Jane Eyre (49 page)

“I was thinking, sir—you will excuse the idea. It was involuntary—I was thinking of Hercules and Samson with their charmers—”

“You were, you little elfish—”

“Hush, sir! You don’t talk very wisely just now; any more than those gentlemen acted very wisely. However, had they been married, they would no doubt by their severity as husbands have made up for their softness as suitors and so will you, I fear. I wonder how you will answer me a year hence, should I ask a favour it does not suit your convenience or pleasure to grant.”

“Ask me something now, Jane—the least thing, I desire to be entreated—”

“Indeed I will, sir. I have my petition all ready.”

“Speak! But if you look up and smile with that countenance, I shall swear concession before I know to what, and that will make a fool of me. Truly, I question who is the slave and who is the master.”

I had to try again. It was more than my liberty at stake, it was very nature of the way he would honour me and my character going forward for the rest of our lives. Was I chattel, or was I to meet him as an equal? I entreated him, “Not at all, sir. I ask only this. Don’t send for the jewels, and don’t crown me with roses, you might as well put a border of gold lace round that plain pocket handkerchief you have there.”

“I might as well ‘gild refined gold.’ I know it, your request is granted then—for the time.”

 My master had relented!

 “I will remand the order I despatched to my banker. But you have not yet asked for anything; you have prayed a gift to be withdrawn, try again.”

“Well then, sir, have the goodness to gratify my curiosity, which is much piqued on one point.”

He looked disturbed. “What? What?” he said hastily. “Curiosity is a dangerous petition, it is well I have not taken a vow to accord every request—”

“But there can be no danger in complying with this, sir.”

“Utter it, Jane, but I wish that instead of a mere inquiry into, perhaps, a secret, it was a wish for half my estate.”

“Now, King Ahasuerus! What do I want with half your estate? Do you think I am a Jew-usurer, seeking good investment in land? I would much rather have all your confidence. You will not exclude me from your confidence if you admit me to your heart?”

“You are welcome to all my confidence that is worth having, Jane, but for God’s sake, don’t desire a useless burden! Don’t long for poison—don’t turn out a downright Eve on my hands!”

“Why not, sir? You have just been telling me how much you liked to be conquered, and how pleasant over-persuasion is to you. Don’t you think I had better take advantage of the confession, and begin and coax and entreat—even cry and be sulky if necessary—for the sake of a mere essay of my power?”

“I dare you to any such experiment. Encroach, presume, and the game is up.”

“Is it, sir? You soon give in. How stern you look now! Your eyebrows have become as thick as my finger, and your forehead resembles what, in some very astonishing poetry, I once saw styled, ‘a blue-piled thunderloft’. That will be your married look, sir, I suppose?”

“If that will be
your
married look, I, as a Christian, will soon give up the notion of consorting with a mere sprite or salamander. But what had you to ask, thing—out with it?”

“There, you are less than civil now and I like rudeness a great deal better than flattery. I had rather be a
thing
than an angel. This is what I have to ask—Why did you take such pains to make me believe you wished to marry Miss Ingram?”

“Is that all? Thank God it is no worse!” And now he unknit his black brows; looked down, smiling at me, and stroked my hair, as if well pleased at seeing a danger averted. As he was wont, he momentarily tightened his hand against my skull. I was prisoner, yet I knew I could unlock the cage at any moment.

 “I think I may confess,” he continued after releasing his grip, “even although I should make you a little indignant, Jane—and I have seen what a fire-spirit you can be when you are indignant. You glowed in the cool moonlight last night, when you mutinied against fate, and claimed your rank as my equal. Janet, by-the-bye, it was you who made me the offer.”

“Of course I did.” I refused to be deterred. “But to the point if you please, sir—Miss Ingram?”

“Well, I feigned courtship of Miss Ingram, because I wished to render you as madly in love with me as I was with you and I knew jealousy would be the best ally I could call in for the furtherance of that end.”

“Excellent! Now you are small—not one whit bigger than the end of my little finger. It was a burning shame and a scandalous disgrace to act in that way. Did you think nothing of Miss Ingram’s feelings, sir?”

“Her feelings are concentrated in one—pride and that needs humbling. Were you jealous, Jane?”

