I sputtered for a moment, then managed, “How did you know my married name?”
Mr. Waverly puffed on his pipe. “It is my job to know with whom I am dealing. I wouldn’t be effective if I didn’t have a keen memory for faces, names, and descriptions. Every day, I read the incoming reports, as well as the Hue and Cry and Police Gazette. You mentioned that you gave your report to Glebe regarding your robbery, and I recalled a guard’s report mentioning a woman named Mrs. Rochester. He noted that she had received a black eye in a scuffle with a thief at a coaching inn. The chances of there having been two such incidents involving two women with the same sort of injury, within the same week, seemed unlikely. For future reference, ma’am, most ladies simply hand over their purse. Few dare to fight their attacker. So I inferred that you were Mrs. Rochester from your injury—and one other event. The name ‘Jane Eyre’ was written in pencil and appeared last on Mrs. Thurston’s list of teachers. Hence, I could deduce that you are a new addition, which would be in concert with your being a traveler who was robbed.”
His logic was impeccable, and I enjoyed hearing him explain how one deduced fact led to another. The method of thinking was simple and elegant at the same time.
A slow puff of smoke preceded his next question. “What inspired you to take a mail coach here? They cost more than a regular coach, and they offer fewer comforts. I suspect something inspired you to come to London in a hurry. Am I right?”
“Adèle is my husband Mr. Rochester’s ward. When her most recent letter arrived, it became clear that she is deeply unhappy here.”
“Why did your husband not check on the girl himself?”
“His surgeon advised him not to travel.”
“So he sent you? A mere slip of a girl?”
“Mrs. Brayton had encouraged me to visit. My husband plans to join me.”
“I see. I am acquainted with her brother, Mr. Douglas. Quite the military hero. And tell me again how you knew Miss Miller?”
I told Mr. Waverly about Lowood, and how Miss Miller started as my superior and eventually became my colleague.
“After I left Lowood, we wrote each other once or twice, and I regret to say, we fell out of touch. Our meeting here was by chance. When I arrived to find the school in uproar over Selina Biltmore’s death, I had thought to withdraw Adèle immediately, but Miss Miller convinced me I could do more good here. She said that you had strongly urged them to add a chaperone in the Senior dormitory, so she invited me to substitute for their missing German teacher, and as you know, the opportunity suited me. It is for just a short time. I thought it would give me a chance to observe the inner workings of this school, and to ascertain whether it was a good fit for Adèle. The ruse would only work if I claimed my maiden name.”
“So Mrs. Thurston does not know you are married?”
“The situation is complicated. Mrs. Thurston made a rash assumption about who I was. I had originally intended to tell her my real identity, but she did not give us the chance.” I paused. “Surely you have noticed that she adheres firmly to her opinions without listening carefully to what others say? And without gathering facts?”
He laughed. “Well put.”
“I decided to use her rash behavior to my benefit. Besides, the position is vacant only temporarily. You yourself convinced Miss Miller that the Seniors needed a chaperone and that the post should be filled quickly. Given our history, Miss Miller knew she could trust me.”
He said nothing, and that caused me a bit of unease.
“I am here only for a few days. Mrs. Thurston does not need to know I am a married woman. You and I would both agree the girls are safer with me being here.” I was acutely conscious that my rationale sounded a bit like a plea.
Mr. Waverly sat there, seeming totally disinterested, his posture relaxed and his face slack, as if he were ready to drift off. My impulse was to continue pleading with him, begging him to let me stay. How odd it seemed: Only hours earlier I was determined to leave Alderton House. Now I was just as determined to stay the course.
Suddenly the man snapped to attention. “I have made my decision.”
Rather than woolgathering, he had been considering all his options.
“I shall keep your confidence, Mrs. Rochester, for one reason only. It suits my purpose. I agree that you do a good turn by staying here.”
“Thank you.” I paused. “Sir.”
I hoped that I had convinced him. But I worried that I had actually made the situation worse. Panic seized me; my mouth went dry. I spotted a carafe and glass on one end of Mrs. Thurston’s desk, so I stepped nearer and poured myself a drink.
Unfortunately, the liquid was pure spirits.
I coughed and choked and coughed some more. I thought I’d never catch my breath.
Mr. Waverly watched me with amusement. “Bit strong for you, eh?”
My embarrassing interlude gave me the chance to think about his focus on Miss Miller. What did I know of her? The gaping hole in my knowledge of Nan Miller’s recent past did not escape me. What had Miss Jones meant when she said that another student had died under Miss Miller’s care? What had happened?
I hoped to tread safely around the circumference of my ignorance, but the deep crevasse worried me. Once I fell in, I might not be able to climb back out.
“I am not in the habit of drinking strong spirits,” I managed with difficulty.
“I see.” He slapped his knees and laughed again. “I say, you are a pip! Indulge me. Have you any suspicions of Miss Miller? Or any of the other instructors?”
“No, sir.” I sat there, intent on allowing my hands to lie loosely in my lap rather than wringing them, which would be a sure display of my nervousness. “Each one seems capable. I have seen no untoward behavior. The only surly person in the bunch is Mrs. Thurston, and I rather doubt that she would ruin the reputation of her school by committing murder. Besides, from all that I have heard, Selina Biltmore was a particular favorite of hers.”
“Hmmm. You have not heard of any disappointments that Mrs. Thurston might have had with the dead girl?”
“None, sir.” I had no idea what he was on about.
“Invitations rescinded? Agreements made and broken? Any quarrels between them?”
My confusion must have shown on my face. “Are you suggesting that they had an argument, and that it led to—”
“No, madam. I’m not suggesting anything at all. Nothing at all. I’m merely—”
But his commentary was cut short. From outside the room came the sound of fists beating on the front door.