity of the generosity of my current situation to try it when it was offered.  The tart was beautifully arranged with preserved strawberries, raspberries, and peaches and looked scrumptious.  I immediately offered to share but it was insisted that it was solely for my own enjoyment.  Inuyasha’s gift was that of a sketch of a fairy, following the conventions of a story I had recently read him, wherein was described the small creatures with gossamer wings and passionate, mischievous souls who came from Avalon and could disguise themselves as humans.  In his lessons, it was shown that he had quite a gift with charcoal and, remarkably, this fairy had my own appearance, though her hair flew wild and free in bounteous waves and her eyes sparkled with joy.  Someone, likely Mrs. Fairfax, had helped him preserve it in a small frame.  I was truly touched.

“It’s you!  Don’t you think I’ve captured you?  If only you’d let down your hair sometimes, you would look just like that!”

“And what of my wings?” I queried.

“You haven’t grown them yet.  Everyone knows a fairy child does not grow her wings until she mates!”

I laughed.  “Of course.  What was I thinking?  Well, then, we must wait,” I humored him.  What I had learned from my time at Lowood was that no one but those with the largest of hearts could care for those like us that populated the school.  Poor, plain girls with no connections were left to rot in the dark places of the earth and those of splendid beauty and money of good families were treated with kindness, love, and respect.  It was the way of the world and I had learned my lesson well.  Besides, I was very content here with the free affections of a child and the companionship of the housekeeper.  When the child grew and attained his rightful place among those of his kind, he would forget his governess and she would be dismissed to find another situation.  Mrs. Fairfax was dear but lacked a formal education and could not talk with myself on the myriad subjects that interested me.  We were companions, perhaps over the years we may develop a friendship, but when I was finally sent from Thornfield, I would be forgotten.  With little hope for friendships, I had even less hope for marriage.

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