“Never mind, Mr Rochester, it is in no way interesting to you to know that. Answer me truly once more. Do you think Miss Ingram will not suffer from your dishonest coquetry? Won’t she feel forsaken and deserted?”

“Impossible!—when I told you how she, on the contrary, deserted me, the idea of my insolvency cooled, or rather extinguished, her flame in a moment.”

“You have a curious, designing mind, Mr Rochester. I am afraid your principles on some points are eccentric.”

“My principles were never trained, Jane, they may have grown a little awry for want of attention. Shall you give me that attention, fair wife-to-be?”

“Once again, seriously; may I enjoy the great good that has been vouchsafed to me, without fearing that anyone else is suffering the bitter pain I myself felt a while ago?”

“That you may, my good little girl, there is not another being in the world has the same pure love for me as yourself—for I lay that pleasant unction to my soul, Jane, a belief in your affection.”

I turned my lips to the hand that lay on my shoulder. I loved him very much—more than I could trust myself to say—more than words had power to express.

“Ask something more,” he said presently, “it is my delight to be entreated, and to yield.”

I knew of what he spoke. When he entreated me, I found it a singular thrill to yield to his demand. I was again ready with my request. “Communicate your intentions to Mrs Fairfax, sir, she saw me with you last night in the hall, and she was shocked. Give her some explanation before I see her again. It pains me to be misjudged by so good a woman.”

“What will you give me if I grant you this request?”

 “Sir?”

 He secured the door.

 When he returned to me, I saw what he was about, there was no doubting his diabolical purpose. My insides responded immediately to his tone and to the changed expression on his face.

 With unaccustomed boldness, I looked at the front of his trousers. Indeed my future husband was as stirred as I. “I should like to place my hand on you, there, sir.”

 “Where, miss?”

 “Your cock, sir.”

 “I am quite scandalised by your language, Miss Eyre.”

 But there was teasing in his tone which eased my sudden embarrassment.

 “It will always be thus, miss. I will permit no coquettishness. I wish for you to bold and brazen, nay, I demand it! Do it, Jane. Do it now.”

 I moved a little closer and reached for him.

 “Press your palm against me—harder.”

 As I did, his flesh thickened and grew.

 “Such is your power.”

 It was true, then, that the master could be mastered.

 “Remove your trousers, sir. I shall show you what I will do for you for granting my wish.” I wondered if he could hear the frantic beat of my heart. It was so loud it seemed to clog my hearing. “No hesitating, sir!”

 He raised his brows. I might have given the order, but I knew he was in charge.

 In moments, he had unbuttoned his trousers. I studied his anatomy with more confidence than on our previous occasions, my coquettishness was vanishing. I found the daylight was much more agreeable than night time or the flicker of candles to study him Even though he had used a phallus on me, I still found his cock large; the head was a bit bulbous.

 I knelt in the position he preferred.

 Very good, “said he approvingly. “I appreciate a quick learner.”

 “Will you allow me to take you in my mouth, sir?”

 He crossed to me. Tenderly he cradled my head with one of his palms.

 I opened to receive him. Mr Rochester held his cock and allowed me to accept his length at my pace.

 “Now lick, suck. Allow my reactions to guide your actions. That is what I do with you, miss. I am always in tune with your every movement, your gasps, your dampness.”

 I replaced his hand with both of mine—such was the size difference between us!—and I did as he suggested, keenly listening to his manly sounds. I learnt he liked my tongue to be pressed on the back side of his cockhead. I learnt he liked a firm grip. I learnt he liked me to take him as deep in my throat as I could, although I confess I was not terribly good at that.

 “I fear I need more practice, sir,” said I after I pulled back. I was choking and gasping for air.

 “I delight in your trying, pleasing miss. You’ve earned your reprieve. I shall speak to Mrs Fairfax at once.”

 “Thank you, sir.” I confess, I rather enjoyed causing his root to stir, becoming even thicker. I would have done it without promise of a returned favour.

 “How does your cunny feel this morning?”

 I felt the beginning of a blush. I was glad my eyes were cast on the floor.

 “A bit tender, in all honesty.”

 “And your bottom? Was your beating too severe?”

 The reminder of his punishment brought a fresh wave of moisture between my legs. “It was not, sir.”

 “Next time I shall not be so gentle.”

 “I would not say it was gentle, sir.”

 “Stand. Cross to yonder desk and lean over it. I shall inspect the flesh in question and render judgement.”

 Already I was gaining grace! I could stand from a kneeling position without feeling awkward.

 “It is a pleasure to watch you comport yourself thus, miss.”

 I bent over the desk. “I confess, Miss Eyre, that I have long had a fantasy of a school teacher.”

 “That is unseemly, sir!”

 “My cock appreciates it,” responded he.

 Mr Rochester used his cravat to tie my hands together. In that position, I should be unable to rise. Of course the man knew exactly what he was about.

 “Helpless,” he continued. “At my mercy. For all the hours I endured in this schoolroom, I shall enjoy this immensely.”

 He lifted my dress and dropped my bloomers. I felt his hands on my bare buttocks. “Nary a welt, miss, not a bruise, nor a red mark. Rather unremarkable.”

 How was that possible with the way his touch seared? I was scorched from the inside; my quim hungered. “Would you like to change that, sir?”

 “Are you asking me to spank you, Miss Eyre? Here, in the schoolroom, turned over a desk?”

 “I—” I had suddenly lost my voice!

 “I continue to encourage you to speak with me, miss.”

 “Yes. I would like very much for you to spank me, sir.”

 “How many swats, miss?”

 “Six, sir, if you please. And an orgasm afterwards.”

 Protested he with mock horror, “What terror have I unleashed on my future years? The future Mrs Rochester shall be demanding in all things.”

 “You speak the truth sir. I implore you, get on with it. I fear I cannot wait another moment!”

 “Turn your feet inwards at a slight angle. Yes, yes. And when I abuse your rear, I want you thus. It gives me a better angle.”

 He rubbed my buttocks vigorously as he spoke, “There are different types of beatings, miss. There are ones designed solely as punishment. Others may be given to reinforce correct behaviour. I may redden your bottom because I like knowing you are tender as you sit. Even if you are fulfilling your household duties, it may make me happy to think of you taking your seat with a bit more judicious care than normal.” He stilled his hands, but added, “The one you are about to receive will be delivered strictly for your edification.”

 The first blow took away my breath. It was sharp. It stung. But it somehow did feel different from the previous ones. I commented on that to my master.

 “I have cupped my hand slightly,” explained he. “You will be disappointed if you don’t feel it, but this is not punishment.”

 “I see.” Truthfully I was not certain I did.

 “I brought blood flow to the area first; that will change the impact, also. As I mentioned, there are many different ways to administer justice to your well-shaped rear. Prepare yourself for the next one by relaxing your muscles. Tensing will heighten the feel.”

 I did as he recommended. I took a breath, and I schooled myself.

 He delivered the next two blows straight after each other. While I was caught in a fog, he stroked my quim.

 I all but danced beneath his touch!

 “My Miss Eyre is already stirred?”

 I did not answer. The moisture on his fingertip offered proof enough!

 He inserted two fingers inside me and began to thrust. I dug my toes into the floor. I tried to arch towards him but my tied hands made that all but impossible.

 “How many strikes have you received?”

 “Three, sir!”

 “How many more are you to receive?”

 “Three, sir.”

 “And how long until you beg me to bring you to completion?”

 “Now, sir.”

 “Denied.”

 He pulled back his hand. I sighed my irritation. He had me on the verge. I felt as if I stood on the edge of a cliff. Only he could shove me off. Only he could catch me at the bottom. The conundrum vexed me!

 He gave me the fourth spank, this one frustratingly gentle.

 “The rhythm can change, as you see.”

 “May we get straight to the results, sir, and skip the lesson?”

 He laughed. His mirth hadn’t been my aim. Getting on with it was!

 His next slap landed on my exposed quim. I screamed. The pain lanced me, and it spurred my orgasm.

 “How responsive you are, darling Jane! Had I known, I would have turned you over my knee that first day, when you felled my horse!”

 The sixth spank was unnecessary; Mr Rochester had already brought me the relief I sought. Still, he made it count. It blazed with harshness I wouldn’t soon forget.